I had this exact car. It was a 1988, automatic, basic model and red just like this one, although mine was even more basic than the SE trim line - I had vinyl seats. Also, I didn't have the lock on my gas cap. I do remember it feeling heavier than 2,000 pounds. The steering, brakes, suspension and transmission were very stable and secure, not squishy at all like the one in this video. This is a 30 something year old car you're driving, it wasn't like that AT ALL when it was new. Also, remember that this car was not sophisticated even by 1988 standards and wasn't intended to be. It was intended as an entry level car, which is the only reason I could afford it. It was great basic and very reliable transportation and not ridiculous at all when it was new. The only other option I got on it was air conditioning. I didn't even get a radio because I lived in New York at a time when radio theft was high. The car cost me all of $8,000 when new. I loved the fold down seat and hatchback. I was able to put my bicycle in it to take upstate for bike rides. It was my first new car and I'll always have a special place in my heart for it. By the time I got rid of it it had over 200,000 miles on it and never spent a day in the shop for anything other than basic maintenance. It's amazing that you found one in such great condition. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
My first manual, its a great little go kart. I honestly miss it. It SCREAMED on the highway because it was just a 4 speed manual and didnt have an RPM gauge as well.
I just had the engine rebuilt and (5sp manual) transmission clutch installed in my 88, 323. It sat for 4 or 5 years. It got 40 mpg back in the 90's. I can't wait to get it out here in So Cal to complete. Thanks for the upload. FYI, I like the hub caps, mine came with 4.
My bestfriend had a 4 spd Mazda 323, he only dropped the suspension about 1"3/4 and changed the whole dynamic experience of the car. Loved cruising in it for hours. Great on gas, spacious, decent sound system. The car felt like it was on a railroad track, plus steering was excellent. Mind you the car was on a couple of year old. Did I mention it sipped gasoline. On highways speed this particular 323 would peg the needle passed the 85 MPH top end. Kept up fairly well with thee other car as we all went to the beaches in Miami, Florida. Did like how you just destroyed this cars image.seemed like you asked to review the car to bash it. My memories of the Mazda 323 was very pleasant.
Love the greenhouse (visibility)! I had a brand new 1987 Toyota Tercel that I drove for 29 years. 4 speed manual, 1850 lbs, 76 hp, no a/c, no power steering, no power windows, no airbags, no ABS, 13” wheels, cloth seats, and no passenger side mirror. The rear view mirror didn’t even have a day/night setting. The car was so light… that it was zippy as hell! Almost no one beat me off the stoplight. Unlike your friend’s 323, my Tercel had really accurate steering, with no slop. Amazing feedback from the steering wheel too, so I could drive it at 9/10ths because I always knew how close it was to losing grip in the corners. Replaced it with a 2014 VW GTI with 3x the horsepower (210 hp), and often regret the decision because… I could take curving freeway on-ramps faster with the Tercel. The GTI also weights 50% more (3,050 lbs). I could dart into gaps in traffic easier with the Tercel because of the amazing visibility. With modern electric steering racks, the steering feedback is much less than hydraulic steering, which in turn is much less than cars without power steering of any form. People often forget that some of the best sports cars (1970s Ferraris, etc) had manual steering. When cars are so light, power steering is unnecessary. The only advantage of my modern GTI is a/c, and airbags. Also, the Tercel got 40mpg on the freeway, and 28 mpg in the city, despite me driving it like I stole it.
But you would have enjoyed, if that's the word, the VW much more had you been in a wreck! The most important features you pay for in cars like Mercedes, or BMW are the ones you hope to never use. Even VW.
1988-1989 had the option of a 4 speed overdrive automatic over the usual 3 speed non overdrive. This car has that overdrive transmission. It uses a throttle valve cable to modulate line pressure instead of a vacuum actuator like other transmissions of that vintage. Over time that cable can require adjustment. That may be why the transmission is acting funky.
I have a similar model of vehicle with overdrive not working. I’ve been scratching my head wondering, and I never would’ve considered this as possible fix. Any tips or tricks on adjusting the cable would be so appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Your channel will grow very quickly at the rate you are releasing high quality content. I found you from your MSI channel (or maybe it was KJMD, can’t remember), so shouting out yourself on there no doubt helps too. Keep it up!
I had an 88 with a 4 speed manual and only 1 mirror! ended up putting a replacement JDM engine in it after a while, and upgrading to a dash with a tach! good times, zero sound insulation, real basic transportation.
4:10.5 final gear ratio with that 4-speed, it’s a worthwhile drivetrain but the transaxle will falter if exposed to too much torque-steer. Besides that bulletproof. These cars were based upon a rally car design.
