Mazda 121 (1991 - 1998)

Last updated 20 August 2013

Buying Guide

Good

• Cute oddball with amazing headroom and fun looks.
• 12' 6" long by 5' 5" wide and weighing 861kg.
• Later model specification (from April 1993) of manual gearbox, power steering and full-length sun roof by far the best.
• 1,324cc 74 bhp engine identical to stronger-selling 323.
• Sold well in Holland where Mazda was seen as an interesting brand with popular quirky advertising.
• May have scarcity value in years to come.
• Mazda had lowest average cost in warranty claims for cars up to 10 years old in 2002 Warranty Direct index www.performanceindex.co.uk

Bad

• Derided by UK motoring press and simply failed to sell in the UK.
• Feb 1991 to April '93 First UK models had silly spec of 4-speed automatic gearbox, but no power steering and no sun roof. (Later replaced by manual with PAS and a full length canvas sunroof.)
• So few UK sales that body spares situation is not promising in years to come.

Watch

• You have to ask yourself what sort of person would buy one.
• Look for eccentric modifications and evidence of bad driving, such as kerbing.
• Make sure the electric sunroof works properly and has no tears.