Hopefully an MS3 owner by the end of the day!

[Z-Indy]

In the process of buying an '08 MS3 Sport from a private seller. Going to have it inspected by a mechanic today, and if all goes well we will close on the sale afterword and she'll be in my garage tonight.

I'm excited. I feel like I'm getting a pretty good deal. $15,000. Car appears to be in awesome shape. Very well cared for, and I don't think it has been driven very hard at all. Only down side is it has 43,000 miles. I can live with that though.

I've been watching the used MS3's available in my area for the past 6 months waiting for a good deal, and working to convince the wife that I need a new car. I finally found the car I wanted for a price I felt comfortable with, and finally wore the wife down. (lol2)

I just hope nothing shows up in the inspection to screw the deal up. That would be a serious downer at this point.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

I will be putting mine up for sale at the end of May/June. I have an 08 with 41k and will be close to 45k miles when it goes up for sale. 15k is about right. Blue Book is high 15's for "Good" condition. You might look into purchasing an extended warranty. Dont look into Mazdas take a look at GMAC's extended warranty, they cover mods. Good luck!

 

[ohioan]

Yes, good luck! I've loved this car through good and bad. Love Love Love my car

 

[horNNEE]

I will be putting mine up for sale at the end of May/June. I have an 08 with 41k and will be close to 45k miles when it goes up for sale. 15k is about right. Blue Book is high 15's for "Good" condition. You might look into purchasing an extended warranty. Dont look into Mazdas take a look at GMAC's extended warranty, they cover mods. Good luck!

what are you looking to get?

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

15k would be nice but I would take what I owe, 13,800.

 

[Z-Indy]

Woo!!!

Well after at least 6 months of researching, constantly watching the used cars available in my area, test driving, hemming and hawing about whether or not I should get one, and arguing with the wife, I am now the proud owner of a black 08.5 Mazdaspeed 3 Sport. (headbang)

This is pretty much the car I've been dreaming about for years, so I'm pretty freakin' excited about it.

The car is great. Immaculate condition inside and out. Had it inspected by a dealer and the only issues they noted were the wiper blades may need to be replaced soon (Ha!), and the tires are worn (which I was already fully aware of).

Speaking of tires, I'm thinking about getting an extra set of cheap wheels and some snow tires to put on them for the winter (I live in Indiana). Anyone have any suggestions on what to buy, or where to buy (Tire rack?). I'm also going to need new summer tires as well since these are worn and noisy. They are the originals and the car has 43,000 miles. Suggestions on what to go with there?

Anyway, I just wanted to share my excitment. I can't wait to get the hell out of work and get back in my car! (drive2)

 

[Peter B]

Congrats man! Have fun with your new whip! Its a great car!

 

[Hank3]

Since I'm getting out of my MS3 and into a cheaper DD, my local dealer was going to pay me $15,500 for my '08 GT w/28,600 miles on it. I probably could get a little more selling it privately, but I don't want to deal with the hassle of selling. Might just sell it to them this weekend.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

Congrats on the car man... Do some searching, you should find everything you need regarding rims/tires and such already posted in the forums. I am stunned, absolutely stunned that anyone got 43k miles on the stockers. Obviously had a winter set up and must have been running them a majority of the time. They didnt want to sell you that set up with the car?

 

[coololddude]

43,000 on the original tires? I don't think the car has been abused!

 

[Z-Indy]

43,000 on the original tires? I don't think the car has been abused!

That was exactly my thought. If he got that mileage on those tires then he had to be driving the car soft, which is exactly what I was looking for in a used MS3. Last thing I wanted was one that had been abused.

He also said he was getting 30+ mpg. I wouldn't have believed that at all, except he has a long commute on straight, flat country highways with 55 mph speed limits. Pretty much ideal conditions for getting good mileage if you drive the car easy.

One thing of note, the tires are worn primarily on the inside. He said that was normal because of how they setup the suspension for cornering. Is that accurate? I know that he rotated the tires religiously at every oil change. It was all done at the dealership.

 

[Kain]

If the tires have excessive wear on the inside, no way he got 43,000 on them. Most people are lucky to get 15k. They are either the second set of tires or he rocked a snow setup during winter.

I would get an alignment when buying any used car, regardless of tire wear.

 

[kvndoom]

That was exactly my thought. If he got that mileage on those tires then he had to be driving the car soft, which is exactly what I was looking for in a used MS3. Last thing I wanted was one that had been abused.

He also said he was getting 30+ mpg. I wouldn't have believed that at all, except he has a long commute on straight, flat country highways with 55 mph speed limits. Pretty much ideal conditions for getting good mileage if you drive the car easy.

One thing of note, the tires are worn primarily on the inside. He said that was normal because of how they setup the suspension for cornering. Is that accurate? I know that he rotated the tires religiously at every oil change. It was all done at the dealership.

I've got 15000 on my Potenzas so far, and they still look to be in good shape, but I just want them to make it through the summer. I'm gonna replace them with some decent all-seasons, maybe Pirelli P-Zeros?

