Here’s how the Mazda 323 was more than just a Great Little Car
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- Опубликовано: 3 дек 2021
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In this episode I provide the history of the Mazda 323, which started out in America in 1977 as the GLC ("Great Little Car"), and was based on the Familia that had been sold in Japan since 1963. Ford was part of the development of the 323 by 1980, and by 1985, the GLC name was dropped and used the 323 name as it was in Europe. Ford also used the 323 as the basis of the Ford Escort and Mercury Tracer between 1991 and 2003. In 1989, the sedan version of the 323 became the Protege in the U.S. where it remained until its cancellation in 2003, being replaced by the Mazda 3. 
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I love the way they tried to differentiate it from the rotary engined models, by stating 'piston engined'. Just in case a potential buyer thought they were getting something too radical.
Phil Paxton - Exactly what jumped out to me as well. Those old of us to remember know what that was all about. I've owned a Tribute, 626, 2 MPV's, and 2 Mazda 5's. I currently have a 2007 Mazda 3 in my stable so i'm a Mazda fan.
And me over here trying to put a rotary in my 88 323 gtx.
I saw that 🙂
You meant "something too radial".
Well, to be fair, they wanted something reliable!
My mom had a Protoge5 after her Dodge Colt died, it's a nostalgic car for me when I was a kid. Was super practical and was fun to drive
My first car was a Protege5 5 speed. Loved it but sold it before the rust started.
I had a Protege5 for a while and loved that car. Not the best on gas and could have used a 6th gear but it was really fun to drive and super practical. Ive been looking for one that isnt rotted out like mine turned out to be after a life in the New England salty winters
My bare bones, manual 1989 323 is the most fondly remembered car I have ever owned. It was the first car I bought on my own when I was fresh out of college. I moved to a new city with everything I owned in the back and became an adult. This video brought back some fond memories. Thank you!
I loved my '89 323 too!
I bought brand new in 2001 a Mazda Protege, had it until 2007 and then got a 2007 Mazda 3, and have had nothing but Mazda’s ever since, a total of 3 Mazda 3’s, a CX5 and now a CX30, Literally the best cars I’ve ever owned.
They're reliability shot through the roof.Ford pulling out left Mazda be in control of their own products.Not bad for such a small company.They deserve the highest respect.That was no small feat.
I still have a 1981 GLC Sport 5 Speed that was a hand me down from my dad. I love that car. Learned to drive manual on it, and it made me into the car nut I am today.
Your voice is perfect for these videos
i absolutely love the protégés. i have one and it’s the most reliable and well cared for car ive ever owned. i’d sooner sell my sportier cars in favour of the reliability my mazda offers. i would enjoy a protegé 5 for my next car since i love wagons and my protegé. luckily mine is rust free!
I owned 2 Mazadspeed Proteges, (a yellow my daily driver and orange one, as a project car) but after 3 engine and 3 turbo replacements on my daily I decided to fix it up for the last time and sell it, along with my orange one. Those 2.0 engines weren't meant to be boosted as they had a bad oil pickup, that's why you don't see many of the Mazdaspeeds on road anymore, and they were rare to begin with. Also the rust always eats at the quarters, even with the 1st gen Mazda 3. But I do have fond memories, as those cars are what I learned to wrench on. Great episode!
You are on point about the Protégés rust issue. 5 years ago, a co-worker had a red Protégés wagon. The car very reliable but the rust on the rear quarter panels were bad.
The "Just one Look" song in that 2nd Gen commercial really brings it back...
I had a 2002 Astina 323 that replaced a 1999 121 Metro from 2002-2006.these days I drive a 2008 3 Maxx Sport BK series 2.looked at one at a car warehouse after the car I had before it was written off by a truck and wasn't coming home so was sold.My Mazda interest personally dates back to when the get in be moved commercials featuring Martika's I feel the earth move song was part of it.
I had a 2002 Mazda Protégé5 with a 5 speed transmission, what a great and fun car.
My first car in dark blue.
Thank you for making the 323 episode first! Focussing on the less glamorous, and so less remembered, models is what makes your channel stand out.
Wow, talk about forgotten cars! Thanks for this episode, Id bet the GLC is the most forgotten 70's car second to maybe the early RX coupes and sedans.
My first car was my parents old 78 GLC in blue. I found out that 1st gen RX-7 suspension, brakes and rearend swapped in pretty easily. A 2.8L Chevy V-6 with TBI took care of the lack of power and that car was quite a terror for a good 10 years back in the 90's....cops hated me! The car finally rusted out but that V-6 lives on, in my Samurai rock crawler.
