91 Protege ECU + with $7000 what would you do

[BlueMonsta]

Hey guys,

I'm just wondering, if the 91 Protege LX has a governer... cause my car topped out at 170, and wont go any faster... there was another 2500 RPM till redline.... (in 4th, its auto).

Also, my 91 Protege is a beater car, also the only car I have.
By the end of coop I'll probably have saved up 7000cnd, should I fix it up, cause my suspension and body rust is starting to get bad... what would u do?

fix it? downpayment for a new car? buy 2nd hand?

 

[Scott D.]

I"ve had my DX Auto (stock) runnin ~115 before...

 

[Captain KRM P5]

down payment on a new car and kiss the pro goodbye.

 

[crispixoo7]

u can get a nice new car....(dont use all of it for a down payment)...or u can get a fairly new used car....(cheaper...but its USED).... either way...
get rid of the 91.

 

[BlueMonsta]

I"ve had my DX Auto (stock) runnin ~115 before...

weird... meh...

yeah, thanks for the advice... Im leaning towards a nice used car...
less insurance, well maybe

 

[SlowPro98]

Yes, the older the car, the cheaper the insurance and property taxes.

 

[D323]

"topped out at 170"? You mean kp/h right?

No way you hit that in mph in your "bone stock" protege.

 

[xis]

Also, my 91 Protege is a beater car, also the only car I have.
By the end of coop I'll probably have saved up 7000cnd, should I fix it up, cause my suspension and body rust is starting to get bad... what would u do?
fix it? downpayment for a new car? buy 2nd hand?

I'm in a similar situation. I have a 92 Pro and it needs a bunch of work. It's engine is still solid and strong, and its pretty low-miles for its age (130k), but, it needs new exhaust, at least one cv joint, new rotors, new tires, etc., etc. Its just not "worth" sinking the money into... unfortunately, cause I really love the car. $7k is a decent dent in something that's only a few years old. Do you have any leading contenders so far?

 

[BlueMonsta]

yeah 170 km/h
i wish mph... hahah.

man... my car is getting worse..
the brake rotors are starting to warp...
the axles makes noises when im crusing below 20 km/h (sqeeky noises)
the suspension really started to rust (same with the chassis)

what do you mean by "Do you have any leading contenders so far?"??

thanks

 

[xis]

yeah 170 km/h
i wish mph... hahah.

man... my car is getting worse..
the brake rotors are starting to warp...
the axles makes noises when im crusing below 20 km/h (sqeeky noises)
the suspension really started to rust (same with the chassis)

what do you mean by "Do you have any leading contenders so far?"??

thanks

Yah, yours sounds a lot like mine. My rotors are pretty shot and I've had them machined before, so I'd need new ones, almost no question. I don't have much rust other than the exhaust (which is eaten through like a bastard) -- even though I drove the car in a very snowy and salt-heavy area (WNY) for its first 6-7 years.

Re: "contenders"... are there any cars that you are considering to replace your Protege? Another Pro? Another Mazda? A Honda? ect! I thought I was going to get a nice reliable good-resale Civic... until I drove one. What a yawn. The Si is nice (my SO has a 94), but the EX and LX are so... stiff. I test drove 2 and they weren't even as much fun to drive as my poor beater Pro, despite having more horsepower and being 8-9 years younger!! I was pretty shocked.



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[pb4ugoout]

i think he is asking what you are looking at buying. what other cars do you have in mind

edit:::guess he ^^^ beat me to it

 

[xis]

i think he is asking what you are looking at buying. what other cars do you have in mind

edit:::guess he ^^^ beat me to it

LOL. Thanks pb4ugoout, yah, that's it.


I'm jealous... I'm looking for YOUR car.



.

 

[BlueMonsta]

omg... my gearbox almost bailed on me yesterday....
clunking noises can be heard when itz changing gears...
itz not so bad when itz after 2nd gear...
1-2 second shift delay between 1 st and 2nd.

I need some suggestions. no civics plz, too many idiots with them in my area.

contenders
used:
mazda 6 (rather expensive, frigging 20K+ on autotrader, so probably not going to get one)
Prelude (the ones found on autotrader and would consider are around 15-17K)

new: - with parent support only, ususally hatches because I have to move in/out of university

Mazda 3 Sport - (GS no leather, 28K without asking for the price to come down).
Matrix - my guardian likes the car, it lacks torque/body ridgity in my opinion (we went to test drive it, scared the living day lights out of the salesman, oops). Price came to 24K-25K with everything, I forgot. Matrx XR with package 'B'.
Civic SiR (or is it Type R) - I forgot what name they use here in Canada, not really a civic person, best friend recommended looking into it. I really hate civics though, too many idiots with them.

