Never Seen One Before: 1995 Mazda Lantis 323F

I was going to file this next car under the heading of "I don't know what this, but I like it" but instead I'm going to put it in the "I have never heard of this car, but I like it" bucket...and as regular readers of this site can attest, we publish some odddd stuff around here.  It was known as the Mazda 323F, Mazda Astina, Mazda Allegro, or Mazda Artis, but you've probably never heard of ANY of those cars because it was only sold in Japan, Europe, Chili, Columbia, New Zealand and a few other obscure locales...now that I look it it...it appears to have been sold EVERYWHERE but North America. Find this 1995 Mazda Lantis 323F offered for $9950 in Santa Clara, CA via craigslist. Tip from Matt.

Zoom Zoom Dirt Dirt: 1988 Mazda 323GTX

The Mazda 323 was a pretty forgettable econobox sold in America based on the Japanese Mazda Familia, but there was an exception -- the all-wheel-drive GTX version that put some extra zoomf in the Zoom Zoom, and today we've got a rally prepped example ready for dirt road hoonage for a dirt cheap price. Find this 1988 Mazda 323GTX offered for $1,900 in Gardena, CA via craigslist. Tip from JayKav.

4WD Turbo From Down Under: 1991 Ford Laser TX3

The name Ford Laser doesn't ring any bells in my head, but one look at the car, and I'm sure I've seen one before.  It looks similar to the Mazda 323 2-door liftback or a Ford Escort, but in truth this thing is a restyled version of the Mazda Familia built and sold for the Australian market. Find this 1991 Ford Laser TX3 offered for $8,200 AUD ($6253 USD at time of printing) in St Andrews, New South Wales, Australia via gumtree.com.au.  Tip from Michael.

5k: Turbo Hatch: 1988 Mazda 323 GTX

 This next hot hatch comes to us from Brian P, who writes: Hot hatches are awesome.  This one is ratty enough that it will be cheap but not so bad that you'll have to shower after every drive.  It could be the dog hair covering the seats or that this car is literally a hot hatch, but it does seem like a interesting ride.  The US badged Mazda 323 was based on 5th generation (internal designation BF) Mazda Familia - a basic economy car for the family, but the GTX version was a rally bred fun machine. Find this 1988 Mazda 323 GTX here on eBay currently bidding for $200 reserve-not-met with buy-it-now of $4,500 located in Mountain View, CA.

10k: Familia But Different: 1991 Mazda Familia (323) GTX

The Mazda Familia was a little family-oriented compact that was sold variously under the GLC, 323 and Protegé nameplates in North America. Here in the states we officially got the little hot rod GTX version during the 5th generation of the Familia/323, which combined the hatchback body style with all wheel drive, a 5-spd manual trans, and a turbocharged B6T 1.6L four cylinder mounted transversely under the hood. What we didn't get however was the later 6th-gen version, but you can find this JDM import 1991 Mazda Familia GTX here on craigslist (literally, the ad says "Here" for location) in Bangor, Maine for $9500.

1k: Great Little Car: 1977 Mazda GLC

The 3rd generation Mazda Familia AP was released around the world as the 323, but in North America as the GLC...short for Great Little Car.  It was a subcompact living on a rear-wheel-drive platform and unfortunately short lived as the deluge of front-drive ecrapoboxes took the place of proper right-wheel-drive vehicles.  By 1980 the Familia had a front-drive chassis, but a few of the 1977-1980 rear-drive classics are still available for your drifting pleasure.  Find this 1977 Mazda GLC for sale in Omaha, NE for $1,350 via craigslist.  Tip from Andy L.

5k: Keep It In The Familia: 1988 Mazda 323 GTX AWD Turbo

The US version of the Mazda 323 GTX was based on 5th generation (internal designation BF) Mazda Familia - a basic economy car for the family.  The 323GTX version equipped the econobox with a turbocharger, all-wheel-drive and a manual transmission.  Today the market for 323 GTX is well depressed and we fully expect the good examples to start appreciating soon.  Find this 1988 Mazda 323 GTX for sale in Kirkland, WA currently bidding on ebay for $1,725 with 2 days to go.