My first new car was a 1989 323 hatchback, I have fond memories of it. The owners manual also covered the turbo version, and I remember thinking how cool it would be to have the gtx turbo.
They're now attaining collector status
Ah, reading the manual - a lost art.
I had an 88 Tracer as my first car. It was a great car and I loved it. I seem to recall the engine said Mazda on it. The dash was identical to the 323 but the exterior was a bit more rounded. After that car, interestingly, I got a Protege.
My first car was also an 88 Tracer (4 door hatch in blue). Unfortunately the transmission went out in the 65K mile range. After a very expensive transmission rebuild the car was totaled within a year when someone t-boned me in the right rear corner. Coincidentally, I also owned a 94 Protege several years later.
@@brenspin I had a blue also! The car had almost 200k miles when it finally died on me. My Protege was a 95 or 96. Years later I had a Mazda3 which is the same 3 class car
Add me to the 88 Tracer as a first car club. Four door door in metallic blue with the three speed slushbox. Sadly, I had an oil leak and blew the engine on the way to school one morning.
@@jpmiller7922 Mine was 4 door also, with automatic. The club is growing! The only problem I remember having with mine is the alternator. We replaced it 3 times.
@@tekgamer33 In my experience, brakes seemed like a weak point because I had brake work done multiple times before the car ever reached 80K miles. It was really good in the snow probably because of skinnier, less sport-oriented tires unlike modern cars. I've had cars in the 2000s with AWD, traction control and winter tires that felt less capable than that 88 Tracer with ordinary passenger tires.
I cannot explain how happy I am to see the 323 being celebrated! I have a late build '94 Mazda 323F (Astina) with the pop-up headlights and it's such an amazing forgotten gem.
My 1st car was the 6th generation 323 in 1988. I've had mazdas ever since. I now drive a 2021 CX5 Grand touring reserve. They're one of the most reliable yet affordable cars around.
Sounds like you’ve been through quite a few of them. Meanwhile, I am still driving my 1998 4Runner with 200k+ on it, no rust, and the paint looks new. No little problems, like power window switches going out, and the only thing I have done to the engine was replace the oil pan gasket. I’ll stick to that, and expect to get at least another 200k out of her.
@@vincedibona4687 Maybe he just likes upgrading to a new car?
@@vincedibona4687 I usually change/upgrade cars every 4 or 5 years as my grandfather and mom has done before.
Mazda has come a long way. The new ones have a 5/5 reliability rating from consumer reports. That's better than Toyota or Honda.
How many Mazdas have 400k+ miles on them? 🤔
Not even in the same league with Honda and Toyota
@@georgspaju513 Agreed. Because they’re so much better than both of them. Mazda are a premium brand now, making Japanese BMWs for the masses.
Mazda is partnered with Toyota now, so Toyota's quality is hopefully starting to rub off on Mazda. Some are even built on the same assembly line.
@@vincedibona4687 Many. There are people still riding around with the original Skyactiv 3s from nearly a decade ago after the company told Ford to shove off. They're also one of the only makers who still employs a traditional 6 speed auto, no tragic CVTs in sight (for now).
Sister owned a 1983 GLC around 1987. White, 4 speed, blue vinyl interior. Basic, but kind of fun to toss around. Loved the front-hinged hood.
Thank you thank you thank you! We had a '77 GLC 3 door and it WAS great! It literally had the sweetest sounding engine I've ever heard. It had heaps of room, even in the back and you felt special just driving it. Frigging loved that thing!
Loved my Mercury Tracer, simple fun car, looked great, nice soft ride. Miss it still today.
Amazing reliable and economic car, had it for 11 years and no problems whatsoever. Took many long trips and enjoyed it so much, really miss it - they had the Mitsubishi motor which last long, long time - many kmts with no issues. Then bought a new Toyota Previa, and had the Mazda parked in my driveway for a year without using it, one day someone knocked at my door and begged me to sell it, the car started on the spot and the experience to see his smille when driving it away contrasting wiht my tears, was just overwhelming!
So many great, beautiful memories!
I owned a 95 Protege ES and was and am still 💯% IN LOVE WITH THAT CAR!!!
My 2008 Mazda 3 has been the best car I’ve ever had . This spring I will pass it on to my daughter to drive. It is indeed a great little car.
I may have to get another 😎.
