D R I V E N

Mazda is known to most motoring enthusiasts as a technologically innovative Japanese car company.  In fact, in the last ten years or so, Mazda has shown some great advancements which, quite frankly, other manufacturers couldn't even seem to grasp correctly.  For instance, winning the 24-hours of Le Mans, a feat that hasn't been duplicated by ANY other Japanese manufacturer so far.  Another good example is the exotic RX7, powered by a twin-turbocharged Wankel-rotary engine.  Lastly, is the infamous MX5 Miata, which, after only eight years, has already received cult status amongst other cars such as the Ferrari 355 and the McLaren F1.

However, life isn't as sweet for Mazda when it comes to their more 'normal' car line-up.  Its line-up has always been filled with cars which border more on mediocrity and obscurity rather than being in the standout crowd.  In fact, in the Philippines alone, Mazda has deserved a reputation far lesser than other manufacturers such as Honda, Mitsubishi and even Mazda's parent company, Ford, when it comes to 'sport and badge value'. 

But, as you know, the best way to find the truth is to find out for yourself, and that's exactly what I did.   Let me present the Mazda 323 GLX.

The Mazda 323 GLX is Mazda's answer to other 1.6-liter cars such as the Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, Mitsubishi Lancer and the Honda Civic.  On exterior styling alone, the 323 deserve the honors.  It is far better styled than the Sentra or the Corolla in the sense that the 323 tries to break from the norm of economy sedans.  The 323 has a short hood and overhangs which denote sportiness, which all other 1.6-liter cars, except the Honda Civic, lack.  Also the GLXi also presents an exterior which tries to show the roominess of the car, an effect usually reserved for the cars on the higher end of the buyer market.

On the downside, the 323 exterior gives a rather easy indication when it comes to age-guessing this car.  The lamps for instance give away that the 323 was designed way back even before the creation of clear headlights and 3D-effect rear tail lamps.  Another easy indicator is the mags, which really don't fit this car.  The mags give a confusing signal as to the real image of this car: is it a pseudo-luxury car or is it a sporty-economy sedan.  Mazda should have employed a five-spoke mag to match the car's sporty looks. 

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