Time to get a MS3...reliability?

[spikejnz]

So back in February, my car died and I convinced my wife to let me get something fun. The original plan was to keep the previous car (beater Lumina) for another year and save to buy a brand new MS3. Well, that plan went up in smoke...literally. Anyway, I started my hunt for a used MS3. Unfortunately, the closest one was modded to the teeth, and I didn't want someone else's run-ragged project. As the next closest MS3 in my price range was some 400 miles away, I started looking elsewhere...and ended up with a 2007 Civic Si sedan.

Now, I <3 my Si, but I've secretly been wanting a MS3 since the day I took the keys on the Civic. Even with my Eibach ProKits, Hondata FlashPro and Injen SRI, I'm left wanting more. Add to that the fact I'm almost 31 and driving around a car that is mostly driven by kids that just moved out of their parent's basement, and...well, I want something less boy-racer. Fast forward to this morning when someone sends me a link to a local MS3 that I could pick up and either make money on my trade-in or at the very least break even. 2008 Mazda MazdaSpeed3 Sport, $13,887 - Cars.com

My Si only has 45k on the clock, but the MS3 has almost 76k. At 22k/year, I can say that it was likely mostly highway miles. The wife doesn't like the idea that the MS3 has 30k more miles on it than my Si does. Other than that, she doesn't appear to have any qualms.

So what can you say for the reliability of a GenWon MS3? Is there anything that I should be worried about in particular? Please be honest and keep in mind that I plan to keep this car for upwards of 10 years. I live 5-minutes from work, so I won't be putting significant mileage on the car. Hell, I've had the Si since February 25th and I've only put 5,000 miles on it.

Thanks!

[asall667]

mine has the new updated turbo and the VVT issue 07s have. thats why u should buy it lol

I think they are great cars and very fun to drive. they says 08.5 and 09s are a bit better then 07-08 but who knows.

where u located?

[SRTie4k]

There are a few 100k+ gen1's running around here, nobody with any reported problems though.

The major problems with the MS3 were in the beginning with flukes. There have been almost no long term issues that I know of (except for gunked up intake valves, which is common on any DI platform).

Only areas which I would advise looking into is a smoking turbo, VVT, and keeping the EGR clean.

[Raider]

1st, FYHN.

Now onto the rest....
You can find a 2008+ with 1/2 or less those miles, of that gets the wife's undies in a wad. My 2007 has 72K and is fine. Lots of other MS3's out there with low miles.

However, we have lots of Mazdaspeeds over 100,000 miles are are running just fine.

Go VIP. Get access to the FS section, where some well-maintained Mazdas owned by forum members can be seen. Want a 100% stock MS6 with low miles and is like new? Yup, in there.

Where are you located?H Gonna guess Kansas based on the cars.com link. I had that site, never has engine bay pics.

Lastly, you gotta search. The "looking for a reliable MS3, what do I look for?" has been beaten to a pulp.

[abiezerf]

It's not a Sport, its a GT. Much better actually. These cars are very reliable, except that minor smoking turbo issue. Chances are, it was probably corrected for you. Good buy, I would say.

[spikejnz]

Originally Posted by asall667 mine has the new updated turbo and the VVT issue 07s have. thats why u should buy it lol I think they are great cars and very fun to drive. they says 08.5 and 09s are a bit better then 07-08 but who knows. where u located?

Kansas City. Given that it was registered in July of 2008, I'd venture to guess that it's at least a 2008.5 model.

Originally Posted by SRTie4k There are a few 100k+ gen1's running around here, nobody with any reported problems though. The major problems with the MS3 were in the beginning with flukes. There have been almost no long term issues that I know of (except for gunked up intake valves, which is common on any DI platform). Only areas which I would advise looking into is a smoking turbo, VVT, and keeping the EGR clean.

Thanks! What issue should I be looking for re: the VVT? Actuator?

Would you consider 13.8k for 75k miles decent? Seems low to me, which has me concerned. I intend to talk him down some as well and get as much for trade as possible on my Si. I don't NEED to switch cars, I want to. I can walk away and I won't lose anything.

[abiezerf]

Originally Posted by spikejnz Kansas City. Given that it was registered in July of 2008, I'd venture to guess that it's at least a 2008.5 model. Thanks! What issue should I be looking for re: the VVT? Actuator? Would you consider 13.8k for 75k miles decent? Seems low to me, which has me concerned. I intend to talk him down some as well and get as much for trade as possible on my Si. I don't NEED to switch cars, I want to. I can walk away and I won't lose anything.

Good price, but its not a 2008.5. This is a 2008. 2008.5 have all black interior and different trims on the shift boot and seats.