I had a 1998 Mazda protégé LX and I miss it so much. They're faster than they look, and are a blast to drive. I kind of wish I kept it, it was still running when I sold it in 2021. A great little car indeed
Another Mazda you should do a story on is the Millenia (US name). My dad had two of them but it was not a popular car. The noteworthy parts are that it was designed to launch Mazda’s failed luxury brand Amati (think Lexus, Infiniti, or Acura) and had a Miller-cycle engine.
My 98 Millenia was the base model, 2.5 V6. It needed more power, especially with the obligatory 4speed auto. The model S brought 210 supercharged hp, lots more fun no doubt.
@@terry-zi7eh I think my dad’s first one was an S. He really liked it. The second one didn’t excite him as much so it may of had the smaller engine
I recalled looking at what was known in Australia as the Eunos 800 or 800M in 1996 when my parents could not get their W210 E230 Mercedes as intended.gave them the reasons why not to buy German but they would have not have a bar of it.they went with a smaller C Class instead C200 W202 which was downright ugly.The alternative I would have suggested would have been a 1991 to 1993 929 second hand check for a good example with low km and features for less than either of the Mercs.
My sister got a new '99 Protege as a graduation gift..I helped her drive it off the lot. It was a five speed and a hoot to drive. It was top of the line model and was pretty snazzy looking too. A few months ago I picked up a 2021 Mazda3 hatchback to drive as a weekend car-it's a manual yet it's very well decked out-lots of premium features and I love the styling and the way it drives. Mazda really does make some special cars!
The Best ever
Had 3 of them in the late 80s and the 90s
Wish I had one today ❤
I owned two GLC's of the first front wheel drive generation. Indestructible little machines...I drove one from Calgary to Flagstaff, no problem whatsoever!
Fun fact about first gen of GLC:
It was revived in Indonesia between 1990-1997 as Mazda MR90 (Mobil Rakyat 90/90's People car) later renamed Mazda Baby Boomer for the hatchback and Mazda Vantrend for the wagon version. The reason why it was revived because the GLC was intended to be a national car project and also low cost variant to the newer 323. Although it was never catch up the "national car" label due to Kia Sephia launched as Timor S151 to be the national car of Indonesia but it was failed due Asian Economic Crisis of 1998.
Great video, I had a 323 GTX model with 4 wheel drive and a tiny turbo for a winter car a couple years back!
That’s a rare and valuable car now. It would win at Radwood.
Back in the 80's I worked for a guy who I think was very well off.... and he drove an old 323 hatchback. At the time I was very pro-American car and I asked him why, and he explained he had his (very) nice car at home in the garage, but why would he pile miles on it just to drive back and forth to work? The Mazda was reliable, frugal, and would last for many, many years.
Around 2001 (or so) I bought a Protege and it was eye-opening how great it was. Silver with a black interior, 5-speed and sunroof. It was gorgeous, great interior, and felt SO good to drive. It changed my opinion of Japanese cars, and to this day I regret getting rid of it.
Great video, thanks for the memories!
the late '70s, my mother had a 3d Mazda 323 with a black roof, and she owned after her 1st Mazda many more. Today she drives still a Mazda from our local dealer. In 1987, I got my driver's license, and drover her nice Mazda 323 GLX 1500 3 door to school or to a festival in Belgium, was a great car for me, great memories about that car.
the first car that my parents bought was a 1999 mazda 626 and lasted us until 2012 before we upgraded to the cx9. funnily enough our cx9 crapped out on us last year (driving a cx5 now) but my first car was a manual 2002 mazda protege lx and i cannot explain how much i loved that car. i drive a mazda 3 now and while i love mazda's, nothing will compare to how smooth the transmission was on my protege. i miss her everyday, she lasted until around 2016. mazda's are truly great cars, i will always stand by that
My late grandma had one of these in a wagon! I always remember her driving in that car!
I bought a bare-bones 323 front-wheel drive wagon after my 78 Toyota Corolla wagon wore out. I was hauling around a drum set back then and those little wagons were just what I needed. I switched to Ford Rangers after I quit hauling my drums around, but I came back to small wagons with my last car, a 2009 Pontiac Vibe manual that's still holding up pretty well.
I got a brand new 323 in 1986 and it began my love affair with Mazda. I have owned lots of diverse cars and brands, but often my fleet contains one Mazda. They're fun to drive and punch way above their weight. Even now we have a 2018 CX5 that's really been great for my wife - she doesn't even miss her Lexus.
My Dad owned two Proteges and he absolutely loved them. They were peppy enough when coupled with the 5-speed manual tranny while getting excellent gas mileage. Very reliable, well-built cars.
