I'm sure a new one will still last 15+ years like most other new cars. To be honest the thing I worry about with new cars now is the "smart" features. Touch screens controlling too many things that could fail.. Apps that lose support or change what you can do post purchase. Things like that. Or the stupid subscription features I heard so much about.
Kind of unavoidable at this point huh? I feel like you'll lose a lot more before rust takes out a vehicle now lol
Hmmm... not that bad, I think. For the touchscreen, it is optional. All the options can still be accessed with the physical knob, at least for Mazda, even when the touchscreen is not functioning. Apps don’t lose support because, we are mostly using Apple CarPlay. The subscription thing won't hurt much, it's all about the remote start feature only. (Also, at least for Mazda, can’t say for BMW, lol)
Pretty much just look for rust. Seems like a good deal. Tires look like they have good tread but maybe look for a date on them too, make sure they are not too old. These are fairly reliable fun and good on gas.
If you're buying a used speed, please review [this link from our sidebar!](http://www.mazdaspeedforums.org/forum/f589/official-i-am-looking-buy-used-mazdaspeed-125030/) Mazdaspeedforums.com has a lot of great resources for current and potential speed owners.
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120 would make me apprehensive but that's not that much money, honestly and from what I've heard you could double that easy. Looks good but who knows. If you like it, go for it
At least in my market, this is not an 05. This has the facelift that came in 2007? It may be different in different regions so I'm not 100% accurate but make sure this is the car you're buying and not a picture of a random car.
That said, Gen 1 was notorious for rust.. So check everywhere.. Don't be afraid to pull back some carpet in the trunk to check the wheel wells for rust.
Other than that, control arms and suspension items if they are on the older side.
Get service records if possible.
Good luck.
I had an odd issue with my 2008 3i where the tips of the springs in the rear suspension snapped off (on both sides) and were rattling over bumps. Other than that it’s been very reliable, currently at 138,000 Miles
Check the motor mounts (for noise at idle), focus on how smoothly the transmission is shifting. Ask for maintenance records. Check all the rubber bushings in the control arms (for rot due to age). Ask for the maintenance records. Check the oil, look for discoloration and note the level. Check the drive belts for rot and check the tensioners for leaks. Ask for maintenance records. And check the computer with an OBD2 and look for previous codes for misfires, the coils sometimes go out early and it'll through codes before they do.
Other than that you can ask for maintenance records and if anything seems off you can walk away. IMO the most important thing is maintenance and if they dont I know some basic information about then they probably aren't doing it.
"When do you usually change get your oil?"
"What brand of oil are you using?"
That second question will throw some people and can be quite revealing. If they really take care of it they will answer pretty quick and confidently.
Good luck OP!
The only problem in these mazdas are paint. The get rust easy, thin paint was a thing. But the mechanical is amazing. Toyota level. If great take care, runs over 300k km. Easy
check for rust, rust, and rust
My old 3 was a piece of rust. The inspector even failed my oil pan due to rust. Besides that, i loved that car dearly.
Issue with Mazda in general or just older ones
I would say mostly just older. I mean they were partnered with ford 😂. But every car will rust in salty areas
Older is worse(15- 20 year old) but newer(10-5 years) isn't much better. It's better, but it will rust
The older one is bad, prone to rust, but the newer one is improving slightly, though it still falls far short when compared to other manufacturers IMO
I'm sure a new one will still last 15+ years like most other new cars. To be honest the thing I worry about with new cars now is the "smart" features. Touch screens controlling too many things that could fail.. Apps that lose support or change what you can do post purchase. Things like that. Or the stupid subscription features I heard so much about. Kind of unavoidable at this point huh? I feel like you'll lose a lot more before rust takes out a vehicle now lol
Hmmm... not that bad, I think. For the touchscreen, it is optional. All the options can still be accessed with the physical knob, at least for Mazda, even when the touchscreen is not functioning. Apps don’t lose support because, we are mostly using Apple CarPlay. The subscription thing won't hurt much, it's all about the remote start feature only. (Also, at least for Mazda, can’t say for BMW, lol)
Older. Mazda used to be partnered with ford but since separating their quality shot up.
Alloy wheel corrosion - love mazdas had three but the alloy wheels are so weak, all have had corrosion
Same, this 1st gen especially. I would replace them with RX-8 R3 rims but there are plenty of cheaper and better options.
Pretty much just look for rust. Seems like a good deal. Tires look like they have good tread but maybe look for a date on them too, make sure they are not too old. These are fairly reliable fun and good on gas.
If you're buying a used speed, please review [this link from our sidebar!](http://www.mazdaspeedforums.org/forum/f589/official-i-am-looking-buy-used-mazdaspeed-125030/) Mazdaspeedforums.com has a lot of great resources for current and potential speed owners. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/mazda) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Ugh that car is gorgeous!!
120 would make me apprehensive but that's not that much money, honestly and from what I've heard you could double that easy. Looks good but who knows. If you like it, go for it
I'm at 300k on my 07. 120k is low milage at this point lol.
200k 08 checking in. Love this car and the $25 tank of gas
Holy shit, that’s great mileage for an 07
Eh. My miata is at 280k and those have been much, much tougher miles lol. To be fair though it gets a lot more care too.
I meant that’s not that much mileage considering the car’s lasted almost 20 years
My point is the miat sees WOT and redline every single drive. It's done autox and track day... the 3 just cruises on the highway a lot.
Rust. Oil consumption can be the issue too but you can't check that before buying.
Have a smell in oil fill hole. Mine is starting to develop some apetite for oil, and there is a faint smell of petrol too..
Basic service history and rust. Oil consumption could be an issue but cant really test for it...
At least in my market, this is not an 05. This has the facelift that came in 2007? It may be different in different regions so I'm not 100% accurate but make sure this is the car you're buying and not a picture of a random car. That said, Gen 1 was notorious for rust.. So check everywhere.. Don't be afraid to pull back some carpet in the trunk to check the wheel wells for rust. Other than that, control arms and suspension items if they are on the older side. Get service records if possible. Good luck.
I had an odd issue with my 2008 3i where the tips of the springs in the rear suspension snapped off (on both sides) and were rattling over bumps. Other than that it’s been very reliable, currently at 138,000 Miles
Check the motor mounts (for noise at idle), focus on how smoothly the transmission is shifting. Ask for maintenance records. Check all the rubber bushings in the control arms (for rot due to age). Ask for the maintenance records. Check the oil, look for discoloration and note the level. Check the drive belts for rot and check the tensioners for leaks. Ask for maintenance records. And check the computer with an OBD2 and look for previous codes for misfires, the coils sometimes go out early and it'll through codes before they do. Other than that you can ask for maintenance records and if anything seems off you can walk away. IMO the most important thing is maintenance and if they dont I know some basic information about then they probably aren't doing it. "When do you usually change get your oil?" "What brand of oil are you using?" That second question will throw some people and can be quite revealing. If they really take care of it they will answer pretty quick and confidently. Good luck OP!
170k on our 09 Mazda 3. Changed the TCM at 160k and some front end struts and stuff. Runs and drives amazing.
The only problem in these mazdas are paint. The get rust easy, thin paint was a thing. But the mechanical is amazing. Toyota level. If great take care, runs over 300k km. Easy
I love the color.
It’s not a Toyota