stivine6's 2001 Mazda Protege Build

[oxycontiin]

Thanks for the reply. I saw your pm, but I'll just continue the conversation on here in case others had similar questions. I'm definitely gonna pick me up some VHT and darken the tail lights this week. I want to do the head lights as well, but I was just outside looking at them and the signal light isn't very definitively divided from the rest of the head light so I'm thinking this method won't work. One step at a time though. I've been keeping an eye out for mp5 wrecks and I think I found an 03 p5 hatch with usable side skirts. Will those fit the 01 protege? I don't think hatchback vs. sedan matters and I'm fairly sure that parts from 99 - 03 are all relatively interchangeable. I'm still looking for the front bumper. What'd you do for the rear bumper? Stock but with the added lip from an mp3? I've yet to figure out what an mp3 is, so you lost me there. I don't know a whole lot about cars so I'm a little worried I'm going to blow a bunch of money and find out later that I bought the wrong thing. I really appreciate your help though. You're definitely saving me from a potentially very costly mistake.

 

[stivine6]

Thanks for the reply. I saw your pm, but I'll just continue the conversation on here in case others had similar questions. I'm definitely gonna pick me up some VHT and darken the tail lights this week. I want to do the head lights as well, but I was just outside looking at them and the signal light isn't very definitively divided from the rest of the head light so I'm thinking this method won't work. One step at a time though. I've been keeping an eye out for mp5 wrecks and I think I found an 03 p5 hatch with usable side skirts. Will those fit the 01 protege? I don't think hatchback vs. sedan matters and I'm fairly sure that parts from 99 - 03 are all relatively interchangeable. I'm still looking for the front bumper. What'd you do for the rear bumper? Stock but with the added lip from an mp3? I've yet to figure out what an mp3 is, so you lost me there. I don't know a whole lot about cars so I'm a little worried I'm going to blow a bunch of money and find out later that I bought the wrong thing. I really appreciate your help though. You're definitely saving me from a potentially very costly mistake.

Yeah get the VHT nite but seriously do 1 coat or 2 max. It gets darker as it dries so you can wait between coats to make the final decision, once it's on it's tougher to get off. As for the headlights I wouldn't use VHT on those, I would get different housing from a protege parts car. Take note that the protege 5's housing uses two bulbs, one low beam and one high beam so you would have to change the wiring harness. If you get the headlight off a protege sedan ES trim level it will come with a dark housing just like mine which uses one single bulb for high and low beam. I've been told that the sedan headlights are better for HIDs (don't glare as much) but I never confirmed that.

As for the rear lip it comes from the 01 mazda protege mp3 which is a limited production model before they introduced the mazdaspeed protege. It comes in only blue and yellow, makes 140hp and no turbo. You can find the same lip off a 03 mazdaspeed protege before the 03.5 model which they changed the rear lip but still looks good.

 

[stivine6]

I'm bored at work right now, cleaned up my car and liked how this picture came out, thought I'd share

All greased up and waxed

 

[oxycontiin]

My god that is a thing of beauty. What was the rust situation like when you first got it? Every protege I've ever seen always has rust in the exact same spots. Mostly around the wheel wells. But your's clearly doesn't suffer from that problem.

Picked up some VHT today so I'll give er a go tonight hopefully. Definitely gonna do one coat to start. I have an entire can so I can always add more later, but I like how yours came out. As for the front, I've seen protege's with the style I'm looking for, looks like the stock headlight but the signal area is grey instead of yellow, but I've had zero luck finding anything like that when looking through parts online. And sadly, I'm holding off on those side skirts right now. I'm waiting until I get paid so my money situation won't be so tight. Hopefully I can find some again.

EDIT: Well, it didn't go quite as planned haha. Got them all taped up and then blew it the first time. I used a bunch of nail polish remover and got it off, still felt pretty stupid though. Second time around was much more even, but it took more passes than I really wanted so it's pretty dark, but still acceptable I think. Do the p5 headlights you're talking about fit this car? I see what you mean, they look a little less lame. I might search through some junkyards and see what parts I can find.

 

[CiviCity]

I love your rims and especially the color of the car. So rare to see one here in Quebec that is as clean and shiny as yours

 

[stivine6]

My god that is a thing of beauty. What was the rust situation like when you first got it? Every protege I've ever seen always has rust in the exact same spots. Mostly around the wheel wells. But your's clearly doesn't suffer from that problem.