We had an auto 1.6L and even then, it moved decently. Handled well too. Too bad it suffered from rust, which for some reason did not affect any of the bolt on panels (when I sold it in 2018 for $600, none of the door bottoms had any rust! - QP, sills, and floorboard were a different story).
Dad used to own a 1984 3 door Mazda 323. An absolute champ. Simply won't die. Too bad he sold it in 2006.
sooo cool the first car i remember my mum driving was a 323 Astina then my first car was a mazda lantis now i own a 1985 323 wagon with a 12a rotary swap this vid help me realize iv been a mazda guy since birth 😂
Can we please get something on Cadillac Fleetwoods!? They were discontinued after 1996 and they were popular GM cars that vanished..
At one point in 94 Cadillac had a Sedan DeVille (front drive) and the The Fleetwood Broughham (rear drive) with the exact same body design language with different sizes. Cadillac was lost during this period. They didn't know if to market to youth or the elderly. I'll repeat that, 2 car lines on different platforms with the exact same design language. They finally had to ax both of them and regroup because it was going horrible for them by the late 90's
My family's first ever new car was a Kia K-303, which was licensed from Mazda, I think 1000 or 1300. K-303 had 1.3L engine and 4-speed manual.
I was a little kid, so didn't know much about anything, let alone cars, but it'd be so cool if I could have a K-303 as a collector's car.
As an adult, I did own a Protege5 at one point. It was noisy, uncomfortable, but had character, and I could fit a lot of stuff into it.
Mazda 818 or 808 I think
Had a second hand GLC for my wife to run around town and it was everything it’s name implied. Sometimes we even chose it for trips. Cheap to run, dead simple to work on, and roomier than a Corolla. It even survived being rear ended by a UPS truck! But sadly finally succumbed to rust. Truly a great little car that made me a Mazda fan. So much that Three family members still drive it’s successor 323.
I just discovered this channel last week! I didn’t even have to ask! Thank you so much
My dad's first ever car was a 323! He bought it for 50 bucks and went through 3 transmissions during its life. He still brightens up like a Christmas tree during the very rare occasions we come across one.
RUclips reviews of the rx6 / rx7 are a dime a dozen ...i like how you review lesser known but still important vehicles. keep up the great work.
I own a Mazda 626 Sedan in Prestige Silver Metallic colour, 1990 model ... bought brand new in Melbourne, Australia as a gift from my father for my 18th birthday. He paid $32,000 Australian dollars for it back then! It's now 32 years old, has done 500,000 kilometres !!!! (310,000 miles!) and l continue to drive it daily. Has never failed me. Unbelievable car. I cannot part with it. My first and so far, only car ...!! It still looks like new and has always been outside for its entire 32 years, so far.
People cant believe it!
Two weeks ago, l purchased the 2022 Mazda 3 Sedan in Sonic Silver Metallic. I am expected to take delivery of it at the end of July (imported from Japan).
I am keeping my 626 and will never part with it and intend to drive both cars.
As an Rx7 owner thank you for not doing an Rx7 episode. There are tons of videos on it, but I knew very little about the 323. A video on Mazda's B series pickups and the REPU would be great!
When you do Rx-7 , The 79 version had a manual choke, points and a thermal reactor. It chewed thru points in 2 to 4k miles, back fire machine. Also cover the 85 Rx-7 GSLSE, 13B engine in 1st gen body, loved that car. It had throttle body warping and oil cooler splitting. The 2nd gear synchro was stiff when cold, Amsoil synthetic gear oil made it minimal.
I test drove a 323 GTX, it was wild! I believe it was intercooled as well.
I got bid out by another buyer while I dithered. Dang.
I bought an 89 protégé for the first year of new Gen. Great car, if only Mazda could have solved those rust issues back then, many of those cars would still be on the road today. I still see the Mazda 3 first Gen out there but rust has taken over.
I've had a Mazda Protege and 3 three since the early 2000's...they really are Great Little Cars
I owned an 83 Mazda GLC manual and LOVED it! The trunk space was phenomenal and the gas mileage was wonderful. A peppy little runabout!
My grandma had the 5th gen hatch in brown (I used to call it duke) and she also had the 2 door Hyundai Excel that she got from a police auction that had bullet holes in the doors
My first car was a GLC wagon and I was not kind to it. My now 60 year old self would love to go back to 18 year old me and give him a good talking to. Thanks to this video, I now know that my first car was RWD. I just wasn't nearly as interested in cars in general at the time. Despite how badly I treated it, or perhaps because of that, it was one of my favorite early cars. The favorite was also a Mazda, -- a B2000 pickup.
