owned this 1996 1.5 323 for 1 year........what a car. except for puting the wipers on to turn at junctions. Wish the indicators where in the position they should be!!!! but the car is so good its a little prob. comfort is very good, so is steering, brakes, performance. Starts every time in the coldest mornings with a touch of the key. Before this owned a kia pride, another great car, they know how to make cars over there. would buy another Masda any time.
Indicator position
Reviewing a 1996 model.
Very good paint work/looks
Owned for 1 year.
I've owned a 97P 323 1.5 LXi for over 4 years and it's still going strong after saling past 100,000 miles. Ignore the idiots moaning about rattling dashboards and small boots - 323's don't rattle and if you want a bigger boot buy a Range Rover!
Engine hums happily at 100+ for ages and you only suffer if you have to lift off down to 60ish - you then have to wait for the speed to build again. Mine goes everywhere on 'A' roads at 90-odd most of the time and I still get 326 miles out of a tank. Those with a lighter right foot (or people who hibernate as they drive - eg: ex Nissan drivers!) will get more I'm sure.
Superb driving position, supportive seats, foot rest and nice 3 spoke wheel. All major controls to hand once you've got over the bizarre Jap habit of reversing the column stalks from European models.
The steering is superb and there is so much feel and accuracy that it's one of the best power assisted systems I've driven. My previous car (an Astra) was lousy in this respect with vague, sloppy steering. In the 323 you can happily drill yourself inside someone in a bend or roundabout with complete confidence.
Mine's red and looks very presentable even today with nice thick paint that seems to withstand stone chips well. It also seems to be very good in creating gaps through 'backmarkers' during my Schumacher-esqe 'qualifying runs' home. Low, red and small lights - maybe they think it's a Porsche...! Who knows but you don't get held up much!
Disadvantages? Rear visability is a problem on reversing into spaces. Even today I still sometimes think I've got less distance to play with than I have. Not a massive issue though.
Headlights are lousy except on main beam. Fancy a drive in the mist or fog? Cross those fingers before starting engine.
For someone ham fisted such as I, the car makes simple DIY jobs into a swearing practice. Even changing a headlamp bulb is, for me, a near impossibility. In this case, there are these bloody springs holding in the bulb that rip your fingers to pieces. Plus there's a annoying dust cover in the way... Leave any jobs to someone willing to cut their fingers for you!
Biggest problem on my car is brakes. I've changed brands of tyres, had multiple services and always have decent pads but the car is very easy to lock up in the wet. Leave a sensible gap, anticipate and remember to pump the pedal and you'll be fine in the rain. Forget and just stand on them and you'll lock up. Doesn't always inspire confidence but maybe that's just confined to my car. In the dry they're good enough.
So, damn good car. Mine's been driven near to its limits and still remains as good as the day I bought it - 58,000 miles ago. Gets admiring comments and it's not that common. Buy with confidence.
Can anyone help, owned and loved a mazda 1989 F plate 323GLX auto for just over 2 years, has been burning oil and my mechanic reckons might be the end of the road for her (as new engine might be required). Am gutted, only cost me 500 quid but she's not even done 90k, does anyone know if this is a common problem and if it can be fixed? Thanks, ameena
I never looked at mazda as a option,,after my astra was torched by joyriders i picked a mazda up just caz it was cheap and i needed a car,,i didnt think it would be quicker than my sri astra and tons better on gas insurance just a bit cheaper,,,ive got another aswell ive got a j reg 1600glx,,,its not as quick but its not supposed to be its still very brisk with 187000 miles the motor is a credit to mazda,,,the 1800 gti is a super car for the terminally impoverished like me..the car cost so little but gives so much..i think its as good as any 2;0 non turbo..if i want better performance ill have to get something like an impretsa or a mitsy and pay about 30 times as much,,, mazda you got it right ,,,i would be happy to own mazdas for the rest of my years dylan
Though of at the time as second best to the Toyotas, I've own one Corolla and several 323s - I certainly be happy to drive one again if forced back into a '80s saloon. I never as much as drive an early '80s Toyota again unless my life depended on it. Compared to the Corolla, the budget models perform better, they are generally more reliable, bodies last longer, and most importantly they sit on the road better (especially ones with firmer suspension)than most other mass production FWD cars of the early '80s.
Bought 1991 3dr gti at 48,000 miles, so sadly no pop up lights ! great acceleration from 40mph to 115mph then screamed up to 123mph (when in germany).Well balanced on corners, not a speck of rust until 2001. Average fuel was 32mpg. The original clutch went at 155k. On the down side both e.windows died at 90k, the inside heater fan is pathetic and the fag lighter never worked. The cvh joints went at 110k. Most parts are about 2x more expensive than on a fiesta. The doorlocks do stick and it was broken into twice. It had 1 new exhaust and at 160k the suspension has gone and a tappet has collapsed. It was very low maintenance I only changed the oil twice, also I could never get the damn oil filter off. It only used 2 new air filters and it never ever failed to start first time ! a great car I reckon.
bought g plate with 89,000 mls psh good little car looks good, been lying garaged for a year before bought £500, couple of probs not major dosent like to rev out at first startup ok after couple of minutes, sticky door locks probably caused by lying unused, also not as fast as i expected for a 1600 16v but rev above 4000rpm and performs ok, reasonably economical good reliability.will update this later
Ok...small boot, small interior,terrible visibility...reversing..can't see a thing! But sooo pretty! Handling...you can throw this thing around ! Tried many..including the BMW 318-zzzz...bought the 323f..Wicked-Love it!!
Owned for 1 year.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed August 2003.
Performance
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Good looking vessel. Parts a bit pricey, but reliable and very quiet. Poor rear visibility, drinks a bit. Yet to do any mods but handles suprisingly well (best feature).
Owned for 6 months.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed April 2003.
Performance
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1.8 executive smooth quick firm ride quiet engine good range on 3rd gearon overtaking good pulling power on motorway in 5th. bad points lotof interior rattles poor headlights small boot poor rear vision. thirsty if you put your foot down plus slight wind noise from windows .seen better interiors on other cars but it wont be beaten on reliabality paid 5495 1 year ago with 2100 miles on clock on a 97 still going strong no major problems
Poor rear veiw, poor headlights make it difficult to see much at night on country roads
Owned for 2 years.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed April 2002.
Performance
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love this car!! I have the 323f 1.5l Gli. Performace is not particually high, but handles like a dream. quiet and refined. take the heashields on the exhaust off though. Lowering makes it handle even better, and an induction kit makes it sound nicer.
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