I love the way they tried to differentiate it from the rotary engined models, by stating 'piston engined'. Just in case a potential buyer thought they were getting something too radical.

My mom had a Protoge5 after her Dodge Colt died, it's a nostalgic car for me when I was a kid. Was super practical and was fun to drive

My bare bones, manual 1989 323 is the most fondly remembered car I have ever owned. It was the first car I bought on my own when I was fresh out of college. I moved to a new city with everything I owned in the back and became an adult. This video brought back some fond memories. Thank you!

I bought brand new in 2001 a Mazda Protege, had it until 2007 and then got a 2007 Mazda 3, and have had nothing but Mazda’s ever since, a total of 3 Mazda 3’s, a CX5 and now a CX30, Literally the best cars I’ve ever owned.

I still have a 1981 GLC Sport 5 Speed that was a hand me down from my dad. I love that car. Learned to drive manual on it, and it made me into the car nut I am today.

i absolutely love the protégés. i have one and it’s the most reliable and well cared for car ive ever owned. i’d sooner sell my sportier cars in favour of the reliability my mazda offers. i would enjoy a protegé 5 for my next car since i love wagons and my protegé. luckily mine is rust free!

I owned 2 Mazadspeed Proteges, (a yellow my daily driver and orange one, as a project car) but after 3 engine and 3 turbo replacements on my daily I decided to fix it up for the last time and sell it, along with my orange one. Those 2.0 engines weren't meant to be boosted as they had a bad oil pickup, that's why you don't see many of the Mazdaspeeds on road anymore, and they were rare to begin with. Also the rust always eats at the quarters, even with the 1st gen Mazda 3. But I do have fond memories, as those cars are what I learned to wrench on. Great episode!

The "Just one Look" song in that 2nd Gen commercial really brings it back...

Thank you for making the 323 episode first! Focussing on the less glamorous, and so less remembered, models is what makes your channel stand out.

Your voice is perfect for these videos

I had a 2002 Mazda Protégé5 with a 5 speed transmission, what a great and fun car.

Wow, talk about forgotten cars! Thanks for this episode, Id bet the GLC is the most forgotten 70's car second to maybe the early RX coupes and sedans. My first car was my parents old 78 GLC in blue. I found out that 1st gen RX-7 suspension, brakes and rearend swapped in pretty easily. A 2.8L Chevy V-6 with TBI took care of the lack of power and that car was quite a terror for a good 10 years back in the 90's....cops hated me! The car finally rusted out but that V-6 lives on, in my Samurai rock crawler.

My 1st car was the 6th generation 323 in 1988. I've had mazdas ever since. I now drive a 2021 CX5 Grand touring reserve. They're one of the most reliable yet affordable cars around.

I had an 88 Tracer as my first car. It was a great car and I loved it. I seem to recall the engine said Mazda on it. The dash was identical to the 323 but the exterior was a bit more rounded. After that car, interestingly, I got a Protege.

My first new car was a 1989 323 hatchback, I have fond memories of it. The owners manual also covered the turbo version, and I remember thinking how cool it would be to have the gtx turbo.

Mazda has come a long way. The new ones have a 5/5 reliability rating from consumer reports. That's better than Toyota or Honda.

Another Mazda you should do a story on is the Millenia (US name). My dad had two of them but it was not a popular car. The noteworthy parts are that it was designed to launch Mazda’s failed luxury brand Amati (think Lexus, Infiniti, or Acura) and had a Miller-cycle engine.

I cannot explain how happy I am to see the 323 being celebrated! I have a late build '94 Mazda 323F (Astina) with the pop-up headlights and it's such an amazing forgotten gem.

Loved my Mercury Tracer, simple fun car, looked great, nice soft ride. Miss it still today.

Fun fact about first gen of GLC: It was revived in Indonesia between 1990-1997 as Mazda MR90 (Mobil Rakyat 90/90's People car) later renamed Mazda Baby Boomer for the hatchback and Mazda Vantrend for the wagon version. The reason why it was revived because the GLC was intended to be a national car project and also low cost variant to the newer 323. Although it was never catch up the "national car" label due to Kia Sephia launched as Timor S151 to be the national car of Indonesia but it was failed due Asian Economic Crisis of 1998.

Thank you thank you thank you! We had a '77 GLC 3 door and it WAS great! It literally had the sweetest sounding engine I've ever heard. It had heaps of room, even in the back and you felt special just driving it. Frigging loved that thing!

