...And don't forget the pop-up headlights, which are snazzy and always raise a smile!
****Parts****
The price of Japanese parts has traditionally been a sticking point with Jap cars, and the Mazda 323 has been no exception. However, truth be told ... Read review
This review already contains more than 120 words. As a Ciao member you could earn up to £5 with this review.
A review by princekieran79 on Mazda 323 1.6 GLX January 15th, 2009
Author's Car rating:
Road Handling
Good
Security
Good
Looks
Excellent
Fuel consumption
Good
Advantages:
Uber - reliability, still good - looking, cheap to buy, practicality
Disadvantages:
Not many apart from low down to ground
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full car review
This car is the best car I have ever had by miles. The GLX version (mine was 1994) has Electric Sunroof, Electric Mirrors, Power Steering, Optional A/C,RAKE,ABS...just about everything that you would want from a car. I had the 323 Fastback.
**** Interior****
The interior has a basic layout, but is friendly enough to seat 5 people, and from experience 3 children fit in the back easily.The back seats fold down to allow room to fit washing machines, fridges and tumble driers to fit (from experience here folks) and there is a surprising amount of room in the boot. The seats have rake adjustment, are very comfortable fo long journeys and allow for long legs in the front. The back is a little more cramped, but there are handy child locks to stop kids jumping out, and driver-controlled electric windows all-round.Adding to the leccy windows the dual opening electrc sunroof and you have a cool sporty looking car!Only downside to the interior is that condensation can be a problem sometimes. Other features are a large, lockable glovebox and some handy storage areas on the dashboard.Another added feature is the ease of replacing the car radio, much easier to replace than rival models from the same period (eg. Escort, Astra).
**** Exterior****
The exterior is quite sporty on the Fastback model, with colour coded bumpers and a solid look. However, unfortunately one downside is the height between the bottom of the car and the road.The height means that the lovely low bonnet can get chipped easily (which isn't helped by the paint-manufactured by a Ford subsidiary) and going up a driveway that is too steep will result in furrows in the drive. Another slight drawback is the height at the back, which obscures reversing, however you get used to that after a while and it isn't a big deal when driving a car of this quality.The quality is also reflected in the build, and a model that is fifteen years old (or older) will look good and fresh if looked after and washed regularly.And don't forget the pop-up headlights, which are snazzy and always raise a smile!
****Parts****
The price of Japanese parts has traditionally been a sticking point with Jap cars, and the Mazda 323 has been no exception. However, truth be told you are buying a totally different proposition to a Ford Escort or Vauxhall.This car will last and will not need parts every month. After doing an average 20,000 miles a year, I spent a max £160 a year on servicing. Also, I shopped on the Internet for parts, which saved a lot of dosh.Things like Headlamps can cost a fortune, however Mazda dealers sell them for around £40 and you can haggle which is great!So my advice is shop around, but if you buy this model you will rarely have to buy spares for it, apart from the odd brake pad etc!
****Reliability****
Easily without a shadow of a doubt the most relliable car I have EVER had.Mazda need to relaunch this car.This car was 110% reliable over 100,000 miles and easily would have covered another 200,000.If it had cost me £3000, it would have been worth every penny.
****Handling****
Pretty good, and can take corners very well.Handles icy weather conditions, and refuses to skid off the road.Although it only has a 1.6 engine, this is seriously poky and will happily plod along at 95 mph down the motorway. However, flogging it down the motorway will increase fuel consumption quite a bit...normally it's good on juice doing around 34 mpg.
More Reviews
maz-nificent Car review ofMazda 323 1.6 GLXby
inspiralcarpet
Advantages: pop up headlights!, reliable, comfortable, sporty but practical Disadvantages: expensive parts
The Mazda 323 is an excellent medium sized family car with a sporty edge, whichever age or version you buy; and there have been many. For the very best in 323 design, though, you should look at the two designs previous to the current one, and my review here is of the earlier design with the pop up headlights, which ended production in 1992.
My own car is a 1991 K-reg, bought second hand from a main dealer a few months ago. Perhaps surprisingly for ... ...parts and servicing can tend to be more expensive, this is more than made up for in terms of the extra reliability gained over rival marques. A Mazda 323 with a full service history will keep going forever, and I would recommend it wholeheartedly - if you can find one... ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average helpful
Advantages: Fast, Stylish Disadvantages: Low to the ground
I bought this car on a whim about 4 years ago, my wife had been suggesting it for quite some time and to please her I finally gave in. Once I had driven it though I was more than impressed, it is very low to the ground, and quite a fast car I know this because I gave a good thrashing on the German Autobahn. It is very stylish both inside and outside, about as average as most cars on fuel, but it is a very luxurious drive and takes speed very well. ... ...wish I had not let this one go, but with a growing family it would have put both of our backs out trying to place a baby in a baby seat in the back and boot wise their is not enough room for a pram, Although ideal for a .2 family, if you have any idears of children forget this car. Nice car extremely nice, I only wonder where mine is now, and if the present owner would like to sell it back. ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average helpful
Advantages: Reliability, comfort, value for money Disadvantages: more expensive than other models in its class, not sporty,
The Mazda 323 is in my opinion one of the most reliable cars in its class. I have owned a Mazda for the last 14 years and i can honestly say its not let me down once. As long as the car is well looked after and regularly serviced it will give you years of trouble free motoring. They may not be the most sporty of cars but for sheer reliability, comfort and looks they are unbeatable in there class. The second hand value of the car is also very reasonable, ... ...etc it keeps its value better (depending on condition) than most other models. The Mazda 323 is a good all rounder for the motorist who wants reliability, value for money and its not going to lose its value by over 50% in just 3 years like most other models. ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average helpful
Advantages: It is a nippy, reliable, cool car. Disadvantages: Vision at times can be impared
At the tender age of 20, the amount of cars that i have driven is not as vast as most, but an opinion can be made on this car despite this and despite only having ownership of it, brand new, for only about 6 months.
This car, the 1.6 litre model, is not at all lathargic on those troublesome hills and finds torque in the higher gears where some other cars in its class might have to search a little longer for. In a sporty shade of blue, this car handles ... ...driven the equivilant Golf, Polo, Ibiza, Punto, 206............the list goes on, my decision to pick this car was easy. Although there is a small problem with vision around the car, looking left and right at a junction means leaning forward, this is a very minor problem in a care that oozes class and delivers as much that can be expected of it. ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this car review on average somewhat helpful
