Well, poop. No Impreza... but something else

[I_Rally]

It looks like I have probably lost my line on the '93 L that I was supposed to have delivered to me. Unfortunately, I can't really go pick it up due to other obligations, and the seller is being very wishy washy about completing the sale. :-x In fact, he's seems unreliable to the point that I would feel somewhat uncomfortable traveling to get the car even if I did have the availability. I might get there and he'd be nowhere to be found, or he'd change his mind about selling :shock:

However, as it has often been said, when one door closes another opens.

A local RallyX'er (who I didn't know was local until last night) has an '88 Mazda 323 GTX (AWD turbo rally homologation special for those that aren't familiar) for sale at a very reasonable price just a few miles from my house. VERY cool car. However, not an Impreza... which I am okay with except that I really like this forum.

Sooo... if I drove a Mazda rally car would you guys still love me? :lol:

-Winston

[Azewaldo]

...an '88 Mazda 323 GTX...
I would NOT pass up the opportunity :headbang:. Your GTX will not be shunned here, just as long as you're still a Subie driver at heart. I myself am keeping an eye out for a Golf GTI, 323 GTX, even a Corolla FX16 or CRX... damn it just gimme a hot hatch I can rally!!!

[rollo]

Hell yeah the 323GTX is awesome, and the common link in DI is the "D" anyway as far as I can tell :D

Talk to WRR on here before you take that plunge though, he's been through the exact same thing.

[rollo]

I would NOT pass up the opportunity :headbang:. Your GTX will not be shunned here, just as long as you're still a Subie driver at heart. I myself am keeping an eye out for a Golf GTI, 323 GTX, even a Corolla FX16 or CRX... damn it just gimme a hot hatch I can rally!!!

Justy?

[Rallycat66]

The 323GTX is a hot little car. But, it's getting tough to find parts for it (find yourself a good contact in Australia :P ). Just be prepared for that fact.

Any car that John Buffum described once as "taking off like a scalded cat" is OK in my book!

[I_Rally]

The 323GTX is a hot little car. But, it's getting tough to find parts for it (find yourself a good contact in Australia :P ). Just be prepared for that fact.

Yeah, that does worry me. In fact, that's my biggest worry with this car. However, the GTX community seems to be pretty strong for such a limited production car, and there seems to be a decent amount of used parts available. Another good thing is that this particular car is inexpensive enough that if I eventually run into a situation where I can't get a certain part for it, I can sacrifice its parts to the rest of the GTX's and come out okay financially.

[kreitz3]

The GTX is a great car. My friend has an 88 for sale here in Ohio. Like you said, the GTX community is a good one. But good luck finding front struts that are adjustable.

[WRR]

woot!! the GTX is a FUN little rocket!!

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c139/nrsg/Mazda%20323GTX/delmarrallyx199.jpg


the plus list-
cheap, rare, lightweight, on/off power band (I had a hot Reich ECU & had to pick a place to land when I came into the powerband because I was about to get launched!!)

& like you mentioned - a strong on-line community...

'sturtevant.com' is an on-line classified dedicated to the GTX so you can compare pricing but the brief version is: rough but running = $1000-2000, decent daily driver type = $2000-3000, built or rally prepped = $4000-$8000

'mazda323performance.com' has a wealth of info in the forums section

'autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/323gtx' also has lots & lots of info

'frappr.com/323gtx#addyourself' is kinda cool as well

'roadraceengineering.com/323BuyersGuide.htm' is good reading!

sorry, there is something wrong with posting a link or I would have done ^^ them as links (or I am dumb which is very possible)

lastly, MazdaSpeed is a factory backed Mazda racer program that allows you to purchase factory parts directly from Mazda for less then dealer net and all you need to do is sign up and forward them some sort of race results a couple of times a year showing that you entered, not won or anything - just entered and rally-x counts! - probably the sweetest factory backed program out there!! I ran all their decals but this is not requred and unless you want money for winning national level races and I never won anything so it didn't count for me



the bad list-
Transfer cases commonly wear out due to lack of maintenance. Since their oil supply is separate from the transmission, many forget to check the fluid level or change the fluid. The rear output shaft bearing is usually the first to go, so get under the car and try to move the very front of the drive shaft yoke up and down. If it's loose, you're going to have problems. The mechanical advance weights in the distributor (yes, it has mechanical advance!) can get sticky or the springs can break. This can cause ignition timing to get erratic, or in the worst case, can allow the advance weights to hit the inside of the distributor housing, cutting through it. If the housing is not damaged, the weights and springs are only $7.

If the car has warped rotors, don't expect it to be an easy fix. The rotor is behind the hub, requiring full hub , disassembly, and probably a wheel bearing replacement. Believe it or not, a simple front brake job needs to be done by a Mazda specialist. Finally, a rare assembly flaw (or mistake during timing belt replacement can actually cause the front of the crank to snap off! According to Welch, most of the cars for which this is a problem have already had it happen, and if it's any consolation, the crank is shared with the millions of Miatas out there, so replacement parts are easy to find. Still, if the front pulley wobbles at idle, walk away.


& parts availablity is becoming a little difficult but nothing is overly complicated and lots of stuff interchanges with the Miata, the DOHC Ford Escort GT motor, or later model Protege models


I would buy another in a heatbeat if I found a nice one for cheap!!

[Drew84]

Buy IT !

[I_Rally]

I'm going to look at it on Sunday. I've seen some pics, and it has some rust in the usual places for a GTX. Not really concerned about that since this will be a RallyX car. As long as it's structurally and mechanically good, I'll probably get it.

[409industries]

I was about to say... wheres JACK! hahaha. The GTX definitely looks like a fun car to drive, and yes we will still let you play even if you dont have an impreza. :)

[I_Rally]

Yeah, thanks Jack! Great stuff there.

[rollo]

woot!! the GTX is a FUN little rocket!!

[..........]

Awesome write-up Jack.

[I Like It Sideways]

I second the GTX.
Hard to find, amazing cars.
And fun to drive. They are a blast, and a lot can be learned from them.

[kreitz3]

Here is the link to the one my friend is selling.

http://www.mazda323performance.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14262

[I_Rally]

Cool, thanks. The one I am looking at is about half that price, but not as nice. Needs a clutch (new one included), a brake line, a battery, and similar rust repair/paint.

[lminette]

Buy it!!!!!

[wr-ecks]

x15 buy it. i know a guy with 2 and another who used to have one. (traded it for a miata..go figure) they are awesome cars and as long as they look stockish you will never get a second look from the police as they are inconspicuos as hell

[I_Rally]

Well, the car ended up being what you'd expect out of a sub-$1500 GTX. A do-able project for sure, but not one that I have enough time for now. So the search continues, hopefully I'll find a good Impreza.

-Winston

[sebhockey]

Good luck in your search.