Hello!

I'm seriously considering picking up a Mazda3 MPS from a local independent dealer. It is a 2007 with 68000 miles for £5k. I've never had a Mazda before and it seems like a hell of a lot of car for the money.

I've been pouring through this forum for days trying to get up to speed with these lovely looking machines. Thanks to your buyers guide I'm fully aware of the VVT chain and smokey turbo. But I still have a few questions.

I will (of course) be looking to modify the car over the years I plan to own it. Firstly, where do you source most of your parts from? Are parts for these cars readily (and cheaply) available in the UK? I've got experience of doing mods on previous cars I have owned but they were all German hatchbacks and the massive Euro scene in this country means parts are easy to find, cheap to buy and easy to install (and even easier to find help if needed). I'll be looking at some basic stuff to begin with (new air intake and performance filter, new exhaust, remap, intercooler, coilovers and new alloys) which, on previous cars, I have all been able to do myself (except the remap). Will this be the case still or is this platform a bit more complicated to deal with?

As I said, I'm aware of the VVT issues and smokey turbo, but these aside, are these cars generally quite reliable? Do they have the same reputation that other Japanese car marques have for bombproof-ness? The plan is to run the car well north of the 130k mark without much more than expected maintenance and regular servicing

One of my biggest gripes with my current car (09 Mini Cooper S - no laughing at the back) is that I can't fit an aftermarket satnav/stereo (ideally an Apple CarPlay unit). This will be a top priority for my new car. Is this easily achievable with the MK1 Mazda3?

Finally, this car will have to fulfil both my tuning/modding itch and my daily driving needs. The Mini I drive is uncomfortable to say the least. Are these cars easy to live with? Are they comfortable enough on long road trips? Can adults sit in the back without having their knees up at their ears? The MPG and tax is not a problem as my commute is minimal and I've already figured out that the inevitable tax and insurance increases are going to fit my budget.

The other cars on my list are a Golf GTI and Audi A3. However, I'm very keen to step away from the Euro stuff and get something a little more 'niche' and special that not every 18 year old that hangs out in a McDonald's car park has.

Apologies for the exceptionally long post and litany of noob questions but any help/answers you lovely folks can provide would be extremely appreciated.

Hi Stoob.

Parts can be bought from a few Uk supplier's:
FR&R Tuning - advertised prices do not inc VAT, soyou have to add 20%.
VIP Motorsport

USA Suppliers:
Edge Autosport
Newage Autoparts on Facebook.

Remaps are best done by e-tuning using either Verstune (software) or a Cobb Accessport. Don't go to a dyno tuner for a remap as he'll prob blow your motor up.

Other than smokey turbos and VVT I would say thay are just as reliable as all other jap cars. I'm sure there are MPSs out there with 150k on their clock, still running original turbos and Vvt.

Aftermarket headunit with Android is Eonon, l'v posted the link for it previously

Comfort: I'm over six foot, and can do 160 mile drive without any discomfort, never spent anytime in the back, but my daughter is 5' 6" and has not complained about leg room.

Sorry I've not posted links, but I'm a full on 'tard with tablets, When I get on my lap top, links will appear.

Ali

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These Are Not the Doors of a Billionaire

You are an absolute star. Thanks for the response. Unfortunately today the one I had my eye on was sold to someone else. However, I'm definitely gonna keep my money aside for an MPS in the future!

hi St00b, the 3 MPS is a fantastic car that tick all the boxes you are after. Mine is driven everyday, I drove it to Germany with the missis to go snow boarding and have some fun on the autobahns and the car was great for it. The missis has picked me and my mates up from the pub in it in relative comfort with 3 6'2" 200lbs gorillas in the back.
When I was doing my research before I bought it I read a line somewhere that after a certain chassis number Mazda had addressed the turbo and vvt issue (apparently) so I bought one with a newer chassis number and I haven't had a problem with them, what I would suggest should be your first mod is a set of tougher con rods, a few months back mine snapped number 4 con rod and done quite a bit of damage, the wife was driving at the time and she wasn't going hard or anything just normal driving, the car had a full service history and 54k on the clock.
My MPS is almost rebuilt and should be back on the road for summer it has cost a bit but I think it is worth it for such a great car and it hasn't put me off buying another one I would just change the con rods ASAP.
in the mechanical section of the forum I've made a thread from start to almost finished rebuild, the thread is titled severe engine issues.
I hope I haven't put you off such a cracking little car with loads of potential.


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