Mazda 808 Reviews from Australia and New Zealand - Page 2 of 2

Faulty alternator, caused many headaches and flat batteries.

Muffler exploded on the way back from auto mechanics who fixed the alternator, arc welded a Camry muffler after removing what was left of the old one.. first time using an arc welder for such a job.

Door light does not work, can't figure that one out!

Slippery clutch.

This car is wonderful. Despite its age (20 odd years old) it performs like a trooper, even when my kiwi friend belts the hell out of it.

Great stereo, not the original, but wowee nevertheless.

Starts 1st go on very cold mornings.

Quite a lot of leg room, in fact the most leg room in a car I have ever seen.

Ignition would hold the key in the ignition barrel. Easily repaired by pulling out the ignition barrel and cleaning.

Rear drum brake shoes came loose. The pins that hold them to the backing plate had worn through, and no longer locked. Bought new pins from the brake shop, and replaced myself.

Destroyed the old 1400cc engine driving through a creek crossing. The fan caught the water, and sucked into the radiator. This caused the radiator to empty, and I cooked the motor. I have since replaced it with a 1300cc motor.

Original shock absorbers were worn out when I bought the car. I have since replaced them with aftermarket Koni ones.

The car is used for setting up rallies. It is cheap, cheerful, and very capable. It treads where some four wheel drive vehicles (RAV4, Forester, CR-V) fear to go.

I have slowly upgraded it as I have gone. It now has the bare minimum of interior trim (no carpet, sound deadening, centre console, radio, etc).

It does have:

- Upgraded springs and Koni shock absorbers

- RX-7 Series 2 Front disc brakes and calipers

- 626 rear drums

- 323 five speed gearbox

- late model 323 radiator and thermo-fans (to prevent further radiator explosions)

- A seam welded chassis

The car is a barrel of laughs to drive, and has been very reliable for the amount of very hard kilometres that it does.

It is very nervous at high speeds (anything above 140km/h), and I have had difficulty getting the front suspension set-up to my liking.

It needs more power (perhaps a 12A rotary transplant), but makes up for it in low running costs and ease of maintenance.

Car would not idle. Tore apart the carburettor about a dozen times. Found out eventually that the PCV valve had fallen out (held on with plumbing tape by the previous owner).

Ran for about 5000km with a dud battery. Had to start it by pushing it.

Went to see how fast it would go. Got to 125 km/h and rear wheels caught alight.

Speedo needle wobbled a lot and then stopped completely.

Lost the key and bashed into the ignition with a screwdriver and hammer. Started with the screwdriver. The whole car would suddenly die at most inopportune moments. Would die at lights. Oil stick was clean (i.e. no oil). Then would condense and I'd drive the car off. Eventually loud noises and then a BANG and clouds of grey smoke. I think the camchain went.

This was my first car.

Same engine as a Laser. Think about that, Ford fans.