Maybe buying...

[lyonsroar]

Hi,

I'm currently in the market for a new(er) car. I'm coming out of a 2000 Volvo S40 1.9 liter turbo that has been a real pain to own. I've spent a lot on repairs and I don't want to do that again. This brings be to my question(s):

I LOVE the MS3, but I'm a little concerned reliability-wise. Consumer Reports only lists it at average I think. I'm just wondering what everyone's experiences have been? Would you recommend an extended warranty?

I'm also wondering what insurance is like? I know it's pretty high on my s40 right now, so I'd just like some info on how much it went up for you (or down I guess.)

I've got a little over $16,000 for my budget. I'm going to put ~$10,000 down and then finance the remainder. If it all works out I'm hoping to pay less than $300/ month payments.

Thanks a lot! Hopefully I'll be spending a lot of time over here!

 

[rmgedon69]

it's a 7 for me (scale of 1 to 10)

hey lyon...

are you planning to buy a new ms3 or a used one? make sure you check everything if you are buying a used ms3...just a heads-up.

getting the extended warranty depends on what are you planning to do with the speed. if you're planning to add a little bits of power mods...i suggest do not get 'em.

my insurance (full-coverage) went up a little when i traded my N/A 3 to ms3. it also depends on your age and driving record (tickets and other violations) so it varies from driver to driver. i suggest you call your insurance agent 1st so you will know how much it's gonna cost you.

as far as your question if the ms3 is a reliable car...i can only speak for mine. and it's been reliable for me so far.

good luck

 

[lyonsroar]

Used. Unless I can get a new one for $16,000! If so, where do I sign!

I will be keeping it stock, no mods.

 

[Z-Indy]

Can't comment on reliability since I've only owned my car a week or two. As for insurance, I went from a 1999 Protege LX to an '08 MS3 and my insurance went up about $200 a year I think. Well worth it in my opinion.


$16,000 is a pretty good number to shoot for. I got an '08.5 for 15 but it had original tires that need to be replaced soon, so they reduced the price a bit, and it also had sort of high mileage, 43 k. I shopped around for about 6 months and during that time I saw several sell for right around 16. A lot of those had mods though, and I didn't want to get into any of that because I didn't trust that those people hadn't torn up the car.

Good luck! I love my car and couldn't be happier with my choice to go with a used MS3!

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

^^^ Mods dont mean anything for how the car is drivin. I know people with zero mods that are a lot harder on their cars than people with mods. I tend to think that people with mods take better care of their cars.

16k budget should land you an 08-08.5 (little difference between the two other than seats and MP3 capable head unit) with no problem. 10k down and only financing 6k will keep those payments REAL low.

Extended warrantys are always good. You can look into a GMAC extended warranty, they will also often cover mods with no problems. Extended warrantys are always a safe bet but can be a waste of money if you dont run into any problems. Any MS3 that has been maintenances appropriately shouldnt really have any issues other than wear and tear items, i.e. brakes/tires and the like.

Good luck!

 

[horNNEE]

i came from a 2000 s40 1.9 as well!! hahahaha i made the jump last year. i freaking hated that volvo.. so many problems it was embarrassing... so coming from a person who owned a 2000 s40 and purchased an 08.5 speed3 DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! i havent had any problems with my new baby. *knocks on wood* my insurance only went up 100 bucks a year and the only real negative side about going from the s40 to the speed3 was the gas mileage. and you need to put premium fuel in the speed. BUT other than that.. i couldnt be happier.

 

[lyonsroar]

i came from a 2000 s40 1.9 as well!! hahahaha i made the jump last year. i freaking hated that volvo.. so many problems it was embarrassing... so coming from a person who owned a 2000 s40 and purchased an 08.5 speed3 DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! i havent had any problems with my new baby. *knocks on wood* my insurance only went up 100 bucks a year and the only real negative side about going from the s40 to the speed3 was the gas mileage. and you need to put premium fuel in the speed. BUT other than that.. i couldnt be happier.

That's hilarious! I've spent like $5,000 on repairs in just the last 2 years and it needs the timing belt now and I don't want to spend another penny on it! May I ask your age?

Hopefully I can convince my parents on it. They want me to buy a new Honda Fit just to say it's new with a full warranty. I told them I needed something more than a hamster on a wheel under the hood! (yawn)

 

[horNNEE]

haha yeah ewww. get the speeeeeed!

