I inherited a car today: 1993 Mazda 323 Automatic ZOOM ZOOM!

"Luc - The Acadian Oppo" (luc5) 09/01/2014 at 10:10 • Filed to: PROJECT FREE MAZDA

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My stepmom just bought herself a new car (2011 Dodge Journey) and my pops decided they wanted to give me her old car. I don't need another car I have a 2013 Ford Fusion but pops essentially just wants it out of his driveway so he gave it to me. The paint is super rough the clear is peeling everywhere but the car does not have a spec of rust and it runs like a champ. It has only done 160000 km's (100000 miles) since 1993. It has had a bunch of recent work done to it. new transmission,new axles,new brakes,new battery,it has good tires and it is safety inspected.

I plan on giving the paint/wheels & bumpers a complete overhaul with some Krylon industrial paint(I sell this thru my work and can buy it for $5 a can). This is going to be a great runabout to commute to & from work (10 miles each way) and an awesome winter beater. This should keep the miles down on the fusion so I can really get my monies worth out of it.

I will post updates as this project goes along.

Nibby > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 09/01/2014 at 00:14

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Congrats. Also, details and pics of your Fusion?

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Nibby 09/01/2014 at 00:18

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2013 Fusion 1.6L Ecoboost auto with LUX Package. (Nav,Leather,Sunroof,Backup camera,Memory seats,18" black wheels)

The day I got it:

How it sits today with tinted Windows and Taillight reflectors:

Nibby > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 09/01/2014 at 00:20

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Nice! My parents have a '13 Energi Titanium. I like the Fusion a LOT so if I do move out of NY and need my own car, a 2.0L EcoBoost is the first thing I'm looking at.

I like how yours is blacked out but tastefully done.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Nibby 09/01/2014 at 00:26

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I wanted the 2.0L when I bought mine but none were available with the options I was looking for. It's a fantastic daily driver it handles GREAT! not great for a midsized vanilla sedan but great as in it can out handle the Challenger SRT8 it replaced.

I can't recommend the fusion enough, it exceeded my expectations in many ways.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 09/01/2014 at 00:26

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Oh my God, my old roommate had that same car, also red! Automatic with "overdrive" that worked when it wanted and was good for a laugh. VROOOOOM it went, as the speedometer didn't budge. I love these little guys

Birddog > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 09/01/2014 at 00:28

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Those things take abuse like you wouldn't believe. It will get you where you need to go till the tin worm gets to it.

Nibby > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 09/01/2014 at 00:32

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Yeah, it's really comfy and even the Energi one handles better than I thought it would. The regular ones have a huge trunk and the fold down rear seats is a big plus.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Birddog 09/01/2014 at 00:39

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My buddy had one with over 300000 miles he seized the motor twice poured more oil in and it started right back up now I know how indestructible they are.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/01/2014 at 00:41

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My buddy had one too while I was in high school he seized the motor twice by starving it of oil. How did he fix it? he poured old crusty oil in turned the crank one or twice with a breaker bar and it started right back up. he drove it another 50000 miles after that.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 09/01/2014 at 01:39

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That's in remarkably nice shape, Hope you can have some fun with it.

Talking about Mazdas, I'll be checking out a 1990 Mazda MX-6 in the next couple days.

OkCars- 22k Crossroads > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 09/01/2014 at 04:19

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Nascar sprint cup have fusions right? Im not nascar fan so im not sure.

Vimto > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 09/01/2014 at 08:09

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You said it's a 2011 Journey? That's an earlier model. 2o11s had the 'ring of fire' LED taillights (no pair of clear stripes going through the bottom half) and had an extra set of red reflectors low in the bumper.

Or I'm just blind.

JEM > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 09/01/2014 at 09:57

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Nice! I had an 86 323 in college that I loved till someone totalled it on me. Great little economy cars that are more fun than you'd think.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > OkCars- 22k Crossroads 09/01/2014 at 10:04

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they sure do

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Vimto 09/01/2014 at 10:06

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nope it's definitely a 2011 but this is the base model in Canada(canada value pack I think it's called) so it may have cheaper lights than the higher models.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 09/01/2014 at 10:07

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yeah it's in rock solid shape. only the paint needs work. My friend had one in high school and it was a blast

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > JEM 09/01/2014 at 10:08

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I know how much fun it is. My buddy had one 10 years ago in high school and we had a blast in that thing.

thebigbossyboss > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 09/01/2014 at 10:22

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The first person to have their own car in my grade had one of these growing up. I think hers was red too!!

I once heard a guy tell a story about how he tried to get his wife to drive stick on one these, and somehow she shifted it into first gear at speed. The transmission made a horrible noise and left pieces all over highway 2. That was the last time he tried to teach her to drive stick.

This is an awesome little car everyone seems to be getting free cars these days!! I hope I'm next.

jkm7680 > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 09/01/2014 at 10:23

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Lemme tell you this, Busa swap.

GhostZ > Vimto 09/01/2014 at 10:26

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Were they actually called 'ring of fire' or was that just a name you made up? Because that's an awesome way to refer to them.

Desu-San-Desu > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 09/01/2014 at 10:38

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Where are you guys located at? That tag plate design looks familiar for some reason.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Desu-San-Desu 09/01/2014 at 10:48

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Edmonton Alberta

Desu-San-Desu > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 09/01/2014 at 10:50

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Well then, I have no idea why I thought it was North Carolina plate...

Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 09/01/2014 at 11:42

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Nice! I really love the new Fusions. Since I've started working for Ford I've fallen in love with them. Definitely going to look at one in the (not so near) future when the need for a car comes up. Although I really like the Focus too.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey 09/01/2014 at 11:49

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I initially wanted a focus because that's more the right size car for me. The fusion is bigger than what I need, what made me buy the fusion vs the focus was the traditional 6spd auto instead of that gawd awful powershift dual clutch in the focus.

12 months and 13000 miles later I'm still super happy with it and I would recommend it to anyone. And this is coming from a Mopar guy so you know that means something.

JEM > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 09/01/2014 at 12:11

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Nice. Not that I would know from any sort of shenanigans but....

those cars handle really well in reverse. You can drive a couple miles easily.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > JEM 09/01/2014 at 12:31

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all I know is that they really are "Rally Inspired" if your picking up what I'm putting down.

Vimto > GhostZ 09/01/2014 at 13:16

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That was the official marketing term for the Avenger, but I apply it to all the Dodge models that have it.