![]() ![]() Sure it’s no sports car and will not win very many drag races, yet the Protégé does have a certain fun to drive factor that most vehicles in its class do not possess. Kudos to Mazda for not only making a durable car, but it’s entertaining to drive as well. And so I struck a deal with the former owner and with some negotiation got the price down well below my budget! In the past I have had very good luck buying newish high mileage vehicles and this one appears to have plenty of life left in it. In fact the little Mazda drove so well I had a hard time believing it had travelled almost 300k. Besides, I figure with that mileage in six years the car must have been used for long distance commuting and if that is the case the vehicle must be very well maintained since the owner must rely on it.Īs it turned out the Protégé was used as a daily long distance commuter on the highway and it had been very well maintained. I have always had the philosophy that you have to search out a potential deal even if it might have high mileage or be a make and model that you may not like or be familiar with. The car was advertised for $2500 with a provincial safety inspection and e-tested, too good to be true? I clicked on the ad and quickly discovered why it was so cheap 298,000 kilometers will depreciate a car very quickly! Never the less I decided that the car was worth a look. With that budget you might as well forget about any Japanese vehicle that meets that criteria that were made in the last decade, I had to think outside the box a little.Įndless hours scanning Kijiji brought me and my Protégé together. Not a heck of budget especially if you want something reliable and presentable. Realistically I had $2500 to buy a car, insure, repair, license and complete all provincial certifications. Having a budget of zero dollars necessitated the need to find one of my famous “Deals of the decade”. Honestly I needed another vehicle just as much as a serious case of scabies or gout, but since two of our three cars are useless in the winter months and I no longer have a company vehicle to use a vehicle purchase was necessary. I must say that I am quite proud of the deal that I got on this 2003 Mazda. All the grommets are good and there is no oil leaking into the spark-plug areas.2003 Mazda Protégé LX 2.0 Written and Photography by James Dolan It is a good quality silicone one and has a good 1/16 to an 1/8th of protrusion from the valve cover. However, I was wondering if I should replace the valve cover gasket. My wife is freaking out on me because it is still in pieces waiting for the New timing component kit and belt. I replaced the front struts, motor mounts, hoses to radiator, fixed the intake that was installed on it. I did not however pay close enough attention, as it had two broken motor mounts and was in very desperate need of a power flush and oil change. OD is at 292000 bought it for 2300, simply due to the fact there was absolutely not a single deposit in the head and it ran like a sewing machine. Turned out to be the timing components eating through the side of the Timing cover along with the belt. So I just bought mine 3 weeks ago and I have only driven it once, I just happened to have to go out of state and found out I had no heat, then the car started making a racket. Whoever owned mine before me and after the original owner had the belt replaced, but I do not believe they replaced the timing components, they did replace the water pump though. I will vouch that it is non-interference, just make sure to replace the timing component wheels as well when you do the timing belt. ![]()
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