1986 Mazda 323 Reviews - Page 3 of 4

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1986 Mazda 323 GT 4WD Turbo 1.6L i4 turbo from North America

Year of manufacture	1986
First year of ownership	1988
Most recent year of ownership	2001
Engine and transmission	1.6L i4 turbo Manual
Performance marks	9 / 10
Reliability marks	8 / 10
Comfort marks	8 / 10
Dealer Service marks	4 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	5 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	6.8 / 10
Distance when acquired	25000 miles
Most recent distance	140000 miles
Previous car	Honda Accord

Summary:

A rare, high performance, underestimated vehicle

Faults:

Nothing too drastic.

Problems with synchro in the gearbox (natural problem for the 323GT).

Simple wear and tear such as power window problems and some lighting fixtures.

Needed some new brake replacement parts, but only because I drove it too fast.

General Comments:

It is very quick off the line and unpredictably fast.

The contoured seats are very comfortable and the instruments are incredibly user friendly.

The handling is amazing (it is 4WD so it is to be expected).

A very enjoyable ride.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 15th August, 2001

Comment on this review

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16th Aug 2001, 00:48

Hey, I had a 1986 Mazda 323 3 door 4s peed, with a 1.6i four-cylinder engine with front wheel drive and no power steering. But man I tell you what, snappy, snappy, snappy, great on gas. A sporty riding little car.

If I saw another car like that for sale ever again, I would buy it in a second! By far the best car I have ever owned, and I have owned a 90' Ford Probe GL, a 1974 Dodge Charger, and a 1980 Plymouth Horizon (piece of crap)! and I currently own a 1989 Mazda 929 Lxi, 3.0 V-6, fully loaded. A very nice car, smooth, quiet, comfortable, and man is it fast!

Oh by the way, my Ford Probe had a Mazda 12 valve 2.2 four cylinder that would give some of those Mitsubishis a REAL run for their money!

I love Mazdas!

6th Nov 2002, 14:59

I was thinking of getting one of these cars I have a Peugeot 205 1.9 gti do you think it would be worth selling to buy a 1990 323 1.6turbo 4*4??

12th Nov 2002, 09:10

If you like going round corners the 323 4X4 is what you will want. The Peugeot is quick, but you you have no ecceleration out of bends and if you try to push it you just run very wide! so in a word YES.

18th Nov 2002, 08:43

I have a 1987 Mazda Turbo 4x4 'Rallye' model, imported into the UK. It's the best car I've owned. It's small - I wouldn't want anything bigger in central London - and yet packs a terrific punch - not exploitable in built-up areas of course, but great in the countryside. It's been very reliable.

I am 6'2" and I the driving position is comfortable in the 323 - I've sat in the small Peugeot and it just feels a little too small!

My only criticism is the thirst - roughly 20mpg in town and around 30mpg on motorways - not very good and expensive in Europe's most expensive petrol country! But with four-wheel drive, its almost inevitable that its going to be thirsty (I rarely invoke the turbocharger).

I don't understand why Mazda stopped making this car which was very successful in rallying around the world in the late 1980s...