1998 Mazda 323 V6 ZXi review from UK and Ireland
"Good parts, not good together!"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Boot pistons failed and it takes about four months for parts to come from Japan. Paint chips very, VERY easily, so tough if you have colour coded bumpers.
There are a number of funny noises coming from different places and the dealer hasn't a clue about what they are.
General comments?
The engine has been designed to be stupidly docile up to 4000 odd revs and goes stupid above this. So you cannot really drive properly.
The engine has been designed very badly indeed. For a V6 it revs hideously and breaths even worse. After reving, take your foot right off and wait a couple of hours for the revs to come down.
The gearbox is very badly matched to the engine. Fourth gear isn't needed, I just go from three to five. Then at motorway speeds the revs are well into the four thousands. Drink that petrol why don't you.
On the plus side it does handle well, but that is solely down to lack of suspension, so you feel every micronic atom you drive over.
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  | It was good up to last week |
| 1997 - 323 Estoril 1.5i petrol Drives well and looks good - fantastic! |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| First year of ownership | 2002 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2002 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.0 Manual |
| Performance marks | 3/10 |
| Reliability marks | 1/10 |
| Comfort marks | 3/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 0/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 0/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 49000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 54000 miles |
| Previous car | Skoda Favorit |
| Date of Entry | 10th September, 2002 |