I bought my Mazda 323F 1.5GXi(1998 P reg) six months ago and can honestly say it is the best car I have had so far(it's my 5th). The reason for me initially choosing this make/model was partly due to word of mouth(my dad has bought mazda's for last 25 years and a friend at work has exact same ... Read review
Advantages: sporty look, great features, comfortable, low road tax, Disadvantages: windows, high speed acceleration, no standard alarm
I bought my Mazda 323F 1.5GXi(1998 P reg) six months ago and can honestly say it is the best car I have had so far(it's my 5th). The reason for me initially choosing this make/model was partly due to word of mouth(my dad has bought mazda's for last 25 years and a friend at work has exact same model) and due to it having quite a sporty look about it. The additional features of this model are quite comprehensive:
Driver/passenger airbags ...me approx £130.00 from a Mazda garage and Mazda recommend that you service every 9000 miles. Road tax is only currently £105 per year due to it's 1.5 engine. I have managed 115mph top speed.
Some of the drawbacks of this car is that the windows do not have any frame around them and this appears to contribute to rain water dripping into the car and onto the electric window mechanism even when the window is only opened a fraction. This may contribute ... more
I bought my Mazda 323F 1.5GXi(1998 P reg) six months ago and can honestly say it is the best car I have had so far(it's my 5th). The reason for me initially choosing this make/model was partly due to word of mouth(my dad has bought mazda's for last 25 years and a friend at work has exact same model) and due to it having quite a sporty look about it. The additional features of this model are quite comprehensive:
Driver/passenger airbags Power assisted steering Air conditioning Electric sunroof Immobilizer system Central locking Electric mirrors Electric windows Front fog lights Head light adjuster switch
A few of the nice but small attractions of this car is that it had a fairly large storage box behind the hand break to store rubish or other bits and pieces, attractive and tastefull upholstory and the drivers seat are fully adjustable; you can raise/lower the whole seat, tilt it downwards or upwards and lower the back rest to virtually any angle all with easy to control handles. Driving the car is a dream: it has light steering although firm enough to feel that you are in control, grips the road really well, acceleration is excellent, the engine is reasonably quiet. I get an average of about 300 miles to a full tank of petrol(unleaded) driving mainly in urban areas. Unsure of what this is price per gallon. Seating is comfortable and leg room is reasonable. The air conditioning/heating is all electronically adjusted and it has many different settings to choose from. Servicing cost me approx £130.00 from a Mazda garage and Mazda recommend that you service every 9000 miles. Road tax is only currently £105 per year due to it's 1.5 engine. I have managed 115mph top speed. Some of the drawbacks of this car is that the windows do not have any frame around them and this appears to contribute to rain water dripping into the car and onto the electric window mechanism even when the window is only opened a fraction. This may contribute to the fact that this car has a tendancy to have electrical faults, although I have had no problems. At high speeds acceleration to overtake could be better. Some people may find that the viewable area out of the rear window is limited. The car does not come with an alarm as standard or infrared keyfob, which I though was a little poor for a reasonably new car. The indicator stick is on the right hand side which is opposite to most cars and requires getting used to and when driving other cars I have tended to forget, activating my wipers instead. All in all this car is great to drive, has a sporty look and tends to get compliments.
Advantages: reliable Disadvantages: a little pricey
Mazda cars may not be the cheapest around but, if you are looking for a new car, always include them on your list for a test drive. I say this because I feel they are a good car to use as a measure.
You will not necessarily be presented with the most up-to-date design but the look will be good enough. Don't expect to find something completely different in the 'fixtures and fittings' line but most, if not all, things you will want will be there. ... ...well designed and robust, good specifications, comfortable interior, and reliability. In addition you will receive good service and a reasonable trade in value when it is time to sell. The 323 for a small family car is as good, if not better than its rivals and the 626 is as good as always and who does not wish we had the weather for the sports model or a wife that says ‘go on have one’.
My experience is with the auto and so far I have found nothing ...
REG 29.06.2000
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Mazda 323 1.5
Advantages: Reliability Control Comfort Economy Disadvantages: Cost of repairs if needed
I chose Mazda because of the reputation for reliability, and I have not been disappointed.
The 323 has a comfortable sporty feel, excelent handling, control and road holding. Inside there is the feeling of space and safety with a smooth ride.
The 1.5 engine gives a good balance of power and economy. Overtaking, acceleration and agility are made easy, while the engine is not so big that your burning a hole in your pocket.
Regarding spair parts, ... ...are needed and that the quality of the parts used is generally of a higher quality.
Boot space is quite limited, and imagination is required if moving house or transporting larger items, eg furniture.
Over all, Mazda have produced a very good vehicle, with and eye turning image. ...
OiseauBlue 25.09.2003
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Mazda 323 1.5
Advantages: sporty looks and reliability Disadvantages: electrical problems like brake lights
I bought my P reg Mazda 323 Innsbruck in April 2000 and have had it for seven years now and have not been disappointed. I can honestly say that it is RELIABLE! I wanted a Japanese car when I bought this one as I knew that they were reliable, but frankly some of them seemed 'fuddy duddy' (Honda) or boring (Nissan). When I saw this lovely, sporty hatchback it was love at first sight...
Anyway, seven years have gone by and I can report that apart from ... ...I intended to keep this car four or five years, after seven I think I'll just keep her until she stops, which I'm hoping will be a way off yet. She has been fantastic value for money, and I would definitely buy a Mazda again. Zoom zoom zoom! ...
EmmB 05.06.2007
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Mazda 323 1.5
Advantages: good value, excellent drive, reliable Disadvantages: smaller than other family cars
Mazda has now been my parent’s choice of car manufacturer for a long 12 years. Having just donated their 323 to me in favour of an upgrade, I am so proud of my new (if actually slightly old) car. It has served my parents well and this is clear from its age. It has only had to have one major repair when the exhaust was replaced but for a 12 year old car I think this shows you just how reliable it is.
The car is 5 door and my particular one is a super ... ...the lock – so again, mazda proves to be reliable. My dad proves himself to be an oaf. Driveability again is excellent. The car comes with powersteering which is great for weaklings like me. You are situated lower down within the mazda than in a lot of other cars which can be a bit daunting on your first motorway journey but once you get used to this it adds to the sports car feel of the mazda. This car’s obviously provided out family with excellent ...
littlemissf16 09.05.2003
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Mazda 323 1.5
I bought a new Mazda 323 in October, and I'm delighted with it. Comfortable, easy to drive and reliable, I'm looking forward to owning it for a good few years more.
I never thought I'd buy a new car. They just depreciate like mad, and cost too much to start with. However, when Mazda introduced their new Mazda3 car, the old 323 model was greatly knocked down in price (from 11,000 to 8,500 at Arnold Clark). And so I ended up with a new car.
The 323 ... ...per week, but driving the Mazda is a solid, rewarding experience. The ride is nice, the car comfortable to drive, and I've been getting in the mid 30s MPG. Gear change is positive, but I find the biting point a little harder to judge than my previous car. Rear vision isn't brilliant, but I manage to reverse up the drive into my garage without too much problem. My only slight gripe is that there's quite a lot of road noise evident from the cabin. ...
DavidMeiklejohn 13.04.2004 (20.04.2004)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Mazda 323 1.5
