1993 Mazda 323 Base review from North America

Due to the car being sitting for 3 months prior to purchase, many things were replaced, but could have been left alone. Everything that has been replaced on the car:

-Oil and Oil Filter.

-Wipers.

-Air Filter.

-Thermostat and Thermostat Gasket.

-Spark Plugs.

-Interior Light Bulb.

-Miscellaneous Clamps.

-Radiator Cap.

-Distributor Cap and Rotor.

-Upper and Lower Rad Hoses.

-Rear Window Washer Pump.

-Anti-freeze and other fluids.

-Rear Brake Drums and Shoes.

-Front Disc's and Pads.

-Fan-belt.

-Ball Joints.

-Tie Rod Ends.

-Outer CV Boots.

-Heater Core Hoses.

-Fuel Lines.

-Valve Cover Gasket.

-Distributor O-Ring.

It's a lot of stuff, but that has been over the course of 2 weeks. Many of those things were about 75% and did not need to be changed, but they were inexpensive parts so we replaced them anyway. I just hope that the head gasket does not need to be replaced. It seems that there is sometimes a small amount of oil near the head. Yet niether the oil or anti-freeze have mixed.

I plan on taking good care of this car now, after all the hard work we put into it.

I know I haven't owned this car for long, but I had to contribute to such an awesome website.

For sitting for 3 months, and things being pretty stuck (e.g. nuts/bolts, and the rear drums) this car was very easy to work on. Without the power steering option, the engine compartment really opens up. My dad and I did all the repairs ourselves.

This car was mainly something for me to learn how to drive standard and is never intended to be a long-time runner, but I can just sense it might just last a very long time.

The engine is very nice and quiet at idle, and even at the higher rpms. However, the road noise is very high driving at 80km/h. I hate to see what it sounds like at even 100km/h.

For a small four-banger, the car is quite peppy. In first gear squealing the tires is not a problem. However, I wouldn't want to put a lot of weight in this car. I don't trust it as of yet.

The transmission shifts smoothly, and is an excellent car to learn the basis of a standard transmission on.

The seats are comfy, but the back seat is cramped. The hatch is very roomy, considering I can put a hockey bag in there without having to fold the seat down.

Overall this is a nice first car. On the inside it has nothing you would want to give a teenager, and on the outside it has a high workability rating and is one easy car to drive.

For $875 CDN purchase price, and $815 in parts, I am very happy with how the car is. Not to mention its oddly low insurance rating. 17 year old male, $1900/year.