Which MS3??

[omnipotent_boi]

I need some advice from you experts out there. I'm looking forward into buying a used Mazda3 Speed GT - 5 speed Automatic. Since I've heard some good and bad things about the Mazda3 Speed, I need you guys to direct me in the right path. I want to purchase any versions from 2004 to 2008, is there any one of them ''better'' than the other? Or which version is the ''best''? And finally, what should I look into when buying this car (such as repairs and defects...).

Hope you guys will help me.
oh and sorry about my English, I'm not very good..

thanks

 

[kvndoom]

There is no automatic Speed3.

There were some major issues with the Speed that were fixed in like 2008 and 2008.5, although some like the smoking turbo are still not fixed.

Here are all the bulletins for Mazda 3's. http://www.finishlineperformance.com/store/pages.php?pageid=12 Not all apply to the Speed3, but some do.
As with any used car, make sure all the recalls and TSB's have been done, and get a VIN report of some sort if you can.

 

[omnipotent_boi]

Yes, my fault, I forgot that ''Speed's'' are only manual...
Which hatchback version has the 2.3L - 5 speed tiptronic then? That's the one I'm looking for.

 

[kvndoom]

I don't know trims for the non-turbo 3's, but maybe it was the S-trim that had the 2.3? I don't know if there's a GT trim for the non-speed...

I can say this... the non-Speed 3 is a super reliable car, which is why it's Mazda's bread and butter right now. It's a tough car to beat in the value segment.

 

[Nliiitend1]

Yeah, you're simply looking for a Mazda 3 5-door (the hatches ONLY came with the 2.3)...

 

[horNNEE]