What's with these used MS3s?

[///M Compact]

The thing is, I've been playing with BMWs since 1983 and-as I noted earlier-I made the mistake of thinking that I should try something different. I did and I didn't like it. It's that simple. So I'll ditch the MS3 and wait until something I like comes along. OTOH, I went with a Speed Triple instead of a Beemer and I couldn't be happier...
Again, I'm not knocking the MS3. It's a great car that just didn't work out for me.

 

[mdavis]

i bought mine from a college kid who couldnt afford the expensive nature of the car. insurance, premium gas (with a heavy right foot), monthly payments, tickets, ect. the kid got in over his head.

but i was happy to bail him out. i saved about 7-8 grand and got every option on mine that was available!

 

[Jasnall]

I guess i'm one of those college type kids. I'm 23 and just out of college(for now) and was ready for a new car. My payments will be 350ish and thats completely on my own credit no cosign. But i'm working two jobs and living at home to save money. I could maybe afford to move out ( 700$ for rent here) and make my payment but it would be tough.
But them again I really thought hard about the commitment it would take to own this car. Its not easy for us po' college folk but if you want it enough you can make it happen.
2000 miles in 2 weeks says I love this car!!!(drive2)

This isn't a cheap car to own

agreed, the 22-25k price tag can be very deceiving compared to what the costs actually end up to be.

 

[boosted3]

I think I enjoy mine more today than I did when I drove it home. Mine is pretty modified and I keep adding as well. There's something about the car that makes me cock my head and smile in disbelief every time I stab the throttle. My last two cars were purchased in the early 90's, so we keep ours awhile. I'm sure I'll have this one for awhile, too.

 

[Antoniogut]

2000 miles in 2 weeks says I love this car!!!(drive2)

WOW!!! lol i thought I was driving mine alot ive had mine for a month and am barely at 1200

but i have to say...ive loved this car even before i stepped in it...im 19, have had 3 POS and 1 decent car, i saved saved saved and it was ready for a BRAND NEW car...wanted somethin great for the money and this was it...got it financed by myself payin 350 a month insurance isnt too high <200 and i know ill be keepin this car...i baby it so much as well, stayin under certain rpms parking far far away washin it once a week parkin outta the sun...everytime i see it as i walk towards it, it puts a smile on my face and i mutter, "oh so sexy" lol....i love her what can i say!

 

[Redlinez]

I had a 2006 GTI MKV 6 speed manual "0" package that I fell in love with on a test drive in Feb 06. Things just weren't going to happen then. So I drove it again in July or so and wanted a 4 door model, but they didn't know when they'd arrive. So, I took a second test drive and again, I was blown away by all the driving dynamics that I had never really felt in a long time. I felt the same when I test drove a brand new 94 Sentra SE-R but couldn't swallow red. This time I bought it without talking to the wife knowing how much she hates the GTI hatch look. Then one month later, all the interior rattles and noises they are known for surfaced. That combined with the wife-hates-it factor led me to let it go. I still miss driving that car, but I will say the looks were kind of odd, it sucked to get in and out of, and it was a rattle trap. Me being a service advisor, I hated bringing the car in for rattles, so that made my experience even more irritating.
Oh well, I'm not really in the market right now, but if that changes, I may just have to drive a used MS3.

 

[79_Limited]

I have had mine a year now and still love it. My other car I considered was a Boxster S and thought the 3 handled just as well and thought the braking was equal. I play music for fun so I have to haul around gear often. You can't beat the hatch for that.

Another poster mentioned the $400 window regulators on the E46. I feel your pain. I thought it was odd when my BMW E36 had a leaking water pump at 35k. It was all downhill from there. My seat belts kept blowing sensors at $600 a pop. My trusted mechanic said plan on replacing these on a regular basis. No thanks so I dumped it.

 

[///M Compact]

I had a 2006 GTI MKV 6 speed manual "0" package that I fell in love with on a test drive in Feb 06. Things just weren't going to happen then. So I drove it again in July or so and wanted a 4 door model, but they didn't know when they'd arrive. So, I took a second test drive and again, I was blown away by all the driving dynamics that I had never really felt in a long time. I felt the same when I test drove a brand new 94 Sentra SE-R but couldn't swallow red. This time I bought it without talking to the wife knowing how much she hates the GTI hatch look. Then one month later, all the interior rattles and noises they are known for surfaced. That combined with the wife-hates-it factor led me to let it go. I still miss driving that car, but I will say the looks were kind of odd, it sucked to get in and out of, and it was a rattle trap. Me being a service advisor, I hated bringing the car in for rattles, so that made my experience even more irritating.
Oh well, I'm not really in the market right now, but if that changes, I may just have to drive a used MS3.

