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Yeah, I'll share stories with you. Piece of junk. VVT actuators and timing chains go bad under 70K miles. Parts are horrendously overpriced. Everything is dealer only. Sway bar bushings went out at 70 K with loud clunk and it took 4 hours to have them replaced.
Now we have never ending story with slave clutch cylinder. To have a tiny rubber seal replaced on hydraulic line, you have to buy entire line, though it is separate part. $160 plus tax. Basically, just for the seal.
I find that story worth $1500 we had to pay, hard cash, to local private shop to replace timing chain and VVT actuator. Before "suspecting", Google Mazdaspeed timing chain issues. Damn thing should be recalled, it stretches and needs to be replaced with an upgraded design.
I just love. Telling ME that I am shooting hot air balloons here... Ever since we bought that car, it's repairs upon repairs. Google Google
My oldest girl has one. Apparently she likes it a lot as she can't stay out of hers. The car has 50,000 miles on it and it's a 2013. Other than oil changes, a set of brakes recently and new tires, it's been flawless. But they are no different than any other car, you have to maintain them and use the correct fluids in the engine or expect issues. Same with oil filters. Use OEM and not some orange grenade and you'll be happy with it.
Anyone want to share their Mazdaspeed 3 experiences/stories? Did it live up to your expectations?
I had a Mazdaspeed6. Phenomenal powerplant.
Test-drove a Speed3. Obviously very quick but crude handling dynamics. If I were in the market for a FWD hot-hatch, I'd rather have something with less power if it came with more refinement; something along the lines of a GTI or a Focus ST.
I had one for a while and loved the horsepower. Quick car, lots of fun.
But, the car is loud inside, harsh and bumpy ride.. and I was always worried it was going to blow up (they love to throw rods, and the VVT as noted above fails frequently)
My brother had one for a few years. I think his was a 2007. In the time he had it (3 years) he went through 2 sets of tires and 3 motor mounts. The thing ran stupid rich so unless he washed it every other day he had black soot all over the back of the car. It was loud inside and the ride was painful because it was so stiff. The interior, like most Mazda interiors, was all hard plastics.
I have to say though, it was a lot of fun to drive. But at the same time it was very difficult to drive sanely. The car wanted to be driven hard.
Insurance on it was insane and the gas mileage was around 22 MPG.
When I was looking for cars about 3 years ago I had it narrowed down to a speed 3 and a GTi. The speed 3 had the more aggresive setup and I liked that but the cheaper interior and smiley face front end turned me off. I ended up getting the GTi and with a simple tune was putting down more power than the speed 3.
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