Cars

[Hi Ho]

I'm a very happy owner of a 2007 Mazda 3 which has given me 135,000 trouble free miles and still looks like new. The problem I have is upgraditis is in my blood. I don't need a new car but I want one. I am in love with the new 2014 Mazda 3 but the one I want would be FULLY loaded in Sould Red and would need to be a special order from Japan north of $30,000. I don't need to spend that kind of money right now.

Another idea is to upgrade to a 2007-2009 (no 2010-2013... ugly) model for just a few thousand out of pocket after selling my current car. There are a lot of fully loaded choices with lower miles in the nice blue color I would like.

One of those choices is the MazdaSpeed 3. I see quite a few listed with less than 70,000 for under $15,000. A larger engine with a turbo would be fun. My concern is that I'm guessing the type of buyer for that car would be one to be rather hard on the engine. Is this a valid concern? I'm worried that I would get a car with half as many miles on it but with higher potential for problems down the road because the original owner blasted the engine all the time. Any suggestions?

 

[j_garcia]

All turbos have higher potential for problems down the road due to heat It is an unfortunate byproduct and necessary evil for the power. 70K mi isn't too bad, but does mean you are closer to a timing belt presumably, which is usually not exactly cheap (it will usually come at 90-100K, not sure on the MS3). I researched the MS3 quite a bit when looking for a car and after driving a 2009 Mazdaspeed 3 with just 5K mi on it and a WRX with 85K mi, I went with the WRX I sold the WRX already too though... As long as you have the turbo, compression, etc... checked on a used turbo though, you're relatively safe with one that checks out. My WRX had 128K when I sold it and the current Forester XT has just shy of 130K.

I like the look of the new 3 too. I've seen it on the road a few times already and felt it looked a lot better in person than in pics.

 

[Hi Ho]

The Mazda motors use timing chains. I will never buy another car with a timing belt.

I agree that the 2014 looks best in person.

 

[j_garcia]

Chains wear out too , just takes a lot longer. I had a 240.

 

[Hocky]

Why buy another 3 and get basically the same thing that you already have? The only way I would do it if I was in your situation would be if I was changing to a speed3. If the maintenance/potential problems scare you, then that probably means you shouldn't buy one. A service advisor friend of mine has a good saying - "If you couldn't afford it new, you can't afford it used and out of warranty, either."

 

[ImcLoud]

I was never a mazda fan, I don't like turbo gas engines for daily drivers, sure they make fun toys, but service issues are going to be more frequent..

You can get a brand new car with 0 miles for around $15,000 so I wouldn't buy a used one with 70k for that.... Just my 2 cents, visit the local dealers and check out what you can afford, new is nice... One of my employees bought a brand new chevy sonic, it was $15K and some change and its a nice little car...

 

[j_garcia]

Not too many $15K cars new that are going to be as much fun as a Mazdaspeed 3 or a WRX. ALL cars require maintenance and they all have their own "things" that are common issues; just some more than others I could have bought another car for the maintenance and upgrades I've done on my FXT, but I love it and I didn't spend as much as a newer car to get more performance for my money. Chevy Sonic would be a step DOWN from the Mazda 3.

 

[lsiberian]

Personally I'd look at a Mustang if you really want a performance bump. You can get a damn good one used for a good price. Buying used saves you like 8k overall. That said I'd be slow on changing from a Mazda 3. I've had mine for almost 6 years and it's an amazing car. Best one I've ever owned. LOL at buying a terrible car for 15k when the OP owns a better car already.

Mazda makes great cars especially if you like tight steering.

 

[Hi Ho]

A Sonic would be a major step down. The Mazda 3 is a drivers car and has excellent dynamics that few other cars in it's class can touch.

I could afford the brand new one. I just shouldn't.

 

[lsiberian]

A Sonic would be a major step down. The Mazda 3 is a drivers car and has excellent dynamics that few other cars in it's class can touch.

I could afford the brand new one. I just shouldn't.

I laughed hard at that suggestion. If you want a performance Mazda look up the RX8. You could also get someone to turbo you're Mazda 3. Honestly I don't see the value in turbo for a street car. You only hit it when you get enough RPM anyway.

 

[ImcLoud]

In my experience 70-100K in where stuff starts to need repairing, just speaking in general. So to me the sonic is on the same level as the 3 , they are both around 140hp and both too small for me to fit in. I would rather have the security of a new car vs one with 70K that you have no idea where its been...

We have drastically different ideas in performance. I am sure that little mazda handles awesome, but with such small power what does it matter... Just throw caution to the wind and go get a new zl1... I have a 69 super bee for sale, all original fully restored better than new 440/6pk with the original lift off fiberglass hood $58K drives it home.... That is fun to drive and good on gas , I put about $150 of fuel in it, in the last 2 years!!!!

 

[Hi Ho]

A Sonic would be a major step down. The Mazda 3 is a drivers car and has excellent dynamics that few other cars in it's class can touch.

I could afford the brand new one. I just shouldn't.

 

[j_garcia]

I laughed hard at that suggestion. If you want a performance Mazda look up the RX8. You could also get someone to turbo you're Mazda 3. Honestly I don't see the value in turbo for a street car. You only hit it when you get enough RPM anyway.

Maybe in the 80s lol? You can tune a turbo car to deliver power however you like and tuning has become quite sophisticated these days. Want a tune for high mileage? No problem. More power? Sure. No lag? simple. All 3...well not that sophisticated lol, but you can run different maps as needed.

