Going to buy a 323

Dice · 03-02-2009, 07:07 PM

hey guys, i don't know much about 323's but i really like these cars and i'd like to buy one, i'm going to take a look at one tomorrow but i'd like to know some common problems or what i should ask the dude thats selling it.

Info:
2000 MAZDA 323 BJ Protege
44,000k
1.8L Auto 4Sp

Halp

Thanks to marcs_sp20 for telling me about this site

project.r.racing · 03-02-2009, 07:36 PM

5,000km per year driven... was is a grannys car? to church and shopping once a week... although all bjs are granny cars. haha

the 1.8L had no problems compared to the 2.0L version. one of the girls at work has a 2000 model 1.8L also, and it's got 120,000km on it. and going good with no problems. brakes are a bit squeely, but thats at 120,000km, not 44,000km.

Dice · 03-02-2009, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by project.r.racing

5,000km per year driven... was is a grannys car? to church and shopping once a week... although all bjs are granny cars. haha

the 1.8L had no problems compared to the 2.0L version. one of the girls at work has a 2000 model 1.8L also, and it's got 120,000km on it. and going good with no problems. brakes are a bit squeely, but thats at 120,000km, not 44,000km.

Well yes lol it is a granny car :P

I took a protege for a test drive the other day and when i lifted my foot off the brake slightly (the car was on a downhill slant) it kept making some grudging noise...I'm stuck lol...not sure if i should get a protege or not

marcs_sp20 · 05-02-2009, 06:17 PM

Personally, i'd go with a manual, just as auto's just dont cut it for me, i'd rather have the left foot doing something instead of nothing

Things to be wary of:

Water leak from the clucth pedal
VICS (only seen in the 2.0L's, but can be known to hit some 1.8L's aswell)
Drivers side engine mounts bust easily

if I think of anymore, i'll add more.

The US boys go crazy on these things, there are endless mods that can be done on these things, ranging from suspension, appearance & mechanical.

Ryan's just jealous

Aaron · 05-02-2009, 10:22 PM

In the "trade" probably the thing that is most mentioned as the "bad thing" about Astinas is the auto gearboxes. While there's nothing specific to look for the implied problem is the boxes fail earlier than say a Toyota Corolla auto box.

I suspect this is more down to maintenance and fluid changes etc than an outright bad gearbox design. Either way there's thousands out there and some will fail, but most won't.

A good independent inspection of the car (trusted mechanic etc) will go a long way to determining if there's a real problem or not. As i said above there's thousands out there, so if it's a bit suss wait for a better one!

A.

Commander Damo · 06-02-2009, 09:26 PM

Dad has a 2003 model BJII-J48 323 and its got 211,000Km on it, 150,000 between a major service and it didn't die, though oil sludged up and clogged the sump and it was running like crap, but it still ran and returned 7L/100km with his driving.

Now it's been all fixed up and still going strong, good car. Unbreakable.

guntersmells · 07-02-2009, 11:09 AM

I'm thinking of selling my 2002 BJII MAN. 113000km good service history. Has an Injen CAI (can take out) has about $2000 sound system. That's only if you're interested, just offering hehehe.
Everything runs great. Occasionally the brakes squeak after a dust storm or it rains a lot. But it's not all the time. Nothing bad related to km and engine performance though.

Ice88 · 28-03-2009, 01:29 AM

stay away from the autos in the 1.8 IMO, the box was never a great one to start with. Its best paired with a 2l and even then its pretty bad.

The 1.8s dont have the same mid range torque or low end for that matter making the combination something id call less then ideal. The high end and cams make it fun to drive though xD

02-KQ-LASR · 31-03-2009, 05:19 PM

is there any cams for the 1.6?
sorry to steal thread!

Ice88 · 31-03-2009, 06:27 PM

Not that im aware of but you could grab a ZM-DE Jap IM and a ZL-DE Head.

02-KQ-LASR · 31-03-2009, 06:29 PM

what?????
you confused the sh*t outa me..... lol

Ice88 · 31-03-2009, 06:33 PM

You take the ZM-DE Intake Manifold and stick it on your car, get a ZL-DE head and replace your current one.

From what i know regarding the 1.6 is its more or less a raging asmhatic(sp?) so you get the jap spec IM which has VICS (altho i think AUS should have it already, so youd wanna check) then grab the ZL-DE head which is VVT and open the sucker right up

EDIT: ZM-DE with ZL-DE head turboed would be pretty sweet.

02-KQ-LASR · 31-03-2009, 06:43 PM

whats a zm-de outa?
you sure that combo would work?

Ice88 · 31-03-2009, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 02-KQ-LASR

whats a zm-de outa?
you sure that combo would work?

Your car. And yes.

