1982 Mazda 929 Luxury review from Australia and New Zealand

My main problem has been the engine "chugging" at high speed. This tended to happen under load going up hill. It felt as if the engine was being starved of fuel, however, pump, filter, points etc have all been checked and were okay. This intermittent fault was very annoying and comes and goes. Like any fault like this it is very hard for a mechanic to fix if it isn't an ongoing problem. Having said that, it only occurred when I have purchased fuel from a particular outlet, so maybe the engine is sensitive to additives or impurities.

A leaking sunroof. I was very apprehensive about this, as water tended to collect in the roof and then dribble into the cabin. I thought that the whole roof would need to be removed and the whole drainage system cleaned out. Luckily I took the car to a fantastic panel beater who blew compressed air down the drainage holes at the front for zero cost. Since then, the problem hasn't occurred.

Cruise control has been intermittent and depends on the mechanic who tunes the engine. Sometimes it works after a tune up, sometimes it doesn't!

The head gasket has been oozing coolant down the side of the engine block. I had a new gasket replaced to alleviate any future problems, however, a year later, it recurred. The mechanic who completed the job said that these gaskets were designed to do this, although I have my doubts! Be that as it may, it is still leaking coolant down the side of the engine block, but doesn't seem to be a problem otherwise.

Upholstery hasn't faired very well in the sun, especially the rear seat head rests. These are progressively self destructing.

I have really liked driving this car. It has been on a number of long range trips, and apart from the "chugging" that sometimes strikes, it's been fine.

The seats are fantastic, and I have never experienced any back ache from them (unlike a Saab which practically makes me incapacitated).

The electronics have held out very well. Power windows, central locking, air conditioning etc, all work as if the car was new, not 20 years old.

For A$4000 it was a bargain! The mechanics are easy to work on as the engine is a simple carby fed straight four, although seriously underpowered. Brakes, suspension and handling are top notch and probably doesn't need the power steering that it has got. It's been a great little runabout car for town trips as well as interstate travel.