Hey! Help! Newbie here, single female buying a car. Have landed on Mazda after lots of research!
at the moment I’m looking at a 2005 Mazda 3 manual and a 2003 Mazda astina 323 automatic
unsure which one is belt or chain driven? And which one is more reliable with less ‘issues’
both have about 210km on the clock. The Astina has a service log with it, Mazda 3 does not but recent serviced sticker. I’m needing to drive it from Perth to Kalgoorlie Western Australia (one off) so about 600km…..Astina is asking for $4k and the 323 is asking for $3k
any help very muchly appreciated feeling very stressed with no one to help!

 

Welcome to the forum,

 

Thank you! I thought that was your answer and got very confused 😂😂 but then realised it’s your signature lol

 

Unfortunately, on a pretty much any vehcle forum no matter the make of the vehicle it is very hard to judge the true condition and any issues with your choices without a more complete information.
I would look around your area and see any shop is offering a complete comprehensive vehcle inspection and what that exactly consists of.
Maybe a friend or a friend of a friend knows someone that has some service experience that can look at these choices for you?. You would at least get a little better idea which may be in better servable condition.


Buying a used vehcle is always a challenge unless you know a little around what to look for and how to access some system like the ECU ( ECU stands for electronic control unit)

I wish you all the luck

 

323 will have a timing belt
Mazda 3 will have a timing chain.

Manual transmission is less risk than a automatic of that age.

 

Welcome to the forum