1989 Mazda 323 review from North America

Distributor cap went out at about 110,000.

Heater core gradually quit working.

Trunk always leaked in the rain, despite numerous inspections of the weatherstripping and under-body. I never could figure it out.

This was the best car I ever owned. I unfortunately had to sell it as I needed a van at the time, and I still regret it 8 years later.

Aside from the above problems, general maintenance was all this car ever needed. I changed the oil regularly, and never worried about it breaking down on me.

Gas mileage was great.

Not so stylish, but that worked to my advantage, as my sister passed this on to me in favor of her more stylish Pontiac Firebird. Needless to say, the Mazda outlived the Firebird by many years and miles.

Seats weren't exactly luxurious on long trips, but the interior was very roomy for a small car.

Manual transmission always shifted smooth (despite the accidental abuse by about 4 inexperienced stick-shift drivers) and was easy to learn on.

After I sold it, I still saw it around on the streets for years (I lived in the same small town as the new owners.) I wouldn't be surprised to learn that it easily made it past 200K and beyond.

I bought a '92 Mazda 323 hatchback a few years later, hoping to re-live my trouble-free Mazda years, but unfortunately, a crack in the engine block sent that lemon to the junkyard with only 92K on it.