A local independent dealer is offering a 1998 323 1.5 GLX F for £3795.
I've had a quick look over the car and the bodywork appears to be in great nick, so I may take a test drive.
Are there any problems with this model that I should look out for? eg any history of grey imports etc?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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Whereabouts in the country are you?
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Maz,
I'm in Northern Ireland.
My insurer claims the GLX finished in 1996. Parkers.co.uk bear this out, yet this car definitely has GLX badges on the side. I fear it may be a grey import. If I get finished at a reasonable hour I'll check out the paperwork this evening to make sure the VIN's match.
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The V5 should tell you if it's an import. Obviously if the mileage is in km's (if that makes sense) it's virtually certain. I imagine that you're a little suspicious because of it's price (and the year/GLX badges conundrum)?
I wouldn't necessarily write it off just because it's an import, although check insurance.
As Mazdas are generally considered highly reliable but costly to put right, consider getting a Mazda dealer to look over the car. They do a very good check (they did my MX5) - certainly far better than my experience of AA/RAC tests.
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I can't say for sure if the price is right because parkers.co.uk list the GLXi only up to 1996; 1998 GSi seems to be the equivalent, and they list that as costing around £4k from a dealer.
The badge/year conundrum puts me off, and without resolving that I won't touch it. My insurer told me that an import "would be very difficult to insure".
Should the V5 state clearly if it's an import?
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It shouldn't. Given that you're in Northern Ireland, I'd be willing to put money that the car was originally to Irish spec. If you can be bothered, speak to another insurer or a broker; some companies can be quite flexible. If not, walk away.
I'm not sure about Northern Ireland but a UK V5 will show only that the car was 'new at first registration' - which would be the case if the car was brought in from Eire having never been registered there - or not (i.e., the car came across the border with its owner).
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Hopefully my insurer will be able to deduce the origin from the registration. I've also asked Mazda UK to see what they can find out. If it's not a UK model I'll just wait for one that is - my car passed it's MOT last Monday so I can wait for the right car to come along.
Thanks for the advice.
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I'm also after a 323 probably a 1.5 P-reg with about 70k.
Would it be as good and reliable as my current diesel Corolla?
Are parts even more expensive than Toyota parts? I have been shocked every time its needed something doing! The insurance and tax are cheaper on the 323.
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Jamie,
Parts appear to be fairly expensive but I'm hoping not to need too many! I'm also taking into account that I'll save about £9k on the actual purchase compared to the price of a new car, and so I'd regard myself as still in pocket even if it needs a few bits.
What year is P-reg?
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DavidHM,
Well done sir! Car was purchased just over the border in County Monaghan. No service history and clutch felt ready for a change so I've declined it.
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Have struck a deal with another dealer for a 1998 323 1.5 LXi, 41k miles; £2700 with my 1993 1.6LX Mondeo thrown in, with the proviso that a few scrapes on the passenger & nearside rear doors of the Mazda are rendered invisible.
Autotrader seems to suggest that this is not a bad deal. I hope I'm right!
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