10th May 2006, 18:21
I want to buy a MX3 but don't know what to do, have seen loads of great reviews which encourages me to get this car, on the other hand I have seen people spend all their cash on fixing their "love or hate" car. Want a nice car, but don't want all my money and time spent on it.
11th May 2006, 09:37
Well, no one can tell you if you're getting a lemon or not via the Internet..
Best advice is to drive the potential car. Although it's not 100% the case, generally if the car's appearance is not kept up inside and outside it means that the owner did not maintain the engineering bits either.
If you like it and don't detect obvious problems, then have it checked out by a qualified mechanic, preferably one who knows Mazdas.
Once you do all that, your chances of getting a lemon are minimized.
29th Jul 2011, 14:46
I had a 1993 Mazda MX3. Paid $2500.00 for it. Cool, sporty looking car. However.. it never ran right. No one knew how to fix it. Guess it's the Japanese engine or something. I poured money into it. It still ran terrible. Never idled right. It just sat in my driveway for years. Leaked oil in the spark plugs. Leaked oil in the distributor. Timing chain leaked oil. A man told me they are known for oil leaks. Guess so.
I spent way too much on trying to fix it. Then I looked up on the Internet about these cars, and it seems they are a nightmare. My brother told me back in the day, even the salvage yards didn't want them. I went to a garage sale once, and over heard a conversation of a man who bought one for his daughter, and how it never ran right and was a nightmare of a car, and that he poured money into it. I asked him, you talking about a 1993 Mazda MX3? Yep, I have one too, and believe me it was nothing but a headache and money pit. I had my engine apart, and fixed and put back together; still didn't run right. Everyone had an opinion on how to fix it, but the parts are high. Try this or that. I just gave up on it.
If anyone asks me about a 1993 Mazda MX3 they want to purchase, I would tell them RUN!!! Keep your money in your pocket. Just buy a Chevy or Ford.
6th Feb 2003, 22:54
I own a 1993 Mazda Mx-3, the 1.8 V6 with the standard transmission, loaded of every optional.
I have nothing bad to say about this car, besides, the comfort is not the best. I actually think this is a 2-sit car, and even though, the front sits are not made for a long trip.
This car has excellent performance. I brought it up to 240 Km/h at 7,000 RPM (about 145 mph) and the car still was attached to the ground.
Handling is Excellent. Especially with soft tires, the car will adapt to your driving style, and will definitely induct you to go faster.
When I got in an accident (a person did not stop at the traffic light) the damage was not a lot, but was very expensive to fix. Hopefully, I did not have to pay, but I know the bill went up to almost Euro7,000 for the front bumper, the hood and the lights.
Now the car is in Sardinia (Italy) and that car is really fun to drive, even if makes me a little nervous. All the car weight is in the front, so I suggest you not to get into a curve too fast, or your front tires will last only 10,000 km, like they did on mine.
Overall, great car, I really am enjoying it, and believe it or not, in January 2003 (10 years old) have only 40,000 km.