[Closed] Mazda 323 GTI Anyone remember them from the 1980s ?

Nice!

I remember the 323 4x4 turbo.

There used to a white one near to where I lived years ago.

I seem to recall it being a bit of a 'Q' car.

this one is a Greg
looks as if parts are still available and only 43 left on the road !

Properly quick little cars in their day. Singletrackmind on here used to have a modified one in the past.
I've got a t registered one (not a turbo tho) here, yaawn.

Mates dad had one of these 323 4x4 dohc, broke it over a humpback bridge going a little too fast

Correctomundo bigyinn.
I ran 2 323 4x4 turbos.
One as a road car , then another as a track car.

Basic as 80's turbo instal as the technology wasnt where it is today.
Tweaked mine to 189bhp , was fast as stripped 100kg of weight out of it too .

Never had a 323 Gti . Rear arches go rotton , as do the turrets at the back. Good engine the 1.6 16v B6 .

I had a 323 4x4 Turbo too! Bits were very expensive!

I always wanted a Toyota Corolla GTI-16 when I was younger.

One of these?

so what do you think its worth ?

1 owner fsh great condition 70000 on the clock

Id have this instead: [url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/volkswagen-golf-mk2-gti-8v-black-1991-j-reg-/261156359858?_trksid=p5197.m1992&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D14%26meid%3D5525875866677859027%26pid%3D100015%26prg%3D1006%26rk%3D2%26sd%3D170986096237%26 ]Mk2 Gti 8v[/url]

I had one of these [url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CITROEN-AX-GT-Black-/170988462555?_trksid=p5197.m1992&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D14%26meid%3D5525875866677859027%26pid%3D100015%26prg%3D1006%26rk%3D3%26sd%3D170986096237%26 ]Citroen AX GT[/url] It was a cracking little car but a bit prone to rust. Boot was plastic. Wouldnt fancy crashing one. There were tales of a young lad in the NE crashing one and being beheaded which was always in the back of my mind whilst owning it.

and just for laughs : [url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUDI-RS2-IN-DARK-GREEN-BLACK-REDUCED-BLACK-LEATHER-RHD-FULL-HISTROY-FROM-NEW-/111010831784?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item19d8c2dda8 ]Audi RS2 '91[/url]

I've had golf gti's in the past

In that video you have both models of the 4x4 . Bf and Bg
Bf were 1.6 ihi vj9 turbo , BG 1.8 ihi vj20. The newer shape was available in 2 power levels. The GTX at 150bhp , with a smaller turbo ,and the GTR with a big turbo and 180bhp. The big turbo models were detuned and a few changes release 300bhp.
BG models got viscous diffs and BF's only had open diffs.
Crownwheel and transfer box failures plus the handicap of being classed with the 2l cars meant the car never had the success it should of been capable of.

If you do buy the Mazda, please ditch the Halfords wheels.

How much power did it have btw? Edit: question answered

legend- it has the original alloys on, the link is not the car

[img] [/img]

Opposite lock as the track went straight on and we definatly wern't.

unfitgeezer - Member
legend- it has the original alloys on, the link is not the car

oh aye, missed that comment in the original post

Great cars back in the day!

unfitgeezer - Member
so what do you think its worth ?

1 owner fsh great condition 70000 on the clock

I'd imagine it's hard to put an exact value on; depending on how much you've got the hots for it.

A Mazda 323 GTI is not the first hot hatch of that era that springs to mind; so I'd expect it to be cheap.

Yep, had a 323 gt , cracking little car. Also had a Fiat Uno turbo that was nuts 🙂

My mate had one, earlier 1600 model, stripped out and running leda coilovers. A very capable little car indeed.
I would have bought it from him but i couldn't get a replacement interior so had nowhere to put tbe wee ones baby seat!

I had the BG 323F GT, the pop up light one, everything the same as the GTi hatch except the body and interior. Easily the best car I've ever owned, fantastic 1840cc engine that revved to 7800rpm.
Mine:
[IMG] [/IMG]

I learnt to drive in my gran's 323 GLC, and she would occasionally loan it to me once I had my licence. I was too young to fully appreciate the package - 1.6 engine and RWD, all I knew is was that I loved driving what was by then a nearly 20 year old car. It was given to my brother after she died, but he didn't have it long before it got stolen. I wasn't happy.

[img] [/img]

I had the BG 323F GT, the pop up light one, everything the same as the GTi hatch except the body and interior. Easily the best car I've ever owned, fantastic 1840cc engine that revved to 7800rpm.

