Buying an 03 used with 112k miles

[GreyKiller2005]

I will pay about 3500 for it and I live in south florida. The body looks real clean. It has aftermarket tires on the car--unidirectional tread R rated.

It is an automatic, has a big stabilizer bar in the engine bay, but everything looks relatively clean for a car that has yet to go thru dealer prep.

HUGE Question--If I assume very little maintenance on the car, what kind of major repairs should I budget for? This car is for my daughter who will be highway driving it every day so I need to be sure this will work well for her.

Thanks in advance.

 

[YelPro03]

I will pay about 3500 for it and I live in south florida. The body looks real clean. It has aftermarket tires on the car--unidirectional tread R rated.

It is an automatic, has a big stabilizer bar in the engine bay, but everything looks relatively clean for a car that has yet to go thru dealer prep.

HUGE Question--If I assume very little maintenance on the car, what kind of major repairs should I budget for? This car is for my daughter who will be highway driving it every day so I need to be sure this will work well for her.

Thanks in advance.

At 112,000 miles it will need to have its timing belt changed soon. At that time it would be a good idea to change the other belt and water pump. Since it's an automatic you would probably want the transmission fluid changed and the the cooling system drained, flushed and new coolant put in. Other than I can't think of much else. You should be able to have all of those done for well under $1,000.

 

[raserx]

Take a peek at the engine mounts as well. By 112k , the front one is toast usually,maybe the sides as well. You can replace 3 of the 4 pretty easily but the rear one takes some time. This was my front mount at 100k.

 

[ghettoracingkid]

+1
+1
for the posts above.

the cars are good and reliable. I got 2006XX on mine until I deceided to bail on it becuase it is having old age issues.

 

[GreyKiller2005]

Great suggestions! Thanks!
I own a 2007 Mazdaspeed3, and had a second gen Mazda3 hatch before that, and have done a bunch of mods by myself. I think the motormounts will be ok, I will let a real mech do the water pump and timing chain.

I will also replace the battery as it was looking tired (corroded terminals). Anything under the car I should be concerned with, like suspension or exhaust?

 

[bgibb68]

Take a peek at the engine mounts as well. By 112k , the front one is toast usually,maybe the sides as well. You can replace 3 of the 4 pretty easily but the rear one takes some time. This was my front mount at 100k.

that's exactly what mine looked like when i replaced.....the pass side was also in 2 pieces and the other 2 ripped to poo

 

[bgibb68]

Great suggestions! Thanks!
I own a 2007 Mazdaspeed3, and had a second gen Mazda3 hatch before that, and have done a bunch of mods by myself. I think the motormounts will be ok, I will let a real mech do the water pump and timing chain.

I will also replace the battery as it was looking tired (corroded terminals). Anything under the car I should be concerned with, like suspension or exhaust?

def check the struts....the origs seem to go on people around 80k