Looking at Possibly Buying a MS3
 

I've been thinking about coming back to Mazda (used to have a 6), and I've been interested in a speed 3. I currently have a Juke so I've been looking at the GTI/ms3. (Don't tell the guys at the Juke forums!)

Anyway, there is a 2010 that I'm interested in here in San Antonio with only 46k miles:

San Antonio, TX 2010 Mazda MazdaSpeed3 Sport Used Hatchback Austin, TX Round Rock, TX Gunn Honda | HA7093A | JM1BL1H31A1240075

I've been trying to find out if there have been any issues with the 2010s at all since they were the first of the 2nd gen car. There are a few others in town that are 2012s, but not much lower mileage for a few thousand more.

Just wanted to get some info and see if it is worth the extra money to go to a newer car if they had worked out any issues.

Also, this would be my first MTX car, so test driving is going to be an issue... :D

Thanks guys!

You'd be better off with mostly anything other than your juke. Get a speed3

o boy first time learning a manual on a speed3 should be entertaining...

First thing u need to do is donate - then you can do an autocheck to make sure everything checks out.

Go for the 12', the subtle changes are nice. And I believe mazda ironed out a few kinks.

Donate, find a local nator member to test drive it with you, if I were local I would.



But it isn't respectable. It's mildly terrifying. And that actually makes it quite appealing. - Mazda 3 MPS review, Matthew Jones, Top Gear.

for 2k more get a 2012. worth it imo

You're going to stall out I am guessing 12 times on the test drive. Not a friendly car if it is your first manual.

However, you will fall in love with the car and scrape pennies to mod it, as it is addicting.

The clutch is not forgiving at all, and most of the time they won't let you test drive if you can't drive a stick. so make sure you have someone with you that can.

I would learn on one of your friends cars that's a stick shift first. I drove a stick for 3 years before my speed and the clutch was alittle wierd to get use to. Catch point is wayyyy differnt than any other car I have driven.

You're going to kill your first clutch pretty fast if you make this your first manual transmission car. As long as you're prepared to pay to have it replaced at some point, go for it, but be aware that clutch replacement on these modern FWD cars isn't a $500 job anymore, more like $1500+.

Personally I would be more concerned about how well taken care of the car is rather than its year. I'd take a well maintained 2010 over a trashed 2012 any day, but if you can get a 2012+, that's good. I went with the 2012 and I like the subtle improvements (the slight reduction of the chicken pox is one of them).

Also, since you haven't driven a manual before, don't be insulted here, but I would bring one of your friends that drives stick along with you to drive the car. They're going to detect problems with the tranny and clutch that you won't because they're used to it.

Welcome, I don't know anyone that had that car previously. If you want to go look at it, I'll meet up with you just PM me.

My 2010 has treated me well. And I agree about the clutch. The MS3 isn't an easy car to learn stick on. I'll bet money you won't make it out of the lot on your test drive.

I perfected driving a manual on the ms3, I like its clutch feel the best. even though its pretty touchy and nonlinear compared to just about every other car I've ever driven

nonlinear that is for sure

Also note the carfax is showing three owners.... Who knows how they treated the car. More owners add more variables.

The red 3 on the back "mazdaspeed 3" logo screams previously modded to me. Not necessarily a complete turn off, but something to keep in mind.

Of course, I could be totally wrong and it was owned by three grandmas. :naughty:

If those later model higher $ models in town have fewer owners (1 is the best), definitely check those out.

As for the clutch, it's not the best but it's not impossible. I wouldn't call it the ideal learner's car, but don't be intimidated out of buying it simply because of the clutch. As for a test drive, I'd heavily suggest practicing on any other manual you can. Driving a manual is a whole new experience and the Mazda can be a handful if you have a salesperson breathing over you. Take your time and relax.