Test drive Mazda 323 F 1994 - 1997 hatchback

Merry Mazda

The model under the 323 index became prettier, but retained the flexible character
 
This is a small car - like a woman sensitive to the wishes of her beloved: she is able to be what the chosen one wants to see her at the moment. A obstinate (fast) or languid (slow), defiantly bright or modest (select color and complete set). In a word, this is a good girlfriend for all occasions. With girls would be so
 
After plastic
 
I do not remember a single case when restyling, namely, through such a plastic surgery, Mazda 323 passed, would damage the models. The Japanese machine began to fully correspond to a new corporate style that emphasizes sports at any opportunity. In the exterior of a compact car, this was expressed, first of all, in an elegant combination of sharp and smooth lines. When you look at Mazda in Anfas, you pay attention to how clear the contours of the hood are balanced by rounded lighting equipment. The grille of the radiator is pressed inside, like a gust of wind. The chrome rim under it gives a great expressiveness to the bumper with an implantation in it and protruding forward (a la sports car) by a spoiler. Aggressiveness is also brought to the appearance of large fog lights and air intake in the lower part of the bumper.
 
In general, the exterior emphasizes, and perhaps even exaggerates the dynamic potential of the machine. However, this is especially noticeable in the hatchback. In the sedan, which went to the test, the front of the front part is somewhat obscured by the design of the stern. Even beautifully curved, before the appearance of a small spoiler, the trunk lid does not save the position. But this is a subjective opinion, in general, the appearance is quite organic and looks very good. The backbone does not look at the hastily welded, as, for example, in Renault Symbol.
 
After restyling, the car interior also changed. First of all, the quality of finishing materials improved, and the front panel received inserts for Kevlar - another tribute to sports. The front seats, although visually and do not have developed lateral support, are convenient, the body on the turns does not fall out of them. The driver's seat has a complete set of necessary adjustments. Moreover, you can change the angle of inclination of the lower part of the seat, which provides additional comfort. It may not like that a small range of vertical adjustment, but this is compensated by the ability to move the steering column up and down. It cannot be moved horizontally, but this, perhaps, is not necessary: \u200b\u200bthe column is located very well.
 
Inside the eyes, the white scale of the devices immediately grabs from the overall picture: before, such a design could be ordered only for a fee, with a certain configuration of the car as a whole. Now it decorates everything, without exception, 323-and. In general, Mazda is already equipped in the standard very well. There are electric drives of all glasses and lateral mirrors (mirrors with heating), two front airbags, heated front seats, headlight washers, air conditioning, and the steering wheel and a checkpoint lever are finished with skin. I must say that sports notes brought in the interior decoration personally were very pleased with me. Like two more things that cannot be ignored. The first is more than in the prerestyling version, the legs of the legs of the rear passengers. The second is the opportunity to turn the back of the front passenger seat into a table. Funny and, perhaps, convenient.
 
Predictable behavior
 
No, it is not without reason that Mazda 323 is endowed with sports features. The car is very clockwork, and willingly gives itself to spur, leaving in races from a traffic light behind many rivals. And this despite the fact that the car is officially supplied with the only 98-horsepower engine of only 1.6 liters. In addition, there was an automatic checkpoint on the test car, which clearly suffers from some thought. You’ll press the accelerator pedal, Mazda seems to freeze for a moment, gathering forces, and only then it will tear. To this, however, it is easy to get used to it, and in the city the machine gun is still much preferable to mechanics. However, no one forbids making a choice in favor of modification with a mechanical checkpoint, if there is an intention to work, and not relax at the wheel.
 
And how the Mazda 323 turns turns - this must be tested! Here is a departure from the Rublevsky highway to Kutuzovsky Prospekt. There are not many cars, the road is empty ahead. I shake the gas and, not slowing down, with a knowingly high speed, I enter the turn. Miraculous! The machine prescribes an arc without the slightest hint of ski, only with a slight creak of tires. I remember not so long ago, in the same place, I had to fight with a skid at speed, much less than now. But it was another car. In general, independent Mazda 323 pendants deserve the highest rating. With a measured urban ride, shaking from pits and irregularities remains somewhere between the wheels and the body, you practically do not feel it in the cabin. In steep turns, the rolls are minimal, control over what is happening is complete. A great solution to the eternal engineering dilemma: how to combine sports and comfort.
 
Having moved from the main road to the secondary, I really flared up, passing the turns at good speed. It was still possible to bring the car to the limit, but it was struck by transparency, predictability of this moment. You immediately feel - what should happen now, and there is time to react to this adequately. It is noteworthy that if in a difficult situation even click on the brake, ABS and system of distribution of brake efforts EBD will help to correct the situation. By the way, the car has no other stabilizing systems, so nothing prevents the fully assessed the excellent Mazda 323 settings.
 
I was pleasantly surprised by the steering - I did not expect to meet such acute and clear reactions to the bend of the steering wheel by car of this class. Already in the parking lot, the steering wheel did not seem too light, and with an increase in speed it was completely petrified - just what was needed.
 
However, I want to emphasize once again: Mazda 323 is ready for any driving style. This is not to say that she provoked the driver to dashing. But very responsive to his requirements. And this is her charm. So, both the young energetic person and the lady, the car should taste.
 
Who will help?
 
From all of the above, the conclusion suggests itself about the rainbow prospects of the model in the Russian market. Moreover, the price, given the package, does not seem too high - from $ 15,300 per sedan with a mechanical checkpoint, to 16500 for the most expensive version - hatchback with a machine gun. The tested version would cost the buyer $ 16,300.
 
However, there is one but. Someone should promote the car in the market, and the activities of the Japanese company in Russia remains a mystery to me personally. Mazda representative offices in Russia, as far as is known, does not exist. Officially sells and serves cars of this brand (including under warranty, which is one year without a mileage), only one dealer, he was taken for a test car. But hardly alone dealerships are enough for the car to be appreciated.
 
On the other hand, there are still many Mazda cars in Russia. They are imported to order and gray dealers. That is, there is demand, and, therefore, the case is the organization of a reliable system of sales and maintenance that meets corporate standards. Then the 323rd, I think, will be in demand not only in Moscow or Vladivostok, and will become worthy of competitors to many golf class cars.
 
Andrey Osipov
 
 
Brief technical characteristics of Mazda 323
 
Engine volume, cubic meter. See: 1598
The number of valves for the cylinder: 4
Power, l. With. at about./min.: 98/5500
Max. Torque, Nm/at about. min.: 145/3700
Acceleration to 100 km/h, p.: 11.6 (14.2)
Maximum speed, km/h: 182 (170)
Average fuel consumption l./100 km.: 7.5 (8.6)
Fuel tank volume, l.: 55
Dimensions, mm.: 4365x1705x1410
 
In brackets are given data for the version with automatic gearbox
 

A source: "Automobile Izvestia"