Faults:

Someone inadvertently retarded the timing so it did not run very well until we got the problem solved.

Interior had a few rips.

Leaked a lot of oil, probably the gasket, but we never got round to fixing it.

General Comments:

I got it as my first car, liked it as a novelty for a few months, but then got very bored.

It had almost no power even from a 1.5l, and struggled around hills.

However it handled very well, I threw it around corners and it only misbehaved when pushed way too far (left foot braking on a downhill corner with very bad camber makes you spin out quite easily!!). Handled better than my new Nissan Bluebird SSS, and that has aftermarket racing suspension!

Exterior was in good condition except had been rear ended sometime during its life.

If you want a cheap, easy to drive car that won't break down this is for you, but you will get bored quite quickly.

Faults:

Head gasket blew at 100,000km.

Had an excessive appetite for clutches.

Turbo started to smoke at 110,000km.

Nylon radiator drain plug deteriorated and fell out on the motorway, causing catastrophic overheating.

Unhealthy noises started to come from the centre differential at about 160,000km.

General Comments:

Very quick, very nimble and very entertaining to drive, especially on gravel, wet roads or snow.

The 323 is an excellent performance bargain if you can find one that has a service history.

Parts are expensive, for instance NZ$350 for a head gasket set, NZ$700 for a clutch overhaul.

I ended up fitting a second hand engine into the car, instead of rebuilding the original engine. This was not such a good idea and I was never very happy with the result. Having said that, the car managed to do many high-speed, long-distance road-trips loaded with passengers and luggage, the only downside being the smokescreen that appeared whenever you overtook someone!

Faults:

It's a rally car, so it had it's engine rebuilt around 90,000 KMS.

Sheared teeth from second gear and had to be replaced.

General Comments:

Easy too handle and drive quickly on tarmac.

Central diff locking ability useful for dirt/mud/gravel.

Electrics are a pain in the arse.

It is quick, and handles well.

Faults:

Blown Head Casket, cracked manifold, internal head damage, blown radiator and burst radiator hoses when the engine cooked itself.

The gearbox blew during a skid, the replacement lasted about 3 weeks.

Filthy gas tank had to be emptied and fuel lines, filter replaced because of loose gas cap.

General Comments:

I bought this car when I was 15 and did the usual young boy racer mods like tints, hub-mags, exhaust and stereo. I realised the humble Mazda 323's are one of the most common sites on the road and rather lacked in the engine department, but I didn't let that stop me having a lot of fun in my car.

Being the young silly driver I was in my earlier years I would drive the little Mazda to its limits, which when translated to the open road meant a meagre speed of about 165km/h... apart from a few times on the motorway when it hit a good 200km/h.

It has also done a few good skids, though requiring either Diesel, a wet road or some gravel to start smoking the front wheels.

To be honest the car has served me well for the abuse it has had put upon it. Although generally something major has gone wrong with it about every 6 months.

The major purpose of this car is people moving with a great stereo. It does well, it fits 5 people comfortably and fits 4 12" subwoofers with ease.

When fitted with 17" mags, has lowered suspension, 2.5" exhaust, rear spoilers, sideskirts and front spoiler, 5% tints all round, K&N air filter, Mazda banner on front windscreen, 150dB Sounds this car looks quite phat.