Buying a 97 323 BA NEED HELP/ADVISE

[astie]

Hi guys, I've checked out a mazda 323 ba 97, red, 1.8L. It has 161 000 kms on the clock so what should i expect from it?

The seller is happy to sell it to me for $5700AUD (he claimed that's the lowest offer he will take). The rear passenger door has a small dint and there're paint fade on the entire rear spoiler, both side mirrors and a small dot on the driver door. The center console (the one that;s on the handbrake) is loose but not completely. I can rock it side to side but not entirely loose.

Gears and brakes etc are good and it has a pretty new tyre on it. No mechanical problem but it had rear hub bearing replaced 2years ago. It also has a sunroof. Boot is really clean and tidy. Missing antenna.

What do you guys think? Is 5700 alright? Cheers.

[RickBrah]

if i was in your position i would probably say yes. those problems are nothing too serious and an easy fix. For a BA those kms aren't too bad as well.

try going to $5500 anyway

[astie]

if i was in your position i would probably say yes. those problems are nothing too serious and an easy fix. For a BA those kms aren't too bad as well.

try going to $5500 anyway

ok, thanks mate. I'll try but don't that $5500 is possible for him. I'm also going to run a pre-purchase vehicle inspection cost $249, do you think it's worth it?

oh btw that's the link of the car
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=8338344&YearFromShort=1638&__Qpb=true&Cr=7&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_PriceSort_Decimal |1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&keywords=&YearToShort=1672&__N=1216%201246%201247%201252%201282%204294965340% 204294964064%20898%20%201638%201672&silo=1011&__No=30&seot=1&tsrc=allcarhome&__Nne=15&trecs=70&__sid=126F07BCF38D

[mikey_something]

for perspectives sake
my car when i bought it was 1 year older than yours, exact same amount on the odo
no dints, minimal scratches
but i didnt get a sunroof which im envious of :P

you could try getting a rough quote on fixing the dents and scratches and asking to knock them off the price? people seem to be open to fact backed suggestions lol

[Rupewrecht]

I'd say it's a little high, to be honest. If the paint was fine then yes it's a decent price, but if it's not 100% then i'd be inclined to keep looking. Especially as it's only a 1.8, not a V6

[astie]

um... how much will a paint job for a spoiler and side mirrors cost? i had a quote for spoiler ONLY $350

[NaughtyGT]

As Rupe is suggesting. The V6 is a longevity option. Will give you more power & klms from it. Nothing wrong with the 4 but, $$$$ still determines the sale in the end. If he won't budge on price, keep looking imo. There are heaps of bargains to be had these desperate days ;) Only my opinion but after all, that's what this thread is all about.

[Clean_Cookie]

I paid 4300 for my 97 hardtop in GC with no real probs mate, id only pay 4500max! these days!

[Dogo]

Go a v6. Apart from the more powerful engine some of the most notable "extras" in the v6 are ABC brakes, airbags and foglights.

[outbakoz]

ABC Brakes are they better than ACME? hehe

ABS lol

[matt_14]

I bought my red 1.8lt 97 ba astina hatch with 205,000k's with exact same paint and dent issues for $2800 a month ago in Sydney I had some minor issues with it (gearstick bushes etc.) it's running great,no mechanical problems other than somebody had decided to take the cheap option in lowering it! (in the process of getting some lowered springs now) no sunroof but ay! just a guage!

[astie]

i have to say the sunroof is definitely a bonus! ;) not a bad price.

how much should i be paying for the repair of a small dent? (about a 2-3cm long) on the door? and the respray for the spoiler and side mirrors?? any of you guys know any cheap qualified or private spray painter around? that would be helpful if i can get a quote so I can offer a reasonable price to the seller which covers all those repairs.

[70NYD]

Hi guys, I've checked out a mazda 323 ba 97, red, 1.8L. It has 161 000 kms on the clock so what should i expect from it?

The seller is happy to sell it to me for $5700AUD (he claimed that's the lowest offer he will take). The rear passenger door has a small dint and there're paint fade on the entire rear spoiler, both side mirrors and a small dot on the driver door. The center console (the one that;s on the handbrake) is loose but not completely. I can rock it side to side but not entirely loose.

