New Member from Midwest USA (pics)

thymighty · 08-08-2012, 08:27 PM

Hello petrol heads! My name is Zach, and I fairly recently became the owner of a '97 Mazda Protege (BHA). It was an eyesore when I picked it up for $1200, but I have since made many improvements to the mechanical and aesthetic components.
Here she is the day I brought her home:

And here is how she looks today, giant wheels and all:

I've replaced/repaired many parts of the car, and I have a pretty extensive build log started at ClubProtege.com. If you're interested in seeing more, please feel free to visit the thread here:
http://www.clubprotege.com/forum/sho...-5-speed/page2

I look forward to reading some threads here and becoming an active member of the community.

lukeyprotege · 08-08-2012, 09:05 PM

Welcome

cleaned up nice.

marcs_sp20 · 08-08-2012, 09:14 PM

Welcome to AGT, enjoy your stay!

HAIGHIE · 08-08-2012, 09:17 PM

welcome to AGT hope you enjoy your time and it's helpfull to you and your car

Andy

Noble323 · 08-08-2012, 09:18 PM

Welcome To AGT

.

JDM323 · 08-08-2012, 09:30 PM

welcome

thymighty · 08-08-2012, 09:38 PM

Thanks for the welcomes!

HAIGHIE · 08-08-2012, 09:42 PM

car's looking much better then when you picked it up, what you got planed for it? like engine wise and body if you have more ideas?

thymighty · 08-08-2012, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HAIGHIE

car's looking much better then when you picked it up, what you got planed for it? like engine wise and body if you have more ideas?

So far it's been all restorative work. Sorting out the bugs, repairing broken bits, etc. I bought this car primarily for economy; parts are cheap (even aftermarket), insurance is cheap, fuel mileage is excellent, and so on. But, I do have plans to make it a more exciting daily.
The only minor upgrade I've made thus far was the brass shifter bushings. Once I have my new axles, knuckles, and front brakes on (hopefully this weekend), I'll move on to upgrading suspension components. I'd also like to change out the worn interior carpet for new black carpet, find a smaller set of period correct wheels, enhance the look of the front and rear end with some JDM head/tail lights, and eventually swap in a front bumper with factory fogs.
I probably won't swap in a different engine as long as the Z5 holds up. Like I said, economy was my main goal with this purchase.
However, I've never owned a car that didn't receive modification, and I've owned many cars. This one will be no exception to that tradition.

HAIGHIE · 08-08-2012, 10:00 PM

haha you get the mod bug aswell once you start you can't stop haha, we've all got it but money seems to be the only problem that stops us, i look forward to see the pogression of the car

Rupewrecht · 08-08-2012, 10:53 PM

Welcome to AGT!

thymighty · 08-08-2012, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HAIGHIE

haha you get the mod bug aswell once you start you can't stop haha, we've all got it but money seems to be the only problem that stops us, i look forward to see the pogression of the car

I was born with the mod bug

A few of my past rides:

My other current ride:

maz sp20 · 09-08-2012, 10:53 AM

Welcome to AGT

derb · 09-08-2012, 01:13 PM

I know those Sentras are awesome in terms of drivetrain, but its not a pretty car. Welcome to AGT.

Hammo · 09-08-2012, 06:58 PM

welcome that honda wagon looks wicked

thymighty · 09-08-2012, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derb

I know those Sentras are awesome in terms of drivetrain, but its not a pretty car. Welcome to AGT.

You're telling me! No matter what you do to it, hideous. And the drivetrain really isn't spectacular either. 2.5L FWD with and LSD and 6 speed, but you can't do much to generate any more power from the motor, and if you manage to do so you end up with major torque-steer issues.
I only had that car for around 8 months before I became frustrated and sold it.

