Mazda BG 323 Astina - Cheap at $600, But Too Good to be a Parts Car
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- Опубліковано 3 жов 2024
- This Astina was advertised as a "Donor car" that's "good for work on a property." When I got to see it, despite being just a little rough around the edges, I knew it was too good to be parted out.
A one owner car, it only has 146,000 kilometres on the clock after 30 years. It was advertised for $600 Australian dollars, and that's exactly what I paid. It starts first go, is smooth and comfortable to drive, and the owner spent twice the sale price only a little while ago to renew the clutch. It was bought as an unregistered vehicle but it was within the grace period. All it needed was a few light globes and a new rear muffler. The muffler set me back $305. As always, I used Chris from Best Mufflers in Carlton, Sydney. Apart from rego costs, it now owes me $905. The NA MX5 Daisy wheels were a spare set that we've had hanging around, so it's good to be able to use them here (I couldn't handle the car with a missing hub cap!) I bought them in 2019 for $100, and then I sold the MAZDA centre caps they came with for $150. The total cost of the wheels was -$50.
I've now arranged to make this my daily driver by giving my CJ Lancer to my nephew. I've had that car for 7 years ... what a good, reliable car that's been!
Edit: Even though the struts are good enough at the moment, new ones are needed soon as there’s the occasional bottoming out on the driver’s side front when negotiating speed humps. I’ve organised for a new set to be put on, front and rear. It’ll still be a relatively “cheap” car, but it’s no longer “$600 cheap.”
26 August 2023. Front and back struts replaced. The mechanic thought the rear ones were still good, but I got them all done at the same time. Labour was $550, front struts and bump stops were $360. The rear struts were only $2.90 each as clearance items, but the bump stop protection packs were $35 each. Total strut job cost $985.80. The mechanic couldn’t believe how well it drove for a 30 year old car. Total invested to date:
Car $600
Muffler $305
Struts $985 =
$1890
I had one over 20 years ago. A 1.6 sohc 16 valve fuel injection. It was only 90 HP but it felt it had more. Great reliable car when I had it. Would love to have it back today..
I agree, they do seem faster than they actually are! I’m hoping this one proves itself to be reliable as I’ve made it my daily driver. So far, so good.
I love these things to death. Picked two up for myself two over the last few years and i've found myself with a 3rd for parts. Now the only thing i really want is a rotary conversion.. 👌
BG for me, thanks.
They are fun little things! Thanks for watching.
Very nice you have now two 323F astina, have you got any problems with your blue/ green one since you bought it and repaired it ? ?
Hi. Thanks. No problems with it at all, but I’ve only done about 900 kilometres in it. It’s a fun thing to drive. The new front Monroe struts have made it a good car for speed humps and bumps. I’m going to put new KYB oil filled struts on the rear. They were very, very cheap, and as I have an oil leak from the right rear shock, it’s time to do it. The KYB Premium shocks were only $2.90 each or 1.72 Euro (633143 and 633144). For that price, they were virtually giving them away.
rare cars in australia
Nice Mazda, i like it!!
Are you selling the radio from the white Mazda? 😂
Hi, thanks. No, sorry, I’m keeping the white car and will eventually pop the radio in the NA MX5 I have.
@@DPOSFS Did you know, where i can found a Radio like yours? In Europe we only have the Normal DIN Radios...
No, I’m not sure where you can find one as these 323F cars are becoming rarer to see on the roads. I know the double DIN radios for the NA Miata (MX5 here) are really hard to find. I don’t know if the European frequencies are different and if the Australian delivered radios here will work over there. I know the Japanese (JDM) Eunos Roadster radios don’t work in Australia - different frequencies. That’s the reason my Roadster doesn’t have the original double DIN radio. You could search online for Australian wreckers who are parting out this car. They come up from time to time. They are known as the Mazda BG 323 Astina here. Year = part way into 1989 until part way into 1994. Good luck with your search.