My 1991 Mazda 323F

public · May 17th, 2009, 10:21 PM

I love the car too much to keep it in the '90s beater thread, and since it's far from a beater, it deserves its own thread.

Disclaimer: My polishing skills befuddle the camera and make hot red ketchup orange. Too tired to PS it right.

Here we go. I traded my 1993 323 for a 1991 F on Saturday, and this four-door cover version of the Porsche 924 has the 1.6-litre 16-valve B-series engine with 66kW.
It weighs just under 1000kg, so it's a nice lightweight runabout. The car has done 94 500 km, it has a perfect logbook, rust-proofing documents and very good tires.
And the front panel is bent inwards, because somebody seems to have hit something with it. Damn.

I washed and waxed the car today (TFX, then AutoGlym Extra Gloss), and it turned out great. I got the fade off it, and it shines very nicely now. I just wish I could source a new panel somewhere, preferably without the emblem.
Other thing to fix is a worn front seat (thinking of original sports seats all around). I'm keeping the original Philips radio-cassette because it's apparently very easy to break into these cars, and I don't want the hassle. The cassette adaptor is just fine for my mp3 needs.

The handling is nice even with the standard 175/70R13 tires (Nokian this time, so no cheapo ones), it's extremely chuckable and positive.
I also love how the engine pulls, being the bigger version of the 1.3-litre I had in the old one and that was very eager, too.

So, I love the car to bits. It needs a couple of things done, but it's so well-preserved it deserves to be made closer to perfect. I have wanted one as long as I can remember, and it feels great to finally have one.

I'm also thinking of calling her Tiffany, because of her registration (TFN). Is it creepy, extra creepy or the full Norman Bates?

Posmo · May 17th, 2009, 11:02 PM

Nice car, as I said, get rid of the kat badge.

PS. bongasin autosi murossa

public · May 17th, 2009, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Posmo

Nice car, as I said, get rid of the kat badge.

PS. bongasin autosi murossa

It's a bargain

thedguy · May 18th, 2009, 7:37 AM

You need one of these

public · May 18th, 2009, 7:45 AM

That the 1.8 V6? It would rock, yeah

Frankiess is persuading me to get the suspension done, and the car could benefit from a quality set-up.

I'm thinking of the wheels right now, I have the six-spoke 14":s from the old Mazda and they fit straight on, but some 15" five-spokes would probably look sharper.

public · May 18th, 2009, 11:07 AM

I got the service history printouts from 1997 to 2005 from the authorized dealer that's serviced the car then. Before that there was a different dealer that moved on to Suzuki and Hyundai. Looks like the car has been serviced diligently, without saving costs and exactly on time. It's been driven by the same lady since new, and while the servicing has been expensive, at least I have the records now.
The car's only gone through normal consumable items, except it's been broken into in 2000 and the locks and a door handle changed. At least I have newer keys, the 1993 ones in the old Mazda were worn through and one snapped.

Went to look at wheels and tyres, I'm very partial to some graphite-coloured five-spokes. Getting the old 14-inch alloy wheels set up properly with alignment is still the cheapest option.

freeferrarisdonotexist · May 18th, 2009, 4:49 PM

That looks brilliant; I love old 323s. What's with the "kat" badge, though? Have you been "visiting" katwalk?

public · May 18th, 2009, 5:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freeferrarisdonotexist

That looks brilliant; I love old 323s. What's with the "kat" badge, though? Have you been "visiting" katwalk?

From Random Thoughts:

Quote:

Originally Posted by public

Katwalk's been fiddling with the 323F?

You're late

The badge points out it has a catalytic converter.

sifu · May 18th, 2009, 7:08 PM

mmm 16" mille miglia f20s or borbet ls...

Steve Levin · May 18th, 2009, 7:24 PM

Never driven one of these (we never got them in the states) but have always admired them when I've seen them about. Seems like a neat car.

