As I mentioned a short time ago, my '97 Protege quit running. I have since replaced it with a Mazda 6s, but I am still in possesion of the dead Protege. A couple of days ago, I tried to start it and it did only to shut down after a few short seconds. Now I am wondering if it would be worth the effort and money to restore it. I have not had a complete, professional assessment of the care done, but I know that it would a new engine and emissions system . If I were to embark on this project, I would need to get a good salvage engine and go from there. Just as a matter curiosity, does anyone know of a good site or other resource that would give me a good understanding of what would be involved with this project? The car still looks like it has the potential to make a good second car. Any thoughts?

 

i say this from a guy that has finally let go of his money pit, i think that it is time to let go. i had a little car for the better part of 5 years and, when i started to have to drop money into it, i kept having to drop money into it. it turned into a thing where i didn't know whether to cut ties with the money that i had already dropped into it or keep putting more into it. the bill of materials include, but are not limited to; new pistons, rings, rods, seals, crank, new tranny, 3 water pumps, 2 alternators, map sensor, 3 timing belts, new valves and springs, egr valve, new clutch, new clutch linkage, cv joints, 1 new axle, 2 lower control arms (they were fused to the ball-joints), 4 sets of brakes, new rotors, new struts, etc. with what i paid for this car, i could have paid sticker twice over. and there it sat, mocking me.