1988 Mazda 323 GTX - $1500

I am posting this before I change my mind again. I have too many projects and just need to clear stuff out and focus on the ones I want to be done. 

I have done some work on it since I bought it but it still needs some attention. 

1988 Mazda 323 GTX
115,000 miles
Clutch recently replaced with a centerforce dual friction, stock flywheel resurfaced. 
It runs and drives but I have only driven it around the block. 

Needs:
Rust repair - not urgent but it has rust. The underside is crusty, I will get additional pictures of that. 
It has body damage, I pulled it out mostly and got the panels to bolt up roughly but they are not totally installed.
The replacement panels will need to be painted.
It does run but it smokes pretty bad. I am unsure if it just from sitting or if the turbo needs to be rebuilt (more likely). I need to try to drive it some more to see what happens. 

It has an Ohio salvage title. I have not had it inspected yet to get a rebuilt title. 

Extras:
Hatch with much less rust than the one on it. 
Aftermarket driver side fender.
Rear wheel arch rust repair panels. 

I did not see this and am not thinking about it.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ said:

I did not see this and am not thinking about it.

Same here. I learned to drive in a 323. The want is strong.

I had a dog slow 323 in high school - fantastic and unlike able little beast.  Argh need to forget I saw this.

More info and pics. It has 115k miles on it, all stock. The A/C is not currently working, I tried the switch for fun but the compressor doesn't kick on, probably needs to be converted from R12 and charged. 

When I bought it a few years ago it had been sitting since 2007. The PO bought it and sourced the replacement body panels then it just sat. When I got it the fuel was very bad and the fuel pump was junk. I drained the tank and put a new pump and filter on it to get it running. The clutch was slipping badly and it sat for another year or so. Then I replaced the clutch (the release arm was seized in the bushings) and got it drivable. Then it sat for a while and recently I put the front body panels back on temporarily. I'm afraid that at my current pace it is just going to sit more and become a non-runner again so it needs to go to someone who wants to continue to get it back on the road. 

The front swaybar is currently removed, the links were rusted and broke when I was removing it to pull the transmission. It will need new links to be reinstalled. The front skid plates are also off, I was going to clean them up and paint before installing them but haven't got that far yet. 

Pictures of the rust and other things. 

I miss my GTX. Such a cool little car.

I've had two of these, never should've sold my last one.  That one I bought in San Jose and Cannonballed back to Colorado straight thru the night with another GRMer.  It had a bunch of period mods on it too.

All GTX mods are period mods :)

I rolled mine and drove it for another year.  I would absolutely love to have this car.  I would bring it to the next Challenge! But I dont have $1500, good luck selling.

That's New York rust-free.  Cool ride.  I've seen one of the AWD deals in person, super neat.

This has always been on my "Want" list, just bad timing!

Decided to drive it to the gas station today for some fresh gas, got to the first stop sign and blew a brake line. Right at the rusty spot near the frame rail pictured above. It is just going to sit even longer if I have to run new brake lines. 

Flexible on price, make an offer. 

This would make a great rally x car to learn on... thank goodness I'm broke! 

Saron81 said:

This would make a great rally x car to learn on... thank goodness I'm broke! 

Don't worry, the car is broke too!

Oh hell.  Why did I look at this.  The first car I bought was a CRX, but was almost a 323.  I'd love to fix this up.  Good luck with the sale.

Somebody please buy this before I change my mind again.

I am headed south with an empty trailer around the 30th if that helps, or hinders.

Nobody wants a rare rusty rally rendition of an 80s econobox? 

$1200 for GRM. It will drive onto your trailer and hopefully not off the other end (e-brake still works).

Maybe tomorrow.

E36 M3. This drivetrain would probably fit in my Escort without too much custom work. berkeley.

So cool. They're just... neat, neat cars.

This thread makes me want to learn to weld

slowbird said:

E36 M3. This drivetrain would probably fit in my Escort without too much custom work. berkeley.

Escorts were bigger, heavier relatives of this chassis, although IIRC the tub is significantly different around the front on the GTX.  Again IIRC, there is no front subframe, the control arms bolt to little brackets that bolt to the tub.

the want is high, the cash flow is low.

Stampie (FS) said:

Maybe tomorrow.

It's tomorrow now.