 

[Jdm_Mica]

My speed has been really good to me. I bought mine used w/ extended warranty. Mine is modded and runs like a champ. I came from a regular 3 and have no regrets.

 

[eg6motion]

I know people with zero mods that are a lot harder on their cars than people with mods. I tend to think that people with mods take better care of their cars.

This may be an exception, but it certainly isn't the rule. Especially when a vehicle is traded with mods. Show's that either permanent mods were done, or the owner didn't keep stock parts, which can severely hurt resale as most people outside of their teens don't want to buy a vehicle that has been modded already.

 

[Hank3]

You should buy my super clean '08 MS3 GT

 

[carbosam]

I have had alot of check engine light pop out and my turbo had to replaced.

Its not the most reliable car you will find...

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

This may be an exception, but it certainly isn't the rule. Especially when a vehicle is traded with mods. Show's that either permanent mods were done, or the owner didn't keep stock parts, which can severely hurt resale as most people outside of their teens don't want to buy a vehicle that has been modded already.

I wasnt speaking to trade in or private sale. My car will be going up for sale at the end of this month and will certainly be parted out and put back to stock before. Most used speeds I have seen at most have the MSCAI installed and that is about it.

 

[Peter B]

Just a tidbit about the gas... When I got mine all the dealers I spoke with told me Mazda had tuned the engine to accept low grade gas. They still recomend the good stuff but it wasn't a requirement. I have tried it a few times with no ill effects.

That said I do put the good stuff in. Among other things it keeps the engine cleaner. Or so im told.

-Pete

 

[lyonsroar]

Just a tidbit about the gas... When I got mine all the dealers I spoke with told me Mazda had tuned the engine to accept low grade gas. They still recomend the good stuff but it wasn't a requirement. I have tried it a few times with no ill effects.

That said I do put the good stuff in. Among other things it keeps the engine cleaner. Or so im told.

-Pete

I only put 93 octane in my s40. I would continue that trend with the MS3.

Can anyone else comment on reliability? That's my main concern.

 

[lyonsroar]

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detai...kId=20073&rpp=50&feedSegId=28705&aff=national

This is one of the ones I'm looking at, but I'm in no rush to buy. Probably looking closer to June/ July.

I did notice it has some kind of intake on it. Can anyone comment on that?

 

[boosted1]

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detai...kId=20073&rpp=50&feedSegId=28705&aff=national

This is one of the ones I'm looking at, but I'm in no rush to buy. Probably looking closer to June/ July.

I did notice it has some kind of intake on it. Can anyone comment on that?

That may be a cp-e SRI in there. It is hard to tell,though.

 

[RedKatanax9]

Mine only has 9000 miles, it's certainly too new to say, but so far nary an issue. I've had several Mazdas before, no problems whatsoever.

 

[Peter B]

Since the ms3 shares many components (like the engine) with the regular 3, perhaps look at the reliability rating for that. It wont be exactly the same but it might give you an idea.

BTW I have 43k ish miles on it and no serious problems yet. I have a bit of a noise coming from the steering, but the dealer said it was not a problem, and so far it hasn't been. I use synthetic oil changed every 5k, 91-93 octane and take it for its regular scheduled visits to the dealer.

Keep in mind half the reliability of a car comes from how well you care for it. I know people who swear by certain makes I would never touch even if someone gave me the car. The research I did lead me to believe the ms3 would be a fairly reliable car.

 

[lyonsroar]

Since the ms3 shares many components (like the engine) with the regular 3, perhaps look at the reliability rating for that. It wont be exactly the same but it might give you an idea.

BTW I have 43k ish miles on it and no serious problems yet. I have a bit of a noise coming from the steering, but the dealer said it was not a problem, and so far it hasn't been. I use synthetic oil changed every 5k, 91-93 octane and take it for its regular scheduled visits to the dealer.

Keep in mind half the reliability of a car comes from how well you care for it. I know people who swear by certain makes I would never touch even if someone gave me the car. The research I did lead me to believe the ms3 would be a fairly reliable car.

The reliability for the regular Mazda3 is SPOTLESS. Perfect.

I was originally looking at a regular Mazda3, but the price for the Mazda3S GT I want is SO CLOSE to the MS3, why shouldn't I spring the extra grand or so and get a REAL performance car...