Picked up a 1st gen...

[AODfan]

Well in the quest for a 2nd car, a beater, I found a 1990 Protege through a friend. Ended up only paying $300 for the thing. It needs some work as you can tell from the pics below.

I plan on fixing some of the body work, cleaning up the interior really well and who knows from there.

It stills runs well and gets great gas mileage

 

[mannydingo]

Funny how beat up the interior looks yet the door panel looks so new. The old one was obviously replaced.

 

[Antoine]

I can't even begin to imagine how the hell the interior/engine bay ended up so nasty...Unless someone used the inside as their dumpster and the engine bay as a toilet...Poor Pro!

Other than that...Great choice for a "beater"...Be sure to keep us updated on the clean up and post (pics)

 

[MDCruiser]

My 1994 looked about the same inside, I paid $300 for it too. It needs new brakes and rotors in front, a power steering pump, and the hold light flashes. The outside is dented here and here, but no rust.

 

[mannydingo]

My 1994 looked about the same inside, I paid $300 for it too. It needs new brakes and rotors in front, a power steering pump, and the hold light flashes. The outside is dented here and here, but no rust.

$65 for my used and good non-leaking power steering pump. Shipping will be another 9 bucks. I also have a white rear bumper from my 94.

 

[Protephile]

Damn, that needs some serious mclovin...
Poor engine bay.

 

[AODfan]

Well, get a picked up a replacement door, grabbed it for $100

Have removed the fender and old door...just need to install and order more replacement body parts

BTW, has anyone every bought any of the ebay replacement fenders and such? How is the quality and fit?

 

[turpro]

Looks like she's in good hands

 

[gybe]

Hi!

Nice to see someone picks up 1st gen 323. Some may not believe but here in Slovenia these car sell for like 100-250 USD, mint condition, with power locks, windows, sunroof. I just couldn't believe it until I saw some of them without a single scratch. I was thinking about getting one of those for winter and put my baby in the garage, but before that we will have to do some cosmetics job.

 

[mannydingo]

Damn, that needs some serious mclovin...
Poor engine bay.

Why McLovin' ??? Are you saying only an employee for McDonalds is up to the task?(uhm)

 

[tyusha]

^^^ Last name of a character in the movie superbad

 

[MDCruiser]

$65 for my used and good non-leaking power steering pump. Shipping will be another 9 bucks. I also have a white rear bumper from my 94.

I got one from EBay for $40 shipped, 60 day warranty, but thanks for the offer.

The trans HOLD light flashes and the speedo doesn't work. Shop told me all the solenoids are bad in the trans, and it burned out the speed sensor on the trans too. I am going to get a 2nd opinion.

Also, the driver's power window is off the track. It moves, but doesn't roll up with the motor. I still haven't gotten to that one yet. I'm shocked the power windows, locks, and power sunroof even work.

This past Saturday, I replaced the front brakes pads and rotors ($70), wiper blades ($10), and battery ($50). Horn doesn't blow, probably a fuse. AC blows warm too, and the radio is gone. It needs a recharge, because the compressor kicks in. The radio, I am gonna get a CD player from Walmart for it more than likely. Also, right front wheel bearing is bad. I got a replacement, but couldn't get the axle nut off. I don't have access to an air gun, so I will prolly have to end up having a shop do this repair. (boom02)

The car looks beat down on the outside, but there's no rust and the engine runs strongly. I had it up to 5000rpm and it was smooth. The engine has 111k on it, doesn't leak or burn oil and starts on the first try every single time.

Just in case the trans is bad, I found a used trans with 75k on it and a 3 month warranty for $375 shipped. How long do you think this b****'ll run if I replace the tranny?

Pics below...

 

[ALIEN3T]

for the wheel nut. put the car on the ground with the wheel on., remove center cap. tap put the pushed in tab for the groove.
I used a 1/2 inch breaker bar and the handle to my jack. it worked. the axle nuts are tq to like 200 ft/lbs. No need ot pay a shop unless its rusted beyond belief.

Looks good great beater.

 

[Antoine]

She's lookin better already Did you check for any possible frame damage or major accident evidence...seems like the original panels were banged up a bit...

 

[Antoine]

Hi!

Nice to see someone picks up 1st gen 323. Some may not believe but here in Slovenia these car sell for like 100-250 USD, mint condition, with power locks, windows, sunroof. I just couldn't believe it until I saw some of them without a single scratch. I was thinking about getting one of those for winter and put my baby in the garage, but before that we will have to do some cosmetics job.

Wow..Slovenia..We're truly getting international now...Welcome to Mazda Forums! (hi)

 

[exalted_one]

Looking good man. My dad had a 94' as his first mazda and it went to 240k miles. The only repairs that had to be done were radiator and alternator, other than that it was all just normal maintence.

 

[AODfan]

Well, a little of an update. I picked up an interior swap, from that nasty tan/light gray to charcoal/dark gray. Only things that I miss is the headliner and carpet. Ill post some pics when the parts arrive.

 

[mannydingo]

I got one from EBay for $40 shipped, 60 day warranty, but thanks for the offer.

The trans HOLD light flashes and the speedo doesn't work. Shop told me all the solenoids are bad in the trans, and it burned out the speed sensor on the trans too. I am going to get a 2nd opinion. Just in case the trans is bad, I found a used trans with 75k on it and a 3 month warranty for $375 shipped. How long do you think this b****'ll run if I replace the tranny?

Pics below...

Well, as far as the tranny goes, did you know the tranny had problems when you bought it? I would not have bought it for even 100 bucks with tranny problems. For $300 I got a 95. I paid $650 to get it fixed, bought a unkyard strut assembly it needed for $17 and then sold it for $1500 'cause it was clean inside and out. I would not have bought a 1990 for $300. I don't know your area but here, you either give that away or you call the tow truck to give you $100 to tow it away. They may only give $50 or $10 in the condition that one was in. I kid you not. The p/s pump I offered you is from my crashed 94. The junkyard would only give me $75. I got about $1700 by selling it part by part and it took over two years to get that money. I finally gave the remaining shell with the door panels and trunk lid for free to a tow truck driver. All the j/y gave him for it was $20. Now if you knew the value of the car and just wanted the project of fixing it up, then it's all good. That's an honorable thing to do with a Protege.

 

[AODfan]

Purchased a whole interior swap. From the gross light gray to charcoal

Also going to purchase a manual seatbelt swap for the front.

 

[mannydingo]

I've got to hear how putting those seat skins on the seats goes for you.