I've never gotten 30MPG but have gotten 28 a few times on long trips cruising at 60 in 55MPH zones.

 

[importgirl212]

Since I'm getting out of my MS3 and into a cheaper DD, my local dealer was going to pay me $15,500 for my '08 GT w/28,600 miles on it. I probably could get a little more selling it privately, but I don't want to deal with the hassle of selling. Might just sell it to them this weekend.

I think you're getting low balled. Mine was a 2007 GT Cosmic Blue with 46,000 on it, and my Actual Cash Value was $14,500. I think you could get more from the dealer. They're stealing from you.

 

[importgirl212]

That was exactly my thought. If he got that mileage on those tires then he had to be driving the car soft, which is exactly what I was looking for in a used MS3. Last thing I wanted was one that had been abused.

He also said he was getting 30+ mpg. I wouldn't have believed that at all, except he has a long commute on straight, flat country highways with 55 mph speed limits. Pretty much ideal conditions for getting good mileage if you drive the car easy.

One thing of note, the tires are worn primarily on the inside. He said that was normal because of how they setup the suspension for cornering. Is that accurate? I know that he rotated the tires religiously at every oil change. It was all done at the dealership.

Impossible he got 43k on those tires. I wore mine down until it was extremely unsafe. I put 20k on mine, and I was a rolling death cart. After the Stocks I put the Pirelli Pnero zeros on. I liked them. Never had a problem with them. However, if you don't need summer tires, don't get them. I still only got about 26,000 miles on them. Probably would have pushed 30K on em..but I traded the 07 in.

 

[Sport6]

Impossible he got 43k on those tires. I wore mine down until it was extremely unsafe. I put 20k on mine, and I was a rolling death cart. After the Stocks I put the Pirelli Pnero zeros on. I liked them. Never had a problem with them. However, if you don't need summer tires, don't get them. I still only got about 26,000 miles on them. Probably would have pushed 30K on em..but I traded the 07 in.

I have about 28,000 on mine, with a lot of tread left so its possible.

 

[importgirl212]

I have about 28,000 on mine, with a lot of tread left so its possible.

(fu) you're the exception

 

[Z-Indy]

I can't say for certain whether the guy was telling the truth or not about those being the originals and the only tires he has run on the car, but I believed him. Spent a lot of time talking with him and spending time with him during the whole process. Was straight up and accurate about everything else so I don't know why he would choose that to be the one thing he would lie about.

I have been debating what to do as far as the tires go. I know a lot of people consider it sacrilege to put all season's on an MS3, but I really don't know that I NEED summer tires (I'm not going to be racing the car), and I would like to get as much wear out of the tires I choose as possible. Dedicated winter tires would definitely be better, but is it worth the money and hassle? If I lived in Buffalo or Minn. sure, but Indiana doesn't get all that much snow. A couple 6" snow falls a season or something.

If summer tires get as bad of wear as it seems you guys are saying, then I may stay away from them even if I do go with a seperate set of dedicated snow tires.

 

[importgirl212]

I can't say for certain whether the guy was telling the truth or not about those being the originals and the only tires he has run on the car, but I believed him. Spent a lot of time talking with him and spending time with him during the whole process. Was straight up and accurate about everything else so I don't know why he would choose that to be the one thing he would lie about.

I have been debating what to do as far as the tires go. I know a lot of people consider it sacrilege to put all season's on an MS3, but I really don't know that I NEED summer tires (I'm not going to be racing the car), and I would like to get as much wear out of the tires I choose as possible. Dedicated winter tires would definitely be better, but is it worth the money and hassle? If I lived in Buffalo or Minn. sure, but Indiana doesn't get all that much snow. A couple 6" snow falls a season or something.

If summer tires get as bad of wear as it seems you guys are saying, then I may stay away from them even if I do go with a seperate set of dedicated snow tires.

I haven't YET...but I would recommend getting winter tires. Even in 2 inches, the Speeds are terrible in the snow (imo). I work at a local Mazda Dealership, and we park the Speed's, Miata's, and Rx8's under the awning out front so we don't have the move them at all when the snow plows come through. They are the most difficult to get moving. When I bought my '07 I was going 20mph down a hill that was curved. There was only an inch on the ground...the car wouldn't turn and so I ran into Accent rocks in front of a house....It only had 700 miles on it. Very sad day. OR I'd just get 16in, wheels and tires from someone with an I Model Mazda3 (09 or older). They'll fit.

PS--Although you probably already have...did you get a CARFAX? Though they don't show every little detail, it's still a nice resource.

 

[Saskatchewan17]

Congrats on the new purchase!

the second set of tires

This.

I have about 28,000 on mine, with a lot of tread left so its possible.

I drive my car like I stole it... and I have a decent bit of tread left at 12,000 miles. But I maybe have 9,000 on the Potenzas. So I might see another 6,000 or so. Who knows. I'm anxious to get a set of 235/40/18s anyways.