Sister owned a 1983 GLC around 1987. White, 4 speed, blue vinyl interior. Basic, but kind of fun to toss around. Loved the front-hinged hood.

Can we please get something on Cadillac Fleetwoods!? They were discontinued after 1996 and they were popular GM cars that vanished..

the late '70s, my mother had a 3d Mazda 323 with a black roof, and she owned after her 1st Mazda many more. Today she drives still a Mazda from our local dealer. In 1987, I got my driver's license, and drover her nice Mazda 323 GLX 1500 3 door to school or to a festival in Belgium, was a great car for me, great memories about that car.

My 2008 Mazda 3 has been the best car I’ve ever had . This spring I will pass it on to my daughter to drive. It is indeed a great little car. I may have to get another 😎.

My sister got a new '99 Protege as a graduation gift..I helped her drive it off the lot. It was a five speed and a hoot to drive. It was top of the line model and was pretty snazzy looking too. A few months ago I picked up a 2021 Mazda3 hatchback to drive as a weekend car-it's a manual yet it's very well decked out-lots of premium features and I love the styling and the way it drives. Mazda really does make some special cars!

"If you don't know what a rotary engine is...." Maybe this will help: There's an automotive shop in the city I work in, they work exclusively on rotary engine cars. Needless to say, their parking lot is always packed with stuff to be repaired. Nuff said. 😂

Amazing reliable and economic car, had it for 11 years and no problems whatsoever. Took many long trips and enjoyed it so much, really miss it - they had the Mitsubishi motor which last long, long time - many kmts with no issues. Then bought a new Toyota Previa, and had the Mazda parked in my driveway for a year without using it, one day someone knocked at my door and begged me to sell it, the car started on the spot and the experience to see his smille when driving it away contrasting wiht my tears, was just overwhelming! So many great, beautiful memories!

I owned a 95 Protege ES and was and am still 💯% IN LOVE WITH THAT CAR!!!

I had a 1998 Mazda protégé LX and I miss it so much. They're faster than they look, and are a blast to drive. I kind of wish I kept it, it was still running when I sold it in 2021. A great little car indeed

Had a second hand GLC for my wife to run around town and it was everything it’s name implied. Sometimes we even chose it for trips. Cheap to run, dead simple to work on, and roomier than a Corolla. It even survived being rear ended by a UPS truck! But sadly finally succumbed to rust. Truly a great little car that made me a Mazda fan. So much that Three family members still drive it’s successor 323.

I just discovered this channel last week! I didn’t even have to ask! Thank you so much

I bought a bare-bones 323 front-wheel drive wagon after my 78 Toyota Corolla wagon wore out. I was hauling around a drum set back then and those little wagons were just what I needed. I switched to Ford Rangers after I quit hauling my drums around, but I came back to small wagons with my last car, a 2009 Pontiac Vibe manual that's still holding up pretty well.

My family's first ever new car was a Kia K-303, which was licensed from Mazda, I think 1000 or 1300. K-303 had 1.3L engine and 4-speed manual. I was a little kid, so didn't know much about anything, let alone cars, but it'd be so cool if I could have a K-303 as a collector's car. As an adult, I did own a Protege5 at one point. It was noisy, uncomfortable, but had character, and I could fit a lot of stuff into it.

Great video, I had a 323 GTX model with 4 wheel drive and a tiny turbo for a winter car a couple years back!

Keeping on the Mazda theme, how about the 80 to 84 B series pickups? I haven't seen any since 1988 when in 87 I owned an 83 B2000 Sundowner with a/c and am/FM radio, and a jewel of a 5 speed manual transmission. Sadly none survived due to excessive rust and frame rot.

Dad used to own a 1984 3 door Mazda 323. An absolute champ. Simply won't die. Too bad he sold it in 2006.

My Dad owned two Proteges and he absolutely loved them. They were peppy enough when coupled with the 5-speed manual tranny while getting excellent gas mileage. Very reliable, well-built cars.

The Best ever Had 3 of them in the late 80s and the 90s Wish I had one today ❤

My late grandma had one of these in a wagon! I always remember her driving in that car!

the first car that my parents bought was a 1999 mazda 626 and lasted us until 2012 before we upgraded to the cx9. funnily enough our cx9 crapped out on us last year (driving a cx5 now) but my first car was a manual 2002 mazda protege lx and i cannot explain how much i loved that car. i drive a mazda 3 now and while i love mazda's, nothing will compare to how smooth the transmission was on my protege. i miss her everyday, she lasted until around 2016. mazda's are truly great cars, i will always stand by that

well done! I recall requesting this some time back, so thank you!

