1976 Ford Cortina vs. 1985 Mazda 323

To start off, 1985 Mazda 323 is newer by 9 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1976 Ford Cortina. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1976 Ford Cortina would be higher. At 1,720 cc (4 cylinders), 1985 Mazda 323 is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 1976 Ford Cortina (73 HP @ 5300 RPM) has 17 more horse power than 1985 Mazda 323. (56 HP @ 4700 RPM). In normal driving conditions, 1976 Ford Cortina should accelerate faster than 1985 Mazda 323. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1976 Ford Cortina weights approximately 154 kg more than 1985 Mazda 323. So despite on having greater horse power, its additional weight may have an impact towards its acceleration in comparison.

Because 1976 Ford Cortina is rear wheel drive (RWD), it offers better handling in dry conditions; in addition, if you are looking to drift, it will be much easier to do with 1976 Ford Cortina. However, in wet, icy, snow, or gravel driving conditions, 1985 Mazda 323, being front wheel drive (FWD), will offer much better control with better grip. 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. Let's talk about torque, 1976 Ford Cortina (117 Nm @ 2700 RPM) has 9 more torque (in Nm) than 1985 Mazda 323. (108 Nm @ 3000 RPM). This means 1976 Ford Cortina will have an easier job in driving up hills or pulling heavy equipment than 1985 Mazda 323.

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