Hi guys, I am researching my next car and as there is only so much info available on Google etc... before it all starts repeating itself, I thought I'd join the OC and get first hand info from the people that have lived with the car day in, day out. At least this way I'm not going to get uninformed bias from a professional time influenced Journo. I'd much rather have the biased facts from a long term owner.

As a matter of interest why are all the smilies except the Very Mad one not working?

Welcome along.

Which model are you looking to get?

Thanks for the welcome!

I was looking to buy a, 3 MPS, around an '11 or '12 model year, I think that's a MK2?

I am however, having trouble viewing anything, I keep getting a message that only members can view or post replies. So after faffing about I discovered that I could reply to your post.

I had thought that as soon as I registered I was a member but, apparently not, I was trying to find out more owner based facts rather than the Journo reported twaddle before making up my mind about buying the car, however it appears I can't do that with out becoming a fully "paid up member", which from my perspective is an expensive way to get some questions answered, particularly if I then decide against purchasing the car.

How much is membership anyway? Most forums are taking around £35

It rather makes a nonsense of my intention of finding out as much as I can, I suppose I'll just have to suck it and see.

All the best!

The site had to be restored recently after a muck up in the data centre, the restored version didn't have the smilies installed; i've put some new ones in now.

That's great, can you tell me where I will find the joining info please? Prices and so forth, if it's reasonable enough I may do so even though I haven't bought the car yet particularly if it will help me decide to buy or not.

Thanks for your help so far. Cheers!

Welcome to the forum.

You can ask questions here and majority are happy to help.

I have owned a mk2 previously (59) and now own a mk1.

Depending on what you want to know it can easily be answered..

What information are you looking for?
Reliability, running costs, insurance estimates etc etc..

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

Hi Jimbo,

As Jay says, ask away, there are a plenty of knowledgeable guys on here that will happily answer your questions.

I had a Mk 1 for four years, and did about 90k miles in it.

Ali

_________________
These Are Not the Doors of a Billionaire

Membership info is here:

https://www.mpsowners.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=167&t=3627

To be honest with a Japanese car with Mazda's reputation for reliability, I don't really expect any problems per se, I think it's more a question of preventative maintenance, what and how in particular, that is, if there is anything at all that I should pay attention to?

Running costs would be handy to know, although, the car will be more of a weekend toy, as I have a company vehicle at the moment. Still it's good to know what you're getting into.

From experience I know that with a turbo powered car, correct warming up and cooling down procedures are a sensible problem preventative course to take, however most cars have their own little quirks and, that's what I want to find out about, the things I should be looking out for.

Being an old git (60+) insurance isn't too much of a worry but driving like a 21 year old, as I frequently do, can create it's own issues. For example I've never driven a MK2 MPS (the car I'm interested in) before, they have a bit of a rep. according to the Journo's, for torque steer, now I'll take that with a pinch of salt until I hear an owner giving me their long term experience of the car. I would like to know how it deals with country lanes and the general view of the handling in both standard suspension form and what, if any, upgrades are recommended for improvement.

I see from your reply that you had a MK2 and now have a MK1, was there a particular reason for doing that, getting the older model I mean? Or, was it just circumstance a lower milage better condition car came along for example?

I look forward to your replies Jay, take care, regards, Jimbo.

Thanks very much, I had missed this, purely by skimming, rather than reading in detail when I was trying to work out how to have a chat with someone..

What is the prerequisite post count requirement quantity please?

I'll make my decision in due course, and then be in touch, thanks again,
regards Jimbo.

Thanks Alisdair, I see that your Avatar/profile info shows that you still have an MK1, or, have you moved on since then?

Your use of the past tense suggested you may no longer have it, and I was just curious (nosey) whether it had become a problem or was it just time for a change?

This car, if I decide to buy one, will most likely be my last car so, I want to buy something that is going to last, be reliable, a good handling car and most of all FUN!

I don't want something that is going to bankrupt me and make me lol, I know I should probably go for something a little more modern but, you need a damned computer and a lot of special tools to work on modern cars these days. I'd rather be working on something I can do, rather than having to go to the garage all the time.

Anyway all the best Ali, regards Jimbo.

There isn't a minimum number of posts to become a member, you can sign up whenever you like

Hello mate and welcome to the forum!

I have a 2010 MK2 Speed 3.

Have had it for almost a year.

Great fun and very quick car.

To me the torque steer is not that noticeable. Mazda sorted out most of that with the MK2 which is what you are looking at from what you have said in your post. The guys on here are very nice and helpful as well as knowledgeable.

I am looking to sell my car at the minute but haven’t officially advertised it.

Let me know if your interested

I am interested, however I have literally just begun researching the 3 MPS MK1 and 2 and still need to get more than a few questions answered, plus, I need to sell or find someone interested in a swop/part exchange for my Merc. If the torque steer issues have been resolved in the MK2 as you say, that bodes well. I'm just not ready yet.
I can't say yes at the moment and I won't say no, there are an awful lot of "it depends" in the way, before I make a decision either way. All I can say is that I will make a note of your post and if I decide 'Yes' I'll get back to you.
Sorry to keep you dangling, and it's not my intention to muck you about, there's nothing worse when you want to sell and someone can't or won't make up their mind.
If you can sell it elsewhere don't wait for me, I'd hate to screw up the deal.
Glwts.

Thats not a problem mate, I am in the same place. I am selling to finance a 370z.

Post your questions in here and we will be able to answer them.