Looking to buy a Mazda 3, any thing i should watch out for?

[NightShark]

hey guys, i'm looking to purchase a mazda 3, probably around 2004-2005 due to price. looking for a used one. is there any problems or things i should look out for before purchasing?
any tips or advice would be appreciated.

[Cardinal Fang]

Welcome to the board NighShark. Have a look around the "Problems" Forum and you'll find some issues common to the year of the car you're looking at. Biggest complaints:

A./C Power
Rough gear shift from 1 to 2.
Throttle body modification to gain more responsiveness during acceleration.

[mit-gee-mui]

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=9812&highlight=dislikes
Not all necessarily problems, but a compilation of dislikes is found here.
And here http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=11432&highlight=love+refund


HOWEVER,
Don't be discouraged by all these things. With every dislike about the 3, there are many MANY likes.

For example,
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=11473&highlight=love+refund
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=10069&highlight=thing+dislike


The good, the bad, the so-so
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=7306&highlight=dislike

Most if not all of our members are incredibly happy with their purchase and will say that the benefits far outway the drawbacks when it comes to the 3.:)

[whiteomega]

my biggest regret is being impatient for a car and not waiting for the speed3. if you can't afford the speed3 though, the regular 3 is still a hell of a deal.

Edit: ok, that was a useless statement for you. i should learn to read the whole post first. things to look for: stone chips in the paint, which is notoriously thin. hood deflector/3M stone shield is a bonus. get the service history of the car, make sure you compare that to the recalls listed elsewhere on this board (see here: http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=14547 -- they're US recalls, but a lot do apply in canada, if perhaps under different numbers).

the 2004 was the first model year, might not be a bad idea to spend a bit extra and go with the 2005s just to get around any first-year production glitches.

check to make sure you're satisfied with the AC cooling the car (some people find it weak), also listen for squeaks, rattles, etc, the usual.

[x_o_k_x]

I would say look out for rust in rear fenders where it meats the rear bumper, as it is very common.
Also look out for a/c performance, as some find it weaker then others.

[m_a_t_r_i_x]

get one with an existing extended warranty, there are cases here of blown motor issues, just be on a safe side....otherwise the car is awesome for its class...

[alexalex]

if you are over 5'11 then consider a driver's seat that goes up and down as well as back. make sure your legs are supported by the seat otherwise the car is tiring to drive.

[langsford]

on the 05 mazda 3 sedan the a/c is poor and my buddy has the 2.3 05 hatchback and says the same thing......something with the year
one patch of rust at driver side front wheel

[Tuga]

hey guys, i'm looking to purchase a mazda 3, probably around 2004-2005 due to price. looking for a used one. is there any problems or things i should look out for before purchasing?
any tips or advice would be appreciated.

I bought a 2005 not to long ago ,and im not to happy with it . :flaming
It seems like every day another problem keeps on showing up.
But thats my opinion.........

[dentinger]

if you are over 5'11 then consider a driver's seat that goes up and down as well as back. make sure your legs are supported by the seat otherwise the car is tiring to drive.

hmm... im around 6 feet, and i have no problems with mine.
and i have an '07, and ZERO problems on mine, just wear and tear items.

[Flagrum_3]

^ I had a buddy of mine drive my car, he's 6'8" and said he felt quite comfortable except he had some problems with the foot well area! I don't know what size feet he has but his boots look the size of snowshoes! :chuckle

Anyways, I would suggest to the OP to have any vehicle checked out properly by his own mechanic (if he knows one he trusts), for the usual things, bearings, front end steering and suspension etc; for the 3 specifically I would check for rust in specific areas; rear wheel well openings and along seems....Other then that, there's just engine noise; listen for ticks and clapping sounds, those are signs of the intake manifold valves going.


_3

[DreamM3]

Rust on the wheel wells.

[Malcolm991]

I keep reading about 04-05 having premature rust issues that were fixed in the 06 line up!

[kevcol74]

My 04 is treating me good, and Mazda fixed the rust under warranty a few weeks ago....And it can be for sale! lol
$8K, 145K on the clock, warranty to 160K.... food for thought!

[DumpInfo]

I haven't had any major issues with my car aside from the rust problem around the wheel wells and fortunately Mazda of Toronto fixed that. Aside from that it's a good car but I would suggest possibly looking into a newer model I know budget is an issue but sometimes it's better to spend a little more then have a headache from the start. GL