Mazda3 Offered in both a sedan and wagon, this sporty model offers a great car for the family, as well a fun track car.

Quick question about a used Mazda3 iSport...

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  #1  
Old 06-12-2010 | 04:44 PM
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Default Quick question about a used Mazda3 iSport...

Hi.
This is my first post. I'm thinking about purchasing a 2008 Mazda3 iSport sedan. I went and looked at it today and have a couple questions:

- This car comes with 17" rims, cruise control, power everything, AC, etc. I thought this only came with the more expensive model. Can anyone explain why this might be the case?

- She says she got an extended 5-year, bumper-to-bumper warranty. How can I make sure this is the case? Are they transferable?

- I talked the seller down from $11,500 to $10k. However it needs new tires and a new front windshield. Other than that, it is pristine. Any opinions on the price? It's a 5-speed with 28,000 miles.

- I had read somewhere that the civic gets 10mpg more than this 2.0l Mazda3. Does that sound correct. I am assuming I'll be getting around 24 city and 30 highway.

- Is there anything else to think of? I think I will just bring it to my mechanic and have the oil changed and fluids checked (instead of spending hundreds on a 30k mile inspection). Other than that, I'm figuring another $1k for tires, a windshield and tax. So that would get it for ~$11k.

Thanks a ton for your time and any input!
 

Last edited by ringo*; 06-12-2010 at 04:46 PM.
  #2  
Old 06-12-2010 | 06:04 PM
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Ask a local dealer about warranty transfers

10k for an 08 i Sport under 30k miles is dam nice

The civic (depending on which your looking at) may in fact get 10 more mpg, i think thats the 1.7l single cam your talking about. But heres the thing Hondas are the most stolen vehicles for 6 yrs straight.

You would be correct with your mpg rates.

Why dont you just do your own maintenance, saves money and you really cant screw anything up as long as you know what your looking at.
 
  #3  
Old 06-12-2010 | 09:17 PM
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The warranty transfers. I bought a used Mazda a few week ago. You just have to call Mazda and they'll help you with it.

The sport comes with everything the GT does but the leather seats and bose system if I remember correctly.

I was shocked at all of the features I got for the money. I was also considering a Civic, but the Si version, and yes you wont get as good of a gas mileage with the Mazda, but you also get a much better handling car and the bigger motor for around the same price.
 
  #4  
Old 06-13-2010 | 12:13 AM
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the si is a 2.4liter, if you swapped the head with one from a k20 then u have a 12sec car, full weight
 
  #5  
Old 06-13-2010 | 07:24 AM
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First of all, Hi Ringo!! Welcome (well almost) to the club!!

Second, it's a SEDAN!!!? (a constant, but generally friendly battle between the sedan and the HB owner's. Get used to it,) but at least it's a 5-speed!! (<<<Tracker) Good choice, IMNSHO.

There used to be an accessory package called the "power" package, IIRC so that may explain the 17's, power locks/windows & CC. Also body aero pieces, like side sill extensions were part of that package as well.
Mazda also offered a "Value" package in those later years on some models that did about the same thing, I know the 6 was one. Either way, it sounds like an upgraded Sport which normally would have come w/16" wheels not 17's.

The warranty: Ask for the name of the company that carries it and CALL them!! Also, if you decide to buy the car, MAKE SURE THE TRANSFER IS IN WRITING and completed before you take posession!!! CYA, Bud!!

Price sounds inline to me, as is the mileage. Not low and not high. the car probably cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $17-18g's when new and it's only 2, soon to be 3 yrs old.

A GOOD set of tires will run you around $500 installed. I HIGHLY recommend Continential DWS's, if you have the time to wait because they are hard to get and on constant backorder. (Yes, they are THAT good!!)
Also, be sure to have the alignment done then, not just the front, but have the rear checked as well. These cars run a pretty stout negative camber... up to -2* in the rear which can be hard on tires. You won't be sorry spending that extra $100 if it's way out. It'll save you that much in the first set of tires.

Check around for the windshield. They can be pricey, but often you can hire a moble service to come out to where you are and they will do it on the spot. Be sure they warrant their work against bad glass (and don't forget to look closely for ripples or distortions in the new glass,) leaks and just bad installations.

10mpg, Gracie?? Where?
It's true Mazdas are not known for the BEST fuel mileage, but I will say that I drive mine like a raped-ape ("Spiritedly") a lot of the time and still manage 26-28mpg just going back and forth to work and w/the A/C on. And remember that I have the 2.3L engine + HB. My best was 30. My best on a trip (+/-1640 miles) was 33, but my wife drove part of that way and she does NOT know how to maintain steady speed and hates to use CC.

 

Last edited by virgin1; 06-13-2010 at 07:28 AM.
  #6  
Old 06-13-2010 | 11:36 AM
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I'm pretty sure the Si's come stock 2.0 liter. Even the newer generation ones. They do make like 198 hp or something, close to almost 100 hp per liter.
 
  #7  
Old 06-13-2010 | 03:44 PM
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i know the accords, and rsx's come with k24's which make 170whp (dynoed at my school) and the older si hatch also has a k24 in it as well. The newer sedans come with k20's
 
  #8  
Old 06-13-2010 | 08:46 PM
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I knew there was always a 2.4 liter swap you could do. 2.0 with 198 hp is pretty impressive though.
 
  #9  
Old 06-13-2010 | 10:21 PM
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Originally Posted by ringo*
- I had read somewhere that the civic gets 10mpg more than this 2.0l Mazda3. Does that sound correct. I am assuming I'll be getting around 24 city and 30 highway.
I've rented Civics on business trips and when driven the same way I drive my 2.0 liter Mazda3 i Touring, the Civic gets only two to three miles per gallon better than my car gets. Further more, my car has never gotten below 33 on a highway trip regardless of how hard I flogged it. FWIW, I left for a long weekend trip Friday afternoon and returned home only an hour ago having logged just over 1,000 miles. The car was loaded with four people and luggage, had the A/C on almost constantly and was driven at an average speed of about 78 mph; the MPG math worked out to 35.2. Not too shabby.
 
  #10  
Old 06-14-2010 | 12:39 AM
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Should I get the Continental DWS All-year or summer tire?
 


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