New to me Mazda three

[giantbunnyhead]

Hey all ... I just picked up a new-to-me 2008.5 Mazda 3 GT sport in Met. Gray with 24K on the clock. I got quite a good deal on it!

I'm not new Mazdas, as I previously owned a 1991 Miata and modified it quite a bit by changing out the suspension, then adding a supercharger, then turbo at 8 psi, then 12 psi, then 15 psi (as I upgraded engine management had replaced driveline parts as they disintegrated with the increase in power). I was up to about 240 RWHP which was plenty for such a light car - then was hit by a drunk driver. I replaced that with a 3rd generation MX5 GT (hardtop/softop).

I had never even driven a Mazda 3 before I bought this one and had assumed (wrongly) that it wouldn't be as tight or responsive as my MX5. I got it as a winter car but can definitely see me driving it more than I thought I would during the summer months.

Anyway ... looking forward to learning what I can do to help keep it in top form and possibly add some minor mods to improve the handling and possibly some cosmetic mods.

[poke65]

Welcome to TM3

[ST3ALTH]

Welcome to TM3!

[JonsMazda]

Grats and welcome to TM3.

[CFX]

Welcome.

[stevenma188]

:welcome smiley <-- Officially :chuckle

[DualSoul]

:welcome smiley


I'm not new Mazdas, as I previously owned a 1991 Miata and modified it quite a bit by changing out the suspension, then adding a supercharger, then turbo at 8 psi, then 12 psi, then 15 psi (as I upgraded engine management had replaced driveline parts as they disintegrated with the increase in power). I was up to about 240 RWHP which was plenty for such a light car - then was hit by a drunk driver. I replaced that with a 3rd generation MX5 GT (hardtop/softop).

Glad to see you made out OK. Hopefully they threw the book at him/her.

[mazdabetty]

welcomeee, giantbunnyhead..... nice colour!

[Thrizzl3]

welcome to tm3!

[giantbunnyhead]

:welcome smiley



Glad to see you made out OK. Hopefully they threw the book at him/her.

Wow, that was quite the response from everyone!

As far as the driver that decided to have a few too many drinks then take a drive into me ... he was sent to a detox/rehab centre for about 4 months right after the accident. During that time, I couldn't move forward at all regarding compensation for the damage to my vehicle or myself (ignition key was embedded in my right knee, my lips were cut, chest bruised up pretty bad and back pain). When he finally got out, my agent was finally able to get more of his situation ... he lost his license, but not sure if he had to serve any time.

[giantbunnyhead]

BTW - I bought my '08.5 Mazda 3 GT sport at an auction.

It was a repo and was listed as a GS. When I went the day before to inspect it, it was clear to me that it wasn't a GS, but a GT (this was confirmed when I entered the VIN on the Mazda website). The bank reserve was set to $13,500 but after bidding against a few other people, I ended up getting it for $12K and change.

I was a bit wary that it might have some issues and buying "as is where is" might come back to bite me, but it turned out to be in very good shape apart from some curb rash on one of the wheels. I've already put on my extra set of rims from my MX5 and the snowflake rims will be relegated to winter use.

The original PDI report was in the glove box dated June 2008, so it's really not that old at all. I guess the original owner must have been a victim of the recession.

[Go_Habs_Go]

Welcome to the club! :)

[DeadB2000]

Smokin deal Ping. Drunk drivers should be shot and pissed on.

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

Smokin deal Ping. Drunk drivers should be shot and pissed on.

Wrong order, but agreed.

[Norm DePlume]

Hoping I can be so lucky. :headbang


BTW - I bought my '08.5 Mazda 3 GT sport at an auction.

It was a repo and was listed as a GS. When I went the day before to inspect it, it was clear to me that it wasn't a GS, but a GT (this was confirmed when I entered the VIN on the Mazda website). The bank reserve was set to $13,500 but after bidding against a few other people, I ended up getting it for $12K and change.

I was a bit wary that it might have some issues and buying "as is where is" might come back to bite me, but it turned out to be in very good shape apart from some curb rash on one of the wheels. I've already put on my extra set of rims from my MX5 and the snowflake rims will be relegated to winter use.

The original PDI report was in the glove box dated June 2008, so it's really not that old at all. I guess the original owner must have been a victim of the recession.

[giantbunnyhead]

Hey Norm,

Not sure which trim and year you're looking for, but there's one up for auction in your area ... http://www.repodepo.ca/cars/267984.aspx

[giantbunnyhead]

Checking into my own thread after just over 2 years of ownership. So far, at 43K km the car has run perfectly - zero issues! I've been running a set of Hakka-4's on snowflake (17") rims in the winter, and a set of NC (3rd Gen) MX5 17 rims with Bridgestone RE050 tires in the summer. One of the best purchases I've made and would buy another one in a heartbeat.

I briefly considered adding a turbo, but decided to supercharge the MX5 instead with a Cosworth designed M62 blower kit. Having 240 RWHP in a 2400 lb car satisfies any modest acceleration craving I may have and just use the 3 to move people and bikes around the city and on trips to the mountains.

[schmat66]

Welcome!

[Booter22]

welcome!

[altec18]

Congratz

[Takumi616]

Welcome 2 years ago!

[Default User]

Welcome!

Post whore


welcome!

Post whore


Congratz

Post whore


Welcome 2 years ago!

lol - someone read the thread!

[maz06]

Wrong order, but agreed.

+1

[n00bMeiSter]

I briefly considered adding a turbo, but decided to supercharge the MX5 instead with a Cosworth designed M62 blower kit. Having 240 RWHP in a 2400 lb car satisfies any modest acceleration craving I may have and just use the 3 to move people and bikes around the city and on trips to the mountains.

Really? I've been thinking about doing something like that for a track setup to an mx as well. Where did you pick up the kit from? Do you mind if I ask how much?




Post whore



Post whore



Post whore



lol - someone read the thread!

Lmao!

[DumpInfo]

Welcome 2 years ago!


lol - someone read the thread!

that's what i was just thinking lol

[Takumi616]

Post whore



Post whore



Post whore



lol - someone read the thread!

LOL

:nothing smiley

[giantbunnyhead]

Really? I've been thinking about doing something like that for a track setup to an mx as well. Where did you pick up the kit from? Do you mind if I ask how much?

Lmao!

Heheh ... funny that people were welcoming me again after two years! :chuckle

I got the MX5 supercharger kit directly from Cosworth in Torrance, CA. I liked that it had an integrated intercooler and looked OEM when installed. I got it at a fire-sale price since when it was first released, Cosworth had partnered with Sniper (Delta Force) for their tuning solution and had some serious issues cracking the Mazda code that resulted in a few destroyed engines, not to mention some other financial issues they were having. So, Cosworth decided to sell them off pretty cheap.

I was able to pick mine up for $2500 CDN (luckily when the Canadian dollar was worth more than the US) - but they said they would not support their warranty since they weren't supplying the tune. I then got my ECU tuned by Flyin Miata (via Joe McClughan at Dynotronics) and it has been fine ever since. The kit now sells for $4000 US without the tune.

Joe also supplies successful ECU reflashes, with notable gains, to the Mazda 3 community.

[giantbunnyhead]

BTW - Here is the kit I have on my MX5 ... http://www.cosworthusa.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=363 ... and dyno chart from the FM/Dynotronics tune (from another MX5 Cosworth installation here in Alberta) ... http://flyinmiata.com/tech/dyno_runs/NC_supercharged.pdf