Gears and brakes etc are good and it has a pretty new tyre on it. No mechanical problem but it had rear hub bearing replaced 2years ago. It also has a sunroof. Boot is really clean and tidy. Missing antenna.

What do you guys think? Is 5700 alright? Cheers.

offer him 5500 saying u will need 2 get a new center console
the truth is there are 2 screws that u get 2 from the back seats by moving the front seats forward. these are on either side of the console and screw in to metal tabs. because most ppl use the console to push off when getting out of the car these bolts vibrate a little and since the tread is very coarse it vibrates loose over time (about 6 moths pends how much u use it. i use myn everyd day n its 6 months b4 i need 2 retighten for someone smaller it would take more time ;)) after u bargaind him down buy it, get a screwdriver out at home and tighten the bolts. bobs ur uncle
welcome to AGT

oh and rupe is only saying this cus he just got a sunroof isnt that right :p
for 5500 its a little steep but the sunroof would be a closer for me. the spoiler should be no more than 150, if you take it off ;) spoiler and mirrors about 200 all up shop around (but u take it off it will save u double trust me) as for the small dent that would have to be pannel beated so anythung up 2 300 with a paintjob. i however would not reccomend painting a door, cus red is a very funny colour. it fades very differently for different sized pannels (enamel paint that is) red and silver share this characteristic. if u paint the door it will be noticably different. if ur not fussed about the roof get a different one that has paint and skin in better condition.
if u want to talk him down bring 4.5 g in cash n say here this right now n il get it of ur hands. if he says no walk off u dont losse anything. msot ppl will say yes when they c the money funny thing that ;)

[miah87]

msot ppl will say yes when they c the money funny thing that ;)

This is funny hahaha

[marcs_sp20]

this one is $4000, in sydney, manual, fewer km's and has a sunroof ;)

http://liveimages.carsales.com.au/private/carsales/7649887.jpg

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=8432406&YearFromShort=1638&__Qpb=true&Cr=5&__Ns=pCar_Odometer_Single|0||pCar_RankSort_Int32|1 ||pCar_PriceSort_Decimal|0&keywords=&YearToShort=1672&__N=1216%201247%201282%201252%201246%204294965340% 204294964064%204294927750%20898%201638%201672%2016 22&SearchAction=N&silo=1011&seot=1&__Nne=15&trecs=36&__sid=12720F6DB9C8

[RickBrah]

this one is $4000, in sydney, manual, fewer km's and has a sunroof ;)

http://liveimages.carsales.com.au/private/carsales/7649887.jpg

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=8432406&YearFromShort=1638&__Qpb=true&Cr=5&__Ns=pCar_Odometer_Single|0||pCar_RankSort_Int32|1 ||pCar_PriceSort_Decimal|0&keywords=&YearToShort=1672&__N=1216%201247%201282%201252%201246%204294965340% 204294964064%204294927750%20898%201638%201672%2016 22&SearchAction=N&silo=1011&seot=1&__Nne=15&trecs=36&__sid=12720F6DB9C8

gee, the BA's are starting to really lose their value

[astie]

ok, finally bought that car! I managed to get another 200 off so total i've paid 5500 for it.

do u guys know where to go in syd to get the most used parts for the astina?? because i'm thinking to find a pair of side mirrors (if i'm lucky to find the same colour) and to fit on mine instead of getting it repaint which will save me a load of cash..

[mikey_something]

this forum right here's pretty bountiful in parts :)
check all ur local wreckers though.
ive seen two astinas in cardiff wreckers last week :)
already had the headlights harvested though (who beat me to it?!)

[project.r.racing]

ok, finally bought that car! I managed to get another 200 off so total i've paid 5500 for it.

do u guys know where to go in syd to get the most used parts for the astina?? because i'm thinking to find a pair of side mirrors (if i'm lucky to find the same colour) and to fit on mine instead of getting it repaint which will save me a load of cash..sorry to bust your bubble, but painting them will be alot cheaper than replacing them.

[astie]

sorry to bust your bubble, but painting them will be alot cheaper than replacing them.

really? i might check out the body shop near by.

[Brisbane_boy]

if its just wing mirrors, just have a look at ur local autobarn. Sometimes they can mix up ur code in single pak aerosol.
Its not great but for $15 its ur chepest bet and u just re do them wen they start to fade.