1994 Mazda Lantis Type R from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

One front CV joints have been replaced.

The clutch has worn to the point were it slips badly when attempting to engage it above 4000 RPM.

This model was only available new in Japan, however many of Type R's have found their way to New Zealand as used imports.

As the top-of-the-line model, the car came with a lot of extras (climate air conditioning, fog lamps, spoiler, sports suspension).

The engine produces about 125 Kw with reasonably flat power and torque curves, which makes the car surprisingly quick. With careful control of the accelerator pedal, the engine can be made to produce some very nice sounds.

The car has sporty handling with suspension tower braces front and rear. It is possible to throw the car into corners with minimal body roll and under steer at speed.

Despite the sporty nature of the car, when driven quietly good fuel economy can be achieved. There is not a lot to fault the car and it is always a pleasure to drive after driving other cars.

Hi Steven,

The 2 litre V6 (KF-ZE) produced about 120KW, but the torque curve (183Nm) was never something to write home about. The motor had to be above 4000rpm before the power and torque was on for good performance.

I upgraded my Lantis R with a high performance Japanese 2.5 V6 (KL-ZE) which produces 150KW and 232Nm.

The difference in performance huge.

With the addition of a number of other enhancements to the motor, suspension and brakes plus the light weight of the Lantis, this car is a real rocketship that is the performance equal of much more expensive vehicles.

I have done over 200,000km in the 6 plus ye4ars I have owned the car and see no reason to upgrade.

There's nothing out there that is as much fun.

Thanks

Craig.

Craig: Was it hard to put 2.5 V6 into Lantis? How much time did You needed? I have 323F. No major problems with her, but 1.5l 90hp engine is little boring now, so I would like to do same thing:-)

Hiya.

I have just (2 days old to me!) bought a Lantis down here in NZ (been here 5 months!) and found it to be a nippy car. The only thing that I notice so far is the front tyres are noisy, is this simply because they are the Mazda originals and what should I look to replace them with, which won't cost me the earth?? Also is there anything else I should look out for taking care of on a 1993 model (cam-belt has already been done) with a reputed 81k km's on the clock, as this is the finest car I have yet to own and intend keeping it for some time, but know little about the make?

Many thanks.

Adrian.

Email is alostheartuk@yahoo.co.uk.

I have had a Mazda Lantis V6 Rage since 1997 when it had done 15,000k it is now approaching 200,000 and has been fantastic. Only problems were, after failing to get the Auto Serviced - ever it gave up the ghost after 125,000Km and had to have some radiator repairs a few months back. Would dearly like to get some exact specs as always thought that it had far more grunt than the 104-108kw I previously thought it had. I have made some minor mods, a free flow air filter and removal of the catalytic converter and some mag wheels. Everything else is standard. A great car for New Zealand with the climate control air conditioning. So if anybody can give me the specs I would appreciate it so that when the time comes to part with my baby I can let the new owner know the details. Christopher.

After 2 years of my parents driving it like some grannies I decided to purchase it off them, awesome condition, 17" 5-star alloys are the only real mod. The only noticable repairs were the cam belt at 132,000. Am having some trouble putting the foot down a bit though and it is true that it only "kicks in" after about 4000RPM which I felt bizare nevertheless a worthwhile purchase. If there are any hints regarding getting more power from the 1993 lantis hatch beast from lower revs please email at killa_marty@hotmail.com.

Would be kindly appreciated.

Go 1993 2.0L V6 Mazda Lantis!

The lantis type R came with 170ps (125kw) from factory in japan, The engine in the aus spec lantis (Astina) had 141ps (104Kw) and in europe they got a 147ps (108Kw) lantis (323F).

Hi

I live in chile, I bought an astina here is known as (artis) in 1996, I have it because I love this car, it comes with an engine 1.6L 109HP.

If any one could help me with an advice m how to get parts to enhance it or shift to other engine I appreciate an answer to Harmsax@hotmail.com.

Francis.

Hi, I have the lantis since june'05 it has only 95000km on it up till now n I live in the cayman islands at first my baby was running great, but lately a few days ago she has started to give jerks when I go slow n don't press the clutch its like when you beging to learn to drive a new stick shift car n you don't press the clutch long enough to take off n the car jerks n stops, but my car is not stopping it is only giving jerks when I go slow n don't have the clutch pressed, can any one help me out on how to solve this problem as I'm very tensed about my car as I care about it a lot n don't want to loose it. thanks a million email me on clydenash@yahoo.com thanks.

Hi I've owned a 94 mazda lantis type R for 3 years now. I've always wanted huge power response from the engine, but recently my engine was replaced due to mechanical failure. The engine I got now was from a Ford Probe. I noticed the difference when I drove my car out of the work shop. The type R engine had more power. Can some one help me out here I just want my lantis back 2 its normal when I first got the car. My e-mail is s.nabong@vodafone.net.nz.

My partner has a Lantis 'R' spec 94 model. It has just clocked over 100kms and has had a cam belt replaced. It's a great little car and handles fantastic.

The only problem that we are having with the Lantis at the moment is an A.B.S fault. This is causing the brake pedal to shudder and become "solid" at low speeds (leaving the driveway). Has any-one else had a fault like this??

I would like to remove the fuse, however it's all in Japanese and where do you find it!!. Also noted recently is a tapping sound upon cold morning start ups. The car has had a good service history, we were the first NZ owners (x Japan).

Any ideas please forward to westiecola@yahoo.co.nz

Hi My Name is Ron and I have a 97 Mazda Lantis type R for he past 2 years and I must say it is a wonderful car to drive. That power boost you get at 4000 rpm is my favourite feature of this car. After driving my car a few times my friend bought one himself and is in love. He asked if anyone has ever turbo or super charge one of these bad boys. So if any one has please let me know what was done and how does it feel to drive. You can email me at crisforde@yahoo.com.

H

hello

has anyone had any problems with the thermostat housings??? Mine is leaking

thanks in advance

jeff

hockey11@xtra.co.nz.

Hey, I've got a Mazda Lantis V6 type R 93 model with a K8101 head on it.

I have this huge vibration issue when I put my foot down in second and really start to boost it. It feels like the whole car's vibrating.

I got told it was my clutch; after replacing that it feels like it was a waste of time because the vibrations haven't changed, it's not even the air flow causing the problem..

Can someone help me? mattem@xtra.co.nz

Won't be the clutch; my bet is the right hand side inner CV joint. The whole shaft comes together with inner and outer CVs. Price is nz$125 for aftermarket kit.

I've never driven this car but heard it's engine compared to Honda Type-R engines... To this end I'm not surprised some of you see more go after 4000rpm... The same holds for the Type-R engines and my (old) Primera eGT's 2.0 I4.

With Honda VTEC engines the drivers refer to this boost after 4000 as the "VTEC Zone" and describe it as their most liked feature of the car... less torquey but more rev-happy and fun.

My Primera did this but without the great effect of the VTEC Zone and its clever valve timing.

It's a nice car it seems... better than 323F in the UK.