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The exterior isn't as well finished and built as the Civic. For instance, the paint doesn't have the same mirror-like sheen associated with the Honda line-up. The paint finish is rather dull (and it's not the color, mind you). At the same time, the doors and the trunk don't close with the same level of solidity as the other 1.6-liter cars. In fact, the only thing that does not close with a tinny sound with the 323 is the fuel cover! The interior basically tells the same story. The instrumentation binnacle is very easy to read with large warning lamps (too large for my tastes, even). Though we wanted the tachometer to be at the center of the instrumentation, its layout is quite sufficient. The instrumentation reminds me of the Honda Civic, with separated circular warning lights and three large indicators. The main difference is that the 323's is larger and has these one-of-a-kind labeling below the icon. Don't know that the 'exclamation point in the circle' stands for handbrake activated? Then the 323 is the car for you! The center console, which includes the air conditioner and the radio, does not have the same precision arrangement unlike the instrumentation. The controls still rely on old, slide-type switches, which feel like they were lubricated with molasses! The center switches such as the defogger, vent switches has a sense of substance. The radio on the other hand is very hard to reach and gets in the way of the gear lever. What's more is that we've seen this particular brand just a few months ago…yes it's the same brand of radio used in the Honda City. Our car was equipped with standard 4-speaker system and a 6-disc CD changer. Unfortunately, this combination is by far, the worst system combination I have ever heard! The speakers sound tinny, and even a CD sounds like it came from a FM radio station and an AM station sounds like short wave! What's worse is that the CD changer has the tendency to skip music at even the smallest of road bumps. Power window switches feel as if they are going to break each time you command the window to go up and down (though the window motion is very smooth). Daytona USA's view buttons feel a bit better. On the other hand, the handbrake feels as empty as Humpty Dumpty's head. In fact, the handbrake engages rather poorly and needs a full length to use it properly. Much like the window switches; you have this fear that they would just fall off. The steering wheel, the most important tool, is painful?! Yup, the mid-section of this sporty-three spoke steering wheel is too meaty to the point that you can't use the typical 9:15 hand position, but have to use the 10:10 position. I could go on and on with the dash and the seats, but I won't because first, it would take too long and second, Mazda might just sue me! We therefore go to the 323's driving experience (or the lack thereof). Like all fuel-injected cars, the 323's 1.6-liter DOHC engine starts up quite satisfactorily. The best thing about this engine, aside from the fact that it's the same one used in the lower end Mazda MX5 Miata's, is that unlike other economy sedan engines, this one is silky smooth. There is no amount of hesitation in this engine all the way to its 6,000-rpm redline. Unlike other 1.6-liter cars I have driven so far is that the 323 exhibits a surge of power coupled by a boomy sound (unlike the others which only boom), which is a good thing. Forget the skipping CD changer, this is THE sound! Want to know what a Nascar driver hears as he circles the Charlotte Speedway? Just rev this baby up! |
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