i am about to buy a mazda protege es for a first car. it needs a motor but i work at a car repair shop so we can drop a motor in it. overall is this a pretty good car???? its auto by the way

Mazda Protege is a good little work horse and good on gas, in your case it all comes down to total cost on the road, how much you figure ?

What year
How many miles on it
You got history
Your zip code

Now if you answer the above questions, I will give you my input as to being a good deal or not.