MS3 Advice

[pakal111]

Hello, MS3 world, I am in the market for a car and this is the car that I truly want, after driving the same car for 11 years..... I decide to get a newer car, I am looking at a 2008 MS3 GT with 22k miles for $18K. is this a good buy, and if it is what should i look for? when I do the inspection.

28 work as an Engineer for ConEd the utility Company of NY

 

[detonnation]

Hello, MS3 world, I am in the market for a car and this is the car that I truly want, after driving the same car for 11 years..... I decide to get a newer car, I am looking at a 2008 MS3 GT with 22k miles for $18K. is this a good buy, and if it is what should i look for? when I do the inspection.

28 work as an Engineer for ConEd the utility Company of NY

I picked up mine for 19k new.. OTD was 21 or so. Id try to get them lower.
M

 

[Sergius64]

He's talking about the GT though, I'll be really surprised if you got a new GT for 21k OTD.

 

[Design]

Hello, MS3 world, I am in the market for a car and this is the car that I truly want, after driving the same car for 11 years..... I decide to get a newer car, I am looking at a 2008 MS3 GT with 22k miles for $18K. is this a good buy, and if it is what should i look for? when I do the inspection.

28 work as an Engineer for ConEd the utility Company of NY

KBB lists it for 21.5K (excellent condition), NADA lists it for 17.9K. Sounds like a decent price.

Definitely drive the car and check under the hood. Look for any evidence of tampering or mods. Check the tire tread, fluid levels, and interior for any premature wear. Get a carfax report. Hope that helps.

 

[detonnation]

He's talking about the GT though, I'll be really surprised if you got a new GT for 21k OTD.

GT.. ah Grand Touring, wondered what that meant. Yeah so its a good price!
Mike

 

[6SpeedTA95]

I've been doing a ton of reading on these cars and I also am seriously considering a speed3 sometime in august/sept.

After all of my reading (and its been substantial) I would recommend buying new. The premium for a new car isn't that much on the speed3. You should be able to pickup a brand new sport for 20 to 20.5 and a GT for somewhere around 22k.

These cars are easy to mod and easy to take back to stock. Everyone is goign to swear their car wasn't modded when in reality it easily could have been. You get one of these that has a bad history of knocking or with the boost turned way up and you may find yourself one of the unlucky few who pukes a rod.

IF you do go used I'd look high and low for a mazda CPO car...mazda doesn't certify many speed3's as CPO though...what does that tell you?

 

[detonnation]

I've been doing a ton of reading on these cars and I also am seriously considering a speed3 sometime in august/sept.

After all of my reading (and its been substantial) I would recommend buying new. The premium for a new car isn't that much on the speed3. You should be able to pickup a brand new sport for 20 to 20.5 and a GT for somewhere around 22k.

These cars are easy to mod and easy to take back to stock. Everyone is goign to swear their car wasn't modded when in reality it easily could have been. You get one of these that has a bad history of knocking or with the boost turned way up and you may find yourself one of the unlucky few who pukes a rod.

IF you do go used I'd look high and low for a mazda CPO car...mazda doesn't certify many speed3's as CPO though...what does that tell you?

I agree, you dont get that much going GT over the sport. You get a Blose and some other niceties, but you will prolly replace the stereo anyway. Its a Blose It could be 22K of punishment! Check the Carfax at least to make sure everything is on the up&up

 

[evilmonkey]

I got mine ( an 08.5 GT ) with navigation and the piano black suede on Long Island with 9260 miles for $19,500 and i put $8k down..( I owe 10k ).I walked away from the dealer a few times till the price was where i wanted it lol. The best time to walk away is when your with the guy that does the financing. The first "deal" he gave me was 21k with a payment of $400 a month. A simple "there's no way in hell I'm paying that" and getting up out of the chair is all it took! There's a few Speed dealers out here if your willing to take a short ride.

 

[coololddude]

Get it new. You deserve it. YES?

 

[pakal111]

I finally got it!!!

2008.5 MS3 GT with NAVI, True Red, 7k miles, and a couple of aftermarket parts, for $22K(mj)

 

[I`m Batman]

Is that 22K out the door or 22K sticker then plus taxes and fees?

If it's 22K out the door that might be OK...

 

[pakal111]

22k out the door, form a private seller. I think is worth it giving all of the aftermarket parts that he added to the car, and the low miles.(upyours)

 

[I`m Batman]

That's still a little high... I got my 09 brand new for not too much more than that.

What kind of aftermarket is in there?

 

[pakal111]

read below

 

[MaikuMS3]

thats a lot of aftermarket stuff.... hopefully you know very much about car or you will have hard time fixing your car..... especially you bought it used.

 

[pakal111]

to be honest I am not a big whiz about cars but I been reading a lot about it, and this forum has tons of good info... on top of that I am babying the hell out of it, just as much as my new born.....JK.

my next mods are the cobb turbo inlet, the forge BVP, and some more cosmetic add ons like the black out mazda logos..... later down the road I am going to try to get some rims.