Hi everyone, my name is randy and I live in southern Wisconsin. I have a 2003 mazda protege es 5 speed. I would like to know about anything and everything that would be best for my car. Opinions welcome on performance handling ect. Not putting a turbo on it. Just want a good hp weight ratio and good handling thanks and im sure I will enjoy seeing all the cars on here and what anyone has to offer for upgrades.
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- Thread starter benzing
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Welcome! You're already a step ahead with the 5 speed, I wish my 03 ES was stick.
Suspension mods are the best thing for these cars, they only improve the already great-handling platform. A decent cupkit (Tokico blue shocks with Eibach, Tein, H&R, Tanabe, Racing Beat, etc springs) with a bigger rear swaybar is a great start.
A catback, header and short ram intake are all great for adding a little power too - can all be had for reasonably cheap on eBay (compared to other cars).
Also a heads up, since you're a fellow Midwesterner watch out for rust. It's easy to fix if you catch it early (a little sanding, body filler, primer/paint/clear goes a long way), but these things can quickly rust out pretty badly. People have all sorts of tricks for preventing rust, search around and you'll find all kinds of methods.
Drive it and have fun!
Suspension mods are the best thing for these cars, they only improve the already great-handling platform. A decent cupkit (Tokico blue shocks with Eibach, Tein, H&R, Tanabe, Racing Beat, etc springs) with a bigger rear swaybar is a great start.
A catback, header and short ram intake are all great for adding a little power too - can all be had for reasonably cheap on eBay (compared to other cars).
Also a heads up, since you're a fellow Midwesterner watch out for rust. It's easy to fix if you catch it early (a little sanding, body filler, primer/paint/clear goes a long way), but these things can quickly rust out pretty badly. People have all sorts of tricks for preventing rust, search around and you'll find all kinds of methods.
Drive it and have fun!
Thank you so much! my car has a rust hole right under my drivers door. And bubbling spots in usual protege spots. The guy I bought the car from tries to fix the rust and a decent job looks good at 10 feet haha. And am for sure doing my handling first. I feel like my rear end is going lift up when I take corners, not liking that. But I love this car and I am keeping forever 
my step dad has a speed 3 gt 2007. Rare car and it aint stock haha. He made it so the car handles very well. He got me into mazdas and I am hooked! But I still love my dodge cummins my protege is my first car. Never selling it
my step dad has a speed 3 gt 2007. Rare car and it aint stock haha. He made it so the car handles very well. He got me into mazdas and I am hooked! But I still love my dodge cummins my protege is my first car. Never selling it Similar Threads and Articles
