Mazda Lantis kept with stock look!

The Mazda Lantis, which debuted in 1993, was in the same class as the Familia, but it was a car that combined a unique form with ample living space, and even pursued outstanding chassis performance and high safety performance. The “Type R” was the highest grade of the Lantis. This time, we would like to introduce Mr. “KATOOZUM”, who has put together the Type R with the genuine look of his car.

He became interested in Lantis at a meeting

On April 20, 2024, the 15th Jibiken Meeting was held in the parking lot of Lake Sagami Resort Pleasure Forest. Participating in the event in a Mazda Lantis Type R with a 2L V6 engine was Mr. “KATOOZUM”.

He saw the Lantis when he attended the Mazda 5 Channel Meeting in a Mazda “Carol” he owned before this car and was intrigued by it, so he purchased it in February 2023.

By the way, the five channels in the Mazda 5 Channel Meeting refers to the sales network that Mazda had from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s, which consisted of Mazda, Anfini, Eunos, Autozam, and Autorama stores. The Lantis was sold at the Mazda store and two other stores.

“I wasn’t interested in the Lantis, to begin with, but when I saw one in person at a meeting, I thought it looked cool and the V6 engine exhaust sound was nice, and I’ve wanted to drive one someday ever since. I thought it might be a little difficult to find one in the market, but then one popped up and I bought it.”

“It’s the most fatigue-free car I’ve ever driven”

What were his impressions of actually owning and driving the car?

“It’s fun. I often drive long distances, and in 2023 I went to Hiroshima about four times, but it is the most fatigue-free car I have ever driven, and it is very stable on the highway. If you ignore the poor fuel economy, the car is really fun to drive and I am very satisfied with it. Fuel economy is 12 km/L at its best when driving on the highway, and about 5 km/L when commuting. The engine revs lightly and feels great.”

The supply of parts has been quite tight

After purchase, the steering wheel was worn out, so it was equipped with Momo’s Veloce wheels, which are similar in shape to those made by Mazdaspeed. The stock wheels were replaced with Rally Racing wheels because of his admiration for the OZ wheels that Lantis used to wear in the All Japan Touring Car Championship.

In addition, a water temperature meter was added because the water temperature sensor was broken. In doing so, he also purchased a hood for drilling holes in the meter hood, as he felt it was a waste to do so. Although some parts have been replaced, Mr. “KATOOZUM” has kept the stock look, but does he have any plans to make any changes in the future?

“It’s leaking oil and I want to fix it and there are other things I want to do but it’s difficult because the parts supply is running low. As for exterior parts, it’s like it’s impossible. I have a good friend who tells me when he hears of a vehicle being scrapped, and I also keep an eye on online auctions.”