The FSVT is a perfectly reliable car. I've seen a few cases of flywheels taking a trip out the transmission housing but I'm pretty sure it's very very very uncommon. I'm not a fan of the variable length intake manifold, as my two stage intake on the old contour crapped out on me.
If it's in your range, I'd take it over the Protoge. Myself I'm looking at the Mazda 3.
