I moved to Barnsley from Wakefield, I work in Wakefield tho and tend to see a few about. I know there's defiantly another White mk2, a cosmic grey mk1 and a red mk1.

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WHITE MK 2 MPS, FORGE BOV, CORKSPORT SRI + TIP

Hello & along!

Sounds like a good move you might be making!
Insurance just sucks so I can't see there being too much difference, but when I got mine I was not long 20 year old and the MPS was nearly half compared to Focus ST, Golf GTI/R32, Type R etc...so that helped a lot also!

There isn't a 'buyers guide' that I know of on here, but plenty of threads on what to look out for mate.

Off the top of my head:
Wheels are good at corroding which is covered for 3 years from new, mine and many others have had them replaced!
Smokey turbos, a few people have had this problem...leave the car to idle for 10 mins and if there is white smoke then walk away.
Some people have had problems with noisy/knocking from suspension - lower drop links or sometimes shocks...

BUT you usually only hear the bad things, but the cars are great and have plenty of options!
The mk1 had a wee tweak for 2009-2010 which included darker interior with black plastics and slightly darker wheels compared to the more silver ones on the 2007-2009.

Good luck with the search and hope you find something good

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Trying to resist modifying my new Mazda 3 mk2 MPS! viewtopic.php?f=86&t=13680

Hello and

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Titanium 6MPS, Cpe XL TIP/CAI, AEM Filter, PTP HPFPI, NGK Plugs, Forge recirc valve, C&C Custom 3'' System, Cpe RMM, J-Speed SSP, Eibach pro springs, Gloss Black RX-8 Wheels, Falken rubber, M-Tech D&G disc with yellowstuff pads all round, HEL BBL, DOT5.1 Fluid, Red Calipers, Black out badges and Tints.
To fit = Hd lip, Sure Anchors
289bhp & 295ftlb

Future Mods = Corksport TMIC

Great advice mate, I think i'm just gonna have to go out and test drive a few and see what I think