EDIT: It would work, the ZL-DE head is what id be doing though IM id prolly just use stock ZL-DE as getting the solenoid to work for VICS would be a bitch. There was a thread on it somewhere when i was researching proteges before i got mine

03-02-2009, 07:07 PM	#1
Dice Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Sydney Car: 323 Posts: 3	Going to buy a 323 hey guys, i don't know much about 323's but i really like these cars and i'd like to buy one, i'm going to take a look at one tomorrow but i'd like to know some common problems or what i should ask the dude thats selling it. Info: 2000 MAZDA 323 BJ Protege 44,000k 1.8L Auto 4Sp Halp Thanks to marcs_sp20 for telling me about this site

05-02-2009, 06:17 PM	#4
marcs_sp20 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ipswich, Queensland Car: 2002 Mazda Astina SP20 2006 Mazda 6 GY Wagon Posts: 9,769 View Photos By: marcs_sp20	Personally, i'd go with a manual, just as auto's just dont cut it for me, i'd rather have the left foot doing something instead of nothing Things to be wary of: Water leak from the clucth pedal VICS (only seen in the 2.0L's, but can be known to hit some 1.8L's aswell) Drivers side engine mounts bust easily if I think of anymore, i'll add more. The US boys go crazy on these things, there are endless mods that can be done on these things, ranging from suspension, appearance & mechanical. Ryan's just jealous __________________

05-02-2009, 10:22 PM	#5
Aaron Stiff Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Canberra, ACT Car: 1994 Lynx BP-T Posts: 1,198 View Photos By: Aaron	In the "trade" probably the thing that is most mentioned as the "bad thing" about Astinas is the auto gearboxes. While there's nothing specific to look for the implied problem is the boxes fail earlier than say a Toyota Corolla auto box. I suspect this is more down to maintenance and fluid changes etc than an outright bad gearbox design. Either way there's thousands out there and some will fail, but most won't. A good independent inspection of the car (trusted mechanic etc) will go a long way to determining if there's a real problem or not. As i said above there's thousands out there, so if it's a bit suss wait for a better one! A. __________________ Current: Stinky the imfamous Lynx

31-03-2009, 05:19 PM	#9
02-KQ-LASR SHO~247 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: SA Car: laser kq 2002 Posts: 2,024 View Photos By: 02-KQ-LASR	is there any cams for the 1.6? sorry to steal thread! __________________ lots of bj/kn/kq laser parts for sale!! custom boot install(fibreglass boxes),mazda 3 handbrake rachet,power window motors x 2,power window switches, guage rings its all gotta go!!! pm me any offers!!

31-03-2009, 06:29 PM	#11
02-KQ-LASR SHO~247 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: SA Car: laser kq 2002 Posts: 2,024 View Photos By: 02-KQ-LASR	what????? you confused the sht outa me..... lol __________________ lots of bj/kn/kq laser parts for sale!!* custom boot install(fibreglass boxes),mazda 3 handbrake rachet,power window motors x 2,power window switches, guage rings its all gotta go!!! pm me any offers!!

03-02-2009, 07:36 PM	#2
project.r.racing Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: n/a Car: n/a Posts: 10,929	5,000km per year driven... was is a grannys car? to church and shopping once a week... although all bjs are granny cars. haha the 1.8L had no problems compared to the 2.0L version. one of the girls at work has a 2000 model 1.8L also, and it's got 120,000km on it. and going good with no problems. brakes are a bit squeely, but thats at 120,000km, not 44,000km.

06-02-2009, 09:26 PM	#6
Commander Damo Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Australia Car: 03 Mazda 323 Astina Shades Manual Posts: 30	Dad has a 2003 model BJII-J48 323 and its got 211,000Km on it, 150,000 between a major service and it didn't die, though oil sludged up and clogged the sump and it was running like crap, but it still ran and returned 7L/100km with his driving. Now it's been all fixed up and still going strong, good car. Unbreakable.

07-02-2009, 11:09 AM	#7
guntersmells Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Wagga Car: Mazda 323 Astina '02 Posts: 55	I'm thinking of selling my 2002 BJII MAN. 113000km good service history. Has an Injen CAI (can take out) has about $2000 sound system. That's only if you're interested, just offering hehehe. Everything runs great. Occasionally the brakes squeak after a dust storm or it rains a lot. But it's not all the time. Nothing bad related to km and engine performance though.

28-03-2009, 01:29 AM	#8
Ice88 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Auchenflower, Brisbane Car: Blue SP20 Posts: 2,782	stay away from the autos in the 1.8 IMO, the box was never a great one to start with. Its best paired with a 2l and even then its pretty bad. The 1.8s dont have the same mid range torque or low end for that matter making the combination something id call less then ideal. The high end and cams make it fun to drive though xD

31-03-2009, 06:27 PM	#10
Ice88 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Auchenflower, Brisbane Car: Blue SP20 Posts: 2,782	Not that im aware of but you could grab a ZM-DE Jap IM and a ZL-DE Head.

31-03-2009, 06:33 PM	#12
Ice88 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Auchenflower, Brisbane Car: Blue SP20 Posts: 2,782	You take the ZM-DE Intake Manifold and stick it on your car, get a ZL-DE head and replace your current one. From what i know regarding the 1.6 is its more or less a raging asmhatic(sp?) so you get the jap spec IM which has VICS (altho i think AUS should have it already, so youd wanna check) then grab the ZL-DE head which is VVT and open the sucker right up EDIT: ZM-DE with ZL-DE head turboed would be pretty sweet. Last edited by Ice88; 31-03-2009 at 06:36 PM.

31-03-2009, 06:43 PM	#13
02-KQ-LASR SHO~247 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: SA Car: laser kq 2002 Posts: 2,024 View Photos By: 02-KQ-LASR	whats a zm-de outa? you sure that combo would work? __________________ lots of bj/kn/kq laser parts for sale!! custom boot install(fibreglass boxes),mazda 3 handbrake rachet,power window motors x 2,power window switches, guage rings its all gotta go!!! pm me any offers!!