That's the same as the one i had! It was my first car, bought for £450 with 160k on the clock. I only had it for a year until the boot floor rusted though, but i thoroughly enjoyed every minute! Only 130bhp if i remember rightly, but it didn't weigh much - especially at the back, which made it prone to swapping ends in the wet!

When all my mates had 1.2 Novas and Saxos, i had that beastie! Happy memories!

I've got a 1.8 BJ in black, needs a good wash. Ok I suppose.

Did they do a V6 one like they did in the MX3?

You may also possibly be able to get classic car insurance for it too ( can be very good value) especially if you have a modern second car.

Have a read/join an owners club maybe too.

Friend took me out in a tiny Nissan Sunny turbo once. It was nuts. 🙂

I had a 323f not the fast one but standard 1.8, great car until one day it just stopped working and never lived again.
I think it realised it had been exchanged for a new Seat Leon already and only had a week left. RIP

[img] http://www.flickr.com/photos/79710468@N06/8468653404/ ][img] http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8110/8468653404_86bf4106af.jp g" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/79710468@N06/8468653404/ ][img] http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8110/8468653404_86bf4106af.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/79710468@N06/8468653404/ ]P1220118[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/79710468@N06/ ]unfitgeezer[/url], on Flickr[/img]

£220 Fully comp on classic insurance

sheep in wolves clothing couldn't believe how much power it has on tap...

Paid £500 with every single bit of history including the original invoice

[img] http://www.flickr.com/photos/79710468@N06/8468651582/ ][img] http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8527/8468651582_3e987205ed.jp g" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/79710468@N06/8468651582/ ][img] http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8527/8468651582_3e987205ed.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/79710468@N06/8468651582/ ]P1220121[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/79710468@N06/ ]unfitgeezer[/url], on Flickr[/img]

Looks like you've bagged a cracking example there 🙂

I used to have one of the more recent ones - 2ltr V6 engine BH (I think) - and still miss it. Only got shot of it as I couldn't get baby seats to fit in it properly (I don't still bear a grudge about it to my daughter, honest...)

[img] [/img]

my wife "thats not a classic its a boy racer thing "

my five year old son " wow a racing car "

my three year old son " a white car "

my neighbour "can I take it for a spin I want to remember the 90's hot hatches"

me I say its more fun than my previous Golf gti's...

its not mid life crises car but who cares its fun !

'Q' car.

Blimey, not heard that for a good few years, you must be a 70s petrol head?

Edit:

Vizard?

Walker?

C&CC?

Just for anyone with an F, or even just a passion/interest for one, I'm the president of the owners club. They're a dying breed now, the last model was arguably the least desirable, but I've nonetheless had the Sport model BJ for the last 7 years. I bought this after the ^ black one. Maybe a bit "boy racer-ish" for some, but they're good cars, very reliable...... apart from rust!
[IMG] [/IMG]
[IMG] [/IMG]
www.club323f.com

Neil F - what type is the one I have ?

Any tips for it ?

🙂

You probably know this already I guess but first thing i'd do is make sure there's no mud build up around all the fenders and gti plastic bumper bits, and then come summer apply wax-oil underneath ( or in the doors etc) too.

( apologies if you know again..etc..)but also worth washing road salt off from underneath and inner arches etc..once snow has gone

unfitgeezer - Member
Neil F - what type is the one I have ?

Any tips for it ?

Its a BG Hatch, 1840cc GTi 129bhp, or it could be a 140bhp if its a pre February '92 G, H or J plate model without a cat convertor.
0-60 in about 8.2secs.
If its a good' un then I'd probably lower the suspension by about 30mm with good springs, renew the shocks if needed and fit a front strut bar. I'd also go with a 15 or 16" wheel and a 205 wide tyre.
Great cars these, the biggest problem your likely to have is rust, particularly around the rear axle fixing points and rear wheelarches. The rear strut tops can rust right round as well. They can be deceiving because the outer body panels tend to resist rust rather well. Rear brake calipers are prone to seizure and the steel sunroofs rust, which is a pest because they're very hard to get a hold of now.
You can get a Haynes manual for them, if your lucky enough to find one! I think its number 3455 off the top of my head. 😉

Sorry mate, just noticed you stated its a G reg.......
Defo a future classic, the pre-cat model is much more desirable. 😀
These engines are fantastic, the turbo model (import only) uses the same engine, except with a different compression ratio. It'll rev to 7800rpm if you have the bottle, even though it redlines at 7k on the rev counter. Your als osafe in the knowledge that its a non-interference engine. If the camshaft belt breaks the engine will sustain no damage whatsoever. Just fit a new belt and tensioner and away you go.

wow!!

not sure if this is any good or too general

[url= http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/1859604552/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used ]haynes[/url]

I'm sure a guy used to rally a 323 turbo at events such as the Jim Clark and others. Think his name was Peter Walker but I may be wrong. The car was rapid anyway !

iamroughrider - Member
wow!!

not sure if this is any good or too general

^ Thats the one, covers almost everything you need to know. 😀

wasn't sure if it covered the gti. Some gt / gti / turbo / sporting etc.. models might be a bit different ( engine - obviously but also suspension, transmission etc )to the more regular versions..

