1982 Mazda 323 SL 1.5 petrol from South Africa

Summary:

Old, but very reliable

Faults:

Wheel bearings needed replacement at approx. 200 000km.

Rust under the wind screen developed into a hole, as well as minor rust in other areas, resulting in rain water leaking into the car.

Light switch broke.

General Comments:

Mechanically, this car has never let me down. The Japanese sure know what they are doing.

It is quite old now and the performance is suffering quite a lot, but it just keeps on going like it doesn't want to give up.

The performance rating I've given it is the current performance rating. Brand new it was much better though.

This car has been through the Kalahari desert (and various other nature reserves) as well as through a snow storm in Ermelo (South Africa) and never once broke down. Reliability really is excellent.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th February, 2008

1982 Mazda 323 1.5 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

A compact city car which is fun to drive

Faults:

CV Joint replaced in front.

Some other Brake component needed to be machined and replaced.

Interior fading, but is to be expected.

Headlights turn off and on by themselves when in the 'on' position.

Hi-beam 'on' position doesn't work, while hi-beam flash works?!!???

Auto T-bar cable a little loose and will generally only start in 'N' or 'P' if you slam it in.

After longer drives, tends to smell a little (oil/petrol/rubber smell).?

General Comments:

This is a good car, 21 years old and with only 135,000 kms on the clock, running okay.

Operating fuel costs is about $30 per 400 km.

With foot to the floor, you can really feel its power when speeding up the on ramps to the highways.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th September, 2003