Scratch that last comment. I made a fool of myself. It is a 2008.5, didn't notice the lower pics.

[asall667]

just buy my car look at my sig for details. asking $14k

[ELiTeNeSs]

Are u stuck on ms3 or will u consider an ms6

[Jake5713]

tl,dr, NCE
FYHN
look for smoking turbo and VVT and other TSB's I forgot
If it doesn't smoke, make crazy noise, or otherwise seem abused
jump on it
FUCK THE SI!
welcome

[spikejnz]

Originally Posted by Raider 1st, FYHN. Now onto the rest.... You can find a 2008+ with 1/2 or less those miles, of that gets the wife's undies in a wad. My 2007 has 72K and is fine. Lots of other MS3's out there with low miles. However, we have lots of Mazdaspeeds over 100,000 miles are are running just fine. Go VIP. Get access to the FS section, where some well-maintained Mazdas owned by forum members can be seen. Want a 100% stock MS6 with low miles and is like new? Yup, in there. Where are you located?H Gonna guess Kansas based on the cars.com link. I had that site, never has engine bay pics. Lastly, you gotta search. The "looking for a reliable MS3, what do I look for?" has been beaten to a pulp.

I'd love to peek at the FS section, but I don't want to buy VIP unless I actually HAVE a MS3.

--

I'm really only interested in a MS3. There's a MS6 here where I work (along with two MS3s, 4 Sis, about 5 STis, two Evo Xs and an ungodly number of M3s), but I just prefer the look of the MS3. I <3 hatchbacks!

I have no idea how I'd get the car from PA to KS. The wife and I have an 8-week old little girl, so taking a few days off to fly out / drive back isn't really feasible. In KS, you don't have to pay sales tax on a car if the car you're purchasing is less than the value of the car you're trading in. Her only hangup ATM is the mileage.

[ahfunaki]

Originally Posted by asall667 just buy my car look at my sig for details. asking $14k

Hey, can you email me? ahfunaki .at. gmail I'm a few hours away from you and looking to get a MS3. I'd like to know more info about your car / see some pics of it. I can't PM because I'm a n00b...

Originally Posted by spikejnz I'd love to peek at the FS section, but I don't want to buy VIP unless I actually HAVE a MS3.

Yep, that's how I feel too.

I can't believe all the people that advertise their cars on here stand for the whole pay to view the for sale section either. It makes no sense to make someone pay to see something that someone is trying to sell. What is this, Sam's Club? Haha

It's just crazy to me I'm a member of a TON of forums and I've never come across something like that before. Normally you just have to register...

[breakfstincluded]

but now you want it more because you have to pay to see it ;D

Cognitive Dissonance.

[86AmishMs3]

Originally Posted by ahfunaki Hey, can you email me? ahfunaki .at. gmail I'm a few hours away from you and looking to get a MS3. I'd like to know more info about your car / see some pics of it. I can't PM because I'm a n00b... Yep, that's how I feel too. I can't believe all the people that advertise their cars on here stand for the whole pay to view the for sale section either. It makes no sense to make someone pay to see something that someone is trying to sell. What is this, Sam's Club? Haha It's just crazy to me I'm a member of a TON of forums and I've never come across something like that before. Normally you just have to register...

This is to help protect our registered members here. That is the reason why. Everyone who has donated appreciates this extra protection against them getting screwed over. I don't expect newbs to understand this. Tough love.

[mps34life]

I'd say that reliability is pretty decent. There have been a couple issues with the Turbo and pcv valve and that's pretty much all you should be worried about. Its under recall at Mazda and any of the previous Gen Mazdaspeed 3s are still under warranty so you should be able to get these parts for free (assuming that the ms3 is not heavily modded)

[kmac]

There's a couple of bt guys over 100k on here . I beat my car senseless and I'm over 500whp on a stock long block and I made that with a slipping factory clutch.

[ahfunaki]

Originally Posted by 86azms3 This is to help protect our registered members here. That is the reason why. Everyone who has donated appreciates this extra protection against them getting screwed over. I don't expect newbs to understand this. Tough love.

What exactly is it protecting them from? If anything it gives a false sense of security in my opinion. It's not like you're doing a background check on someone before you let them look at stuff for sale, you're asking that they give money ( which any con artist can do )...

[Ferg]

Originally Posted by ahfunaki What exactly is it protecting them from? If anything it gives a false sense of security in my opinion. It's not like you're doing a background check on someone before you let them look at stuff for sale, you're asking that they give money ( which any con artist can do )...

it shows more of a dedication to the site and therefore you get access to all the deals the f/s has to offer. you give to the site, and the site pays you back multiple times over.

