Evening all I'm Roger from sunny Plymouth.

I'm currently in the market for a new car and I've just discovered the Mazda 3 MPS, very impressed, so much performance for what appears to be little money, I real hidden gem.

So, I've had a few jap cars in the past, Honda CRX's were my thing, had a couple, even turbo charged one.. Then I had DC5 Integra, lovely car but a bit 'chavy' for me.
Then I went all retro and fulfilled a childhood dream.. Got myself a lovely VW Corrado VR6 Storm, awesome car, loved ever minute of it but it's time to get something reliable again...lol... So the old girl is up for sale.

I've now set my heart on a mk1 Mazda 3 MPS, budget is about 4-5k, looking around it seems I'll get a good one for that price.

Looking on the net it seems these are good reliable motor but as I well know all cars have their Achilles heel, so what are the problems with them? What should I be looking for when viewing?

Thanks in advance...

Rog.

P.S. don't suppose there are any members in the Plymouth area who would give me a little look see at their pride and joy.

Hi Rog and along to

A fellow south westerner! Were few and far between on here!

I'm in Dorset, but have a six.

Have a read in the welcome section, there's buyers guides which tell you most of what to look out for.

I'm not an expert on the 3, but Vvt and timing chain replacement at around 60-70k. Then pretty much the same as any car.

Best of luck.

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Precision turbo 6266~CPE manifold~Tial 44mm EWG~CPE dp~Wiesco pistons~Manley rods~balanced and keyed crank~pulley and flywheel~Ported head with uprated valves and springs~Grimspeed 3 port EBCS~Stratified Guardian Angel with 4bar map sensor~Egr blanking plate~South Bend stage 3 endurance clutch kit with flywheel~Braided clutch line~Mishimoto R Line FMIC~JBR true 3" stage 2 intake~AWR 88 duro rem~JBR 70 duro engine side mounts~Polished rocker cover~JBR ssp and weight~plus weighted gear knob~White widow rear diff brace~BC coilovers~Whiteline RARB~Team Dynamics Imola 19" wheels in black~235/35r19 Uniroyal Rainsport 3's~K Sport 8pot calipers with 356mm front discs and yellow stuff pads~Stoptech rear discs and pagid pads~Garage door lip splitter~Versa tuner~Stainless dials.
Most importantly, J Tune!!!!!

Welcome to

Lots of info for you on here, the buyers guide is worth it's weight in gold, loads of people must've used it by now.

There are posts with videos in the open section to show how your engine should sound as well, helping to avoid buying an instabill on purchase.

Even seemingly well respected tuning companies don't treat the MPS with the respect it deserves so sponge up all you can.

I've had a few cars and the MPS is awesome, and I've only just started with mine. Some of the ladies/gents on here have real beasts, and the sky is the limit mod wise if done correctly.

Good luck on your purchase, hope to see you on soon debating your first mod.

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Autotech internals // HTP 3" Full Intake // CP-E Top Mount // Stoptech Rotors/Pads // HEL braided lines // Corksport Hood Scoop // Cobb AP v3 // GFB Respons // Bilstein B12 Pro Kit // Whiteline Rarb and links // 4" Custom Tips // CFM 9 Peg Army // VVT done at Young Motors // J-Tuned

Welcome, good luck finding a good one

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Finally Purchased May 2015- 3 MPS Mk1 Aero Facelift Crystal White Pearl~ Sure Aeros Intake and TIP/GReddy TI-C 3" Catback/Cobb AP v3/J-Tune Rev5/Autotech HPFP Internals/GFB TMS Respons BOV/Heko Wind Deflectors/Cobb Shift Knob/Torque Solutions Solid Shifter Bushings/Dewipered Rear window/Uprated Xenon's/HID Main/Interior LED Conversion/RallyFlapz and Plenty Purple Bits............ Made 317bhp (270whp) and 326lb/ft at the national meet May 2016 ****** Currently ZZB, Will rebuild over time

along

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Now Sold...Mk1 3 MPS Aero Facelift;-Corksport Stage 2 SRI+TIP//Forge BPV V2//Custom 2nd Cat & Resonator Delete//Cp-e REM 60a//SF Ssp//Kinugawa Banjo Bolt//Rear Tints//6k H-Lights//L.E.D.S//Shell Helix Ultra 5W 40//K&N Oil Filter//Goodyear Eagle f1 asymmetric 3's//

*Gone but not forgotten; moist silver mazda 6 mps*

**Winners only do what losers dont**

Thanks guys, well things have moved on, I've just put a deposit down on a rather nice mk1 3 Aero.
In really good nick and remapped to 300bhp, chuffed to bits with it, pick it up Tuesday...can't wait...



Rog.

Welcome aboard