About to buy a 3

[Oeasy]

Hello. I am new to site. I am about to buy a Mazda 3 in the next week. I was curious as to performance tune-ups etc. I plan on getting the 3 since it appears to have same engine as SP3 and aftermarket is probably cheaper in upgrading. What should I look for when picking one out? Costs that you guys payed?

I am hoping to get a Rally White, 2005 5-speed. Leather seats. Thats pretty much my only reqs so far.

How do you like yours? Where do I find links to see how much aftermarket products cost etc...

I had a 2001 Civic and am selling it. I put about $20,000 into it. Now I am wanting a new project! I am joining the military in November so i'll have some cash around then to really dump into this thing.

If you need to move this thread (unsure where to post?)

Thanks!

Brian

 

[ZoomVT]

welcome to the boards!
there is definitely not a big parts market compared to the civic but we are catching up i think plus it also becomes a challenge which makes it even more fun.
I got my 3s in 2004 for 17000 but it did not have the leather nor the abs package. i did get the 6cd changer and the power roof. I am not sure how much it costs now but it shouldnt be far off.
If you are planning on dropping that much dough into your 3 i am sure its gonna be sick. I dont knwo what you are looking for parts and if you can do stuff yourself but i dont think you'll be able to spends more than 10k in parts right now, and that is counting a hiboost turbo and a body kit which account for like $5500
If you are also thinking on a after market nav system and maybe a carputer and screens then maybe you'lll spend another 2k more. Of course these estimates are IMHO, im not an expert on this but i did stay at a holiday express last night.
I would ask the more experienced guys do the talking, i just figured i would welcome you.

 

[Oeasy]

Cool thanks. Well i plan on keeping the outside looking stock. I do plan on I/H/E fairly soon. Then internals. Then Boost and ECU tuned at a dyno shop somewhere. That should all take place over next 4 months. Thanks for sayin hi!

 

[fam]

well the 3i has a 2 liter (147hp) and the S models have a 2.3 (same as sp23) with 160HP. Be sure to get the S model as the turbos out there right now are made for them. You will love this car compared to a civic, it just has so much more...well...zoom zoom. Great body kits are starting to pop up as well as great performance adders. I bought an 04 rally white Hatchback (s model) and leased an i model 3 for my wife (sedan). I paid about 18k (360\month)for mine after s plan with auto\6cd\moonroof. Her lease for a power everything automatic I-model is 234 no money down for 4 yrs.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

welcome to the forums. you have chosen wisely.

 

[tsunami]

welcome and good luck on the purchase... as far as the sp23 package all that is is pretty much a loaded 3, (differend intereior colors i believe) it has the led tails, leather, and i think climate control as well.... i would suggest the stock nav system b/c it looks damn nice, though the only draw back is its a nav screen only so if you want a more custom look (dvd) then do it yourself, the stock radio is very integrated so a lot of us have left it in just using line out converters (locs) or speaker wire outs to the amps.... there are quite a few website out there that offer a mixture of different parts for our cars....

www.protegegarage.com (i put you first instead of last b/c i almost forgot last time)
www.draxas.com
www.corksport.com
www.srmotorsports.com
www.hiboost.com
www.ebay.com (you will be surprised what you can find on ebay, just gotta sort through the crap first)
www.twmperformance.com (they and mazdaspeed both make a short shifter kit)
those are probably the big ones so far.... also check the 3 market place sub forum on here for the occasional perf part

magnaflow, borla, eibach, h&r, and tien all make products for the 3 as well.... and as i said before the sp23 perf wise will be able to use all the same parts as the 3s its just a bit more luxurious (if thats what you want to call it)

 

[Replica]

Hmm....about 17k to spend? How about a scion tC? Way more options to mod than the mazda...

 

[FrigginGLI]

Hmm....about 17k to spend? How about a scion tC? Way more options to mod than the mazda...

How so?

 

[tsunami]

yeah but then its a 2 door coupe not a 5 door...tons of space vs. not enough space specially if he is coming from a civic.... the tc is roughly the same size where the 5 door is bigger (storage wise not a whole lot bigger dimension wise)