Get the Protege. I have a 1990 Protege LX and if I were to be buying a new car now, it would be a Protege. It has been a great auto-x car and a blast to shame higher hp cars on entrance ramps. Since I now have a Miata to compare it with, I can say it is very much a FWD Miata in its handling capabilities. It still keeps all the oil on the inside of the motor and runs to fuel cutoff everyday.
Respectfully,
Andy Hohl