1987 Mazda 323 from Puerto Rico

Faults:

Today after 37 years of good service, I have a problem with the shift bar, and also with the rack and pinion.

General Comments:

Since I bought it new it's offered me a good service. My family consists of 5 members and four of them have driven this car.

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

Review Date: 15th March, 2024

1987 Mazda 323 GLX 1.5 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Great practical classic

Faults:

No faults with the car at all.

The idle speed got adjusted and the cam belt was replaced at 40,000 miles

General Comments:

For a car which is almost 27 years old, I can't fault it, it has so far been very reliable and I have done many long distance trips (one almost 600 miles) and it didn't miss a beat.

Fuel economy at 26 MPG isn't great compared to today's cars, but it makes up for that in reliability.

When driving long distance it is smooth and comfortable, but slightly more noisy at the 80mph mark than some cars, but it's not noticeable.

Performance isn't fantastic; it's slow off the mark, but great once into higher gears.

Oh, a small thing; on a wet day at a higher speeds, you have to be careful on corners... The car sticks to the road well, but when you do push it a little too much, it gets angry and the back end has gotten wobbly.

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

Review Date: 7th December, 2013

1987 Mazda 323 DX from North America

Summary:

300k miles and no signs of stopping

Faults:

Had to replace water pump.

General Comments:

Bought this car brand-new in 1987 and got over 300,000 miles on it. It was still running when I gave it to a friend in 2003.

The engine on this car just won't die.

I had the oil changed religiously every 3,000 miles.

I never replaced a spark plug until >200k miles. I did NOTHING special to maintain this car.

This car paid for itself many times over. I'm sold!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th November, 2007

1987 Mazda 323 DX Wagon 1.6i from North America

Summary:

The most bang for my buck ever!

Faults:

When I purchased it for a real bargain @ $200, it needed a clutch and CV joints. I drove it until the winter of 2000 like that, and then put the clutch and axles and I haven't had a problem with that since.

The fuel tank has begun to leak.

It has begun to use some oil.

General Comments:

The car still starts easy no matter the temp, and runs as good as anything I've ever owned. The body is beginning to rust out, but I still wouldn't be afraid to drive it long distances. It's still my daily driver.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th February, 2006

1987 Mazda 323 LX 1.6L from North America

Summary:

Very Very Excellent Car

Faults:

Transmission finally died in the cars final hours. It was weak for about 50,000K, but kept on running.

Speedometer cable went at about 350000K.

Rear springs both broke, and rear struts wore out twice in the time I had the car.

Brake master cylinder went at 275000K.

The usual things that should go in a car with this much mileage on it.

General Comments:

This car was a logging road machine. Very stable on pavement and equally good in snow and on gravel. I took it places that some trucks couldn't and wouldn't go.

Super reliable car.

Car lacks in braking power. Even with all brand new braking system.

Rear suspension didn't last long for me, but I had a big sub box in the trunk.

The car was awesome. Got up to 200km/h on the highway, and then went 4X4ing in over 2 feet of snow up the mountain that same day.

Liked it so much that I bought another one after the transmission went on the first one.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th January, 2006

1987 Mazda 323 javelin SX 1.3 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Reliable Cheap and Sturdy

Faults:

Absolutely nothing serious has gone wrong with the car. There is some rust on the rear wheel arches, which has started to spread to one of the sills, but all electrics are still working perfectly well, and the engine appears to be mechanically sound even for this relatively high mileage.

There are some small oil leaks at the gaskets, but I have only put in 1 litre since purchase.

Had to replace the petrol cap with a vented one as vacuum was building up in the tank causing fuel supply problems.

The back hatch door rattles a bit, and the lock has broken, but still operates from the lever inside. The rams holding the hatch have leaked however, and need replacing to keep the hatch fully open.

General Comments:

Good little beginners car with PAS, rear window heater and some nice touches such as adjustable lumbar support, map lights, ignition and keyhole illumination.

Not fast enough to get into trouble with, especially fully loaded, but starts every time.

Overall economical to run with fairly low petrol/oil consumption.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd January, 2003