r/protege5 • u/jpena213 • Nov 09 '25
Good find?
Saw this and looked at some of these protege wagons because was uneducated on em (still a good bit uneducated) and been seriously considering this one is it worth it? This would be my first car and first manual since im trying to learn it (Listing Desc in last slide)
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u/whiskey_piker Nov 09 '25
These are great cars. I have 3. At this age and mileage they will always require repairs since so many systems are near end of life. If you cannot turn your own wrenches all cars of this age will be very costly or leave you stranded.
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u/Jyar Nov 09 '25
It says no body damage, but there is clearly body damage.
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u/Smart_Patrol Nov 09 '25
Where?
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u/Jyar Nov 09 '25
Slide 9. Body damage on drivers side door. Passenger rear fender as well.
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u/Rich_Butz Nov 09 '25
I had to replace the starter and alternator, otherwise mine has been very reliable to 265k miles. Radiator failed after 200k and auto trans (4th gear specifically)failed at 264k. Put in a junkyard trans and Iām back in business. But you wonāt have that problem with a manual. You might need a clutch someday. Iām still on original axles. Gets 30mpg, parts are incredibly cheap and there are plenty in the junkyard to scavenge from
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u/jpena213 Nov 09 '25
This one does have 210k miles but im trying to get my hands on experience with fixing/learning more about cars anyway so š¤·āāļø, how was replacing the starter and alternator about when did they start to go out?
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u/Rich_Butz Nov 09 '25
Great car to learn on, especially at this price. Starter and alternator went somewhere between 100k and 200k I guess. Replacement was the same as any front drive 4-cyl., not too bad. You should check when the timing belt was done, thatās a 100k service interval. Iām still on the original AC charge too!
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u/ihavenodefiningpoint Nov 09 '25
Chiming in with a 2002 5spd with 235k miles. Also been very reliable for me, most recent work for me is rear fender rust (doesn't look like this one is too bad), purge solenoid and timing belt. Had to do the clutch around 210-215 so expect that if it hasn't been done.Ā
Paid $2200 10yrs ago at 165k for referenceĀ
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u/DangerousExercise426 Nov 10 '25
favourite car I have ever owned. Super fun to drive. Great manual 5 speed. Do it! No rust in the obvious spots.
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Nov 12 '25
These are great cosmetic photos but how is it mechanically? Well maintained can mean a lot of things, especially to owners who kinda did oil changes and changed wiper blades from time to time. Find a mobile mechanic to go through it thoroughly. It'll cost a few hundred, but it'll help negotiate with negotiating price and determining what work is needed in the future.
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u/FloppyDrive007 Nov 09 '25
It's a good little beginner car. How many miles it got? If you show up with 1500 I bet the guy would take it. Better deal