Faults:

Failed MOT on perished drop link bush covers.

Windscreen washers stopped working - might be blocked.

CV joints clicking.

Rear nearside wheel bearing went.

Alarm goes off when you unlock the driver's door, and the alarm continues to go off after the engine is started. Only way to stop it is to stop the car and lock and unlock the tailgate.

General Comments:

Not overly impressed. The ride is fairly harsh and bumpy, although the handling is quite good.

Well equipped - climate control, electric windows x 4, electric sunroof.

Noisy engine and fairly sluggish with the auto box.

The car always starts first time, but have been disappointed with faults, particularly the wheel bearing.

The oil filter is virtually impossible to access from the engine bay.

Car is fairly thirsty - as low as 27 MPG around town. Up to 40 MPG on a run.

Not as fault free as previous Japanese cars I have owned.

Faults:

Only had it a short time.

General Comments:

This car is actually a courtesy car because we're having problems with our Premacy's clutch and gearbox.

OK, I'm sure some people are going to 'comment' that "how can he write a review when he's only had the car for a few days..." bla bla, and that's a good point. But I know one thing, it's a damn good car to drive. The performance 0-40 is better than our 1.8 Premacy, but above that its slow and noisy, but its only a 72bhp 1.3 motor. The steering is just excellent in feel and poise, the car goes round corners excellently at low speeds, its like a go-kart, but our Premacy betters it at higher speeds.

Its very user friendly and comfortable, efficient and fun to drive. It looks a, but dull compared to the Premacy, and the gold colour isn't very appealing, it also looks rather high up, but generally it's a great car.

This is the most BASIC model and it has:

4 airbags, ABS, alarm, c/locking, deadlocks, immobiliser, visible VIN, steering wheel controls for audio!

A very good car, don't read Top Gear or What Car? reviews which are just stating that the car's average.?

Faults:

Nothing.

I know nothing will, it's a MAZDA!!!

General Comments:

The 2.0i Sport model is simply stunning. Many people may think of Mazda's to be bland and characterless, the 323F sport isn't! I cannot believe the difference from my Nissan Almera GTi. Okay the car was quicker, but it lacked style and refinement.

Anyway back to the stunning 323F, the 2.0i engine is just so smooth and quiet. I think the 0-62mph time could be improved from 9.7sec to about 9.0sec, however it feels very nippy on the move. Fuel economy of 33mpg on the combined cycle could also be improved by 2mpg I would say, but this is a performance car. The 323F Sport calls it a day at exactly 130mph, even though Mazda figures show 126mph.

At speed there are low levels of wind and road noise, the car remains taut and composed at all speeds. Some may say that the 323F is dull to drive. The problem with the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra are that their steering is just too sharp, the slightest movement and the car is off. The 323F doesn't suffer from uninvolving and lifeless steering like some other Mazda's, it is just inbetween. The steering isn't as sharp as rivals mentioned above, but it feels exactly right as it is, whether you want a relaxing Sunday drive listening to Classic FM or a boy-racer style drive listening to 95.8 Capital FM.

Saftey and security are excellent, the Sport is fitted with ABS, 4 airbags, traction control, body stability control, three rear headrests etc. Security is first class too. This is just truly an exceptional car. You get:

Climate control

E/sunroof

4 airbags

CD player

16-inch alloys

4 e/windows

Heated mirrors

Trip computer- (ave. speed/mpg etc.)

Front fogs

Body kit

Nardi leather steering wheel.

ALL FOR £13995!

This is amazing, who needs an Audi A3 that with all of this would cost about £21995 and isn't half as fun to drive. The 323F is the best Mazda I have driven, and I have driven a good few, the ride quality is sporty, but just so smooth, the car has a good low down pull, too! Buy one, I guarantee anyone who finds a single fault has spent too much time in a £50,000+ Merc or something similar.