Any suggestions for my new Protege? It's the 2002 ES sedan, 2.0L engine.
Don't worry about price tags, what do you think would look good/perform good on this car?
So far the only 'aftermarket' item is a K&N filter.
Suggest away!

 

Oh, you're in Canada, explains the steelies and wheelcovers (US market got alloys). I say get rid of those first.

 

Yeh, I agree. Most likely the most disapointing aspect.

 

Well, I had some time (and money) to work on the Pro, and now it looks more like this:
MazdaSpeed Spoiler
CompuStar Alarm/Starter
Alpine 600w system
Tint
17" RTX Rims

What I want to know now is; what is a good exhaust/muffler system for the protege? I don't want some ricer noizy system, but rather something deep and smooth sounding.
So, again, suggestions?

 

almost impossible to find deep and smooth on a 4 cylinder

if you have factory exhaust manifold, the thunder cat back is good, great quality price, good sound

if you use a header at all, expect to sound buzzy, no matter what you do

 

I would have to recommend dropping her, nice new wheels and wing deserve a nice little drop to add to the look and keep the handling up to par.

 

Yeah, I thought as much. Inline 4's don't really have the design to sound like a big V6 or 8.

I know there is a mazdaspeed one by Racing Beat, any positive/negetive comments on that one?

 

Is there any way to lower the car without replacing the suspention system? Seems like a waste to remove a still-working suspention for 1-2 inches.

 

Dropping it only requires replacing springs, and you can always keep the stock parts for winter or if something happens to the aftermarket ones.

 

I heard it has serious highway drone

 

Harsh. I spend way too much time on the highway to be annoyed by my car. Ah well, maybe I'll just keep the stock exhast for now. It sounds OK, and at least it doesn't annoy me.

 

Hmm, that sounds do-able. It's too bad I dont have access to a garage though, gets expensive to pay someone to change parts.

I hardly feel like jacking the car up out on the street.