Im glad you did the 323 first instead of the rx-8 or rx-7. These crusty little Nuggets are very entertaining to watch and there are a half billion videos on the rotray mazdas
I like the way the ad folks used "Spanish Flea" by Herb Alpert And The Tijuana Brass as the jingle's tune.
The Mazda GLC was recreated in Indonesia in 1990 as a national car to compete the best selling car back then, Toyota Kijang. It was sold with the name MR90, stands for "Mobil Rakyat 1990" or "People Cars of 1990" and later the facelift version of MR90 named Baby Boomers. The wagon version of GLC also recreated with the new name, Vantrend
Wow! I used to have a 1989 Mazda 323LX 4 door with power windows/locks/mirrors and a manual tilt and slide sunroof...Which was the generation before the Protege. The AWD turbo 323GTX hatch also offered the power package as an option and many even have the sunroof and a digital dash as well. If you really want to see a rare one, look up the 1988 Mazda 323GT. It was basically a front wheel drive sedan version of the 323GTX. I have only seen three since they were new in 1988. There was also the 323DX wagon that was offered with all the LX options. Interestingly, it was the only 323 that offered a power glass tilt and sliding sunroof....on a DX. Power windows and locks were offered here in the US as early as 1986 on the 323. The Protege LX was the first to come standard with those features.
I was excited to watch.. good job as always!
Keeping on the Mazda theme, how about the 80 to 84 B series pickups? I haven't seen any since 1988 when in 87 I owned an 83 B2000 Sundowner with a/c and am/FM radio, and a jewel of a 5 speed manual transmission. Sadly none survived due to excessive rust and frame rot.
lol
The Mazda pickups were great. They were affordable and anyone I knew who had one loved them.
My wife had a 1984 GLC sedan with a 5 speed manual. She bought it used in 87 or 88 and we traded it on a Ford Aerostar in 93. Was a good reliable car.
"If you don't know what a rotary engine is...."
Maybe this will help:
There's an automotive shop in the city I work in, they work exclusively on rotary engine cars.
Needless to say, their parking lot is always packed with stuff to be repaired. Nuff said. 😂
Rotary engines:
-less weight than a 4 cylinder
-power like a 6 cylinder
-gas mileage of an 8 cylinder
-the reliability of an MG
🤣😂🤣
@@vincedibona4687 lol
My wife's first car that was truly hers (bought by her for her) was a 2003 Mazda Protege, and she absolutely loved that car, and has been a loyal fan of Mazda ever since, as we are now on our 3rd Mazda since her Protege got written off.
well done! I recall requesting this some time back, so thank you!
This was my first car. A 2000 Ford Bantam 1600i. It was a Mazda 323 in half ton pickup form with a 1.6 fuel injected petrol engine. I totaled it in 2004 and it was remarkably safe for the design. Much more so than the Golf Mk1 and Corolla hatch it took out with it.
You must be from...South Africa?
@@yoribe yes I am.
I truly believe you can make a great clip outta any automotive content! Thank you!
When I was super young my dad bought an RX-4 wagon! My dad is super cheap so he bought the dealer model. Not new or used, just test drive vehicle. I love the concept of the rotary engine!
So cool! Thanks for the post.
I remember the 87 Mercury Tracer, much better than the Lynx it replaced. Used as one of our drivers ed cars, along with a 626 and Buick centuries and LeSabres. Everyone preferred the Tracer, quite a fun car.
1999 Mazda Protége in North America, 323 in Europe, rebadged as Ford Lynx in the Philippines, Ford Laser in Taiwan.
323s were my favorite car growing up. I'd love to have a 4WD GTX someday.
I currently own a 1998 323F, also known as an Astina. Great little car!
5:24 That Ford Laser model was also sold in Africa, in Zimbabwe 🇿🇼. The 323 and Laser were assembled at the Willowvale Mazda Motor Industries plant in the south western part of Harare. I went to school just down the road from that plant and saw these Mazdas & Fords roll out in the 80s & 90s.
I used to have a 94 MPV, a fun odd-ball mini-van that does NOT have sliding doors. It was bouncy, had some mini-van like features, but could pass for an SUV, except for its rather small hood. Missed that thing.
That blue-like 71 RX-3 is a beautiful car.
