Relax bro... I already mention time and time again, yes I will spend a lot.
Look, some people like new cars (like you), and some people like old cars (like me), that sounds pretty open minded in the simplest form possible; understanding preference.

Bottom line, I'm asking A you're giving B. Just scroll back few pages and read again

Suka hati u, honestly. Sorry I triggered you earlier but you're really not answering the question!
If you want my view on why I chose to restore.... (in case you think I'm some nincompoop that didn't research beforehand)
-total price after repairs maybe few upgrades, less than 20k (including repaint)
-mazda parts are not easy to find, not hard either
-most of the parts are interchangable with Ford's
-first car, only have 4k saved up
-not sure why, bank won't give loan for 9k corolla, nor will they layan an 8 y/o manual saga going for 15k (I tried many times believe me)
-they are still on the road
-FF layout, easy to handle
-globally recognized
-a lot of space in the engine bay for upgrades

I would bash myself if I got a BT KE-70 and be Takumi, 323 was not a good choice nor was it bad. It just takes some time.
Hey, I'm learning a lot about a car that I drive 24/7! That's a huge plus IMO.

Especially the seat... Driver one got lubang, still can drive la but when go Rawang from PJ, one hour drive, my bontot fking hot, sweaty, and uncomfortable.
FYI, these are some of the things I have yet to fix

power window, rear wiper, rear-left door lock not working, clutch pad (at the workshop atm to settle), right light is limp (hand itchy tried to adjust the angle, end up screwing up the ball joint ), steering rack, speedometer motor (not too sure about this yet), door rubber thing (when I go past 80kmh my window starts to whistle), remove cat, and starter motor.

Slowly lo, I want to start Public Mutual also difficult. At least don't owe bank money for 9 years for a car that I might not even drive for that long

Ah, interesting point. I left out the fact that this is literally a I have.
To clear things up no this isn't some new years resolution, it was my plan since Oct 2015. Rejected over and over by banks, keep getting financial drawbacks, and going to work by Uber/Grabcar really eats away your budget. After one year I've finally saved enough and haggled my way to a sporty first car. I know about the heavy repairs that would come underway, but it's something I've achieved at 21 and I feel proud of it. Regardless, it is still the only thing I have not some trophy I keep for fun. I drive it to work, to go yumcha, to go friend place, to go play sports, etc etc. And really, less than 20k for a Japanese car with pop-ups? Bloody steal if you ask me.
About the adrenaline part, refer to above (it is my only way to get around).

To your last point... A car is after all made of smaller parts. It's like the Ship of Theseus, after replacing everything 1-to-1, is it still the same car? Thing is, if really take care, I can go far with this car I'm sure of it. To you it may not be promising as you've not inspected it in the flesh, but you are entitled to your own opinions and I understand your concern. Might even get sappy that you actually care about my personal finance that much, so thanks

Fulamak off topic like shit.

Any other engines to recommend? Eco/fast/tahan lasak, anything also can

Wow you really didn't understand a single thing I said? Please help me look for a Type R for 20 thousand ringgit, let alone the mini

Why would I be regretful if the restoration is almost complete? Again, please please please, read this thread's topic.
Look advice is ok, unsolicited financial advice? Who you think will listen? Especially when I wasn't even talking about it.

You like new cars, cool. You do you, really. But look, let's tone it down yeah let's say a Preve, roughly 80k la yeah. If cash then great, cool you saved up 80k in cash and owe the bank nothing; if not, you'll need a bank loan for 7-9 years. Assume after 7 years you want to sell the car (after you settle the loan), how much you think can sell? Secondhand Preve now, never exceed 50k, how much you lose? Don't forget ya, 80k is RRP, the interest that goes to the bank will add on lets say another 5 thousand (just an example). Best case scenario you find one guy want to buy for 50k. 85-50 = __ thousand, that's how much you made a clean loss off of.
As for a restored Astina let's say I spent 20k into it, literal worst case scenario for me if it was 20 thousand: Even if the car total loss, I'd lose less assets that you did over the years, and all the money I used was purely for the car itself, no compound interest no down payment. Let's assume the car runs another 7 years just to be on par with the Preve, I still wouldn't make that big of a loss in the end! Even if the car is considered total loss! Plus, in the event that it does crash and burn, I simply have to fork out another few thousand for another secondhand car, by the time I'm sure I'll have a steady income as I already do at the moment. With the knowledge that I've gained from restoring my Astina, I know how to spot and haggle for my next secondhand car.

