Test drive Mazda 323 F 1994 - 1997 hatchback
"White collars" for the middle class
The crisis is a crisis, and over the past couple of years, our people managed to get used to not only different varieties of sausage. New foreign cars on the streets is an example. And if two years ago, only very, very few could afford a decent car, today the unconditional priority of the nine remained in the past. Like it or not, very soon cars will be dominated by cars comparable to those that we offer your attention. Mazda 323
Aesthetics. The mazda 323 sedan design for this class, such an ordinary exterior would rather suit a small sports compartment. This, by definition, is a family car like a sports compartment. Someone will like this, someone will not want to stand out like that, but from a purely aesthetic point of view it is impossible to find fault with damn delicious design.
General assessment of the design. In terms of its device, Mazda 323, the typical representative of his class is quite traditional: the front -wheel drive located a cross -cylinder engine, both spring pendants with reptile stability stabilizers: front maceson, rear on longitudinal and transverse levers, ventilated discs in front and drums in the back, ABS to order to order , steering rheck with a hydraulic wrap.
Suitability for Russian conditions. Mazda’s big problems should not deliver everything that is supposed to be, there is a place to be: plastic protection in the wheel arches, a gas tank hatch, a place for a spare wheel (though for a narrow one) under a rug in the trunk, a fifteen -centimeter road clearance ... so, so, so, In general, the 323rd is quite at the level.
Comfort in the cabin. In standard equipment, a small gentleman's set: electric package (mirrors, glass, automatic antenna), air conditioning, music what else does a person need to meet old age?
Ergonomics. The convenience of landing is where Mazda 323 opened talents. The front seats are beyond praise. At first glance, it is difficult to assume that they will have such an excellent lateral support, but you just need to go down in a chair and immediately feel like an astronaut in a lodge is sitting like a glove. At the same time, the driver's seat has a rather peculiar adjustment of the pillow (of course, in addition to the longitudinal and tilt of the back), which can change its inclination separately relative to the front and rear, which allows you to configure not only the angle, but also the height. And behind you feel just very comfortable. Such comfort, apparently, is created thanks to the special design of the body, where the falling line of the roof passes into the rear racks. True, because of this (coupled with a rather high back), visibility from the driver's place has to be navigated almost only on external mirrors. Safety. Everything is as it should be: frontal airbags, protection against a lateral blow, energy -absorbing zones.
Dynamics. A manual box with short gears and a powerful traction engine provide excellent dynamics and confident acceleration even from low speeds. However, for large gear ratio of the transmission, one has to pay a relatively large (albeit within a reasonable) fuel consumption and relatively modest maximum speed.
Slow down created by the brakes must be recognized as sufficient. True, it annoys the huge free stroke of the brake pedal, but it may very well be that this is just a feature of the specific instance we tested.
Shodal qualities. The suspension is already pleasant that you simply forget about it, somewhere there gradually does its job, without recalling her existence. Without unnecessary noise and swinging, it swallows irregularities, provides good handling, reliably holding the car on a given path. The steering with excellent feedback fits perfectly into this benevolent picture, and all together leaves a good impression.
Summary. If the super -cost of economy of gasoline is not your idea of \u200b\u200bfixed and you do not mind flaunting a bright appearance of your car, or even draw up behind the wheel, then Mazda 323 is a good choice. At the same time, one should not forget that this model is simultaneously and a completely functional everyday car.
Honda Civic
Aesthetics. The five -door Civic at first glance is almost indistinguishable from the sedan. This allows you to score glasses in the eyes of others because the sedan in its nature looks more solid than the hatchback. Everything else at the car is also in order recognition at the level, lighting technology in the spirit of the times is well complicated ... In general, a solid modern design. We can say typically Japanese.
General assessment of the design. Technically, the car is very advanced. First of all, thanks to the wonderful VTEC engine, which allows, thanks to automatically regulated depending on the load, the phases of gas distribution and save fuel and provide good dynamics (see table).
Also, it is not often possible to find in this class a front suspension on double transverse levers, which, like an independent back (on longitudinal and transverse levers), has a high stability of geometric parameters. Everything else is traditionally in this class, a rack steering wheel, disk and drum brakes (front and back, respectively), custom -made ABS ...
Suitability for Russian conditions is my diagnosis: It will take root!
Comfort in the cabin. A tree insert on the front panel certainly decorates the salon. Otherwise, a very decent set of standard equipment for the middle class. It is simply incorrect to demand more.
Ergonomics. Honda Civic car for everyday use. The convenience of landing, the location of the governing bodies, the readability of the instruments, visibility ... None of the above causes either complaints or violent enthusiasm.
Safety. In addition to a mandatory set that provides a modern level of passive safety, you can also order side pillows. In the golf class, this is still a rarity.
Dynamics. You can get good acceleration in response to an accelerator press only at high engine speeds somewhere after 4-4.5 thousand. The rest of the range, the motor provides normal confident traction. At the same time, it cannot be said that at some point the engine has a pickup. The motor wakes up with an increase in revolutions slowly and imperceptibly. It is almost impossible to feel the transition from an economical driving to the combat, so in the third, fourth and fifth gears the green light on the dashboard helps the driver, which burns only if you are moving in energy -saving mode. Stretched transmissions of the mechanical gearbox also contribute to a decrease in fuel consumption.
And what really pleased good, clear brakes.
Shodal qualities. Honda Civic manageability can also be described rather as reliable than sports. You usually expect something sharp-dynamic from Honda products, but in this regard it is better to choose another model of this company, and Civic is primarily a family-business car for the middle class. And the car drives, respectively, without unnecessary sharpness. But the suspension is optimal for achieving and comfort and stability.
Summary. The main advantages: reliability, quality, economy. Another plus a combination of the functionality of a five -door hatchback with a more solid appearance like that of a sedan.
Alexander Kalugin
Photo by Alexei Skirdov
Source: Cars
