Well, since I just bought one (in avatar), I'm trying to get an idea of what parts of other vehicles can be used. The very short model run is the issue at hand.
I'm looking to show myself that parts wont be scarce down the road since I plan on keeping this car.
Thanks guys!
Pretty much any parts from the normal Proteges of the same generation would be a start. 
What parts in particular are you after?
Well this feels like a car I could really hold onto for a while. I guess things like doors and hoods, body parts in general. There's a great aftermarket right now, I'd like to think that that will be the case several years from now.
It's got a modified suspension and I guess I'll sleep better knowing that I can keep it that way or improve it when the time comes.
I have nighmares of the parts guy saying "sorry, they don't make those anymore, your screwed". I'd like to know I can say "well just give me the struts for the 2006 MazdaSpeed6 then" or something similar.
I understand how the demand controls what parts will be on the shelves long after a major model change when that car/truck becomes obsolete.
The Lego nature of Fox bodied cars and many Subarus is a scenario I'd like to discover about the Mazdas!
You want a V6 in that thing? 
92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:You want a V6 in that thing?
Since you asked about motors, the 2.0 was used in several vehicles (I believe) so finding parts down the road shouldn't be too hard but not sure if the rest of the cars is the same way.
ebonyandivory wrote:92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:You want a V6 in that thing?
Since you asked about motors, the 2.0 was used in several vehicles (I believe) so finding parts down the road shouldn't be too hard but not sure if the rest of the cars is the same way.
Yeah, that's the FS-DE. It's ok. Best used for commuting. Not a great choice for anything else.
Honestly, put it this way... i can still get 99% of the parts ever available for my 1990 MX6 GT.
I don't think parts will be an issue for you for a long time to come. 
In reply to 92CelicaHalfTrac:
So far I like the entire drivetrain. I understood the only real knocks about the car was the low-on-power-ness. I'm ok with that for now, It's fun to drive and handles well enough to be interesting.
I'm coming from owning 92-96 F-series trucks. No shortage of swaps and parts with that line of vehicles!
ebonyandivory wrote:In reply to 92CelicaHalfTrac:
So far I like the entire drivetrain. I understood the only real knocks about the car was the low-on-power-ness. I'm ok with that for now, It's fun to drive and handles well enough to be interesting.
I'm coming from owning 92-96 F-series trucks. No shortage of swaps and parts with that line of vehicles!
Yeah, it's lacking power, and that's an OOOOLLLDDDD motor. So's the transmission.
It's perfectly fine the way it is, should be plenty reliable, and the car DOES handle well, so there is that.
The problem is that IF you ever get bored with the power (or lack thereof), the drivetrain doesn't typically hold up real well.
I've had three friends with 01-03 Protege sedans of various trim levels, and they've all been great little cars for the money. Not going to win a drag race but they were nimble and responsive. Pleasure to work on, interior was always a breeze to take apart and reassemble for stereo upgrades.
My brother has beat his to death and it just keeps going.
My ex put nice 16s and sticky summer rubber on her ES 2.0 and it was a blast in the twisty stuff.
Compared to my 2000 Civic sedan I had at the time I thought they were honestly the better car minus fuel economy. Except the cupholders in my 2000 Civic are still the best to ever exist.
In reply to coll9947:
Great to hear thanks!
92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:Yeah, it's lacking power, and that's an OOOOLLLDDDD motor. So's the transmission.
The problem is that IF you ever get bored with the power (or lack thereof), the drivetrain doesn't typically hold up real well.
I know swapping the FS-DET turbo stuff is simple enough and good for 170hp. Good enough for my needs.
Bought my P5 new and have had it for almost ten years now. It's been a pretty good car and fun to drive with the exception of the common complaint of the engine not being very willing.
The main problem areas to keep an eye on are:
Brake calipers - They lock up if not lubricated. I've replaced a couple of them and they still give me trouble.
Sway Bar Links - They go bad which is a common problem and you'll know it from all the clunking from the suspension.