Loved the two generations of 323F. In a sea of dreary Ford Escorts, Vauxhall Astras and VW Golf Mk2/3s they were like nothing else on UK roads at the time. A three door version of the '94 323F was available for short time before it was replaced by a more conventional three door 323 hatchback in' 97.
There was also a South African made version of the 1985-1989 Mazda 323 called the Sao Penza imported into the UK by a subsidiary of Mazda UK. One of my teachers at school had one. When imports ceased she had the badges changed from Sao Penza to Mazda 323. Natually as a car person I spotted it as I knew a 1991/92 registration license plate was too new for that generation 323! Only 1,000 cars sold between 1991 and 1993 with none currently taxed and MOT'd for use on UK roads according to the DVLA.
Good video. Shows Mazda as creative and quirky
Another great video.....👌👍
Used to own an 88 323 5spd. What a fun little car.
Just once I want the voice over to say "and we'll leave the light on for you"
7:14 That poor driver having to escape death a second time 😂😂
How is your comment not more popular though.
Lol that driver wasn't catching a break, just the bushes instead.
Aha! My request about Merc Tracer in replies for your Tempo-Topaz item) is answered mainly at 6:26-6:48. Thanks for those few details. I got a 2-year-old '88 Tracer in Canada and loved it - one of my all-time fave cars.
I have a 1999 Protege and its still a great little car
Really enjoy your videos, and seeing the history of these cars!
Mazda will forever have a special place in my heart. My first car was a non-running 808 wagon that I was working into converting to RX-3 specs. After that, came 2 FC RX-7s(could only dream of an FD). To me, Mazda is the little car brand that could. 🙏🏽❤
My first Mazda was a 1991 Protege LX 5 speed (pictured, same color), I loved that car! It got me hooked on the brand because, I owned a silver 2004 Mazda3 5dr 5 speed, a silver 2005 Tribute Lx,
a gray 2007 Mazda6i sport 5 speed, a black 2013 Mazda CX-5 Sport 6 speed, and my current machine gray 2019 Mazda CX-5 GT! I probably should work for Mazda (or at least get a discount by now).
my dad's first car was a 1980 GLC with a hole in the floor that you could see the road through. he totaled it on black ice with bald tires and he's still amazed that he survived!
I had a ‘02 protege5…. so fun to drive!
love it: Great Little Episode!
One of my best friends has had two Mazdaspeed Proteges. One died in an accident, the next became a race car. I'm still fond of the look. I recently came into a 225,000 mile 2012 Mazda 3 for cheap. It's my first manual shift vehicle. My finances say "get rid of it," but my heart has said "don't you dare" for the last 3 months.
I'd love to see one on the Mercury Capri!. I owned a 91, a 93 and a 94, which also used 323 Engine and transmissions.
I had a 91! LOVED that little convertible. Alas, children came along and even they wouldn't fit in that back seat.
Best car I ever had was a 2007 Mazda 3. Man that car would go! Currently have a 2016 Mazda CX-5. Also a great car, but nothing will ever compare to my 3.
It’s the first car that I could remember riding in (in Thailand) in early 1980’s before kindergarten. My aunt had one while my parents had VW Beetle and Ford Cortina MK3 but for some reason we used the Mazda more often. When I first visited in the US in 1991 I was surprised to see quite a few 323 / GLC on the road.
I had a 1981 Mazda GLC with a 5 speed it was a tough ass car very reliable
God I can remember in the mid 1980's my aunt Claire having one of the hatch back and it was the first time I drove and unfortunately it had a manual transmission and I couldn't get it out of the driveway in reverse LoL. Now being 49 years old here in Hamilton Ontario Canada and a stroke and cardiac arrest survivor and use a cane for balance when I'm outside walking I not allowed to drive again
You know what was a really overlooked car? The Mitsubishi Diamante!
I learned how to drive on an '87 4 dr sedan with the 5 speed manual. That little crapbox was impressively tough. It got traded in 2004 with 380k, and no reverse or 5th gear for $800. Still got 40 mpg on the highway in 4th gear lol
Always liked these.
My favorite Mazda 1200, 1:58, what a nice car, Mazda is my favorite car maker, my brother owns a Mazda B2200 in like new condition garage kept.
I had a 1988 323 GTX, it was a blast.
My mom had a red 323. Loved it.
Ha! I bought a sedan for $30 bucks back in the 90s when I worked at a junkyard. A guy just drove up in a ugly, but running great 323 and just handed us the title and keys. Sold it for $150 dollars to a friend! I liked that little car! My buddy had an RX3 and it was super cool!