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"for Michigan" (formichigan) 08/31/2015 at 16:19 • Filed to: mazda3, car buying

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After getting fed up innumerable times with the Civic being broken and realizing a car payment would be cheaper than keeping the old heap on the road has proven to be, I have become the proud owner of a 1st gen Mazda3 hatchback.

Hooray for manual wagons.

Mercedes Streeter > for Michigan 08/31/2015 at 16:22

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Hope you don’t live in an area where the roads get salted. :(

for Michigan > Mercedes Streeter 08/31/2015 at 16:24

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I very much do. This one’s got a little bit of bubbling starting in the rear wheel wells, but I’ll address that before winter.

Also, it may be fun to drive for a cheap economy car, but it’s a cheap economy car. If it rusts out in the next five years, I really couldn’t care less.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Mercedes Streeter 08/31/2015 at 16:25

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No kidding. So many rusted 3s in the chicago area which im sure you’re familiar with mercedes haha

mazda616 > for Michigan 08/31/2015 at 16:27

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Yay, I’ve got one too! :-)

What year is yours? Mine is a 2008. The rust issue got a lot better after 2007. Yours looks to be earlier than that, though.

for Michigan > mazda616 08/31/2015 at 16:31

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Sweet. Is that a Speed3?

Mine is an 06. There’s a little bubbling happening in the rear wheel wells already, but I figure if I address it now, it shouldn’t be a major problem anytime soon.

mazda616 > for Michigan 08/31/2015 at 16:32

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Catch it early and it’ll be easy to take care of. :)

Mine is not a Speed 3. :( Just a 3 S Touring. It’s lowered on Eibachs and has a Speed 3 exhaust and rear valence, though.

for Michigan > mazda616 08/31/2015 at 16:39

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Got it. It looks sharp.

I deliver pizzas, so no lowering for me. I am thinking about putting new exhaust on it, though. It’s a little too quiet after the Civic and Fiero.

mazda616 > for Michigan 08/31/2015 at 17:02

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Thanks.

I've had mine for six years as of August 18th. Six years and 63,000 miles. No major problems. Like three minor problems that were all cheap and easy to fix. I love it.

RazoE > for Michigan 08/31/2015 at 17:27

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Nice! Mine is a 2008 Mazdaspeed3 6 speed manual.

Is yours a sport or a touring model?

ZoopZoopLoops > for Michigan 08/31/2015 at 17:31

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I was surprised how good these are in manual with as little suspension work as some Koni dampers.

for Michigan > RazoE 09/01/2015 at 04:42

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Sport is the base model for the hatchback, right? Because I think that’s what it is.

for Michigan > ZoopZoopLoops 09/01/2015 at 04:43

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May have to add that to the list of potential mods for this one.

RazoE > for Michigan 09/01/2015 at 09:31

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The touring model has leather, LED tail lights, HID tail lights, and other niceties. Sport doesn’t.

TheJMan92 > mazda616 09/01/2015 at 16:52

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I think I’ve got the lamest 3 here :( bone stock 04’ auto, silver over a nice rust, but at least it’s a hatchback. Welcome to the club!

TheJMan92 > for Michigan 09/01/2015 at 16:53

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Make sure you take care of that rust! I didn’t last year, and it’s gotten much worse over the winter. I’ve got POR15 on the way, not making that mistake again this year.

TheJMan92 > ZoopZoopLoops 09/01/2015 at 16:54

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I was surprised how well they perform stock. I was also coming from 6 years of Buicks though.