@@matthewpjames When you have little to start with, upgrades are easy! I dreamed of Alloy wheels for mine as well, or a 323GTX! mmmmmmm those were the days!
thanks for sharing this review Dr. Jubbal! I’m a current M2 at a U.S. MD school, and I’ve been following your personal page, med school insider, and now your car page. My dad has a 1988 323 gtx and it’s the car I learned how to drive stick shift in! so cool for you to cover this car! If you’re ever in LA, I’d love for you to review my personal 6speed manual 997 Turbo!
Ty for all your support! Would love to review your 997 turbo. Have a SoCal trip coming up soon. Please fill out the form on jubbalandcars.com and I’ll be in touch
I had an 86 sedan with a manual transmission, manual sunroof, 13" alloys and I took a pass on the optional stereo and had an Alpine installed. That car was a BLAST to own and drive.
1:14 no, that's not how it was back in the day... it was one key for everything. I'm assuming either the car was stolen at one point, or the ignition cylinder went bad, either way that's why there's a different key for the ignition vs all of the other locks on the car. 2:29 yes the car would have come with front and rear hubcaps... obviously two have gone missing, but the car was not supplied from new with only front hubcaps. 3:41 my guess is worn engine and/or transmission mounts. Yes the NVH suppression when it was new is still behind a modern car, but even an old car won't be so shaky unless it has worn parts that need replacement. 4:12 just an extension of my previous point... clearly the steering rack, or tie rod ends, or ball joints, or bushings, or all of the aforementioned are worn/degraded and need to be replaced. These have rack and pinion steering, not recirculating ball, so the steering precision is very high if all of the components were in good repair. The brakes on these are also decent... I recall the pedal having about 1 inch of travel at the top before you feel them starting to bite, so again, something is wrong with the brakes in this car. Perhaps the fluid was never changed and there's a lot of moisture and overall degradation. Same goes for the transmission fluid... renewing that alone might cure the transmission hesitation. Least my comments seem like I'm dragging on the review, that's not my intent but I dislike when older cars are reviewed and no consideration is given to how much deferred maintenance there might be, which significantly impact the overall driving experience, and is not at all what the true experience would be like, had it been a properly maintained example. My dad had one of these as a company car, albeit a 1.5GLX sedan, and it was a tight, fun, and endearing little car for the 2 years we had it, even though it was already 8 years old and had 127,000kms when it was assigned to him . All of the issues stated in this video we didn't experience at all.
@@itsyakoba7537 I do. It is currently running well and I'm enjoying it enough that i plan on keeping it for a while. One of the most fun to drive things I've owned.
@@itsyakoba7537 The other one is a rusted out parts car, largely stripped and close to being cut up and scrapped. Driveline and electrics will be saved and go with the running one if & when I sell it.
I had a 1987 5 speed stick, what a peppy fun to drive little car. It had great acceleration, it zipped up Mount Washington like the grade was nothing. I bought it new, and at 100K miles I gave it a tune up and replaced a bunch of parts. Unfortunately, shortly after it was totaled while waiting at a red light. I bought an almost identical 1989 and drove that for years. I do miss that little car. I was able to strip all the new parts I bought of the old car and put them on the 89.
323 BF hatch with 1.7 diesel was my first car. Still have one, but sedan. It´s not that bad of steering imho. Mine sits on VW Golf 2 Coilovers, that might help. Swapped in 1.6 B6 engine from next gen 323, it was 1.3 carb from factory. I have a running F2T engine with harness and everything. Would love to throw it in the 323. But it´s not that easy, sadly.
Cool. My dad had one. In Denmark it kilt the others on the track. In northern eurobe it was named 323 1.6i GTX. (only front wheel drive) As i said, i am from DENMARK. I am looking for a similar car in silver color, in "perfect" condition.
We're all here because this was our first car, right? Mine was an '88 with a 5-speed manual, 1.3L engine, no radio, A/C, or power steering because those were optional. It would have kept going if that drunk guy hadn't rear-ended it. P.S. If you got rear-ended in this vehicle, the seats would break and the doors wouldn't open, and you'd need to crawl out somehow. It probably wasn't the safest car.
At about 0:15, while you're saying that it has a 1.3 liter engine, the intake plenum clearly says that it has a 1.6 liter. I'm pretty sure that the 1.3 was not imported to the US in that era.
The ONLY thing you loved about a 1988 Mazda 323 Hatchback was when you got out of it! Especially if you were unlucky enough to have been in the back seat!
