Looking into buying a MS3, how much should I expect to spend?

[CRZbrussian]

Hey guys and gals I'm in the process of purchasing a new car, just looking for some input on the MS3. I'm a Mazda guy through and through, so just want to stay in the family. I've been reading up on some stuff already (like the motor bolt mount and some other odds and ends), and just wanting to see what is a average value for these cars, how's the motor/tranny capabilities? My price cap I'd say is around $15k.

Thanks for any input!

 

[b e z]

With your price cap around 15k i would say you will end up seeing mostly 07's with mileage around the 40 thousand mark and higher. When i was in the market the cheapest i found was at a crappy dealer and it was a heavily modded 07 with 40 thousand miles for i believe 14k. You may get a decent deal if you buy from a private seller tho. As far as the motor and tranny capabilities i cant say because i only have an intake and bov on my 09.

 

[CRZbrussian]

Thanks for the reply. Yeah I've been whoring up CL like nobodies business. How big of a change did Mazda make btw the years? Anything drastic as far as performance goes?

 

[oaklandopen]

only cosmetic differences, and then fixes from first year bugs

if you go for an 07, try to get a report of any items that were taken care of via recall like the motor mount

 

[CRZbrussian]

only cosmetic differences, and then fixes from first year bugs

if you go for an 07, try to get a report of any items that were taken care of via recall like the motor mount

what other bugs should i be asking about while searching for one?

 

[oaklandopen]

Well, the smoking turbo has a fix (replacement), and the mount should also have been replaced at the dealer. The mount was limitted to the 07's , but the turbo has been going on for all vehicles that use the 2.3 turbo

If you want to know if the turbo smokes, during your test drive let it sit and idle for a while, like 10 minutes. That's when the problem should occur

Another issue ppl had was the high pressure fuel pump failing...but I feel like they were limited to the ones pushing their boost higher and thus fuel supply not able to compensate

Other minor things include, but aren't limited to, squeeky seatbelts, dashboard rattle, bose stereo problems, cold weather fuel cut under high load, variable swirl valve malfunction, thin paint, loose turbo inlet, loose hardware on the rear stablizer bar creating "clunk" noises, loud tranny, difficulty changing gears in cold weather...umm. that's all I can think of for now

There are a lot of little nit-pick type things that any car has

 

[b e z]

Ahh the squeaky setbelt noise, i was wondering if other people had that problem. My gf was in the car the other day and i had her listen to it and she didnt think it was a big deal but it irritates the hell out of me. Other than that i do deal with the thin paint, the changing of gears in cold weather and the loud tranny. I did have a buddy look at my turbo inlet to see if it was just me but it looks like the hose is over the metal a little, looks a little smooth and shiney where the hose should be pressed up against.

 

[oaklandopen]

^^oh yea, reposition and tighten that badboy up

And while you're at it, put some white lithium grease on the seatbelt base bolt. That stuff should be sprayed on all your hinges and locks every so often as well. No more squeaky

 

[sick_role]

If you look hard enough you should be able to come close to your price cap, but def will be an 07-08. I looked for about 8 months and finally got mine last winter. 07 w/ 15k mi for 15.5k. I considered that a good enough deal to pull the trigger on. There's deals to be had, you just have to be patient (and diligent).

 

[b e z]

Wow an 07 with 15k for 15.5k that is awesome deal and you are right, as long as you can wait and be patient you will find something good out there. I think i was too impatient and didnt get the best deal but i did talk the dealer down a good bit.

 

[lyonsroar]

Just chiming in on price:
Got my '09 CWP for 18.5k with 19,000 miles last summer.

 

[CRZbrussian]

I can be fairly patient Would love to pick one up within the month or so though. Found one in Florida but it's a 10hr drive and the guy is being pretty sketchy with e-mails. I expanded my search to other cars a bit, but I just think that I would be a lot happier with sticking to Mazdas, at least for now, and definitely not going away from boost.

 

[b e z]

Well i bought my 09' black mica with 24,000 for i believe 19,400. Dealer originally wanted 21 for it.

 

[LaraS]

I got my 08.5 with 3,500 miles on it for $19,000.

 

[CRZbrussian]

Well that's good. My hopes are with the new speeds coming out, and people racking up miles on their previous cars the price will drop a bit for these cars Just need to find someone who's going to trade their ms3 in for the new one and offer them more than the dealer

 

[Zerv]

Just to chime in on price as well. I just picked up an 08 Black Mica sport w/ 36k for $16000 2wks ago.

Probably could have got it a little lower but by the time I decided to buy it I just wanted it done.

 

[klocktown]

I just picked mine up a few weeks ago. I paid $10,000 for an 07 with 60,000 miles. It was by far the best deal I found. Most were right around $14k with 50000 miles.

 

[drez]

Some guy here in Northern Delaware is selling his 08 with 36k miles for $15k
I don't think it's a GT though, unless the interior of a 08 GT has gray seat centers.
Anyways all he said he did to it was TRZ rear and side Motor Mounts, a injen CAI and 18” Momo Ten-S rims with Toyo Proxes4.

I don't think he comes on here otherwise Im sure he'd have listed it here.

 

[theblackspeed]

I got my 08.5 with 3,500 miles on it for $19,000.

That's about right i got my 09 with 24k miles for 17k without extended warranty, I've had mazdas before and most stuff goes at around 70k, so the extra warranty for 2k is worth it. The car though is totally worth it, people will bow down haha.

 

[Jack Daniels]

We just bought our '09 Grand Touring with 6000 miles for $21k in Jan.