Any real petrolhead will confirm that the late 80s and early 90s was the golden era for performance cars in South Africa.
Sure, we now have hyper hatches and sport saloons reaching nearly 300kw and 450kw respectively, but some 30 years ago, Saffa’s were being introduced to affordable performance motoring, with offerings from just about every automaker. Make no bones about it, cars are incredibly fast nowadays, but back then, the relative affordability of these ‘performance cars’ allowed just about anyone to get behind the wheel of something special.
Case in point, Mazda. These days, Mazda South Africa doesn’t offer any performance cars in their portfolio – not only in South Africa, but internationally (MX-5 is hardly a performance car). Back in the late 80s, they offered a spicy little hatchback called the 323 2.0 EGi. It was the follow-up to the hugely successful 323 1.6 EGi, which together with Ford’s Laser 1600i were known as giant killers, and ruled the roost in the Class D category in which they competed.
As you can imagine, there was a lot of expectation heaped upon the 2.0 EGi. Under its hood was a free-revving 2.0-litre 8V SOHC motor, which produced 88kw and 161nm. This placed it right in the middle of some very strong competition, most notably the Volkswagen Golf GTI, with its 82kw 1.8-litre motor, Toyota’s Conquest RSi Twincam 16, with its 89kw 1.6-litre, Opel’s 95kw Kadett 2.0 GSi, and Honda’s Ballade 160i 16V with its 86kw 1.6-litre powerplant.
The one massive advantage the 323 did have was its price - it was significantly cheaper than all of these and offered some strong performance. When tested against the clock, it registered a 0-100kph sprint time of 9.6 seconds, and the standing kilometer in 30.97 seconds at 163.9kph. It eventually ran out of puff at 189kph. Due to its torquey motor, it was notably stronger than some of its competitors in 3rd and 4th gear acceleration.
Thanks to independent suspension all round, and a stiffened body shell, the 991kg 323 was endowed with go-kart-like handling. The only way to spot an EGi was its subtle boot spoiler, attractive alloy wheels running on low-profile rubber, and stripe that ran the length of the car. But as competitors raised the bar, and outputs soared, 1992 saw SAMCOR install the 626’s brilliant 109kw 2.0-litre FE DOHC motor into the 323 (and Ford Laser), and the 323 200i 16V DOHC was born.
All too often, many incorrectly refer to this model as the EGi. When launched in 1989, the 2.0 EGi carried a rather affordable sticker price of just R28 990, which over the years swelled to R41 545, while the FE-engined 323 came in at R55 189, which was still some R12 000 cheaper than the 2.0-litre 16V Golf GTi. Times have changed though, and these days’ people pander more for compact crossovers than affordable performance cars. Such a pity though… such a pity.
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FAQ
Q: What does the Mazda 323 2.0 EGI cost in South Africa?
You can find a decent Mazda 323 2.0 EGI on the used car market for between R35,000 and R85,000, depending on condition, mileage, and year, with clean examples typically sitting around R55,000 to R65,000.
Q: Is the Mazda 323 2.0 EGI worth buying?
The 323 2.0 EGI is absolutely worth buying if you want an affordable slice of 80s performance history that won't break the bank to maintain, offering genuine driving thrills for under R70,000.
Q: How fast is the Mazda 323 2.0 EGI?
The 323 2.0 EGI hits 100kph in 9.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 189kph, making it properly quick for its era and still entertaining by today's standards.
Q: What engine does the Mazda 323 2.0 EGI have?
The 323 2.0 EGI packs a free-revving 2.0-litre 8V SOHC engine that produces 88kW and 161Nm, delivering strong mid-range torque that made it a giant killer in its day.
Q: Are Mazda 323 2.0 EGI parts expensive in South Africa?
Parts for the 323 2.0 EGI are generally affordable and still available through Mazda dealers and aftermarket suppliers, though some specific performance components may require hunting around specialist shops.
Should You Buy It?
Yes, you should absolutely buy a Mazda 323 2.0 EGI if you can find a good one. The best classic hot hatch under R70,000 in South Africa is still the 323 2.0 EGI, offering genuine 80s performance credentials, affordable running costs, and that raw driving experience modern cars just can't match. At current market prices of R35,000 to R85,000, it represents brilliant value for a piece of South African motoring history that was genuinely quick in its day and remains engaging today. Just make sure you get a well-maintained example, because while parts are still available, you want to avoid project cars unless you're prepared for the long haul.