Steve

public · May 19th, 2009, 8:14 AM

Going to get a quote today, to get the front panel straightened, smoothed and repainted. I already found out it would cost me over 400 euro to get a new one from the main dealer, so that's out. I'm probably sourcing an used replacement from the breakers, and luckily get a matching red one, but I also need to get a price for the repair option, to compare it all.
After the panel job is done, the only niggle is that my steering wheel isn't level. Could be due to just tire wear, and swapping them around could help, but since I'm interested in getting some alloys on the car, at some point the matter is going to be rectified. Alignment isn't that expensive, either.

public · May 19th, 2009, 1:33 PM

The panel fix is ~100 euro at the local paint garage. I'm not convinced the current panel is in good enough shape to be able to be straightened completely, so I called a breakers not too far away; they have a grey car that has damage in the rear. The guy's going to call me back to info if they have the panel left.

Edit: Yeah, they have it. It has a slight dent, but it otherwise straight and rust free. 45 euro, sounds good. Going to go check it and the rest of the donor tomorrow, if they have better seats and something else that I don't yet know if I need

public · May 20th, 2009, 5:52 PM

The offending front panel. The fix-up isn't even with the same color, there's rust and dents and what not, and it's bent a lot.

New panel with supports, hoses and the washer covers. It's bent, too, but less and while it's dented, it could become a cleaner panel after prepping and painting. 45 euro, couldn't haggle any off.

It started to rain while I was disassembling the donor (290k kms, slight rear shunt, some rust, somewhat robbed of useable parts), and I got soaked, but it didn't really matter. It's for the greater good

Didn't get anything else since I didn't have time. The interior was in a bad shape after outdoor storage, so no new seat fabric.

public · May 21st, 2009, 3:14 PM

These are the wheels I have left from the old one. They're 14" Melbers with Mabor StreetJet's, so they're basically budget Bridgestones imo.
This one had deflated, so I put air into it and will be checking if it holds.
I have the plastic fitment rings for them, so they fit straight on. I didn't mount the one on the pics, just put it in front of the wheel in front so to model how it would look. My cellphone kept it in place

Or I could just rock the bitchin' steelies.

public · May 21st, 2009, 7:02 PM

Nobody messes with my antenna.

public · May 22nd, 2009, 1:53 PM

Took the spare panel to the painter's. He said it's a lot better to work on, compared to the original, since the curve is more intact. Thinking of having the bumper done as well, and the corner of the left front wing. I guess it's better to sort out all the niggles at the same time, compared to having them done separately.

I prodded around the car yesterday while covering the antenna hole, and really all the door bottoms, sills, fenders and underbody parts are pristine. There are a couple of scratched jacking points, but otherwise it looks like a 2000s car (prob better, since those tend to have beginning rust here). Even the jack looks like it's been used only a couple of times.

Aston Martin · May 22nd, 2009, 3:09 PM

Your car is 1/50th Aston Martin.

public · May 22nd, 2009, 3:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aston Martin

Your car is 1/50th Aston Martin.

How's that?

Aston Martin · May 22nd, 2009, 5:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by public

How's that?

DB7 rear lights.