KZfaq reviews of the rx6 / rx7 are a dime a dozen ...i like how you review lesser known but still important vehicles. keep up the great work.

I truly believe you can make a great clip outta any automotive content! Thank you!

The Mazda GLC was recreated in Indonesia in 1990 as a national car to compete the best selling car back then, Toyota Kijang. It was sold with the name MR90, stands for "Mobil Rakyat 1990" or "People Cars of 1990" and later the facelift version of MR90 named Baby Boomers. The wagon version of GLC also recreated with the new name, Vantrend

My grandma had the 5th gen hatch in brown (I used to call it duke) and she also had the 2 door Hyundai Excel that she got from a police auction that had bullet holes in the doors

I owned two GLC's of the first front wheel drive generation. Indestructible little machines...I drove one from Calgary to Flagstaff, no problem whatsoever!

I test drove a 323 GTX, it was wild! I believe it was intercooled as well. I got bid out by another buyer while I dithered. Dang.

I got a brand new 323 in 1986 and it began my love affair with Mazda. I have owned lots of diverse cars and brands, but often my fleet contains one Mazda. They're fun to drive and punch way above their weight. Even now we have a 2018 CX5 that's really been great for my wife - she doesn't even miss her Lexus.

Back in the 80's I worked for a guy who I think was very well off.... and he drove an old 323 hatchback. At the time I was very pro-American car and I asked him why, and he explained he had his (very) nice car at home in the garage, but why would he pile miles on it just to drive back and forth to work? The Mazda was reliable, frugal, and would last for many, many years. Around 2001 (or so) I bought a Protege and it was eye-opening how great it was. Silver with a black interior, 5-speed and sunroof. It was gorgeous, great interior, and felt SO good to drive. It changed my opinion of Japanese cars, and to this day I regret getting rid of it. Great video, thanks for the memories!

I was excited to watch.. good job as always!

I bought an 89 protégé for the first year of new Gen. Great car, if only Mazda could have solved those rust issues back then, many of those cars would still be on the road today. I still see the Mazda 3 first Gen out there but rust has taken over.

I like the way the ad folks used "Spanish Flea" by Herb Alpert And The Tijuana Brass as the jingle's tune.

When you do Rx-7 , The 79 version had a manual choke, points and a thermal reactor. It chewed thru points in 2 to 4k miles, back fire machine. Also cover the 85 Rx-7 GSLSE, 13B engine in 1st gen body, loved that car. It had throttle body warping and oil cooler splitting. The 2nd gear synchro was stiff when cold, Amsoil synthetic gear oil made it minimal.

I've had a Mazda Protege and 3 three since the early 2000's...they really are Great Little Cars

My dad's first ever car was a 323! He bought it for 50 bucks and went through 3 transmissions during its life. He still brightens up like a Christmas tree during the very rare occasions we come across one.

Just once I want the voice over to say "and we'll leave the light on for you"

I owned an 83 Mazda GLC manual and LOVED it! The trunk space was phenomenal and the gas mileage was wonderful. A peppy little runabout!

sooo cool the first car i remember my mum driving was a 323 Astina then my first car was a mazda lantis now i own a 1985 323 wagon with a 12a rotary swap this vid help me realize iv been a mazda guy since birth 😂

So cool! Thanks for the post.

This was my first car. A 2000 Ford Bantam 1600i. It was a Mazda 323 in half ton pickup form with a 1.6 fuel injected petrol engine. I totaled it in 2004 and it was remarkably safe for the design. Much more so than the Golf Mk1 and Corolla hatch it took out with it.

My wife's first car that was truly hers (bought by her for her) was a 2003 Mazda Protege, and she absolutely loved that car, and has been a loyal fan of Mazda ever since, as we are now on our 3rd Mazda since her Protege got written off.

