So, my daily driver died on my last weekend, I blew the headgasket (she was/is still driveable - so I sold her for what she's worth) and I'm in the market for a new car.

I'm also building a house now, so the budget is pretty tight right now for a new car, so the fiance / accountant gave me a $6000 max price range for a car, leaving even the worst used base 03 Element out of the picture.

It's looking like I'll be in either a 98 Impreza RS, 01 Protege MP3 or 02 Protege5 wagon.

It would have been a sweet daily driver for me, oh well. . .we'll see what happens in a few years when we'll be in the market again, maybe Honda will offer a sportier 6 speed version of the Element at that point.

I'll still pop in here from time to time to say hi, and possibly stop by a meet if I can. . .

It was a good dream while it lasted. . .

David

Good luck to you David,,,,,I would go with the Protege 5 Wagon...

Good luck to you David,,,,,I would go with the Protege 5 Wagon...

yah, the wagon will be a bit more useful, but it's a year newer and has 47k more on it for the same price.

The MP3 Protege has some very mild appearance mods, the type that I would like to do to it anyways (Mazdaspeed Protege wheels, floormats, Stainless Steele door sill, MSP short shifter.)

And it's got a little bit better of a suspension from the factory, which is nice.

I'll know in the next few days which one it's gonna be.