I'm looking into getting a new Protege in a few months. I want to get a nice big down payment so I can have mod money for autocross.
Anyway,
I'm looking at the top and mid models.
Other than the rear disk brakes are there any other suspension differences? Sway bar sizes or spring rates?
Are the motors and trannies the same?

Anyone know why the different bolt pattern on the wheels?

And can anyonw throw out the other major differences.

I'm looking for a fun daily driver and decent autocross beast.
I currently drive a modded 97 VW Golf K2 everyday and my autocross car is a 97 Cavalier 2.2 (actually better than you'd belive)

Thanks for your help!
Chris

 

In order: no, no, spring length only, both are the same, 5x114.3mm, 16x6 wheels on the ES vs. 15x6 on the LX. All of this stuff is in the FAQ, but we'll forgive you this time.

Also, despite the fact that few people have autocrossed G3 Proteges at the top levels, IMHO the best car for autox is *not* the 2.0L. The 99-00 ES is what you want. The 01+ weighs over 100 lbs more than a 99-00 in equivalent trim, which is partially due to suspension bracing (which is good) but is mostly due to gobs of sound deadening material added throughout the car. The 2.0L engine looks better on paper and has more low-end torque, but it falls flat at high rpm compared to the 1.8L. Dyno tests have shown that the 2.0L doesn't outpower the 1.8L as much as Mazda advertises (the difference is closer to 3-4 hp than 8 hp). This is backed up by magazine tests, which have shown that the 2.0L cars are slightly slower.

In short, less weight + same power + same wheels = better autocrosser. Good luck!

 

I did go through the FAQ that "the man" guy had posted up.
I kinda got lost in the middle though.
Do all the new 2002-03 cars have 5 bolt wheels?

I'm really looking at a new car. A used one is totally out of the question. I'm not looking for a top level competitive car, just something fun.
The Cavalier is by no means a competitive car, but it's a blast.

Any more info?
Thanks!

 

I was just wondering where the 2.0L FS-DE engine is really from? I heard it was used in the Ford Probes, and then I heard it's a new engine in which they stroked the 1.8L engine used in the 99-00 Protege. Which is true anyways?

Btw whats's the redline for the 99-00 Pro 1.8L engine?

 

The redline I think is like 6500rpm, but is has a rev limiter that kicks in like around 7100rpm.

 

It depends which part of the engine you're talking about. The internals (pistons, rods, block, etc.) are the same as the FS engine used in the 93+ Mazda 626, the 93-97 Ford Probe, and the 93-97 Mazda MX-6. I'm told that the cams and head are the same except that the Protege engines use solid lifters instead of HLA's. However, the intakes and ignition are NOT the same; all the 93-97 626/Probe/MX-6's have distributors instead of crank-fire ignition, and all non-Protege engines have regular single-stage intake manifolds without VICS (this is why the 97+ 626 4-cyl. has slightly lower horsepower than a Protege).

The 1.8L FP-DE engine in the 99-00 Protege is basically comparable to the 01+ Protege 2.0L engine except that it's destroked, it has a slightly different ignition system (it's still crank-fire tho) and it has a full-floating timing belt tensioner.

 

I think that the rear drum cars all have 4-bolt wheels. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

 

You are correct.

 

The ES has an interior like the Protege 5 (if you get the premium package). Thats why i got the ES instead of the LX because I wanted a Protege 5 type car without the station wagon look. Thus, the ES was my answer.

 

Don't forget there's another LX to ES difference: The ES has 4 wheel disc brakes. The LX does not (rear drums).

I honestly don't think the brakes make that much of a difference, however, and believe, since Mazda moved ALL trim level Proteges to the 2.0 liter engine, that the LX presents a better value than the ES-- Provided you don't mind the minor differences in interior colors, LX to ES.

Alas, in some ways, moving all Pros to the 2 liter was a slap in the face for those who shelled out all that extra money for a 2001 LX 2.0-- They paid extra to get a better engine and then a few months later Mazda started essentially giving people the 2 liter for free. Doh!

 

nothing a turbo couldn't solve

 

haha, that was funny turbo comment, made me actually laugh out loud

 

Hahaha

 

I am the current owner of an es but i don't think it's worth what i paid for it. I'd say stick with the LX and whatever features you really like about the ES just have done yourself.

 

i have a 02 lx.. i think itz a good value.. i didnt get the es because i didnt really like the red glowing gauges and i didnt really like the interior.. but hey.. get wut u like