Im glad you did the 323 first instead of the rx-8 or rx-7. These crusty little Nuggets are very entertaining to watch and there are a half billion videos on the rotray mazdas

Wow! I used to have a 1989 Mazda 323LX 4 door with power windows/locks/mirrors and a manual tilt and slide sunroof...Which was the generation before the Protege. The AWD turbo 323GTX hatch also offered the power package as an option and many even have the sunroof and a digital dash as well. If you really want to see a rare one, look up the 1988 Mazda 323GT. It was basically a front wheel drive sedan version of the 323GTX. I have only seen three since they were new in 1988. There was also the 323DX wagon that was offered with all the LX options. Interestingly, it was the only 323 that offered a power glass tilt and sliding sunroof....on a DX. Power windows and locks were offered here in the US as early as 1986 on the 323. The Protege LX was the first to come standard with those features.

My first car was a GLC wagon and I was not kind to it. My now 60 year old self would love to go back to 18 year old me and give him a good talking to. Thanks to this video, I now know that my first car was RWD. I just wasn't nearly as interested in cars in general at the time. Despite how badly I treated it, or perhaps because of that, it was one of my favorite early cars. The favorite was also a Mazda, -- a B2000 pickup.

As an Rx7 owner thank you for not doing an Rx7 episode. There are tons of videos on it, but I knew very little about the 323. A video on Mazda's B series pickups and the REPU would be great!

I remember the 87 Mercury Tracer, much better than the Lynx it replaced. Used as one of our drivers ed cars, along with a 626 and Buick centuries and LeSabres. Everyone preferred the Tracer, quite a fun car.

Good video. Shows Mazda as creative and quirky

Loved the two generations of 323F. In a sea of dreary Ford Escorts, Vauxhall Astras and VW Golf Mk2/3s they were like nothing else on UK roads at the time. A three door version of the '94 323F was available for short time before it was replaced by a more conventional three door 323 hatchback in' 97. There was also a South African made version of the 1985-1989 Mazda 323 called the Sao Penza imported into the UK by a subsidiary of Mazda UK. One of my teachers at school had one. When imports ceased she had the badges changed from Sao Penza to Mazda 323. Natually as a car person I spotted it as I knew a 1991/92 registration license plate was too new for that generation 323! Only 1,000 cars sold between 1991 and 1993 with none currently taxed and MOT'd for use on UK roads according to the DVLA.

I own a Mazda 626 Sedan in Prestige Silver Metallic colour, 1990 model ... bought brand new in Melbourne, Australia as a gift from my father for my 18th birthday. He paid $32,000 Australian dollars for it back then! It's now 32 years old, has done 500,000 kilometres !!!! (310,000 miles!) and l continue to drive it daily. Has never failed me. Unbelievable car. I cannot part with it. My first and so far, only car ...!! It still looks like new and has always been outside for its entire 32 years, so far. People cant believe it! Two weeks ago, l purchased the 2022 Mazda 3 Sedan in Sonic Silver Metallic. I am expected to take delivery of it at the end of July (imported from Japan). I am keeping my 626 and will never part with it and intend to drive both cars.

5:24 That Ford Laser model was also sold in Africa, in Zimbabwe 🇿🇼. The 323 and Laser were assembled at the Willowvale Mazda Motor Industries plant in the south western part of Harare. I went to school just down the road from that plant and saw these Mazdas & Fords roll out in the 80s & 90s.

When I was super young my dad bought an RX-4 wagon! My dad is super cheap so he bought the dealer model. Not new or used, just test drive vehicle. I love the concept of the rotary engine!

My wife had a 1984 GLC sedan with a 5 speed manual. She bought it used in 87 or 88 and we traded it on a Ford Aerostar in 93. Was a good reliable car.

7:14 That poor driver having to escape death a second time 😂😂

Really enjoy your videos, and seeing the history of these cars!

I currently own a 1998 323F, also known as an Astina. Great little car!

I used to have a 94 MPV, a fun odd-ball mini-van that does NOT have sliding doors. It was bouncy, had some mini-van like features, but could pass for an SUV, except for its rather small hood. Missed that thing. That blue-like 71 RX-3 is a beautiful car.

You know what was a really overlooked car? The Mitsubishi Diamante!

Currently have a protege5. My first car and so far one of the best cars I’ve driven. Building it up with a turbo swap and upgrade some of the parts that were lacking from factory.

Aha! My request about Merc Tracer in replies for your Tempo-Topaz item) is answered mainly at 6:26-6:48. Thanks for those few details. I got a 2-year-old '88 Tracer in Canada and loved it - one of my all-time fave cars.

