Faults:

The only work that I have done to the car is a brand new battery, and an oil change.

The car does need a new CV axle on the driver's side, because the boot is cracked and the axle is clicking when I go around corners. I work at a dealership, so I can get the parts and labour for next to nothing.

It had brand new tires, and brand new brakes all around.

All the fluids turned out to be new and current.

The exhaust system had some new parts as well.

The head gasket around the back of the engine is starting to seep, so I am going to have to keep an eye on that.

I believe this car was very well maintained by the previous owners, I think it was a commuter car for a long time. The couple who traded this car in bought a 2009 Ford Escape; they just had a baby, and I think they didn't feel safe in the MX3.

General Comments:

I bought my 1992 MAZDA MX3 from the dealership that I work at. Someone traded in the car for next to nothing, so I had the opportunity to pick up the car for $250.

I was skeptical about the car at first, because I thought it would be a piece of junk, turns out I was wrong!

I also have a 1999 nissan pathfinder, and ever since I bought this mx3, the pathfinder has been parked.

This car is so fun to drive, it's like a go kart!!! It runs really really well for having so many kilometers on the clock.

I really enjoy driving my MX3 around. Best $250 I ever spent to buy the car!!!

I may keep the car, or I may sell it. I am still unsure about what to do. I could drive my pathfinder in the winters and drive my mx3 in the summers. For now, I will just keep enjoying my V6 MX3.

:0 from, british columbia, canada.

Faults:

The alternator has gone out and the battery needed replaced. but the previous owner had a huge stereo system in it that was running around 5000 watts.

General Comments:

Great handling, amazing acceleration for a 4CYL, It's a pretty small car but I'm a small person at 5' 3", amazing trunk space, inside amplifies 12" sub woofers , its sad that it's a uni-body though, the seats are very comfortable.

Faults:

Engine Control Unit failed at about 80,000 miles.

Have had to replace the flexible air intake twice (when it becomes cracked, it throws the mixture out-of-whack, resulting in poor idle). Replaced it myself for about $70 US / took about 15 minutes.

Seats starting to wear (I attribute this to normal wear & tear after 16-plus years).

Rust over rear fenders, and under door sills - again, still better than average - I'm in Wisconsin, and they use lots of salt in the winter.

General Comments:

Fun to drive (quick, but not fast - it handles great). Nice, precise shifter & sporty handling.

My wife originally bought this car before we were married, and I learned how to drive stick on it. Surprisingly, it still has the original clutch.

Highly recommend a set of dedicated snow tires for it if you drive in winter ice & snow. Separate summer tires make it more fun in nice weather.

I'm thinking of looking around for a '94 GS, to do the KLZE engine-swap (nearly doubles the horsepower).

Faults:

Car started off with just an idle problem, turned it up and thought I had a sweet car. God, was I wrong. Overheats, Idle goes up and down, car alarm wouldn't stop going off. Never wants to start, leaves me stranded all the time.

General Comments:

The car looks great, I love the way it handles. For the first five days I loved it,then this car went down hill fast. It started overheating and wouldn't throw any heat. My idles goes up and down. Car alarm goes on and off all the time. It is a tiny car which dosen't bother me that much because I saw it before I bought it, so I knew this, but over time you will find this car harder and harder to deal with. It should be a two seater the backseats are about pointless. The trunk area is very nice and surprisingly large. The 1.6 is a gutless engine on the highway would definitely try to get the V6. Fuel economy is great and that was about the only thing I liked about the car when I got rid of it. Now I have a 1995 VW jetta and I LOVE my jetta so much more. I've heard great feedback about the MX-3's and I really wish I would have had the same luck others did. Worst 1000 miles of my life.