QuestionI am looking into purchasing an older mazda 323, I think it is either an 1985 or 1986. My knowledge of cars isn't very strong. A few things that I have been told or know about the car include:
- From the outside the body looks very clean, very little rust.
- there are 230,000 km on the car
- the timing belt was changed at 200,000 km
- new radiator
- new battery
- tires don't seem very worn
- driven all year round including winter conditions, although they don't use salt on the roads in Alberta (Canada) just sand
-serial #JM1BF231X60186325 (if it helps?)
- to get it certified I need to change the rear brake shoes and wheel cylinders, rear middle marker out, and the front struts are leaking
My question is in your opinion, if I am able to get the owner to get these couple things fixed to get the car certified and I feel that I am getting a reasonable deal what should I possibly expect to get out of this car in terms of km's approximately?
Thanks
AnswerHi Jeff,
The Mazda 323 BF series was a very good, basic design. I only have expereinece of Mazda's over here in the UK and our mileage expectations are nothing like yours!
The BF series had two different engine designs. The later vesrions had Hydraulic Tappets. These often caused customer complaints of "noisey engine" but infact, there was nothing to be alrmed about.
I'm really sorry but I can not predict the mileage you may get out of it. BUT- I have a friend who covered over a quarter of a million miles in just this model, with the same gearbox and engine!
It's a good car and one that lends itself to you doing home maintenance - Not too complicated etc.
I hope this is of some help to you.
Yours sincerely
Andrew Mooresmith
London
England
UK