[url= http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/1859604552/sr=/qid=/ref=olp_tab_new/279-3788925-3108335?ie=UTF8&colid=&coliid=&condition=new&me=&qid=&seller=&sr= ]haynes 2[/url]

thanks.

worth getting the haynes manual even if you do not intend doing too much work on it yourself. They are just useful sometimes to have around.

Looks good. Very tidy. Enjoy 🙂

There's a hell of a lot of stuff available for download from the USA too, not to mention a huge import market for parts that you'll probably find hard to get hold of over here.

Good luck with it, you'll enjoy it. 😀

[i] Just for anyone with an F, or even just a passion iinterest for one, I'm the president of the owners club[/i]

Thought I recognised your username (& 323f) from the other site 😮 Great site it is too. I've the same bj 323 as you & if there's one thing I've learnt about 323 ownership, its to keep an eye on the rear arches 😉

Cheers man. 😀
I had to weld my rear sills last year for the MOT, the sideskirts hide a multitude of sins. 🙄
Doesn't affect the earlier models quite so badly though......

Vincent Bristow, garage owner/mechanic round the corner from me used to rally a 323 Turbo for years, back in historics these days, won the national 1600 class etc in his Escort. Still has the 323's I believe but recall him saying both needed gearboxes which were the weak points in competition

Another club323f member here 🙂
Ours died last year due to corrosion in the rear subframe. She had 180k on the clock when this last pic was taken in Glencoe.
[IMG] [/IMG]

Rob

Now I know this isnt a Mazda forum but it looks like I can get a few answers here

1. Is it a hard job changing the Timing belt ? Rough estimate ? my mechanic is pretty good with prices but I know this needs to be done.

2. Last oil change was in 2008 its done 700 miles since then ? Should it be changed again ?

3. thermostat seems erratic £7 from gsf ! Hard job ? Could I do this myself ?

Many thanks for all your replies

😀 Hi Rob..... 😆
Thermostat - fairly easy, sits on top of the engine near the distributor. Just make sure you don't snap the bolts.
Timing belt - fairly easy to do, access is the biggest problem. Changing the waterpump is usually recommended at the same time as its in the area and is fairly cheap(£25-ish)and if it went the belt would need to be removed again.
Oil - I'd change it, and the filter, might have some moisture in it.

Just on a side note, I thought I recognised your Reg. plate........ I took this at a Mazda meet in 2005! 😆
[IMG] [/IMG]

My old one. Characterful (if blue plastic interior is your thing) and super duper reliable.
[url= http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3079/3222031561_49081eecd2.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3079/3222031561_49081eecd2.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/matt_outandabout/3222031561/ ]mazda323[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/matt_outandabout/ ]matt_outandabout[/url], on Flickr

Neil F - G672 ALF must have come from the same supplying garage !

MOT is due in July so going to wait till then to have MOT, service and Timing belt done, spoken to my mechanic and some other car forums and this been the recommended advice just incase the MOT is a disaster ! Sounds feasible.

My mechanic said cost to replace timing belt about £200 all in which seems fair.

I am totally reliving my youth its a real pocket rocket !

Cost for the belt change seems fair, ask him how much to throw a new water pump in there as well. 😉

Drove my Kiwi 323 to middle earth & back. Great car.
[IMG] [/IMG]

[url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mazda-323-4x4-turbo-rally-car-track-car-classic-rare-car-/230927887879?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item35c45fee07 ]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mazda-323-4x4-turbo-rally-car-track-car-classic-rare-car-/230927887879?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item35c45fee07[/url]

^^^^^^ I'd seen that eBay advert and was quite tempted! ^^^^^

I had one of these -

[img] [/img]

Running @230BHP.

Still a wolf in sheeps clothing despite the big bumper to house the Intercooler.

It was a really nice handling car, especially in the wet 😀

Only downside was the MPG and having to feed it super unleaded.

I miss it, but self preservation instincts made sell it.

a wolf in sheeps clothing

You've obviously seen some very unusual sheep.

@tucker, living where I do.. yes, the sheep are unusual!

OK, perhaps not overly sheepish, but rare enough to be generally overlooked on the road..