1977 Mazda 323 review from Australia and New Zealand

Lets see...

The CV joint at the rear always made noise, but still haven't gotten around to actually replacing it. No need to until it flies off right?

Accelerator cable snapped, but I simply fabricated one from an old bicycle brake cable.

A strut that connects the clutch cable to the gearbox snapped, but was easily replaced.

Replacing the valve stem seals stopped it burning oil quite successfully.

For years now the starter motor gear hasn't been meshing properly with the flywheel and for a long time I relied on finding a park that I could roll start from (fortunately, if I had to choose a car to push start around it would be this one - nice and light).

After mucking around with the starter motor it now will usually mesh long enough to start about the 7th go (if you talk to it nicely and pat the dashboard just to the left of the speedo.

The really loud ticking of standard issue clock eventually drove me insane because it didn't keep the right time. I ripped it out and used the light that was inside it to light up the spot I put my Cd's. Clever eh?

But rust is where I worry about being pulled off the road for unroadworthyness. It's in the hatch, the passenger door pillar, the firewall and the air vent intake so that when it rains heavily, I drive around while splashing in puddles.

The steering wheel squeaks loudly and the indicator races triple the speed of other cars. And then there's the expected cracked dash and saggy drivers seat -All of which only gives it character.

The clock has been all the way round at least twice and still going. My sister used to drive it across Victoria end to end on a regular basis screaming the little 4 speed engine all the way. More suited to simple commuting and very fun to drive.

Has excellent visibility and handles great.

No need for power steering, very light and responsive.

Rear wheel drive also means the front wheels can almost turn backwards, squeezing you into spaces no front wheel drives would dare.

A lovely vintage. Back when the small hatch didn't have things like emission control, manifold covers or front wheel drive cramming up all the space in the engine bay. Everything is simple to access- engine in the front, gearbox in the middle and diff in the back.

My tip is, have your cousins give you their written off 323 as a spare parts car and repairs are as easy replacing bits as you need them.

Unfortunately "Mazda's" little old engine is a bit tired now and I'll soon have a car ten years younger to drive,

but I'm having so much trouble saying goodbye to a friend whose always been there for me.

Thanks "Mazda", I'll miss you dearly. Until we meet again in that great big car yard in the sky.