I think I am going to buy my first speed3 today

[tom clement]

I am driving up to Jacksonville today to look at this car.


Used 2013 Mazda Mazdaspeed 3 Touring Hatchback in Jacksonville, FL | Edmunds.com

I want to thank this forum for the help.

I have had the vin checked through this forum and have read the list of things to check over. Wish me luck...Tom

Any last minute advice?

[CWP_MS3]

1.) Your link doesn't work.

2.) Check for socket marks on the down pipe, airbox, intercooler, etc. looking for any indication its been modded before

3.) Don't settle... If anything seems off, fucking pass. Soooooo many people buy junk used cars because they feel like they have to buy something.

[WAMBUSHHHH!]

Originally Posted by CWP_MS3 1.) Your link doesn't work. 2.) Check for socket marks on the down pipe, airbox, intercooler, etc. looking for any indication its been modded before 3.) Don't settle... If anything seems off, fucking pass. Soooooo many people buy junk used cars because they feel like they have to buy something.

THIS. Remember when the salesman turns it on that you don't need them, they need you. People often forget that when buying a car, especially buying used.

If anything seems off, cut bait and walk away. There is a "what to look for" sticky that will be helpful to review so you have an idea of what to be looking for. If you had more time I'd say reach out to the FL Nator group and see if any of them could meet you to lend a hand in giving it a once over. Good luck!

[tmillner]

Different horn and looks like smoked tail lights. Definitely look to see if the down pipe has been changed, don't be like me

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[tom clement]

Cars for Sale: 2013 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 Touring in JACKSONVILLE, FL 32216: Hatchback Details - 418736018 - Autotrader


I hope that works?

[tom clement]

Yes by comparing photo sI see now that the tail lights have been changed. Thanks for seeing that.

The horn? I wonder why?

reach out to the FL Nator group and see if any of them could meet you to lend a hand in giving it a once over.

That would be excellent how would I do that?

My appointment is at 2:00

[HawkeyeGeoff]

Originally Posted by tom clement Yes by comparing photo sI see now that the tail lights have been changed. Thanks for seeing that. The horn? I wonder why? reach out to the FL Nator group and see if any of them could meet you to lend a hand in giving it a once over. That would be excellent how would I do that? My appointment is at 2:00

http://www.mazdaspeedforums.org/forum/f455/

Post in here. Someone may or may not be able to meet you there.

[SofaKingAwesome]

Originally Posted by HawkeyeGeoff http://www.mazdaspeedforums.org/forum/f455/ Post in here. Someone may or may not be able to meet you there.

This, see if you can find someone to bring as reinforcements who has been around these cars.

Don't settle on anything, leave with any "to-do's" in WRITING.

[tmillner]

You can see them in this picture

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[iggypop]

You should of come up on Saturday. I work till 5. There was a modded one not too far from that place, if you're into a modded Gen 2.
Craigslist2010 Mazdaspeed3 modded

[WAMBUSHHHH!]

Yeah, Hella Horns. Fucking ricer bullshit. That space is reserved for FMICs.

Just to add another helpful hint: Look at the ODB II Port. If they had an AP, there may be some blemishes around the ODBII port as well as the trim above it. I hide away the excess AP cable inside the dash behind the ODBII which requires me to pull the trim. I have to do this every year I get inspected sooo there is some wear around the area. That may give you some insight on whether the car was tuned or not.

Hella horns and tinted tails, 90% confident the previous owner was a ricer fuck. Could go either way, he either spent all the money on cosmetic bullshit or modded the shit out of the car incorrectly because ricers love shortcuts.

[SofaKingAwesome]

That TMIC cover has been off more than a few times, lol.

[tom clement]

Originally Posted by iggypop You should of come up on Saturday. I work till 5. There was a modded one not too far from that place, if you're into a modded Gen 2. Craigslist2010 Mazdaspeed3 modded

Thanks really looking for a as close to stock as possible 2013

Originally Posted by WAMBUSHHHH! Yeah, Hella Horns. Fucking ricer bullshit. That space is reserved for FMICs. Just to add another helpful hint: Look at the ODB II Port. If they had an AP, there may be some blemishes around the ODBII port as well as the trim above it. I hide away the excess AP cable inside the dash behind the ODBII which requires me to pull the trim. I have to do this every year I get inspected sooo there is some wear around the area. That may give you some insight on whether the car was tuned or not. Hella horns and tinted tails, 90% confident the previous owner was a ricer fuck. Could go either way, he either spent all the money on cosmetic bullshit or modded the shit out of the car incorrectly because ricers love shortcuts.

Damn man sorry I don't know what half of that means. I hope somebody knows of amech up there that knows these cars that I can pay to give it a look.

