Hopefully someone can provide a little advice....
I have a 99 protege, 5spd. I've had the car for 4 years and JUST hit 150k mi yesterday. The person who had this car before me babied it- put about 50k on it. Lately, little things have been going on it and the check engine light has been on for a looong time. I got that checked and it reads "engine mechanical condition"... thanks Mazda for that descriptive announcement! BUT my issue is that the past few days it is acting like I've never driven it. When shifting in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd my car jerks like its about to stall. It just won't 'go'. It reminds me of when I first learned to drive stick- I look ridiculous out there on the roads!
I took a look at the clutch, maybe it is going, but everything in that department seems to be functioning fine. I usually get my Dad to help me with these things, but now that I am all grown up and moved off, he's a few hundred miles away... I did call and explain, he thinks tranny? PLEASE tell me that is not the case.. this guy had got to last until Nov (unless I win the lottery)!

Thanks!

 

when you shift does the motor sound like its going to die? or does the car sound normal but jerky?