X-Factor: 1988 Mazda 323 GTX
Mazda recently celebrated its 100th anniversary at the end of January. Over those 100 years, Mazda has achieved a number of notable firsts. Mazda was the first Japanese company to win the 24 Hours of LeMans and also with that win, was the first to win the 24 hour race with a rotary. On the world rally circuit, Mazda was the first Japanese manufacture to win overall with a Group A car with the 323 4WD’s win at the 1987 Swedish Rally. Group A regulations required the production of 5,000 road going versions, and the 323 4WD was sold here in the states as the 323 GTX. Popular as rally cars here too, through attrition (exploding transmissions) they have become even more rare than when new. So when ones does come up for sale, buyers can’t be too choosy. Find this 1988 Mazda 323 GTX for sale in Battle Ground, WA for $2,500 via craigslist.
From the seller:
1988 Mazda 323 gtx
condition: fair
cylinders: 4 cylinders
drive: 4wd
fuel: gas
title status: clean
transmission: manual
88 mazda 323 gtx project
runs but not drive ableneeds some serious loverare car turbo awd hatchback2500 OBO no trades
motivated to sell so price is negotiable
call text email Scott
See a better way to celebrate 100 years of Mazda? email us here: tips@dailyturismo.com
Gianni is DT’s resident Mazda-farian.
Love gets expensive .. roadandtrack.com/new-cars/road-tests/reviews/a6318/1988-mazda-323-gtx/
On the plus side, these things are super rare. Properly set up, there should be a high smiles-per-mile output. This one could be a victim of sudden transmission death, especially if not well cared for, which this one does not give the appearance of. If so, forget it. Might serve better as a parts car for someone who already has one of these in running shape.
Shame. This car deserves better, but such is the treatment suffered by old hatchbacks in the U.S.
I have had several Mercury Capri's that use this same turbo motor and have lots of wrench time on them. My daughter is driving a 1991 Capri XR2 in college now.
The engines are robust with the only niggles being ignition issues that can have you throwing random parts at in in frustration, and idle air control valves that cause some cranking when the car is warm.
I have always wanted one of these and should have jumped years ago, now I faced with specimens like this.