AND THE PLOT THICKENS

"Takuro Spirit" (takurospirit)
09/23/2015 at 15:15 • Filed to: Notacamry

As I am waiting for a call back from both the dealer and my bank on a note for the Kia, we take in a 2004 Mazda3 hatch in Sunlight Silver with 91k and with.... A 5 SPEED MANUAL.

(not acutal car, add nominal Mazda Wisconsin rust for realism)

I drove it, and while it needs a wheel bearing and a purge valve (to turn off the CEL) its CLEAN inside and out. Except for the rust. Which isn’t TOO bad....

And the price is nice.

DISCUSSION (25)

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Takuro Spirit
09/23/2015 at 15:17

It seems like a much nicer car than a Kia Rio. If you can get it, go for it.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Takuro Spirit
09/23/2015 at 15:21

I’ve seen rust kill these things, if the Kia is rust free I’d still go that route personally.

Takuro Spirit > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
09/23/2015 at 15:22

But the Rio needs nothing and has no rust. Plus its the cheaper in the long run. I kinda know how and what Mazda 3’s break, and how expensive and un-fun they are to fix.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > Takuro Spirit
09/23/2015 at 15:23

Mazda does make some really nice manual transmissions. I’d probably also go for the Mazda, even with the rust (provided it's not too severe). Can you stop the rust from spreading? Also, your wheels would fit. Mazda also uses 114.3 bolt pattern

Steve in Manhattan > Takuro Spirit
09/23/2015 at 15:26

Whatever you do, have an independent mechanic inspect it for you before closing the deal.

Takuro Spirit > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
09/23/2015 at 15:26

That’s what I am thinking... now it’s up to the bank to make up my mind.

RazoE > Takuro Spirit
09/23/2015 at 15:27

JOIN US. JOIN US. Even though it’s not a speed3, it’s basically the same underneath which means lots of WEEEEEEEEE.

RazoE > Takuro Spirit
09/23/2015 at 15:27

Kinja'd!!!

Dat SS tho.

Takuro Spirit > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
09/23/2015 at 15:30

It does shift nice. The Rio is actually pretty snickity though. The 3 feels slower than my Camry, however (CEL is for an emissions code so I don’t think it’s pulling power). Might be due to longer gearing in the Mazda. Wheels won’t fit, the Mazda hubs are 7mm larger. I mean, I COULD grind away 3.5mm around the hub of the wheel....

Takuro Spirit > RazoE
09/23/2015 at 15:30

OH NO THE MOTOR FELL INTO MY TRANS AM

Takuro Spirit > Steve in Manhattan
09/23/2015 at 15:31

I work at a Mazda dealer, so we have a bunch of them around here. Plus the car was JUST serviced here, so I have a little insider info on it.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > Takuro Spirit
09/23/2015 at 15:33

they don’t fit? Weird. I am able to use the steelies I got for my 2011 Mazda 3 on my 2015 Civic. Maybe the earlier 3’s had a different hub ?

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > Takuro Spirit
09/23/2015 at 15:35

Also, I'm assuming that's the smaller 4 cyl right, not the 2.5? Yeah, it's not the quickest car out there. They return decent mpg though.

Steve in Manhattan > Takuro Spirit
09/23/2015 at 15:42

Good.

TheJMan92 > Takuro Spirit
09/23/2015 at 15:43

I was going to comment on the rust front but then I read your “add nominal Mazda Wisconsin rust” bit. It’s way too true, as an 04 Mazda 3s (in Sunlight Silver no less!) owner in Wisconsin I say only this: rust, rust everywhere.
How good did you say the price was?

Takuro Spirit > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
09/23/2015 at 15:44

2.3L

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > Takuro Spirit
09/23/2015 at 15:45

BUY IT!!!!! Rented one on a Eurotrip in 2006, and they are awesome little cars with the manual.

Takuro Spirit > TheJMan92
09/23/2015 at 15:50

Below KBB I’m sure (I haven’t run the numbers yet)

miadaman? yes please > Takuro Spirit
09/23/2015 at 16:26

TEAM MAZDA!!!!!!

Textured Soy Protein > Takuro Spirit
09/23/2015 at 16:42

(not acutal car, add nominal Mazda Wisconsin rust for realism)

This is exactly why I got rid of my MS6. It was a 2006 and already started rusting in like 2010 or 2011! Between that and the million interior rattles I just couldn’t take it anymore and traded it in.

Takuro Spirit > miadaman? yes please
09/23/2015 at 16:42

My driveway needs moar Mazda. The CX-5 is lonely.

Kinja'd!!!