323 lives up to expectations

Press, 26 March 1981, Page 20

323 lives up to expectations

By Theo van Dongen Mazda's 1981 front-whee drive 323 has been receivec very favourably by motorinj journalists throughout Aus tralia and New Zealand, s< when I was given the oppor tunity of driving it recently knew the car would be’ s good one; and it was.

I first had the chance tr. drive in Northland, when the car was introduced to the press, and it was there that 1 drove a Honda Civic anc Mitsubishi Mirage to feel the difference.

A few days ago I borrowed a 323 from Amuri Motors and was able to take a 323 for a longer trip, covering 760 km.

My initial impressions, gained in Northland, were confirmed during the long trip: the 323 is a sure-footed and easy car to drive, with plenty of spirit, especially on winding roads. Compared with the Civic and Mirage, the 323 is superior in almost every department. Interior space is greater, and the ride better, confirming the elaborate testing which has been recorded in the February issue of "Wheels" magazine; the magazine which awarded the 323 its accolade of Car of the Year.

The 323 I drove was the basic four-speed 1.3 litre five-door hatchback, which sells at present for $9950. For an extra $25 cloth inserts are available for the vinyl seats, stainless steel wheel trims for $75, and a left-hand door mirror for $53. The door mirrors I found most, valuable. They could be adjusted easily by moving a knob on the. inside. Once adjusted, the driver has a very commanding view, with excellent vision ahead, to the side, and behind with the mirrors. Unfortunately, because the basic 323 hatchback does not have a parcel shelf, visibility through the rear window is lessened if light-coloured objects are in the luggage area, as was the case when I drove the car.

A parcel shelf is available in the Limited edition, which costs $lOOO more. A shelf would not only improve visibility, but would also protect valuables from the sun’s rays or the eyes of thieves. For the extra $lOOO you would also get an extra fifth gear, a rear window wash-wipe system. a rev counter, digital clock, and more luxurious interior. If you are going to spend $lO,OOO on a car you might as well have these things.

The test car I drove had an ingenious radio aerial which disappeared into the driver's screen pillar.

The front seats are well shaped, with reclining backs. Rear seat legroom, depends on the length of those up front, but the back is reasonably comfortable for adults.

Front-seat passengers have inertia-reel belts; back seat passengers do not. The driver and front passenger also have head-rests, although I found mine to be useful only when the seat was tilted back a long way — only then did my head rest on it. But it was nice to know that had something run into the rear of the car I would have suffered little, if any, whiplash injury. Back seat passengers would not have been so fortunate. For most of the time on the open road it is easy to forget that the 323 is only a 1.3 litre car. It is so quiet

and willing that it is only when the car is loaded with four adults and luggage that the engine's limitations become noticeable. A 1.5 litre engine would have been appreciated at times, especially on hills. At present, only 1.3 litre models arc available in the hatchback version, but later in the year a 1.5 litre sedan will be available for about $ll,OOO.

Driving for hours produced minimal fatigue, helped no doubt by the excellent soundproofing and lack of engine vibration. The car was very responsive and made no fuss about cornering.

The gear-shifting was very smooth, and the steering light and easy. The luggage area is large by hatchback standards, with very easy access via the big rear door. Individual folddown rear seats add to the versatility of the luggage irea.