I just recent bought a 1999 1.6L mazda protege 5 speed. The transmission is pretty much useless because the person that used to have it tore it nothing. Should i buy a new transmission or just get the one i have now rebuilt? Its been somewhat hard to find a transmission for this car. Im starting to think it might have been a mistake.

 

It's not just a worn clutch? What is it doing?

 

it could possibly be the clutch. i plan on buying one with this paycheck coming up to find out for sure. the previous owner told me it was the transmission, im hoping he was wrong.

 

Hello, can you describe the trans problem in more detail?
Anyway, I'll try to help...
If it pops out of gear when accelerating or decelerating, it's synchros-replace tranny.
If it's unable to go into 4th or 5th, or grinds in those gears, previous owner let it run out of oil-replace tranny, then go slap previous owner for being stupid.
If it slips when you give it a lot of gas, or you hear the engine rev but it doesn't seem to go faster, it's the clutch~$500. Make sure they replace the throw out bearing too. If your axles are questionable, get them replaced at the same time. If the shop says that they have to charge you more labor to change the axles while they're doing the clutch/tranny, they're ripping you off, find another shop and let everybody you know, know about them..
BTW, I used to work at a car repair shop, had to find work after 9/11. I'm normally an aircraft mech.