The handling is spot on with the stock MS3. Where the problem comes into play is turbo and FWD; though they say they limit boost in the low gears, it still has a ton of torque and in hard cornering (I scared the salesguy...) you still get torque steer. Controllable in normal driving, but to get the most out of it in a corner (sounds like part of the goal here), it will take some good throttle modulation, possibly some suspension upgrades, tires, etc... but I was pretty impressed with the handling stock. Not the same with the WRX, which is tuned more for spirited comfort, but it is AWD and easier to drive fast and there's a boatload of parts for it.

I really like the new Mazda 6 as well, and two friends have CX-5s and I have to say I am impressed with them also. Mazda is on a roll.

Have you considered just doing a suspension package on the current 3 (many MS3 parts should fit)? Just upping the handling capability of the current car might suffice, as it makes things even more fun, but if it is power you're after, I'd be looking out for a clean MS3.

 

[Hi Ho]

Oops... Double post.My car is a stick shift and 155 HP is plenty for my car. The 2014 with the 2.5 has over 180 HP it it is a lot of fun. I think the answer is that if I want to upgrade I will simply have to go all out and get the new one.

 

[j_garcia]

MS3 = 263hp though, but requires high octane and uses more of it

 

[crossedover]

Look @ the 2008 BMW 135i. 300hp 300ft# torq 50/50 weight balance and can be had for around 17k.

 

[lsiberian]

Maybe in the 80s lol? You can tune a turbo car to deliver power however you like and tuning has become quite sophisticated these days. Want a tune for high mileage? No problem. More power? Sure. No lag? simple. All 3...well not that sophisticated lol, but you can run different maps as needed.

The handling is spot on with the stock MS3. Where the problem comes into play is turbo and FWD; though they say they limit boost in the low gears, it still has a ton of torque and in hard cornering (I scared the salesguy...) you still get torque steer. Controllable in normal driving, but to get the most out of it in a corner (sounds like part of the goal here), it will take some good throttle modulation, possibly some suspension upgrades, tires, etc... but I was pretty impressed with the handling stock. Not the same with the WRX, which is tuned more for spirited comfort, but it is AWD and easier to drive fast and there's a boatload of parts for it.

I really like the new Mazda 6 as well, and two friends have CX-5s and I have to say I am impressed with them also. Mazda is on a roll.

Have you considered just doing a suspension package on the current 3 (many MS3 parts should fit)? Just upping the handling capability of the current car might suffice, as it makes things even more fun, but if it is power you're after, I'd be looking out for a clean MS3.

I'm not a car guy. I do like to drive fast though. Isn't a turbo basically another engine that blows air into the engine using fuel exhaust?

I thought removing weight was the best way to upgrade a cars performance.

 

[j_garcia]

Look @ the 2008 BMW 135i. 300hp 300ft# torq 50/50 weight balance and can be had for around 17k.

Bimmers are FAR more expensive to maintain though, and used means no original factory warranty for a 2008. One of the massive drawbacks to them; disappointing because they are good cars. I had an E46. Another drawback would be the terrible resale value for some of the recent models because of how many were sold. My daughter's fiance has a 330ci that was nearly $50K new and currently bluebooks for around $7K... glad I got rid of mine when it was only 2yrs old. At least used, the initial depreciation is already factored in.

I'm not a car guy. I do like to drive fast though.

Isn't a turbo basically another engine that blows air into the engine using fuel exhaust?

*Simplification - The turbo uses the hot exhaust gas to spin the turbo (separate from the intake). That spinning forces air under pressure into the motor on the intake side, so with proper addition of fuel spark, can generate more power. The turbo itself gets hot from the exhaust gases though, which heats up the intake side somewhat, so most current turbo cars employ an intercooler to cool the intake air going in. The Mazdaspeed 3, WRX and Mini Cooper S all have this.

I thought removing weight was the best way to upgrade a cars performance.

All things considered, there is no better way.

We have drastically different ideas in performance. I am sure that little mazda handles awesome, but with such small power what does it matter... Just throw caution to the wind and go get a new zl1...

I have a 69 super bee for sale, all original fully restored better than new 440/6pk with the original lift off fiberglass hood $58K drives it home.... That is fun to drive and good on gas , I put about $150 of fuel in it, in the last 2 years!!!!

There are different forms of car fun. Pin you to the seat is one and handling is an entirely different, and cars do it very differently. I've been to an Auto-X and witnessed a Civic with 200hp get a better time than a Viper... and you CAN have a LOT of fun in a "slow" car that handles great.

 

[Hocky]

Look @ the 2008 BMW 135i. 300hp 300ft# torq 50/50 weight balance and can be had for around 17k.

Wow, those cars have plummeted. I paid like 35k for mine a few years ago.... sold it 6 months later. Decent car, though. It made almost 400whp with bolt ons. Handling is decent, but it has tons of body roll. My biggest gripe about that car is that the e-lsd rear end sucks.

 

[avnetguy]

The problem I have is upgraditis is in my blood. I don't need a new car but I want one.

I'm worried that I would get a car with half as many miles on it but with higher potential for problems down the road because the original owner blasted the engine all the time. Any suggestions?

Wait a second ... if you have "upgraditis" why are you worried about "problems own the road"?
I mean, you'll likely upgrade again before any real troubles start!

BTW, most people I know with higher HP cars don't drive the s**t out of them, if fact, only one person I know does.