Faults:

Radiator burst and clutch replaced at 20 years. Very, VERY reliable.

General Comments:

The car was bought new by another family member in 1990. Very expensive in their day, but was one of the best in its class.

Very tall gearing (manual) and maximum torque not developed until 4,000 RPM means using low gears and plenty of revs to get moving quickly (i.e You need to be doing 120km/h in 4th gear to reach maximum torque). Need to have the engine > 2,500 RPM for any pulling power. 4th gear for highway overtaking is a leisurely business. The benefit is the 323 is a great highway cruiser. In 5th gear at 110 km/h, revving at < 3,000 RPM and doing it easy. The engine is the same as the first Astina in standard form.

Uses 7 - 8 L/100 km on highway and 8.5 - 9.5L/100km in the city, and on cheap 91 octane.

Very comfortable with loads of rear legroom, very supportive front pews with excellent lumbar support, lovely velour seat fabric and plush head lining. Huge boot. Fantastic visibility in all directions. Perfectly weighted power steering.

The car is old but still looks classy.

High standard equipment, with niceties such as map reading lights and an illuminated ignition switch with time delay, which newer cars don't have. Fuel gauge indicates fuel use whether the ignition is on or off. Brilliant!

The best thing about Mazdas is they have no weird quirks, and they are easy to service and live with day to day.

Faults:

High beam switch needed overhaul. Much cheaper than buying a new unit.

Nothing else.

General Comments:

The longer I have it the more and more I like it. It has surprising performance.

Towing a trailer is a breeze. Far easier than my old VK Commodore.

The steering wheel could lift a little higher, my thighs have to squeeze between the seat and the wheel.

The sound system sounds fine to me although the radio has some odd moments such as staying on the same station and refusing to change. But I can live with that.

Faults:

Nothing - aside from mandatory tire replacement when the tread was worn.

General Comments:

The 323 is an awesome little machine! Low maintenance - just keep them oiled and watered, and they're great.

My model is not fitted with all the mod cons - electric windows/central locking etc, which is perhaps why it's so low maintenance - only a speck of rust (about the size of a small coin) here and there, starts first time every time, and although I have another car now, I still have it because I can't bring myself to part with it.

Faults:

Alternator.

Gearbox (previous owner)

General Comments:

Excellent performance & handling heaps of torque for a 1800, turbo kicks in early.

Good on petrol.

Really fun to drive on tight twisting roads.

Quite stiff suspension and Awd makes for great handling, ABS brakes.

Gearboxs are quite weak and won't take much abuse. e.g. dropping the clutch, but if you look after them your fine.

This car was a Japanese import.

Faults:

Rear brake calipers need replacing, always leaking. Although I've been told this is common.

Alternator has been overhauled twice.

Steel cooling pipe sprung a leak due to corrison.

Plastic sill that runs down side of windscreen became brittle and broke off.

Replaced clutch once and in the process of replacing it again, but with a semi button this time.

General Comments:

Great fun in this car!

Most things that have gone wrong are general wear and tear.

Seats are comfy and sporty looking.

Handles well.

Is surprisingly fast for a 1.8 turbo car.

This car is my baby, I love it to bits.