Considering Buying a Speed3

[Junior]

Been an owner of a couple of Mazda since 2002, and now considering buying a Speed3.

I need some input from the guys that are most familiar with the car. I'm sure I could search til my eyes fall out, but I'd rather have my own thread with questions, advice, tips and other stuff.

My main question is what kinds of questions should I ask the previous owner before buying?

It's not a forum member so it's not like I can do a background check. What are the common issues/concerns I should be looking at.

I'm currently looking at a 2007.

Any advice, tips or beefs welcome

[SKYMP3]

Rust, lol....the spot under my rear viper already rusted out....
Went to dealer, they took a pic and send to the head offfice, no news yet

Also, they replaced my 02 sensor under warranty about 1 year ago when my MIL light is on and off for no reason.

[starscream]

Normal Car buying stuff, but in addition to that and more specifically speed 3 stuff I asked when I bought my car were,

Ask about the maintenence on the car:
- Oil changes and oil used
- Was turbo replaced
- Was engine replaced
(you can probably findout both through the dealer (if it was done under warranty) with the VIN number)
- When I had it up on a hoist I checked the rear shocks
- Checked rear engine mount
- All TSB's done

If you have time, I can bring my dashhawk and maybe do some quick logging on the FP to make sure its holding proper pressure on WOT (the HPFP), and no consistent/major knocking.

My only beef is knowing if its been abused or not, I mean thats something with all cars and more specifically turbo cars. Findout if he/she ever had any tuning done to it (AP, SB or a Reflash of sorts).

[mleblond]

buy an 08.5+ save yourself some troubles or buy mine that has been through the troubles and now all good :) But I figure you're looking for a red one.

Also, I would consider taking the dash hawk and monitor Knock on a test run. Leak down test can also help. Engines and turbo's go on this car, mods or not.

[SKYMP3]

08.5 has the gun metal rims versa the siler one on 07-08 and the 08.5 one start to have MP3/wma player instead of 6 Cd changers on the 07-08.

[Junior]

Good info all around. Thanks guys.

I did run the vin with my contacts at the dealer. They mentioned that the necessary TSBs have been done (not exactly which ones, but I could get more details if need be).

They also did mention that the mount on the tranny side was replaced? I guess that was an issue.

The car I'm considering only has 65,000 km on it and is now used as a commuter to the go station about 10 min drive daily. That's the main reason for sale.. it's not getting used.

Person is a good friend of mine, and I've known since he bought the car. No mods other than a stereo and compustar put on the car. He's not a power junkie and didn't touch anything under the hood. For a fact.

I'd be curious to see what the Hawk test shows though. Sounds like it would be a deal-maker or breaker.

Coming off a boosted 2002 protege, I know the maintenance that comes with a turbo'd car, but no matter how much I tried with my protege, it just wasn't gettin close to where a mazdaspeed3 does, out of the box.

Price is another factor and I'm almost sure, that this one will stay OEM, or as close as possible before it gets sold in a few years (when I get tired of it too).

[SKYMP3]

How much is he asking? I changed from a Protege from a MS3 too, other than the payments (my MP3 was paid), the maitnenance is nothing much. For some reason, gas mialge is about the same or minor difference. I drive 400-430km per tank, 70% city, 30% hwy.

Only thing I can tell is yes...18" tires are way more expensive to replace than 16" or 17" unless you buy nakang :P

[Unoriginalusername]

How much is he asking? I changed from a Protege from a MS3 too, other than the payments (my MP3 was paid), the maitnenance is nothing much. For some reason, gas mialge is about the same or minor difference. I drive 400-430km per tank, 70% city, 30% hwy.

Only thing I can tell is yes...18" tires are way more expensive to replace than 16" or 17" unless you buy nakang :P

x2 on the asking price question

[Jeff-TheBiz]

Junior, feel free to shoot me the VIN by PM or email...

I will try and fill in a few blanks for you.

[DumpInfo]

Se serio chavalo! Comprate algo mejor! (translation: what's the price?)

[-RJ3-]

Been an owner of a couple of Mazda since 2002, and now considering buying a Speed3.

I need some input from the guys that are most familiar with the car. I'm sure I could search til my eyes fall out, but I'd rather have my own thread with questions, advice, tips and other stuff.

My main question is what kinds of questions should I ask the previous owner before buying?

It's not a forum member so it's not like I can do a background check. What are the common issues/concerns I should be looking at.

I'm currently looking at a 2007.

Any advice, tips or beefs welcome

Your boy OneFlip has one.. has he mentioned any problems with his??

[MSMitch]

Take the car for a good long drive. Especially over bumpy roads to assess for rattles etc.
Most important, never buy a car from a friend.
Buy it from a stranger.
Later stranger! :)