The MX3 As A First Car

[PimpOfTheMX3]

Hey
I am looking into buying an MX3 as my first car. I am 18 and am looking for somthing reliable, but still a little sporty. Will this car cost me a lot in repairs down the road? Any opinions or thoughts would be much appreciated. thanks

[zytariuk]

Honestly, I would not recommend the MX-3 if you take repair costs into consideration. However, there are 'some' members here that have minimal problems with their MX-3. It all depends on the previous owner(s) though.<p>I have put over $2500.00 into repairs in less than a year. Cam Shaft/timing belt/wheel bearings/rear callipers/rotors all around/brake all around/fuel pump/spark plugs/o2 sensor/thermostat/oil changes/cat-back exhaust/battery/air filter/cb boots/ball joints/that's about it I think. Keep in mind though a lot of that is general maintenance!!<p>As from a reliability stand point, the MX-3 is you're perfect choice.<p>If I had a choice to go back, I would have put down a couple thousand more for a 93' Nissan 240sx. They are VERY RELIABLE, parts are much cheaper than Mazda parts, and there is lots of room in the engine compartment.

[MX-3 Lover]

I'd say that I have to agree with zytariuk.
They are a great reliable car but the parts cost a little. I did my timing belt the other day and it cost me, 75$x2 for some accessory pulleys...150$x2 for the timing belt idler pulleys...and something like 134 for the belt itself. I think I spent a total of 700 after taxes, give or take a few dollars. Those were all parts from Mazda. However, it runs great now.
So the advice I'd give ya is the same as zytariuk.<p>BUT THEY ARE FUN AS HELL TO DRIVE!!!!!<p>Mat<p>[ March 25, 2003: Message edited by: MX-3 Lover ]</p>

[Nd4SpdSe]

my mx-3 is my first car and i;ve also put about $1500 in repair in her, she's 10 years old so its to be expected...parts are very pricy tho<p>For example, i had to change the rear stabaliser links, they cost me $88cdn each, links for my boss' 92 Cavalier are like $12cdn a pair <p>Its all just been age wear, but still a great reliable car, and i really enjoy driving her

[BumpNGlow]

I've yet to have to buy anything big for my mx-3 for repairs... but I'm knocking on wood right now.<p>My MR-2 had nothing BUT problems. (maybe its the first car syndrome??)

[PimpOfTheMX3]

thanks for the advice. I will keep lookin at MX-3's just in case i can find one whose previous owner kept awsome care of it, but i can't afford pricy repairs so i may have to look elsewhere. thanks for the tips

[mattster]

how much are you willing to pay? i have a 1992 GS with new: timing belt, CV shafts, clutch, and only 70000 miles. with all these fixes, the car should be bound to be problem free for a long time. oh yeah i live like 45 minutes away from you .

[sheller]

Ok, I expect to get shouted down for this but my suggestion for a first car is...an old aircooled VW. I do have reasoning for this however. First, you can get one that doesn't look to nice for under a grand. Second, insurance is cheap. Third, parts are cheap. Fourth, there are a lot of resources out there on those car whether it be boards such as this, people in your neighborhood, or just books. Fifth, you can completely customize however you want. And sixth (and this is the real kicker), BECAUSE IT WILL BREAK DOWN! This is good because you will learn. You will learn to take care of you car and do the maintenance or a repair immediately rather letting it wait. You will hopefully learn to do the work yourself which will give you a much better understanding of how this and other cars work. You will also understand the time, effort, and money that go into having a properly running car that looks good. As such you will take better care of it and probably not do as many stupid things with it.
My 2 cents anyway.
Steve
Current owner of a '92 MX-3 GS
Former owner of a '74 Super Beetle, '67 Karmann Ghia, & '71 Standard Bug

[PimpOfTheMX3]

hey mattster
im lookin in the 4-5 thousand price range, which im guessing may be a little bit lower then your askin. But your car looks great. Why are you partin with it? Anywayz msg back if thats not too low

[PimpOfTheMX3]

btw thats 4-5 Canadian. Your in the USA eh. i don't know how much that is US

[quinn_seipp]

the mx-3 is an amazing first car... a hell of a lot more reliable than an old camaro or mustang...

[mx3man83]

I have yet to do anything to either one of my mx-3s. Ive got an RS and GS. They both have about 130 thousand miles on them.

[PimpOfTheMX3]

How are they on gas?

[Len-Dogg]

My MX-3 is awesome on gas. I get around 30mpg in the city, and 35-40mpg on the highway. I have a 95 RS. It was basically my first real car (my other first car was a 86 stick shift Plymouth Voyager mini-van LOL). I definitely recommend them.

[Seanthepizzadude65065]

An mx-3 for your first car is a very good choice, my mx-3 is my first car we paid 1500 and put around 200 fixing it up (new cv joint, brake pads, timeing belt, bearing, air filter, tie rod end) the only problem i have ever had was the first cold day of winter one of my coolent pipes burst and sprayed antifreeze all over the place car over heated and didnt crack the block, after school i looked and there was ice inside my radiator paid $9.00 for the pipe and antifreeze and it was fixed. Also they are tough lil cars, i put mine in a ditch flipped it all the way around i ended up facing the opposite way i was going all it did was bend the bottoms of the A/C condenser and radator, but other than that it was fine (no injuries) But as a first car i suggest it