I'm back! and this time it's not a Toyota. Sorry I've been lost but I still have the Tercel. I have only autocrossed it a few times in the past few years(buying a business and a home had most of my attention) Now the Tercel sits because it has a dead fuel pump.
Anyways I purchased this 2012 Mazda 3 2.0 5spd for $400
My plan was going to be the same as the NO SPRINGS Corolla. gut it, replace the springs with washers and do the challenge then junk or trade it. But the interior is so good on this car I can't bring myself to tear it apart.
The story on how I got this car for cheap. The previous owner worked in my wife's building and he was from Chile. He was losing his job and visa at the end of the year so he was selling his car. As the year was coming to an end I asked him what was gonna happen if he couldn't sell it before he left. He said he would scrap it, that's when I said I will buy it for the scrap value. I asked him what was wrong with it and he said it only has a small power steering leak. To help him out and not leave him without transportation I told him I can get the car the day before he left back to Chile. That day I rode my bike to his place, gave him $400 cash, put my bike in the trunk and wished him the best of luck.
The GOOD:
The interior looks great. I don't understand how the outside can be so bad and the inside so good.
The engine seemed strong and Pulled hard on the drive home.
Tires have tread
The BAD:
After ONE block I had no power steering. I guess he filled it right before I picked it up and the small leak turned out to be a shower.
The exterior! hit from behind and the front, it is keyed all over the place and the clear coat is peeling
And after I got back from Xmas vacation I was able to give the car a proper Inspection
More BAD:
Plan #1 is fix it and get it driveable. then find some 15in wheels to put the sticky Tercels tires on it, take it to the challenge then try to sell it for a profit
Plan#2 involves a turbo
More to come...
