MAZDA MX-3 1.6i 3dr (1996)

Mazda MX3 - Irritating, but not bad.

The Mazda MX-3 looked quite exceptional in its day but on reflection there was nothing special about it, really. The car is good-looking and I think probably one of the best looking cars available on a tight budget. I had the 1.6 which is quite a lot more dull than the 1.8 V6 which I always regretted not buying.

The build-quality of the MX3 is pretty sturdy in a Japanese kind of way, with touches of tackiness and flimsiness lurking beneath the surface. It's a pretty dull kind of performer, with speed and handling that don't quite live up to its sporty image. However, the Mazda MX-3 is really quite practical for a car that looks so sporty, with more room than you might expect.

The most infuriating thing is the sort of 'nanny' warning system which chimes and bleeps at you every five minutes, cautioning you about everything from opening the door to turning the lights on and leaving your fly opening. I think this constant Nightrider-esque badgering from the car that has probably caused me to resent it more than it deserves. It's not so bad, really.