Your misconception that new cars are just ultimately better than old cars makes you kind of a hypocrite in reference to what you said before, no?
"close minded" and "no intelligence", and you would suggest a volks or an mx-5 when I've clearly asked the questions in my first post?
I have a fine example of ignorance and the inability to comprehend simple conveyance of a shared concern for you:


If you don't know any engines that can swap into a 323, if you don't know jack about restoring/tuning cars, if you have never swapped let alone tuned a car before, if you have no relative input for the topic at hand... Then you have nothing to offer here.

Also, why are you so salty? I'm not using your money dude

You're clearly out of your element here, you contributed literally nothing, at least my thread is always on top thanks to this pointless back and forth.

I asked if it's worth because I'm looking for people who have swapped engines into old cars before, people that has experience with it and simply seeking non-financial advice. Price for the engine I want is all out there, JPJ can endorse no problem those have been sorted by the helpful bunch.

If you're just looking to pick a bone instead of giving any sort of helpful information at all then ya know... what can I do.

Wow you really die-hard fully stock fan
What car do you daily anyways?

That's an interesting point, about the insurance. Thanks for the info!

How's your A31? Any tips?
Feel like starting another thread about restoring ancient cars 🤔

Thanks! Almost done, quite new to lowyat hope this doesn't 404 (does it?). Few more months I revisit again and post pics of the finished product 😬

(Do emojis work here?)

Not bad, done anything to the car?

Yeah I can't afford premium last time anyways, but not like anyone wants to insure a 27 year old car lah

Jimat lo, partition some cash into another account treat it like my own personal insurance lmao

Hmm or maybe an old car restoration club, now that would be fun 😄

Wapiang 3.0, k la below 2.0 is all I'm after... I just wanna go faster nia.
Then again half-cut BM engine sounds interesting. What do you recommend?

Interesting.... never thought of putting German muscle into a Japanese car. Does it even fit and is it even safe/legal? 🤔

Agreed, but dreaming about it also feels good yeah

Direct swap.... I suppose B6T is the most suitable and realistic candidate. Blacktops really high in demand, and Honda engine.... see how lah, the B16 still sounds tempting. VTEC man, VTEC.

Next project perhaps? Not at the moment, have to muster through the income tax payment first.

How much is the B16A alone? Just wanna know je

Yeah the guy handling my car now pretty decent man.
The only employee working since it's his own shop
I tried others... "overhaul engine la bro, car so old.... I give you cheap price la ok 6 thousand". I ask why they say just in case, later engine meletup don't say they never warn.
Deng, only thing meletup in my car before is my friend's vape.

Exactly, hence "restoration". Engine swap is just an upgrade, a 27 year old stock engine still runs fine, but I have to start planning ahead and get the prices as well as info right to prevent some last min CamPro swap (now THAT would suck). That's why I started this thread!

1, I'm not in debt. 2, it's my gaji after paying my bills. 3, I only have one job. 4, yes my car runs, but it can run better and more efficient.

Actually I'm not even 100% sure, are Mazda engines even worth swapping? I've never heard anyone puroposely going for a Mazda engine for swapping, it's always the common ones like Toyota Honda or BMW. Those are totally out of my budget.
What about Mitsubishi or older Nissan engines? Would they be cheaper? Not going for 4b11T kinda range that one sure enough to by my car 3 times

Damn the engine bay looks nice, the engine came with the car at 9.3k?