Looking to buy a 2001-2003 Protege

[jzack]

Looking at buying a used 2001 to 2003 with 80k to 100k miles. Here where I live (Central NJ) there seems to be plenty Protege's around? Looking for advice on any issues with the 3rg generation version of this car? Searching around I haven't found anything major -- some mention of a bad EGR valve and maybe an issue with the intake manifold gasket.

Seems to be pretty minor things to repair. Anything else of note to watch out for -- issues with the engine, transmission, etc? Any advice or comments would be appreciated.

I know to check for the usual things with any used car - good mtce record history, unusual tire wear, smoking exhaust, etc...

Thx...

[mrmikey]

Daughter has a '99 1.8, ex had an '01 2.0. Great cars both.
On both I had to replace the exhaust elbow directly after the cat as the mounting tabs had broken off. I was lucky in that I was able to make them. To buy they were $250 for the 1.8 and over $400 for the 2.0 or close to it, riduculous price for what it was.
Replaced front and rear struts on both, approximately $400 per end
1.8, intake maniflod did indeed leak, parts were $50 and about 2 hours labour, egr valve went south, I just removed it and made a plate up to cover the port. Engine light is on but no effect on performance.
Timing belts on both about $70, easy job about two hours....Mike
I'd buy either one again in a heartbeat....Mike

[Doug Tatham]

I've got a 99 with 250K miles on it, but I won't part with it. It's just too good a car. The EGR isn't a problem with the valve, it's a misinterpretation by the computer. The hole going from the intake to the EGR gets clogged. The fuel pumps last about 130k miles and are easy to replace. My main seals lasted about 215K miles. The cat converter lasted 210k miles. Other than that, just routine maintenance.