1988 Mazda 323 BF 4x4 Rallye review from UK and Ireland

Nothing has gone wrong with the car so far.

I did have a bit of a mare replacing the front pads because the retaining pins were stuck and I needed to hacksaw them off. Replacement parts were easily found and cost £4.95 for a set of 4 (enough for both front brakes).

The ride is very comfortable considering how low the car is, but it can be a little bouncy on some of the larger bumps.

The 4x4 system with floating planetary mid differential for full time 4 wheel drive does not slow the car when cornering, round corners you have the sense that the tires are glued to the road, even in the wet you have to be pushing hard to lose traction.

The servicing and running costs are no more than you would expect to pay for the average car even when taken to a Mazda dealer.

Warning, if you drive any car like a racing car you have to expect it to brake down as much as a racing car.

Forget all your kids modified monstrosities, Novas, Fiestas and even 5 turbos, this car is already eat your pants fast with an in-line 4-sylinder, 16valve, Double Over Head Cam with inter cooled turbocharger and weighing 1110kg will propel you to 60 mph in around 7.5 seconds and at 75mph will run at a respectable 28.8mpg.