[Squid]

Of course u dont pay for the f/s-section only. You get alot more, for example shop/service manuals..

This is an ad-free forum! Such costs real money to run and moderate. If I can help provide some $$ for that - totaly fine by me! There will always be people wanting everything for free, thats why 24/7 still exists. Beacuse it costs to un-retard a forum..

A another upside is that I didnt find a single car-forum that have given me so much laughter and joy surfing around as here. At this place I really learn something new everyday, which leads me to move forward with my own projects.. Thanks MSF!

FYHN!

[emag remrofni]

Originally Posted by ahfunaki What exactly is it protecting them from? If anything it gives a false sense of security in my opinion. It's not like you're doing a background check on someone before you let them look at stuff for sale, you're asking that they give money ( which any con artist can do )...

Why would a scam artist pay $25 to fuck people over on here when they can go to 24/7 and rip their people off for free? Not to mention that the average MSF VIP member is a little more intelligent than a 24/7 counterpart.

[ahfunaki]

Originally Posted by emag remrofni Why would a scam artist pay $25 to fuck people over on here when they can go to 24/7 and rip their people off for free? Not to mention that the average MSF VIP member is a little more intelligent than a 24/7 counterpart.

Because he knows the members here think they are protected from scams because of a $25 donation, lol...

This is what it boils down to for me. I'd love to browse the vehicles for sale section of this website, but I'm not going to pay $25 when I don't even know if I'm going to end up with one of said vehicles.

If I decide to stay away from a Mazdaspeed car, I've just wasted my money.

So I say, make the for sale sections accessible to everyone and leave the other stuff such as repair manuals and things for the people who donate.

But that's just how I feel about it.

I'm done with this topic though.

Someone sell me their car cheap, lol...

[cudaman]

For "general" reliability, check out TrueDelta Car Reliability and Gas Mileage Information . Has stats on reliabilty that are centralized. The more people that join and report, the better the stats are.

[breakfstincluded]

Did he look at briangt3076's?

http://www.mazdaspeedforum.org/forum/foru...ed-3-bt-91448/

[Hectik1]

I have 78k miles on my 08. My only problem is the stock radio sucks. I am on original brakes and clutch! I'm not particulaly easy on my car. I've had to replace tires every year!!!!

With that being said, I think this car is pretty reliable.

[asall667]

Originally Posted by ahfunaki What exactly is it protecting them from? If anything it gives a false sense of security in my opinion. It's not like you're doing a background check on someone before you let them look at stuff for sale, you're asking that they give money ( which any con artist can do )...

Hey man I emailed you and left you my number. Your welcome to call me and stop by or we can meet up somewhere close to both of us. Ill show u my car, I had it for sale on here for $15,500 for like 2 weeks then decided to keep it. Im offering it to you at a very...very...very fair price. Check ur email and get back to me.

[jdmkutz]

I'm also currently looking for a used 08-09 MS3. From what i'm reading look for VVT and smoking turbo issues. Do the VVT and smoking turbo have issues with certain model years? Am i missing anything else?

Powertrain warranty is covered up till 60k. Does anybody know if dealers will cover powertrain from 2nd or 3rd owner as long as it's under 60k miles?

Any assistance would be much appreciated.

[Raider]

Will follow through, but you need to make sure it is inspected by Mazda to be ok, just to make sure. A $100 independent mechanic inspection for ANY car should tell you whether or not you are getting as a pile of shit.

1) cold start, listen for rattle start, then never return. That is VVT. No noise, ok.
2) Let it idle 30 minutes. If it spews, then smoking turbo issue. If not, its ok.

the rest is for a mechanic to see. Is it modded, pushed to limits and about to blow? Was it modded to shit, then put stock and traded in? Mechanics can help find that shit.

[b4n30n3]

Reliable like a Japaneese vault. You are supposed to do the timing chain at like 120000 miles.

[sick_role]

Let me get this straight: people are willing to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a car, but the only research they are willing to do is asking for some free advice because they are not sure they need it.

Top that off with they aren't willing to spend a WHOPPING $25 up front on what is the absolute BEST database of information and collection of knowledgeable people for the platform (on the planet)? $25 will answer questions you didn't know you had before spending 15k and will potentially save you thousands of dollars...

what did you do before carfax was free? Do you not take used auto's to an independant shop and spend $100 for a second look before spending thousands?

GTFO

[dsmluck]

The Speeds are near bulletproof. I can't imagine another car in its class that could shrug off the kind of abuse that these cars get and continue on.