1988 Mazda 323GTX

1988 Mazda 323 GTX Description

I am selling a 1988 Mazda 323GTX that is in great condition - has been garage-kept, has been well maintained. The car has been registered in California since new, no rust.I'm hoping that this car goes to someone who loves to work on cars, as it was the original owner's pride and joy. The original owner and I have spent many lazy weekends working on this GTX, and I hope it finds a well stocked garage.
The mods are minor: Nardi Steering Wheel, Boost controller, HKS Turbo Timer, HKS Boost Gauge.
The exterior is very good for a garaged car, but shows some oxidization on the rear bumper.The car is equipped with the optional side skirts.
The interior is very good for its age, slight stains on the fabric of the seats. No rips or tears. I left the spare door cards for the electric windows in the back seat with the parcel shelf and spare tire cover.
The car fires right up on the first try, does not smoke, idles smooth. Car passed smog in January. New Battery, new cap, rotor and plugs. Oil has been changed. New air filter.
Transmission shifts fine in all gears. Diff lock works, but is rarely used.
The suspension is stock, the front bushings have been changed for Whiteline Poly bushes.The driver's front axle has a torn boot, which is shown in the pictures. I would recommend replacing this.The front brake rotors need to be replaced. The brake pads and fluid are new.
The car will probably come with some spares if the buyer wants them - Spare headlights, Rear Poly bushing kit. I have a spare transmission with 60k miles on it can be added for $200.
Here's a review of the car from a while back, which sheds some light on why these sleeper cars have a loyal following:
"Sport Compact Car Magazine – December 1998By Dave ColemanReprinted with permissionWhat would we do without rally cars? To be considered a production car for Group A rallying the FIA mandated that 5,000 road-going versions of that car had to be built. The 323 GTX, like most of the world’s coolest cars, was built for production to homologate the all-wheel drive turbocharged 323 as a legal, production-based Group A rally car. The 323 GTX first appeared in Europe and Japan in 1986, but didn’t make it to our shores until 1988,when Mazda was trying to bolster the image of their rather pedestrian 323. Over its two year run in the United States, only 1,243 were sold, making It difficult to find one now but not impossible. If you can locate a GTX, its relative anonymity translates into a remarkably low resale value.The GTX was powered by Mazda’s B6 engine, the same power plant that later found its way into the Miata. In the GTX, though, it had the added benefit of a turbocharger and intercooler, boosting output to 132 hp. Power was put to the ground through all four wheels by a compact planetary differential with an on-dash switch that could lock the differential for loose surfaces.According to Mike Welch at Road/Race Engineering [(714) 899-1220] only about $1,000 worth of modifications (exhaust, filter, chip, and a boost bump to 15 psi) are needed to raise output to 180 hp. which Welch says makes a very comfortable power level for the street. That’s another benefit of homologation cars, they tend to be artificially de-tuned in. their street form, allowing plenty of room for tweakers. If you keep spending money, there is plenty of room left for even more power."