public · May 22nd, 2009, 6:24 PM

Those penny-pinchers

May 17th, 2009, 10:21 PM	#1
public Joined: Nov 26th, 2007 Last Online: 4:47 PM Location: Finland Age: 25 Posts: 2,408 Car: 1991 Mazda 323F Rep Power: 128	My 1991 Mazda 323F I love the car too much to keep it in the '90s beater thread, and since it's far from a beater, it deserves its own thread. Disclaimer: My polishing skills befuddle the camera and make hot red ketchup orange. Too tired to PS it right. Here we go. I traded my 1993 323 for a 1991 F on Saturday, and this four-door cover version of the Porsche 924 has the 1.6-litre 16-valve B-series engine with 66kW. It weighs just under 1000kg, so it's a nice lightweight runabout. The car has done 94 500 km, it has a perfect logbook, rust-proofing documents and very good tires. And the front panel is bent inwards, because somebody seems to have hit something with it. Damn. I washed and waxed the car today (TFX, then AutoGlym Extra Gloss), and it turned out great. I got the fade off it, and it shines very nicely now. I just wish I could source a new panel somewhere, preferably without the emblem. Other thing to fix is a worn front seat (thinking of original sports seats all around). I'm keeping the original Philips radio-cassette because it's apparently very easy to break into these cars, and I don't want the hassle. The cassette adaptor is just fine for my mp3 needs. The handling is nice even with the standard 175/70R13 tires (Nokian this time, so no cheapo ones), it's extremely chuckable and positive. I also love how the engine pulls, being the bigger version of the 1.3-litre I had in the old one and that was very eager, too. So, I love the car to bits. It needs a couple of things done, but it's so well-preserved it deserves to be made closer to perfect. I have wanted one as long as I can remember, and it feels great to finally have one. I'm also thinking of calling her Tiffany, because of her registration (TFN). Is it creepy, extra creepy or the full Norman Bates? __________________ "-I just spotted a copper Micra from 1984 with 44 000 km. I kinda want." "-Between this and the twisted love for old awful French cars you now have officially the weirdest taste in cars. Ever."

May 17th, 2009, 11:02 PM	#2
Posmo Joined: Oct 5th, 2007 Last Online: 10:16 PM Location: Finland Age: 19 Posts: 2,556 Car: 1986 Ford Sierra iS Rep Power: 79	Nice car, as I said, get rid of the kat badge. PS. bongasin autosi murossa __________________

May 18th, 2009, 7:37 AM	#4
thedguy ^ will bore you to death Joined: Jun 18th, 2004 Last Online: 7:55 PM Location: Under the Counter at McD's Posts: 7,433 Car: 1990 Mazda MX-5 & 91 318i. Rep Power: 148	You need one of these __________________

May 18th, 2009, 7:45 AM	#5
public Joined: Nov 26th, 2007 Last Online: 4:47 PM Location: Finland Age: 25 Posts: 2,408 Car: 1991 Mazda 323F Rep Power: 128	That the 1.8 V6? It would rock, yeah Frankiess is persuading me to get the suspension done, and the car could benefit from a quality set-up. I'm thinking of the wheels right now, I have the six-spoke 14":s from the old Mazda and they fit straight on, but some 15" five-spokes would probably look sharper. __________________ "-I just spotted a copper Micra from 1984 with 44 000 km. I kinda want." "-Between this and the twisted love for old awful French cars you now have officially the weirdest taste in cars. Ever."

May 18th, 2009, 11:07 AM	#6
public Joined: Nov 26th, 2007 Last Online: 4:47 PM Location: Finland Age: 25 Posts: 2,408 Car: 1991 Mazda 323F Rep Power: 128	I got the service history printouts from 1997 to 2005 from the authorized dealer that's serviced the car then. Before that there was a different dealer that moved on to Suzuki and Hyundai. Looks like the car has been serviced diligently, without saving costs and exactly on time. It's been driven by the same lady since new, and while the servicing has been expensive, at least I have the records now. The car's only gone through normal consumable items, except it's been broken into in 2000 and the locks and a door handle changed. At least I have newer keys, the 1993 ones in the old Mazda were worn through and one snapped. Went to look at wheels and tyres, I'm very partial to some graphite-coloured five-spokes. Getting the old 14-inch alloy wheels set up properly with alignment is still the cheapest option. __________________ "-I just spotted a copper Micra from 1984 with 44 000 km. I kinda want." "-Between this and the twisted love for old awful French cars you now have officially the weirdest taste in cars. Ever."