 

[xis]

contenders
used:
mazda 6 (rather expensive, frigging 20K+ on autotrader, so probably not going to get one)
Prelude (the ones found on autotrader and would consider are around 15-17K)

new: - with parent support only, ususally hatches because I have to move in/out of university

Mazda 3 Sport - (GS no leather, 28K without asking for the price to come down).
Matrix - my guardian likes the car, it lacks torque/body ridgity in my opinion (we went to test drive it, scared the living day lights out of the salesman, oops). Price came to 24K-25K with everything, I forgot. Matrx XR with package 'B'.
Civic SiR (or is it Type R) - I forgot what name they use here in Canada, not really a civic person, best friend recommended looking into it. I really hate civics though, too many idiots with them.

You and I went through just about the same list of cars. I haven't driven the Matrix yet -- glad to hear what you thought of it. After shopping and research, I ended up focusing on the Protege5. Its a little bigger than the 3 and a lot easier on the pocketbook than anything else that is hatchback-y, other than the Civics (which pretty much suck, other than the Si).

I agree in general about a certain set of people giving the Civic a bad name, but, if its a good car and will serve your needs well, I'd try to look past the idiots. We have a 94 Si and, while it seems to attract lots of attention from knuckleheads, its still a really nice little car and fun to drive. You'd have a good shot of getting a decent used one too.

Good luck. Let us know how the car-hunt goes!! I'm still looking...



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[Gen1GT]

Dude, where do you live in Canada? Consider the Protege GT. First, the problem is that your LX is a SOHC and it's automatic. I would believe it won't go much faster than the 170 you got it up to. I've had my GT up to 210kph, but I've got a few mods.

The problem is that the GTs are really hard to find, and I doubt you have the time to wait around til one pops up. Ok, I just did a search on www.autotrader.ca and I found a 1990 GT in St. Cathrines with only 143,000km(89,000 miles) for only $1500!!! This person obviously has no clue about this car. I paid $5000 for my 93 GT and it also only had 143,000km.

 

[xis]

The problem is that the GTs are really hard to find, and I doubt you have the time to wait around til one pops up. Ok, I just did a search on www.autotrader.ca and I found a 1990 GT in St. Cathrines with only 143,000km(89,000 miles) for only $1500!!! This person obviously has no clue about this car. I paid $5000 for my 93 GT and it also only had 143,000km.

Oh, love the car, looks just like mine, assuming it has way more "go" though. Was the GT only in Canada? My Pro is a 92 and I don't remember there being anything other than LX and DX offered that year, at least in the US.


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[BlueMonsta]

Dude, where do you live in Canada? Consider the Protege GT. First, the problem is that your LX is a SOHC and it's automatic. I would believe it won't go much faster than the 170 you got it up to. I've had my GT up to 210kph, but I've got a few mods.

The problem is that the GTs are really hard to find, and I doubt you have the time to wait around til one pops up. Ok, I just did a search on www.autotrader.ca and I found a 1990 GT in St. Cathrines with only 143,000km(89,000 miles) for only $1500!!! This person obviously has no clue about this car. I paid $5000 for my 93 GT and it also only had 143,000km.

If possible can u give me some info on the GT?

All I'm worried about is rust/parts avaiability

 

[Gen1GT]

I posted about the GT some time ago, but here it goes. The GT comes with DOHC, 4 wheel disc, factory spoiler, GTX interior(sport interior with racing seats), all power options(only option on the GT was AC), 14" wheels. It's the same as the US LX as far as drivetrain goes, there's no worry about parts. The spoiler, GTX interior and the red pinstriping weren't available in the US. There were 1500 GTs made in both 90 and 91, and only 500 made in 93, which celebrated Mazda's 25 years in Canada. The 93 GT also had the 323 style hood/lights one year before all the rest of the Proteges did in 94.

Between me and two of my Toronto Protege club friends, we've owned 8 or 9 GTs. Normally whenever one pops up for sale, we snatch it up. I've got two at the moment or I'd definitely buy that one up......

 

[BlueMonsta]

what are the specs stock.
displacement, mileage, octane it needs (87?).
Manual only? (hopefully... hehe)
HP/Torque? Do you have a Dyno graph by any chance?

Toprotege friends? So do u live in toronoto as well?

Do one of you happen to own a red Protege GT?
i saw it once at blackmore and bayview

 

[Gen1GT]

1839cc 125hp 112lb-ft, 0-60 8.3, 1/4 in 16.3-16.8ish stock. GTs only came in 5-speed. Runs on regular gas, but with 92+octane and advanced ignition timing, it adds 7whp. Here's a dyno of my baseline and then my 2.5" exhaust(would be much more gains in the low-midrange with 2.25" exhaust).
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=18594
The only mod I had at the time of my baseline was an OBX muffler; GT/LXs normally baseline 105-110whp. With the mods in my sig, I'm running 15.4, and here's my current dyno.

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=32149

I've pioneered a few mods for this car(like my 'exhintake' cam), and I've got pretty good power for such few mods, so if you need any help, I got your back.....