Did any of you ever own/drive an '89 323 hatchback (5 door) when it was new?

dug777

Lifer
Oct 13, 2004
24,778
4
0
Says plenty about the bodywork/paint job, as well as the Australian climate, that there isn't a speck of rust on her :D

But it drives like it's done the full ~250,000kms on the odo, supension creaks, it rolls predictably, shokkies are well on the worn side, and OMG the understeer (perhaps also a function of the crappy tires i have on there :eek:)...

 

FoBoT

No Lifer
Apr 30, 2001
63,084
14
81
fobot.com
i have the next year model

i bought a 1990 Mazda Protege in Nov. 1989, this was the first year they switched the sedan (4 Dr) from the 323 name to "Protege" name

the only major work i had to do was with the CV joints. they gave me trouble after about 5 years and after replacing them with rebuilds they have been fine

still starts right up like the day i bought it. i just need to replace the exhaust/muffler and water pump which is leaking

it has 198,500 miles on it. the A/C went out in 2000, so i only drive it in the winter now
 

CombatChuk

Platinum Member
Jul 19, 2000
2,008
3
81
My first car was an '86 323 Sedan. It flapped like a wet noodle on the highway and burned so much oil. But it did somehow return 33mpg out of the 1.6L engine.

I did replace the front CV axles

And the suspension arm broke off the chassis
 

dug777

Lifer
Oct 13, 2004
24,778
4
0
hehe, mine makes the oil vanish too..mainly because the rocker cover seal is buggered & i don't have the cash or the time to replace it :eek:

CV joints were replaced by the previous owner.

It's a great cruising car, will happily sit between 120-140km/h all day long, but the motor is really a bit sluggish getting off the line around town...