Topic: '99-'03 Proteges - Difference?

[Platinum]

I'm interested in both the Protege and Protege5 right now - not sure which.

When driving around, when I see a Protege, are there any exterior signs that will let me know what year the model is? I heard something about the way Protege is written on the rear (in a box for 99-02, and in black lettering without a box for the '03??)

Same goes for Protege5 ...

Thanks.

[sbmarti2]

2001 saw a new grill, the one with the silver mazda sign, not the chrome thing along the front.  2001 saw a bigger engine as well.  Those are the major differences.

2000
http://www.carseek.com/car_images/00protege.jpg

2001 <
http://www.tubafrenzy.org/weblog/archives/108-0807_IMG-thumb.JPG

[gosteelerz]

There was really only two model years in for the Protege5.  There was the 02' and the 03'.  The 03' has indcator lights in the front fenders.

I can tell the sedans by the following.

2003 had indicators in front fenders and had a scripted Protege on the trunk lid.
2002 had the scripted scripted Protege on the trunk lid but no indicators on fenders.
2001 had a chrome plate on the trunck lid with Protege inscribed.
1999 and 2000 had completely different front end. 

[ggweci]

2003 P5 changes:

-Black inner vessel in headlights
-Side markers on fenders
-Redesigned allot wheels
-Leather wrapped steering wheel and shift know
-Carbon fiber trim on door handles (replacing the goldish/silver on '02)
-Redesigned cup holders (deeper, but no longer a cover)
-Laser Blue colour available
-Automatic transmission now has Tiptronic shifting

I own one, so that's how I know all the nitty gritty details 

[curls]

-Redesigned cup holders (deeper, but no longer a cover)

DAMN!! That's the one major fault of the 2002 P5 -- its cup holders suck for anything remotely top-heavy (like our travel mugs).

I wonder how hard it would be to swap one from a 2003 into the 2002.

[articsteve]

I don't know my Proteges to well but my parts finder shows 3  different motors from 99-02.  1.6, 1.8, 2.0 litre

[gosteelerz]

I don't know my Proteges to well but my parts finder shows 3  different motors from 99-02.  1.6, 1.8, 2.0 litre

They gained 200 lbs. in 2001 so they upped the motor from a 1.8 to 2.0L.  I believe they beefed up the metal in the rocker panels to improve safety.