08-08-2012, 08:27 PM	#1
thymighty Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA Car: '97 USDM BHA Protege Posts: 6	New Member from Midwest USA (pics) Hello petrol heads! My name is Zach, and I fairly recently became the owner of a '97 Mazda Protege (BHA). It was an eyesore when I picked it up for $1200, but I have since made many improvements to the mechanical and aesthetic components. Here she is the day I brought her home: And here is how she looks today, giant wheels and all: I've replaced/repaired many parts of the car, and I have a pretty extensive build log started at ClubProtege.com. If you're interested in seeing more, please feel free to visit the thread here: http://www.clubprotege.com/forum/sho...-5-speed/page2 I look forward to reading some threads here and becoming an active member of the community.

08-08-2012, 09:14 PM	#3
marcs_sp20 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ipswich, Queensland Car: 2002 Mazda Astina SP20 2006 Mazda 6 GY Wagon Posts: 9,769 View Photos By: marcs_sp20	Welcome to AGT, enjoy your stay! __________________

08-08-2012, 09:17 PM	#4
HAIGHIE Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: wollongong Car: 99, BJ 323 astina hatch Posts: 1,506	welcome to AGT hope you enjoy your time and it's helpfull to you and your car Andy __________________ Cars .. 1: 241kw Turbo 1999 BJ 323 Astina . 2: 1983 ke70 Corolla. 3: 2011 PK Ranger Wildtrak (tow car )

08-08-2012, 09:30 PM	#6
JDM323 Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: North Qld Car: 2002 BJ2 protege Posts: 1,241	welcome __________________ http://www.astinagt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18798 WORKLOG

08-08-2012, 09:42 PM	#8
HAIGHIE Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: wollongong Car: 99, BJ 323 astina hatch Posts: 1,506	car's looking much better then when you picked it up, what you got planed for it? like engine wise and body if you have more ideas? __________________ Cars .. 1: 241kw Turbo 1999 BJ 323 Astina . 2: 1983 ke70 Corolla. 3: 2011 PK Ranger Wildtrak (tow car )

08-08-2012, 09:05 PM	#2
lukeyprotege AstinaGT Regular Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Bellbird Park, QLD Car: 2003 MAZDA 323 BJ II-J48 PROTEGE Posts: 294 View Photos By: lukeyprotege	Welcome cleaned up nice.

08-08-2012, 09:18 PM	#5
Noble323 E74A Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Sydney Car: SP20 Posts: 1,248	Welcome To AGT .

08-08-2012, 09:38 PM	#7
thymighty Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA Car: '97 USDM BHA Protege Posts: 6	Thanks for the welcomes!

08-08-2012, 10:00 PM	#10
HAIGHIE Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: wollongong Car: 99, BJ 323 astina hatch Posts: 1,506	haha you get the mod bug aswell once you start you can't stop haha, we've all got it but money seems to be the only problem that stops us, i look forward to see the pogression of the car __________________ Cars .. 1: 241kw Turbo 1999 BJ 323 Astina . 2: 1983 ke70 Corolla. 3: 2011 PK Ranger Wildtrak (tow car ) Last edited by HAIGHIE; 08-08-2012 at 11:02 PM.

08-08-2012, 10:53 PM	#11
Rupewrecht Administrator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: melb.vic.au Car: AZ-1, Astina Hardtop Turbo, BJ Protege, Beetle Posts: 16,525 View Photos By: Rupewrecht	Welcome to AGT! __________________ jdmparts.rupewrecht.com Sourcing your not-quite-overnight parts from Japan WRECHT--\|--SLOWTEGE--\|--BEETLE--\|--SUBSTITUTE--\|--AZ-1

09-08-2012, 10:53 AM	#13
maz sp20 Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Tweed Heads Car: 2002 mazda sp20 hatchback Posts: 678	Welcome to AGT

09-08-2012, 01:13 PM	#14
derb Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Brisbane Car: 1993 BG Astina GT-X Posts: 1,822 View Photos By: derb	I know those Sentras are awesome in terms of drivetrain, but its not a pretty car. Welcome to AGT. __________________ 1993 BG Astina 'GT-X'

09-08-2012, 06:58 PM	#15
Hammo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Brisbane, QLd Car: 03 Sp20 Posts: 854	welcome that honda wagon looks wicked