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When buying a MX-3?

Posted: July 4th, 2009, 4:48 am
by destineal
When purchasing an MX-3, what should I be looking for? I see a 1992 GS with a 2.5 probe motor. Year of the car is a 1992 with 192k miles. Miles on the motor and year is unknown.
supposedly the ac works, cv axles, and master cylinder replaced. I may get around to seeing it today, but what else should I be looking for? If I get someone to inspect the car will they be able to determine the miles on the motor? :?:

Re: When buying a MX-3?

Posted: July 4th, 2009, 1:57 pm
by fowljesse
You can take it to a mechanic, and tell them you may buy the car, and want them to check it over. It may cost you $20ish.. Be sure they do a compression test.
Mostly, drive it, and pay close attention. If you know anyone who has, or had anything similar (Mazda 626, MX-6, Ford Probe...) Have them drive it, too.

Re: When buying a MX-3?

Posted: July 4th, 2009, 11:38 pm
by destineal
That may not be necessary. I checked the car out today and it has idling issues I guess due to the vacuum system not being fully intact. 3 to 4 connectors have no matching mate. I'm guessing that the 95 klde needs the connectors cut and matched to the 92 gs? Car overheated and leaked antifreeze but thats fixable)also wouldn't restart until it cooled down due to overheating). Transmission fluid or whatever manual trannys use also leaked out(not much). It could have been leaking at the cv axle but I couldn't jack the car up to check. Check engine & oil light are on.The body isn't perfect, but I think i looks decent for a 92. Yje motor was obviously just thrown in to try to sell the car. It won't pass emissions in this condition. The price is $1600, but negotiable

Re: When buying a MX-3?

Posted: July 5th, 2009, 3:22 pm
by destineal
Failure. Title is a salvage title with water damage

Re: When buying a MX-3?

Posted: July 5th, 2009, 3:23 pm
by 93vtecklr
Oi, ouch.

Re: When buying a MX-3?

Posted: July 5th, 2009, 4:27 pm
by destineal
Oh, I know. I'm disappointed. Even with all the problems, it was still a blast to test drive. I know for sure now that a mx-3 is in my future

Re: When buying a MX-3?

Posted: July 5th, 2009, 5:16 pm
by Inodoro Pereyra
There are other things you should consider:

First, the A/C. In models prior to '94, the A/C uses R-12, which is now banned. That means, if the A/C system in the car has not been converted to R-134a, you'll have to convert it later on, which means replacing the compressor and accumulator/dryer, flushing, the whole system, and vacuuming/refilling it with the proper oil and R-134a, which will run you at least about $400. '94s which come from the factory with an R-134a system have labels in the plumbing saying so.

Second, a car with a kl-de is (obviously) not stock. The kl-de is not only more powerful, but also heavier than the original engine. Have the brakes been upgraded accordingly? How about the suspension?

A kl-de equipped mx3 can be a lot of fun, but that fun can be short lived if it has the stock brakes and suspension and you need to stop in a hurry... :shock:

Re: When buying a MX-3?

Posted: July 5th, 2009, 8:44 pm
by destineal
That car was too much trouble. . I found another 92 with 12 owners in 17 yrs, but it's 114 miles away. The 1st one was 70 miles away and I don't wanna keep driving and come up empty handed.