Hi there
my name is Kenzie I have a new Mazda protege5 I love it so far and its a decent car for the price. i have a WTB thread for things I need to fix.
This car needs some TLC and nothing could make me happier!
First I need to change the rear brakes! any tips or any special tools I need?
I have always been a honda and acura person so I have no clue how to work on these cars.
Ill post pics later today!

 

Hi and Welcome to the site, Ken.
I'm curious though, why did you buy a car that was modded where you didn't like the mods that were done? Now you have to spend time and $$$ to undo the other guy's personalization?
Wouldn't it have been easier/cheaper to buy an un-modded P5?

BTW: I don't like tinted lights (front or rear) either. They are not practical on a street car, especially w/so many distracted drivers on the road these days, though they can look cool on the right car.

As far as rear brakes are concerned, you will need a piston compression tool... which you can borrow from many parts stores these days. They usually want a deposit which you will get 100% refunded when you return the tools set.

One of my all-time favorite cars was my '80 Civic HB. They don't make them that fun, or as relatively easy to mod anymore.

 

It seems that the ones that are taken care of the best (body wise) are modified. Plus I didn't want to travel very far to find a car so I didnt have many options. and I wanted to keep it as cheap as possible. plus I love working on my car and I enjoy changing things! I will get bored with it if I have nothing to do and just sell it like I did with my RSX.

Brakes: to compress it do I need a special tool that fits into a weird design and twist the piston back? Thats how my RSX was and it was quit easy!

Also I need to get the AC fixed does anyone know of common problems with these cars or what I can do to test the ac to see what needs to be fixed?

 

Brakes: As I'd said, yes you will. They can be had at most parts stores for a deposit.

A/C: I would simply throw some parts at it to start with. As I have found out, it's a h*ll of a lot cheaper than taking it to an A/C shop for work. ($280 and 3 hours vs. $1156, in my case.)
If the compressor is running, the car has a charge and the expansion valve is probably shot. If not, buy a universal o-ring kit ($5), a new receiver/dryer ($??) and an expansion valve. That and two cans of R-134a (w/leak seal) will likely do the trick. For a full charge, a professional will have to do that. You can't get a full charge from those cans. The pressure equalizes and no more will go in.
But hey, if it works after stage 1, you have most of the battle taken care of already.