1988 Mazda 323 Turbo 4x4 review from UK and Ireland

Nothing has gone wrong since I have owned the car I've done 5000 miles in 5 months.

The car does have a few niggles. The central locking doesn't work and the drivers door lock is very stiff. Most annoyingly the hatch back will not stay open and regularly crashes onto my head when I'm unloading the boot.

Rust is looking like it may be a problem in the future on the underside of the car. It has been wax oiled in the past. The bodywork still looks good with very slight rust bubbling around the back wheel arches, sunroof and ariel. I suspect the bonnet has been resprayed at some time in the past.

It doesn't burn any oil and drives more or less like new.

This car was cheap to buy and seems very reliable although I've only owned it for 5 months. It is a homologization special for the 1987 world rally championships. I've been told it is one of 500 made, but this seems very unlikely.

The car has plenty of power and is quiet fast.

The handling is poor despite the four wheel drive. The suspension is very soft and the car is terrible when braking with loads of under steer leading to the back end quickly and uncontrolably giving way. Under power the car is much better, the four wheel drive compensating for the hopeless suspension. With power the car still feels front wheel drive. Only severe abuse under power will cause the back end to move. I think a better driver than myself would be able to get a lot out of this car. I suspect it wants to be on a pot holed gravel road. I prefer a hard suspension and more oversteer on normal dry roads.

This is a good car specifically made to be rallied. I intend to keep it a while and believe it to be a classic.