When I was looking for a car this last time the first new car I seriously considered was the GTI. I really liked it, but the service departments of the Louisville dealers have an evil reputation, and scanning the VW Vortex board wasn't very reassuring either. The final nail in the coffin was the reluctance of the local dealers to order a car the way I wanted it. Next, I stupidly passed up a very nice Imola 330i ZHP, a pristine one owner Dakar E36 M3, and-worst of all-a drop dead gorgeous Stirling/Imola E46 M3 coupe. That said, I really did think that the MS3 would keep me entertained for longer than 11 months. Oh well, you win some, you lose some...

 

[MS3077]

When I was looking for a car this last time the first new car I seriously considered was the GTI. I really liked it, but the service departments of the Louisville dealers have an evil reputation, and scanning the VW Vortex board wasn't very reassuring either. The final nail in the coffin was the reluctance of the local dealers to order a car the way I wanted it. Next, I stupidly passed up a very nice Imola 330i ZHP, a pristine one owner Dakar E36 M3, and-worst of all-a drop dead gorgeous Stirling/Imola E46 M3 coupe. That said, I really did think that the MS3 would keep me entertained for longer than 11 months. Oh well, you win some, you lose some...

Are you stock? Is it the FWD that you don't like anymore?

 

[desperado-c]

I haven't seen any used in my area. Then again, I haven't seen many new ones.

The honeymoon is over for a lot of people. I couldn't find a new car with a better $:HP ratio. I'm as excited as I was when I first drove it off the lot. (I keep adding s*** to it, so that probably accounts for something)

My affection was wavering b/c the tires were spinning too easy and wheel hop was kinda nasty. I was thinking I had to have AWD (2009 Ralliart, anyone?). Then at 21K I finally got some new tires and now the traction and the love is back. Still might trade/sell and get a 2010 RA Sportback if and when they appear on our shores, but I will very happy driving the MS3 until I can do a direct comparo. I think getting the Cobb AP and maybe a TMIC to smooth out performance will help keep things going even longer if need be.

 

[///M Compact]

Are you stock? Is it the FWD that you don't like anymore?

I'm dead stock right now; one of the things I liked about the MS3 was the availability of a few Mazdaspeed parts that I could fit without causing any warranty hassles at the two dealers that are most convenient to me. Accordingly, I bought a Mazdaspeed CAI just in time for Mazda to stop selling them (and now the CAI will void my warranty if I install it). And the icing on that cake? Showcase Mazda(where I bought the CAI on eBay) is not responding to my emails.
As for the FWD, having never owned an FWD car, it was actually kind of entertaining at first, but the longer I drive it the more I just find it flat-out annoying. Especially on wet pavement- where anything greater than @1/4 throttle generate severe wheel hop. Believe me, I wish I could say I still look forward to driving it, but I just don't. But I'll say it again, I don't think the MS3 is a bad car, it simply didn't do it for me.

 

[MS3077]

I'm dead stock right now; one of the things I liked about the MS3 was the availability of a few Mazdaspeed parts that I could fit without causing any warranty hassles at the two dealers that are most convenient to me. Accordingly, I bought a Mazdaspeed CAI just in time for Mazda to stop selling them (and now the CAI will void my warranty if I install it). And the icing on that cake? Showcase Mazda(where I bought the CAI on eBay) is not responding to my emails.
As for the FWD, having never owned an FWD car, it was actually kind of entertaining at first, but the longer I drive it the more I just find it flat-out annoying. Especially on wet pavement- where anything greater than @1/4 throttle generate severe wheel hop. Believe me, I wish I could say I still look forward to driving it, but I just don't. But I'll say it again, I don't think the MS3 is a bad car, it simply didn't do it for me.

Well... Good luck!

 

[///M Compact]

Thanks. I really like the Mazda community as well, but so it goes...

 

[MS3077]

I just like to make the best with what I got. I can't afford to keep switching cars out every 2-3yrs.

 

[Jasnall]

i saved saved saved and it was ready for a BRAND NEW car

dude i felt like i was reading something I wrote! I had the exact same mentality.

ANd ya its been 22 days and I have 2300 miles HAHAH. ITS SOOOOOOOOO FUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNN(ricer)

 

[///M Compact]

I completely understand. My 1999 Wrangler(bought in 2001) has 106K on it and my 1995 318ti(bought new) has 113K. In fact, the last new car I bought prior to the MS3 was the ti, and the last used car was the Jeep- so it's not like I make a habit of flipping cars every couple of years. At least this experience taught me to just stick with cars I already know I'll like- and to only buy them used.

 

[Super Unique]

A car like the speed 3 I would only buy new. Too many used performance oriented cars get beat up quite badly.

 

[kickniteasy]

A car like the speed 3 I would only buy new. Too many used performance oriented cars get beat up quite badly.

yep, makes me sad I'm so in love with the bug eyed subies. I'm saving up for both the car and an immediate engine swap, lol.

 

[Redlinez]

You mean like this http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...004&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=9