1971 Alpine A 310 vs. 1978 Mazda 626
To start off, 1978 Mazda 626 is newer by 7 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1971 Alpine A 310. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1971 Alpine A 310 would be higher. At 1,646 cc (4 cylinders), 1971 Alpine A 310 is equipped with a bigger engine. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1978 Mazda 626 weights approximately 205 kg more than 1971 Alpine A 310.
Both vehicles are rear wheel drive (RWD) - it offers better handling in dry conditions; in addition, if you are looking to drift, both vehicles do the job better than front wheel drive vehicles. With that said, do keep in mind that many other factors such as speed and the wear on your tires can also have significant impact on traction and control. 1978 Mazda 626 has automatic transmission and 1971 Alpine A 310 has manual transmission. 1971 Alpine A 310 will offer better control over acceleration and deceleration in addition to better fuel efficiency overall. 1978 Mazda 626 will be easier to drive especially in heavy traffic.
Compare all specifications:
| 1971 Alpine A 310 | 1978 Mazda 626 | |
| Make | Alpine | Mazda |
| Model | A 310 | 626 |
| Year Released | 1971 | 1978 |
| Engine Position | Rear | Front |
| Engine Size | 1646 cc | 1586 cc |
| Engine Cylinders | 4 cylinders | 4 cylinders |
| Engine Type | in-line | in-line |
| Horse Power | 93 HP | 0 HP |
| Drive Type | Rear | Rear |
| Transmission Type | Manual | Automatic |
| Number of Seats | 4 seats | 5 seats |
| Vehicle Weight | 840 kg | 1045 kg |
| Vehicle Length | 4190 mm | 4310 mm |
| Vehicle Width | 1650 mm | 1670 mm |
| Vehicle Height | 1160 mm | 1380 mm |
| Wheelbase Size | 2280 mm | 2520 mm |