May 18th, 2009, 4:49 PM	#7
freeferrarisdonotexist I'm not stupid - I'm British! Joined: Nov 4th, 2008 Last Online: 6:29 PM Location: Somewhere in the South of England, UK. Age: 26 Posts: 1,007 Car: Yamaha YBR125 (lightly modified) Rep Power: 23	That looks brilliant; I love old 323s. What's with the "kat" badge, though? Have you been "visiting" katwalk? __________________ Proud to Defend: Miatas, Motorcycles, Rotaries and Manual Transmissions. My other car (in storage ) Black 1990 Miata 1st Gen. Restored and partially weight-stripped w/6-Speed transmission, CD stereo, short-throw shifter and billet knob, HID headlights, Hydra Nemesis ECU, tuned exhaust pipe, toolkit and vinyl top. The only difference between me and a madman is that I am not mad. I listen to: Within Temptation, Amon Tobin, Karl Jenkins, Lux Aeterna, Ludovico Einaudi, Lupe Fiasco, Papa Roach, Gnarls Barkley, J. Ralph (Spy), Elbow, Snow Patrol, The White Stripes, Breaking Benjamin, Massive Attack, The Black Heart Procession, UNKLE, Craig Armstrong, Corner Stone Cues, Wolf's Rain OST, Cage the Elephant, and Lily Allen.

May 18th, 2009, 7:08 PM	#9
sifu Joined: Feb 16th, 2007 Last Online: 9:17 PM Location: Finland Posts: 1,020 Car: Ford Mondeo Rep Power: 27	mmm 16" mille miglia f20s or borbet ls... __________________

May 18th, 2009, 7:24 PM	#10
Steve Levin Master of Disaster Joined: Jun 7th, 2006 Last Online: 8:33 PM Location: Sunnyvale, California Posts: 1,073 Car: Spec Racer Ford! Rep Power: 52	Never driven one of these (we never got them in the states) but have always admired them when I've seen them about. Seems like a neat car. Steve

May 19th, 2009, 8:14 AM	#11
public Joined: Nov 26th, 2007 Last Online: 4:47 PM Location: Finland Age: 25 Posts: 2,408 Car: 1991 Mazda 323F Rep Power: 128	Going to get a quote today, to get the front panel straightened, smoothed and repainted. I already found out it would cost me over 400 euro to get a new one from the main dealer, so that's out. I'm probably sourcing an used replacement from the breakers, and luckily get a matching red one, but I also need to get a price for the repair option, to compare it all. After the panel job is done, the only niggle is that my steering wheel isn't level. Could be due to just tire wear, and swapping them around could help, but since I'm interested in getting some alloys on the car, at some point the matter is going to be rectified. Alignment isn't that expensive, either. __________________ "-I just spotted a copper Micra from 1984 with 44 000 km. I kinda want." "-Between this and the twisted love for old awful French cars you now have officially the weirdest taste in cars. Ever."

May 19th, 2009, 1:33 PM	#12
public Joined: Nov 26th, 2007 Last Online: 4:47 PM Location: Finland Age: 25 Posts: 2,408 Car: 1991 Mazda 323F Rep Power: 128	The panel fix is ~100 euro at the local paint garage. I'm not convinced the current panel is in good enough shape to be able to be straightened completely, so I called a breakers not too far away; they have a grey car that has damage in the rear. The guy's going to call me back to info if they have the panel left. Edit: Yeah, they have it. It has a slight dent, but it otherwise straight and rust free. 45 euro, sounds good. Going to go check it and the rest of the donor tomorrow, if they have better seats and something else that I don't yet know if I need __________________ "-I just spotted a copper Micra from 1984 with 44 000 km. I kinda want." "-Between this and the twisted love for old awful French cars you now have officially the weirdest taste in cars. Ever." Last edited by public; May 19th, 2009 at 1:43 PM.

