So I currently own a 2003 Kia Spectra with an automatic and I

>>16904824
post your local craigslist. how much can you spend?

>>16904834
https://chattanooga.craigslist.org/
or
https://nwga.craigslist.org/
(both are pretty much the same)

And I have a budget of about $1,000 which should include the overhead of registration and ad valorem taxes.

>>16904824
Yeah proteges are nice.
ES model came with a miata engine.

>>16904841
I should also note that this is a DX model with windy windows and no power locks.

>>16904848
Still a good car m8

>>16904848
I own two of the boxy style before this jellybean model came into effect in 1995.

Protege's are gud cars, not as good as a Corolla or Civic. Their front brakes are of an old design, and the pads wear quick. Dim headlights. Loud road noise. Front struts don't last long. Stock 13 tires make for a bumpy ride, an upgrade to 14 or 15 size is better.

Mazda's are not cheap to fix, I find dealer parts are pricey. That's IF they can order the parts. If you live in the rust belt, trying to find junkyard parts is impossible its a 20 year old car. Only the last gen 99-03 Proteges I see these days in yards. They all rusted away, and most wreckers when they get something deemed too old, its crushed right away because they feel there is no market for it, it sits on their lot and no one picks anything from it, save that space for a 7-15 year old vehicle.

>>16904949
So maybe I should wait for another car to enter the lot then. Last week a 95 honda accord sold for the same price and loads more features, and being a honda, parts are everywhere.

Try finding a Cherokee or 4runner with stick shift.

They are far more prevalent.

>>16905126
I never bothered with Hondas because of their interference motors. Depending where you live, Hondas have a higher rate of being stolen, so that is also something to consider.

Maybe an older Corolla or Tercel is for you? Maybe an old Ford Escort GT or LX-E with the Mazda motor.

>>16905126
Ive owned mazdas all my life. The parts cost is comparible to any jap cars.
The protege rides just fine. It will be more fun than an accord.
Although accords are fine as well.
Seems like that post above you is playing it up a lot for no real reason.

>>16905148
Hondas are really common where I live.
Interference motors don't bother me as I plan on doing an oil change, getting new spark plugs and new belts when I get the car so the chances of the timing belt snapping are slim.

>>16905151
I've never driven a Mazda in my life, but according to wikipedia the specific Mazda I'm looking at has an 89hp engine with 97ft/lb torque. To compare that, my Kia has a 129hp engine and 122ft/lb of torque and the Kia feels really sluggish.

>>16905151
What am I playing up good sir?

Prob should of mentioned I'm in Ontario so shit costs more in Leafland. Every time I order parts for my old Proteges they are out of stock and need to be ordered from the main warehouse in Toronto. A stock thermostat took 3 months to get in, not even the wearhouse had one sitting on a shelf.

Last time I needed exhaust parts at a shop (2016), they were having trouble getting something for a car this old (1994).

After I switched out the stock 13s with 14's with larger tires my one Protege handled much better.

>>16905192
>but according to wikipedia the specific Mazda I'm looking at has an 89hp engine with 97ft/lb torque
Are you sure? The base 1.8L SOHC in my 1994 is rated at 103hp/111ft/lb.

>>16905199
The one at the auction is the 1.5 litre engine.

>>16905202
Oh, I forgot they introduced that motor in the 1995 redesign.
Welp its a light car and a manual so it should be enough power.