Rod bearings went out after less than three years, requiring engine to be overhauled at a cost of $2000.00.
Air conditioner works very poorly.
Car has very little power compared to other 4-cylinders.
Car revs very high between gears.
Not comfortable on long trips.
I am 23 years old and a member of the united states air force and the protege 5 is the 17 car that I have owned and I loved it so much I traded it in its my favorite car yet including my 1968 GTO I still own. I traded it in on a newer model with lower millage and lots more extras. I drove from Pensacola Florida to Santa Cruz California in two and a half days. The second day I drove 1200 miles on Red Bull and Yellow Jackets (caffeine pills). As far as being under powered for less than $100.00 total + s&h you can buy three things off e-bay that will give you up to 30 more HP and 5-7 MPG better on the freeway. What they are is a ground wire sys. to ground every thing to your frame and battery, positive charging sys. (capacitor) for the low voltage electrical sys. to ensure the sensors in your car relay accurate information to your computer which will give you a little better HP and MPG, and finally a Turbinado, the generic version of the Tornado for the back side of you air box which spins the air like a turbine which the fuel is injected into inducing better air atomization with the gas breaking it down into smaller particles thus giving you even more HP & MPG.
I would like to find out more about the three items mentioned here that will give me more HP and MPG. I just purchased a 2002 Protege and am very interested in these improvements. My e-mail is loupaulo21@rogers.com. Thank's for any info you can provide.
I don't know what your pretending, but DO NOT ever put a turbonator or generic version into your car.
Think logically: How will jamming something into your intake (thus restricting airflow) actually help your car run better or more fuel efficient? The answer is that it won't.
Most people have actually reported worse gas mileage and far worse performance after they "installed" the turbonator.
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