EGR - If the one in your car has not been replaced, you'll eventually need to clean it or replace it. Maybe more than once.
Coil Packs - These go bad too. Spend the money and buy good ones that fit over the top of the spark plug properly.
Go check out: http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/ or here: http://www.clubprotege.com/ where you'll find lots of helpful information.
I believe that the manual transmission is the same one used in the Escort ZX2.
Tony D
ebonyandivory wrote:92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:Yeah, it's lacking power, and that's an OOOOLLLDDDD motor. So's the transmission.
The problem is that IF you ever get bored with the power (or lack thereof), the drivetrain doesn't typically hold up real well.
I know swapping the FS-DET turbo stuff is simple enough and good for 170hp. Good enough for my needs.
That's power past the point of what i would call "reliable." There's a reason why it's easier to find a Mazdaspeed Protege for sale with a "ventilated" block than one with an intact block.
The "FS-DET" is no different internally than the regular FS-DE, just has a horseE36 M3 turbo kit on it.
NewEdgePerf wrote:I believe that the manual transmission is the same one used in the Escort ZX2.
Tony D
They're all a variant of the G25 trans.
"G" stands for "glass."
Put in a KLG4 and call it a day!
ThePhranc wrote:Put in a KLG4 and call it a day!
I'm with stupid.
92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: The "FS-DET" is no different internally than the regular FS-DE, just has a horseE36 M3 turbo kit on it.
Did a Mazda steal your girlfriend when you were younger?
Truth is all I'm asking of this car is get my family around and be a pleasure to drive. No racing, no big jumps in power. Just a car I enjoy and can do my own repairs and maintainance.
Thanks for the replies anyhow I guess.
ebonyandivory wrote:92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: The "FS-DET" is no different internally than the regular FS-DE, just has a horseE36 M3 turbo kit on it.Did a Mazda steal your girlfriend when you were younger?
Truth is all I'm asking of this car is get my family around and be a pleasure to drive. No racing, no big jumps in power. Just a car I enjoy and can do my own repairs and maintainance.
Thanks for the replies anyhow I guess.
Lol no.... three of my five cars are Mazdas.
You've got the right expectations for that car, it will serve you VERY well.
I would personally love to have a P5.
92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:
Lol no.... three of my five cars are Mazdas.
You've got the right expectations for that car, it will serve you VERY well.
I would personally love to have a P5.
Whew! I was beginning to think I made a bad purchase. And one more thing to consider is that I'm pretty new to cars as I've been a truck owner but not so much a truck "guy" most of my life, I just recently changed my occupation so I no longer need a truck, just need to get around and have a little fun in the process.
Thanks again.
i still dont get people calling the g25 an unreliable tranny. i never had a problem with any of mine short of 3rd gear syncro once or twice. no shattered bearings or the like. unlike my g35(jatco mazda 6 v6 trans) ive stripped gears. shattered diff carrier bearings, ect. id kill to have a g25 again.
KATYB wrote:i still dont get people calling the g25 an unreliable tranny. i never had a problem with any of mine short of 3rd gear syncro once or twice. no shattered bearings or the like. unlike my g35(jatco mazda 6 v6 trans) ive stripped gears. shattered diff carrier bearings, ect. id kill to have a g25 again.
It's fine under stock conditions. It's ill-equipped to handle much more power than stock.
As a single data point (that i'm willing to write off to abuse), i bought my EGT with a bad transmission. It was 100% stock.
Under power the most common thing is that 3rd gear strips. Or the riveted on (UGH) ring gear explodes.
what i ran was a gt28rs on a stock bp at 17 to 18 psi used a fidanza flywheel and spec clutch and used an msp diff (ya gotta weld the gear never risked it without it) i always rev match when shifting up however and down for that matter. didnt like how violent and squirely those cars got when shifted hard. my 6 i do shift hard. and tends to be snap 4 axles and trans goes out. been through it 4 times now. oh well thats what warranties are for :)