Picked up some VHT today so I'll give er a go tonight hopefully. Definitely gonna do one coat to start. I have an entire can so I can always add more later, but I like how yours came out. As for the front, I've seen protege's with the style I'm looking for, looks like the stock headlight but the signal area is grey instead of yellow, but I've had zero luck finding anything like that when looking through parts online. And sadly, I'm holding off on those side skirts right now. I'm waiting until I get paid so my money situation won't be so tight. Hopefully I can find some again. I just looked up how to install them though and apparently there's like a thing of tape on the skirt? What do you do if they're used? I'm guessing that tape is really a one and done kinda deal so I'd need a new way to fasten them to my car.

I love your rims and especially the color of the car. So rare to see one here in Quebec that is as clean and shiny as yours

thank you glad both you guys like it! I've done my best to take care of the car the best i can within my student budget of course. I wish i could say there is no rust at all but there is a bit of rust on each rear fender, some slight bubbles here and there. The good news is it hasn't spread since i bought it since i have been applying lots of grease and corrosion free inside the fenders and out, plus washing it once a week. It's not mint or perfect by any means but i work with what i have D:

and for VHT niteshade, trust me you won't need a whole can or even 1/8, one quick spray for each reverse portion of the tailights and it's done. Heck i returned the can after because it was still technically full haha. I knew i wasn't going to be using anymore again.

I am not too sure about which headlights you are talking about, got any pics?

For side skirts you either drill them or use 3m tape + some glue, i didn't want to drill any holes so i opted for the second method..

Hope the helped sorta..!

 

[oxycontiin]

What'd you say when you took it back? I was thinking of doing that I just don't know what my reason for returning it would be

 

[NocturnalSpeed]

Your ride looks clean. That color combination caught my eye while I was going through one of the threads. Keep up the great work.

 

[stivine6]

What'd you say when you took it back? I was thinking of doing that I just don't know what my reason for returning it would be

They didn't even ask haha, you could always just say you don't want it anymore or you bought the wrong one. No big deal

Your ride looks clean. That color combination caught my eye while I was going through one of the threads. Keep up the great work.

Thank you very much happy that people notice it haha. I can't wait for my msp spoiler to get here, should just about complete the look of the car

In the future I want to install the racing beat sway bar but ill wait till something comes along, I hate the fact you need different rear links and possibly a clunk fix kit just to install a rear sway bar

 

[mazdaprotegeES]

Dude What kind of Mud Flaps do you have? i wanna get me a set lol. but the factory ones dont fit with the rear lip and the side skirts on it. let me know. thanks.

 

[stivine6]

Dude What kind of Mud Flaps do you have? i wanna get me a set lol. but the factory ones dont fit with the rear lip and the side skirts on it. let me know. thanks.

whoops missed my own thread didnt see your post sorry, mud laps are from Canadian tire over here.. i didnt want to pay for rally armors and i thought they wouldnt fit so i picked up some generic ones

Also this came yesterday in the mail, just dropped it off at the shop for paint

 

[JDM323J48]

whoops missed my own thread didnt see your post sorry, mud laps are from Canadian tire over here.. i didnt want to pay for rally armors and i thought they wouldnt fit so i picked up some generic ones

Also this came yesterday in the mail, just dropped it off at the shop for paint

nice

 

[CiviCity]

Beautiful dude
Cant wait to see it installed!!

 

[Berto24]

dude your car looks really nice! keep the good work coming!

 

[theevilm]

dude your car looks really nice! keep the good work coming!

You sir, need to lower that pro, it would look so much better! I'm jealous of your wheels.

 

[mazdaprotegeES]

how much were the ones you bought? and how can i buy them here ?

 

[theevilm]

how much were the ones you bought? and how can i buy them here ?

Me?

 

[mazdaprotegeES]

oops sorry theevilm. i ment how much were the mud flaps that stivine6 have.

Me?

 

[stivine6]

nice

Beautiful dude
Cant wait to see it installed!!

thanks guys! I can't wait either, long hard search for it sort of.. hoping to get it on during the weekend

I was checking out the bolts and wires, looks like it should bolt straight on and i would just have to crimp the wires into my brake lights

dude your car looks really nice! keep the good work coming!

thank you, i will try my best loving the rims on your pro, definitely drop it though! You wont be disappointed

how much were the ones you bought? and how can i buy them here ?

I'm guessing you can get it from autozone/pep boys, theyre generic plain ones with no logo or anything but very flexible. I picked mine up for $7 a pair so $14 for all 4

 

[Berto24]

thanks guys! I can't wait either, long hard search for it sort of.. hoping to get it on during the weekend

thank you, i will try my best loving the rims on your pro, definitely drop it though! You wont be disappointed

How much?