I'm about to buy a 02 Protege, it is automatic and I'm going to use it as a commuter car. one issue with it is that when you go to turn the key it won't start, then if you shake the gear lever a bit, it starts just fine...Its strange, I've never seen that before. Is there a sensor in there that could be bad? or a broken connection?

 

XXX

You are looking for the transmission range switch, above the "XXX". Good info here:

2001 Mazda Protege Repair Problem Followup On Netural Safety Switch. Checked