Mazda will forever have a special place in my heart. My first car was a non-running 808 wagon that I was working into converting to RX-3 specs. After that, came 2 FC RX-7s(could only dream of an FD). To me, Mazda is the little car brand that could. 🙏🏽❤

It’s the first car that I could remember riding in (in Thailand) in early 1980’s before kindergarten. My aunt had one while my parents had VW Beetle and Ford Cortina MK3 but for some reason we used the Mazda more often. When I first visited in the US in 1991 I was surprised to see quite a few 323 / GLC on the road.

God I can remember in the mid 1980's my aunt Claire having one of the hatch back and it was the first time I drove and unfortunately it had a manual transmission and I couldn't get it out of the driveway in reverse LoL. Now being 49 years old here in Hamilton Ontario Canada and a stroke and cardiac arrest survivor and use a cane for balance when I'm outside walking I not allowed to drive again

My mom owned a first gen Tracer. It was an amazing car for her. I loved it also at the time.

323s were my favorite car growing up. I'd love to have a 4WD GTX someday.

One of my best friends has had two Mazdaspeed Proteges. One died in an accident, the next became a race car. I'm still fond of the look. I recently came into a 225,000 mile 2012 Mazda 3 for cheap. It's my first manual shift vehicle. My finances say "get rid of it," but my heart has said "don't you dare" for the last 3 months.

I have a 1999 Protege and its still a great little car

I'd love to see something about the Ford EXP. Not sure there's enough information for an entire episode though. So rare I don't think I ever saw one in the wild. Love the videos. Thanks for being so consistently great.

love it: Great Little Episode!

Another great video.....👌👍

my dad's first car was a 1980 GLC with a hole in the floor that you could see the road through. he totaled it on black ice with bald tires and he's still amazed that he survived!

The Chevette WAS available as a wagon, just not in the US. In fact, it was available as a 2-door hatch, 4-door hatch, 2-door sedan, 4-door sedan, wagon, sedan delivery (panel) AND pickup! We only got the hatch variants unfortunately. Also, speaking of the GM T-platform cars, an episode on the "Buick Opel"/Isuzu I-mark would be fantastic!!!

8:17 Ahhh...a '91 Mercury Tracer LTS. That was my very first new car purchase. Mine was (almost) identical to the one in the video. White, 5-spd manual. Mine didn't have a sunroof though. Nice car.

My first Mazda was a 1991 Protege LX 5 speed (pictured, same color), I loved that car! It got me hooked on the brand because, I owned a silver 2004 Mazda3 5dr 5 speed, a silver 2005 Tribute Lx, a gray 2007 Mazda6i sport 5 speed, a black 2013 Mazda CX-5 Sport 6 speed, and my current machine gray 2019 Mazda CX-5 GT! I probably should work for Mazda (or at least get a discount by now).

I loved that car, even when didn’t have power steering it was very light to turn. Talking about the original rear wheel drive.💜

Used to own an 88 323 5spd. What a fun little car.

I learned how to drive on an '87 4 dr sedan with the 5 speed manual. That little crapbox was impressively tough. It got traded in 2004 with 380k, and no reverse or 5th gear for $800. Still got 40 mpg on the highway in 4th gear lol

In spring 1979, my freshman year in high school, my dad and I joined my sister and her husband in their shopping for a new subcompact to replace their aging very yellow 69 Ford Custom 500 sedan. They had already purchased a new Ford Futura 2002 coupe the prior year. The first car my bro-in-law tested was a new 79 GLC. It was a 5 speed, but I don't think he was that impressed with it. I remember it was quite noisy. I probably would have bought one if I were old enough at that time, just the same. They also tried a leftover Cologne V6 CruiseOmatic 78 Ford Pinto Wagon at a Fort Worth Ford Dealer (Dub Shaw Ford, I think). They almost bought it, I believe, but I guess the deal fell through. A few days after our shopping with them, they decided on a base model 79 Toyota Corolla coupe, silver gray. I think air conditioning was the only option on that car. And, it was the standard 4 speed instead of 5. Funny thing, it had a hand choke in lieu of an automatic one. But the car took care of them for the next decade. Question: Were any of the Japanese makes still using breaker points in 1979?

I'd love to see one on the Mercury Capri!. I owned a 91, a 93 and a 94, which also used 323 Engine and transmissions.

I had a Honda CRX in the eighties. I love it. Maybe consider a video on that.