Good Luck Finding a Mazda 323 GTX

This rare '80s compact car impressed the world in numerous global racing series. But if you wanted to experience the joy ride today, it may be harder than you think.
Written by Elaine Duvet
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Though not as fun to drive as it may appear in the commercials, the
Mazda
323 GTX was the first car to be sold with the iconic “zoom-zoom” tagline. 
This rally car was made for the road and won the SCCA Pro Rally Championship in 1988, and a decked-out racing version won the World Rally Championship in 1987. 
With
race-ready
chassis and a one-of-a-kind transmission, can you even find a Mazda 323 GTX today?

Made for the track, yet built for the road

In the early ‘80s, motorsports were a high priority for Mazda, especially when it came to the GTX. According to
Hagerty
, it was in “the ‘88 model year that the B6-powered four-cylinder turbo hatch appeared in the U.S. featuring a forced-induction version of the 1.6-liter unit that would eventually go on to power the first-generation Miata.”
The street-legal car was sold from 1988 to 1989 in the U.S. market for roughly $12,000. Mazda actually had 31 versions of the 323, but most people agree this one was the most exciting.
A first for the company, the GTX offered four-wheel drive. You’d also get a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 132 hp and 136 lb-ft of torque. According to The Journal at
ClassicCars.com
, “Millen Motorsports was able to extract 250 horsepower from the engine for racing, and offered a 190-horsepower package for the street.”
The two-door hatchback was only available with a five-speed transmission. Other features included a double-overhead-cam, a double-deck rear spoiler, a tilt steering wheel, and adjustable lumbar-friendly seats. However, this was no luxury car, as it lacked options like cruise control or an automatic sunroof.
The Mazda 323 GTX came with a stiff body and a hardcore suspension that could handle abuse on the track. And, compared to the base 323, the GTX rode on a wider track. While it doesn’t offer tons of torque, once boost builds its loads of fun to whip around. 
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Difficult to service and repair

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Though it's a hoot to drive, it's important to remember that the hatchback has a complicated and delicate transmission. So don’t rally too hard. The transmission is actually one of the most frustrating elements of the vehicle for owners. 
Unfortunately, the full-time four-wheel-drive design of the gearbox is a pain to remove and replace. According to Hagerty, rally enthusiast Jimmy Pelizzari said, “It took us 12 hours one time to install a spare from a wrecked car, and at least four hours of that time was pulling the front axles out of the old transmission. In the end, I built ‘new’ axles out of used parts to deal with the problem.”
And don’t get us started on the brake rotors. They were actually installed behind the wheel hub, which is costly to service. But experts believe that in stock form, the engines are pretty much bulletproof. Modifiers, proceed with caution, especially when increasing horsepower up into the 200s. 
Driving on today’s streets is no problem for the rare performance vehicle, but sourcing specialty parts is. The thought of replacing a Mazda 323 GTX’s transmission is daunting and finding an experienced professional who can get the job done may be even harder. 
There’s even a Facebook group that Pelizzari calls the “323 GTX Self-Help Group.” It’s a great resource for expertise that you’d be hard-pressed to find at a brick-and-mortar shop.

Are there any original Mazda 323 GTX’s left?

Only 1243 of these bad boys were made, and let's just say most of them have been through the wringer. But if you’re lucky enough to find one of these rare beasts, it may be cheaper than you think. Hagerty estimates their value range between $3,000 and $9,800.
It’s almost impossible to locate a Concours-quality GTX since most have been significantly modified and require costly upkeep. 
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