I'm shopping for a new car (well used) and ever since the Protege5 wagons came out there is something about them I've liked. So I have about 4-5 to go look at ranging from 49k to 76k at around $7.9k to about $10k.

Other than the usual turning on the car and looking at the engine bay for blown motor mounts, sounds, etc. What else should I look at?

Also, hows the timing chain(or belt?) on these cars? When do they need to be changed?

Thanks in advance.

 

i have a little experience here. the factory specs i think say inspect the timing belt at 60k and change at 105k (someone will correct me if i am wrong). if you get a manual, make sure that the car goes into all of the gears smoothly at operating temperature. these trannys are a little tempermental if they have been driven hard. if they have been driven right, they are fine. one thing to remember here is that a bad tranny will only get exponentially worse over time until you are stranded and the car taps you out of cash. buy one with a good tranny. other than that, just do the usual checks.