Faults:

Leaked oil at 62000.

Died completely at 65000.

General Comments:

I suspect that Mazda does make a good car from all that I have read, but my experience with the Mazda 323 doesn't seem to support that. I put very little miles on the car before it completely died on me. I'm pretty sure the car dealer turned back the odometer on me, so it can't all be the fault of the car. Still, even at 165000 miles a decent car should be able to hold its ground for a while longer.

The '90 323 is not an incredibly attractive car. It is also not a very powerful car. The reason I chose this car was for its reliability, which I expected to be high from my research. The car died completely, and with a small amount of miles, so I can't say anything good for it other than the miles per gallon.

Mazda's 323 is probably better than my experience, I may have just gotten a lemon, but don't say I didn't warn you.

Faults:

CV joint - Drivers side outer.

Headlight blew - bit fiddly to get into, also watch when tightening the screws you don't strip the thread.

General Comments:

Very nice car, handles so well for something of its size. Its not a sports car, but compared to a Ford of the same size, it runs rings around it.

The 1.6 Carb. SOHC unit is fairly fast, it's not going to scare some of the hot hatches away, but it'll give saloons a good run of equal size.

It's a very nice ride for longish runs, or sitting in traffic on the M25. Everything is very well screwed together.

The sound system is rather poor, speakers are very good, but the head unit is a let down from Clarion, and it's not easy to replace as half of the dash needs to be taken off. Rather than use standard DIN fitting, Mazda have opted for a bolt in attachment.

Faults:

CV joint, but who doesn't get that in a front wheel drive car?

Thermostat about every 5th year.

Foam in the horn degraded making the horn sound without being pushed. Fixed with some weather stripping.

General Comments:

This car was perfect. I don't know why Mazda didn't put power windows on it. It is definitely the best car I've ever owned as far as reliability. The name of the engine is the B6E. Mechanics like it because it's easy to work on and super reliable.

General Comments:

The Mazda 323F is a car with a soul of its own. It looks beautiful even though it was produced 10 years ago.

Faults:

None, only two rear lamps.

General Comments:

Rides well, after 10 years it still looks great, noise above 130km/h, dealers not able to service at all and with very high pricing policy, already bought another one - a 1.5 GLX brand new hoping for the same reliability.

Faults:

The radiator cracked, CV Joints, automatic seatbelt motor (recall item).

General Comments:

I was broadsided on the drivers side by a full size truck going 60mph... totaled the Mazda, I didn't even break a bone.

Faults:

Electric windows, central locking, shocks & springs at the back, antiroll bar, brake pipes, wishbone bushes, exhaust.

QUITE A LOT REALLY.

General Comments:

The engines in these cars are faultless no matter how you abuse them - 131000 miles and never a bother and believe me it gets driven. A lot of the parts that have been replaced can probably be put down to the west of Ireland road conditions, but unfortunately before you buy a Mazda be aware of the extremely high cost of parts. eg. The section of the exhaust with the 1st bend at the manifold in EIRE costs £125 + VAT punts.

The handling of this car is excellent and it corners very well, however the brakes are quite a let down

Insurance is also very expensive.