[WetzMS3]

@Raider; is down in JAX. However, I have a feeling he won't ever see this.

[CWP_MS3]

Originally Posted by tom clement The horn? I wonder why?

Because ricer. Hence the other visible mods...

Buying a car from an enthusiast can be a good thing, but it can definitely be a horrid experience.

For example, I change my oil every 2500 to 3k. I've been through 3 sets or so of plugs in 30k. I've changed the trans fluid out under 30k and will change it again very soon. I'm extremely meticulous and try to make sure everything is done correctly and to spec. Wash it and wax it very regularly, etc.. Every receipt for everything spent on the car.

Then, there are hacks. Wiring messes, stripped bolts, missing bolts, etc..

[tom clement]

Thanks all I have to leave now. For some reason the forum won't accept my password when using my phone so I won't be able to reply to the forum any more.

in case anybody can offer any assistance or a Mechanic to look it over with me.

Thanks again for all the help this place rocks.

[WetzMS3]

Originally Posted by tom clement My Cell # is . in case anybody can offer any assistance or a Mechanic to look it over with me.

Quoted for dick pics.

Good luck buddy.

[iggypop]

There are a few on Craigslist in Jacksonville. I'd go look at this one on Craigslist because it seems to be close to stock.



2012 Mazdaspeed3 in Jacksonville

[WAMBUSHHHH!]

OP gives his phone number out on the internet...

[tom clement]

Originally Posted by WetzMS3 Quoted for dick pics. Good luck buddy.

Can you please edit this removing my # thanks.

Thanks to Member Iggypop for the assist in Jacksonville yesterday I came home with the car.

[CWP_MS3]

Everything was kosher?

[tom clement]

Well not exactly Kosher. It does have the rear bushing. He ran it through the gears and seemed to like it. We couldn't get it up on a lift so we were limited as to what we could see. I need to see if there are any members in the Daytona Beach/Orlando area where I live that I can talk to.

Thanks for asking.

[tmillner]

More engine bay pics?

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[tom clement]

Will get some today

[iggypop]

Originally Posted by tom clement Thanks to Member Iggypop for the assist in Jacksonville yesterday I came home with the car.

Welcome! Glad I could help out a fellow Mazdaspeed3 owner.

Unless they used their hands, I couldn't see any socket marks in the engine bay.
Not tuned for sure , no internals, and never seen a SRI, etc.
It definitely has a RMM. From what I could see, it was a light colored red bushing RMM (gold Damond perhaps).
Btw, the engine bay and the undercarriage looks like someone drove it down from up North with all the road salt on it.

[tom clement]

Here are a few engine photos. I hope I can put them in right.

[tom clement]

I wanted to post these and also show the engine to my mechanic this way before cleaning it.

[tmillner]

What's that red wire from the battery box

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[tom clement]

We think it is for those stupid horns. I need to crawl under the front and see.

[tmillner]

Damn ricer strikes again

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[tom clement]

Yup I hope the stock wiring is still there in case i can find a set of stock horns.

[voodoo2crue]

Originally Posted by tom clement Yup I hope the stock wiring is still there in case i can find a set of stock horns.

I'm certain you can find a ricer on mazdaspeed fb page (is full of them)that will gladly trade you a stock horn setup for the hellas

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[MD1032]

Only thing that looks sketchy to me is that the stock intake is cleaner than the parts around it. One thing I liked about my car when I picked it up that backed up the fact that the PO didn't mod it was that the stock intake was dirty and the hose that carries the air from the box to the TIP was dirty/oxidized making it obvious that it was on the car the whole time the PO had it. Honestly 50% of what I look for when looking at used cars is whether it's dirty in the right places.

[tmillner]

The dealer could've cleaned it. I know when i worked at a dealership they cleaned the engine bay on all used cars

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[tom clement]

The hose leading to it seems as dirty as the rest of the interior. The air filter looks new so I guess the draler may have changed it and wiped down the top of the box?

I am guessing that this is the original battery?

[tmillner]

Looks like it to me. Looks like your car was only ricer molested

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[tom clement]

Can I file charges?

So aside from the horns... You know I don't even know what the stock horns sound like.. Are they quieter or?

I guess he did the RMM I may drive the car up on a ramp I bought when I had my MR-2 Turbo and see what it looks like underneath and post some photos of that.

[tmillner]

Yeah post some pics if you can. I don't know much about the hella horns but I'd imagine they were louder. The rmm is a good thing

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[tom clement]

The car sits too low to drive up on the ramps. I was hoping to use them for oil changes too. I guess you just jack the car up and do oil changes on jack stands?

[MS3Shadow]

Hella horns are like $80-120 and they are louder and the stock horn kinda sucks.

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