Buying a 1st gen Protege LX w/240k Mi. What to look for?

[BlakProber]

I am going to check out a 1st gen lx protege with 240,000 miles on it. I know the tranny is bad but what should I look for otherwise? I want to make sure the engine is running strong and am thinking about checking the compression but what should would I really expect with 240k miles on it. The guy started at $300 for it but now he is sayin $200 will take it.

[Tha_Rocket]

For that price there may not be much left...or there could be a lot...depends on the person. Make sure to ask about timing and water pump and **** and check the exhaust fumes to see if there be any oil burn. How bad is the tranny ****ed and why is it ****ed??? That could affect the engine somehow...240 000 is very high mileage so watch out..

[Semtex]

general thing to look for aside..

these car have problems in the following area
-radaitors crack usally on the top where the plastic is
-altenators wear out and usally need rebuilt or a entire new one
-the front frame peice(where the radatior set and the hood latches, look to see if its rusted away)

other than that look for the normal things and youll be fine

[scottacus]

i just bought my first protege with 227,000 on it and I love it. If it runs good then go for it. I had to put a negetive cable and a cat back on it and it smokes a little on start up but other then that it is good

[BlakProber]

Hehe, I see you have a Gixxer too. Those bikes are awesome! I am dreamin' of sellin my Ford Probe next summer for a gsx-600 or something simmilar.

I just bought the Protege I mentioned and the engine runs great. It has some HLA noise but not even as much as the kl-06 in my probe! (which only has 140,000 on it but was probobly driven much harder in it's lifetime than the Protege.) The car has power windows/mirrors and even a power sunroof! The paint is decent, very little rust around fenders.

The tranny is totaly blown on it though. I am pulling the transmision from the DX in the next few days and will hopefully have it installed in the LX next week.

**Milage update** Protege actually has 200k on it, not 240k