2000 Mazda 323 LXI 1.3i 16v

Summary:

Nippy car, well built, would like to try bigger engine model

Faults:

I have had no problems with this car at all yet. Although I have put a large 'Longlife' exhaust on the car and it sounds very sporty now, but when I rev hard sometimes, or try and drive slowly up onto a kerb, there's a really bad smell, I don't know what it is so if anyone knows what is it could they e-mail me please. Thanks.

General Comments:

Excellent handling

Very easy to wheel spin if you want to start off fast

Very comfortable and roomy, not squashed as in some cars of it's size I have been in

Good brakes with A.B.S

Engine isn't to quiet and isn't to loud either

Dashboard is well built, but is a bit Grey

Nice sized boot, can fit a large sub woofer in there no problem and still manage to put shopping in there

Car reaches about 102 mph, after 90mph it starts to struggle, otherwise 0-60mph isn't too bad for a 1.3i.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th May, 2005

18th May 2005, 12:15

It is a great car for driving. The only thing that bothers me is the consumption. Spare parts are very expensive too! But the best part is its sporty character- very direct handling, great breaks and engine that likes to go in high revs.

21st Mar 2007, 09:57

I've had this car since new, and now have 106k miles on it, after 7 years.

Great car, but the hatchback is underpowered with the 1.3L engine.

I've had to replace the rear wiper motor twice (under warranty), and have a several problems with the headlamp leveling motors not resting in place.

Recently have had to change a drive-shaft due to vibration at motorway speeds, but luckily dealer gave me a secondhand one, so wasn't too expensive.

Other than all that, it has been a great comfortable car. I really like the interior in it, since I spend a lot of time inside the car. As mentioned above the only real criticism is the engine power, and of course the cost of Mazda parts.

13th Feb 2024, 17:53

Bad smell from exhaust is almost certainly the catalytic converter going bad.

In reply to 13th Feb 2024, 17:53

15th Feb 2024, 02:11

Probably was replaced under warranty at the time of this review. In the US, catalytic converters had automatic ~7yr warranties at that time (I know because I had a 2000 Maxima which had it replaced under warranty in early 2008 at the last possible moment). UK probably had similar.

2000 Mazda 323 FGSE 1.5 Injection

Summary:

Great runabout, but not really too useful for long distance work

Faults:

Paintwork on the bottom of the door sill flaked off after a stone bounced from the road at speed. The underside of the sill appears to have some sort of rubber undercoat which apparently is designed to flex when hit. Unfortunately, the paint doesn't.

General Comments:

I've only done a thousand miles in the car. I came to the 323 from a Mondeo Estate TD. It's a different world.

No longer beaten away from traffic lights by little old ladies in Micra's.

This little beaut goes round corners like it's glued to the tarmac.

The seats are a bit harder than I'm accustomed to.

Headlights are a bit strange. The beam gives various zones on the road and the car could use a set of driving lamps.

Top gear seems very close, in ratio, to 4th. The car feels as if it could use another gear. Gearbox can feel a bit muddy at times especially if the change is a bit on the quick side. I've had one or two crunchers over the past week.

The ride is a bit on the lively side. At speed, concentration has to be 100% as Scottish roads, even Motorways, can tend to be a bit uneven.

The wiper control must have been put in back wards. I still have to look at the control before I use the wipers. Why would I want to spray water on the rear screen and not use the wiper?

The car does have several saving graces.

Loads of legroom both front and rear.

The boot is good for a car of this class.

Security is good. Alarm, immobilizer and remote central locking.

The electric windows have a safety cut out in case of body parts getting in the way. (I've not tried this one out yet)

Aircon...I LOVE IT!

I did make one modification. I changed the radio out for a Radio/CD/MP3 unit from Sony.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 15th May, 2003

24th Jul 2004, 07:52

I own a 323 F 1.8 Twin Cam Sport, apparently a limited edition before they switched the Sport model to 2.0 . There are a few things in this article, such as the gearing comments and the problems with fast shifting, that also ring true for my car. It's a great machine though, despite this - even if 100mph in 5th is close on 5000rpm. I've hit 120 before, but at this speed it was close on the red line and pangs of guilt made me back off. It's not a high speed cruiser in any respects, but definitely a machine to hit the twisty's with at pace. I'm really looking forward to the Mazda 6 MPS turbo next year!

5th Oct 2004, 10:26

I agree about the gearing comments. I have a 1.6 model, which is similar to this 1.5GSE, just 10bhp more and a few cc bigger (it replaced the 1.5) and find the revs too high for my liking. At dead on 100mph the revs are dead on 5000rpm. It hardly inspires one to go faster than this, even though I have. That said it is a cracking handling machine at the expense of a rather firm and sometimes noisy ride. Build quality especially interior is first class, Audi Standard.

2000 Mazda 323 GSi 1.8 1.8 Auto

Summary:

Mr average!

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

When in gear "DRIVE" and stationery, there is a rattle coming from above- annoying.

Horn sounds naff.

Interior is grey and dull.

Fiddly Sony stereo with mini-disc, poor sound quality from speakers.

Does on average 31mpg, around town about 20mpg, poor for a 1.8i.

Very quick especially with the "HOLD" mode which drops a gear to give more power.

Good looking car, sleek and respectable.

Very comfortable and well equipped.

Heavy steering and dull to drive compared to the facelifted 323 2001-onwards, which is as fun as a Ford Focus.

Well composed and tautly controlled at all times.

A MR Average car that is well built, but lacking in character, like a Golf really.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 8th February, 2003

29th Mar 2003, 05:24

You bought the car second hand

Nuff said.