Mazda 323 1.8 GT

C

Caveat

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Anyone any views on this?

Seems you can get e.g. '99 model with about 70K for around €5000.

Looks a good buy to me for a very reliable, roomy and fairly powerful car.

(Not bothered that it looks old or dull BTW)

Any feedback anyone? Nothing much on honestjohn etc specific to this model.
 
I never had one but AFAIK it's a very reliable car alright (being Mazda is enough in that department really!).
Not as solid and safe as it's older brother 626 though, which can be got pretty cheap as well. Why don't you consider that one, too.

Also, you should be able to get one cheaper than that. How about if I find you one with AC and AT and less than 70K for less than 4K ;)
 
muffinsda said:
How about if I find you one with AC and AT and less than 70K for less than 4K ;)
Click to expand...

With alloys too? You're on!

Will not be buying for another few months yet though. The surprising thing about the 1.8 GT is that despite the 140hp, I've just checked and my insurance co. don't see it as 'loaded' - only costs about €100 more than a standard 1.4 ;)
 
Caveat said:
With alloys too? You're on!

Will not be buying for another few months yet though. The surprising thing about the 1.8 GT is that despite the 140hp, I've just checked and my insurance co. don't see it as 'loaded' - only costs about €100 more than a standard 1.4 ;)
Click to expand...


Oh wait, it wasn't 1.8 GT, sorry :)

That sounds like a good value anyway, especially insurance-wise.
 
They're a rare enough beast, I never recall seeing one in the flesh. I loved the 323F that was designed by the Porsche guy, very slick indeed. I think they were sold from around 1993-'98.
 
Never saw the 323 1.8 GT either but I can confirm what was said about the 323F. My daughter had a 97 one classy looking car, lovely to drive and reliable.
 
was an owner of a 97 323F - really great car - comfortable, nippy, great fun to drive and good looking as well .... and then they went and designed the 98 model .. what were they thinking ...
 
Caveat

Mine was the 323F which (and i stand to be corrected on this) was came only as a 1.5l motor

the 98 onwards model is a design nightmare - inside and out - mazda interiors were never great but the pre 98 323F at least had decent sporty seats (would quite call them bucket seats), a good driving position and was low slung so you got the feeling of being closer to the road - quicker etc.

i know that the original (c.92) 323F got the tag of being the 'hairdressers Porsche' - well the mark 2 (i.e. the one from 95 - 98) was closer to the mark of being a true sporty car (albeit still sort of hairdressery)

post 98 323F is like a hairdresser's Porsche -if the hair dresser is about 90 and deals mainly in blue rinse customers - it's boxy, the seats are like commercial bus seats, everything is very upright - all wrong

i had 3 mazdas in a row - the last one being the 97 323F and loved them all .... but couldn't make myself go near the 98 generation of cars - so bland they make a toyota starlet look exciting

.... rant over
 
Ah yes!

I know the one you mean - looked a lot better than the one I'm talking about and a good car by all accounts, but:

A bit too old for me at this stage

Doesn't seem to have the engine I'm talking about

I really need the room of the later model

&

there aren't that many of the 95-98 around anyway!
 
I was the proud owner of a Mazda 323F 1.8GT, the one with the sexy "boat-shaped" rear-end years before the Renault crowd got in on the act. The car was exceptionally well spec'ed, superbly bolted together, had beautiful alloy wheels, black leather interior, air con, electric what-nots, and went like a hot snot - in a straight line. (120mph+, but don't ask how I know that please). If I remember correctly, this car was designed (by FA Porche) and built (in Japan) before Ford stuck their Fiesta platform into Mazda quality. (121, Demio, later 323's)

Unfortunaltely, it (or perhaps I) didn't corner well and became unmanageable in the wet, as I discovered one wet October week-end. I had mine from new for 7 days and about 300 miles.

If these cars were ever driven by hair-dressers, they were poor advertisments for their craft as they probably wound up grey-haired or bald due to their 323F's exciting handling characteristics.
 
Seen them around. Not many. I didn't think they were considered much of a drivers car and not all that quick tbh. They weren't that popular. I always thought the 323F's was a nice design. With the GT I assume you get all the extras.
 
had a 99 Maz 1.8i GT in red from 1999 to 2001. Was brill, 5 seats, all the bits, leather wheel etc.All electrics and 5 alloys, yep even the spare was an alloy. My old one recently came up for sale in a garage for €5,500 and only that the current motor ( another Mazda by the way) is a bit better than it in other ways would have been nearly tempted. Only criticism would be rear seat passengers had a bit of a hard ride as susp was pretty firm but that wouln't bother you as the driver. Probably not the best looking car in the world but reliable and fast enough for most people.
 
Cheers Graham - not that bothered about looks myself. Reliability, a bit of power, and a bit of space is what I want (in that order!)
 
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