May 20th, 2009, 5:52 PM	#13
public Joined: Nov 26th, 2007 Last Online: 4:47 PM Location: Finland Age: 25 Posts: 2,408 Car: 1991 Mazda 323F Rep Power: 128	The offending front panel. The fix-up isn't even with the same color, there's rust and dents and what not, and it's bent a lot. New panel with supports, hoses and the washer covers. It's bent, too, but less and while it's dented, it could become a cleaner panel after prepping and painting. 45 euro, couldn't haggle any off. It started to rain while I was disassembling the donor (290k kms, slight rear shunt, some rust, somewhat robbed of useable parts), and I got soaked, but it didn't really matter. It's for the greater good Didn't get anything else since I didn't have time. The interior was in a bad shape after outdoor storage, so no new seat fabric. __________________ "-I just spotted a copper Micra from 1984 with 44 000 km. I kinda want." "-Between this and the twisted love for old awful French cars you now have officially the weirdest taste in cars. Ever."

May 21st, 2009, 3:14 PM	#14
public Joined: Nov 26th, 2007 Last Online: 4:47 PM Location: Finland Age: 25 Posts: 2,408 Car: 1991 Mazda 323F Rep Power: 128	These are the wheels I have left from the old one. They're 14" Melbers with Mabor StreetJet's, so they're basically budget Bridgestones imo. This one had deflated, so I put air into it and will be checking if it holds. I have the plastic fitment rings for them, so they fit straight on. I didn't mount the one on the pics, just put it in front of the wheel in front so to model how it would look. My cellphone kept it in place Or I could just rock the bitchin' steelies. __________________ "-I just spotted a copper Micra from 1984 with 44 000 km. I kinda want." "-Between this and the twisted love for old awful French cars you now have officially the weirdest taste in cars. Ever."

May 21st, 2009, 7:02 PM	#15
public Joined: Nov 26th, 2007 Last Online: 4:47 PM Location: Finland Age: 25 Posts: 2,408 Car: 1991 Mazda 323F Rep Power: 128	Nobody messes with my antenna. __________________ "-I just spotted a copper Micra from 1984 with 44 000 km. I kinda want." "-Between this and the twisted love for old awful French cars you now have officially the weirdest taste in cars. Ever."

May 22nd, 2009, 1:53 PM	#16
public Joined: Nov 26th, 2007 Last Online: 4:47 PM Location: Finland Age: 25 Posts: 2,408 Car: 1991 Mazda 323F Rep Power: 128	Took the spare panel to the painter's. He said it's a lot better to work on, compared to the original, since the curve is more intact. Thinking of having the bumper done as well, and the corner of the left front wing. I guess it's better to sort out all the niggles at the same time, compared to having them done separately. I prodded around the car yesterday while covering the antenna hole, and really all the door bottoms, sills, fenders and underbody parts are pristine. There are a couple of scratched jacking points, but otherwise it looks like a 2000s car (prob better, since those tend to have beginning rust here). Even the jack looks like it's been used only a couple of times. __________________ "-I just spotted a copper Micra from 1984 with 44 000 km. I kinda want." "-Between this and the twisted love for old awful French cars you now have officially the weirdest taste in cars. Ever."

May 22nd, 2009, 3:09 PM	#17
Aston Martin Wirelees noob Joined: Sep 20th, 2006 Last Online: 4:46 PM Location: Hull, England Posts: 2,253 Rep Power: 0	Your car is 1/50th Aston Martin. __________________ "The last really fast car I drove was Ferrari’s 599 GTB Fiorano. Hardly a slouch, the 599 reaches 62mph in 3.7 seconds and 124mph in 11 seconds. But drive the Ferrari 599 past a stationary Veyron at 62mph during its 11 second 124mph sprint and the Bugatti will catch up by the time the Italian reaches 124mph." "I wish it would be Gumball every day."

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May 22nd, 2009, 6:24 PM	#20
public Joined: Nov 26th, 2007 Last Online: 4:47 PM Location: Finland Age: 25 Posts: 2,408 Car: 1991 Mazda 323F Rep Power: 128	Those penny-pinchers __________________ "-I just spotted a copper Micra from 1984 with 44 000 km. I kinda want." "-Between this and the twisted love for old awful French cars you now have officially the weirdest taste in cars. Ever."

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