I have an 05 3s sedan. i have approximately 82,000 miles on it. Im the original owner, and the car has never given me any problems. I drive the car fairly rough, and i drive fast. The only problem i have is a bad engine mount. That's a defect on the 04 and 05 models, otherwise there is nothing wrong. I've driven up and down from NY to Miami twice. My driving is a mix of highway and city. I get my oil changed every 5000 miles and i put in a fuel system cleaner every 5000 miles too. The car, if maintained, shouldn't give you problems. If i were you i'd be aware of an 04 model. That was the first year the 3 came out, and the first year models normally have more problems. I know it may cost more, but i think your best bet would be looking at an 06. The kinks were worked out, and it's a little younger. Get a Carfax on any automobile you're serious about purchasing. These are reliable cars, and as long as the previous owner maintained the car properly, the car will last. Good luck.

 

Well, let's adress something you guys have seemed to miss: his cash stock. He says he's got 5G's...

In my opinion, buddy, go look for an '02-03 Protege if you're set on a Mazda. For similar money you can go find plenty of my personal favorite cheap car, the Focus. There are plenty of ZX3 and ZX5 Focuses out there for 4-6 grand. Good luck.

Personally...if you could buy an '03 Protege with let's say 60K miles on it for 5G or an '04 Mazda3 with 106K for 6.5G...what's the better deal?

 

You guys in Toronto don't use salt like we do here in Detroit. There is a GIGANTIC salt mine underneath the city of Detroit. It's put down on the road straight (no sand mix)

Winter is hell on cars in Michigan.

 

I have an 04 (so 1st gen and 1st year) i have 95,000 miles on it. Change oil every 3,500 with castrol syn 5w-20. what they have used since the car was originally bought. I can honestly say i maintain my car well but drive the **** out of it, Not so much anymore since i commute a lot in traffic now but i bought the car with 50k miles on it and probably drove the **** out of it for 25k-30k. My car came with a 10yr/100,00 transferable warranty (definitely handy to have for 1st gen 1st yr car) Since i've had it, its been in the shop twice, once, Rear wheel bearings went out completely shot, covered under warranty $100 deductible. 90k miles, ugh, i hate to say this, front differential in the transmission, quote from dealer "is pretty much dust, literally". My dealer with its surprisingly awesome customer service came and had an adjustor look at it and even though i had performance parts on the car did not once suggest voiding my warranty especially 10k miles from the end. They decided to give me a brand new tranny $4k parts and labor for the sweet cost of $100. but like i said, I drove the **** out of my car first of all, second of all, again, 1st year, 1st gen car. Third of all, I had the auto-manual which is no where near is strong, from what i read on here and in experience as the straight manual.

Honestly, if you drive any year mazda good, keeping it under 4k shift, easy on the brakes and gas, and just drive overall "normal" you'll go forever in it as long as you maintain it, but thats the key for every car.

last key note, I'm also 22 years old and coming from my first car which was a 95 accord 2dr LX 2.2L F22B2 (aka the tank engine) (aka Family car) so moving to this car was definitely a jump for me as far as handling, performance, and fun to drive. So naturally like any kid my age, we drive the hell out of things.