RE: Mazda 3 MPS: PH Buying Guide
Discussion
Have owned a 58 plate (last facelift with shadow chrome alloys) for 4 years now. Has been bullet proof with nothing going wrong, and a great family car with decent rear legroom and boot. It has Aero pack so looks OK'ish, but handling vague when pushed and engine void of any character. In gear grunt in 4th/5th is where I get most satisfaction, but terrible off the line, and dire in the wet. Would recommend the car if fast, practical and reliable are your requirements. Anything more than that, I would suggest to look elsewhere. Once you've owned one though, it's difficult to identify a replacement that offers so much, for so little outlay.
Tax is £290 for a MK2 so not that bad, besides, in a grand scheme of things tax isn't too much.
Got a (completely standard) MK2, had it for the last 4 years (done 30k or so in that time). It's been relatively reliable with the bad things being:
Would I buy another? Not sure. It's been fun but I miss the practicality of my old Octavia vRS estate. So my next car is more than likely going to be one of those (or an A4 Avant). That said, an ex lease Golf R may be tempting too.
MPSOwners is a pretty useful forum. A few people there have been on the kool aid a little too much, but there's a lot of knowledge out there.
Got a (completely standard) MK2, had it for the last 4 years (done 30k or so in that time). It's been relatively reliable with the bad things being:
- Threw a check engine light back in October. Required a software update to cure this (it was in the affected VIN range). £120 or so.
- Required a new AC condenser as at service it flagged up that the old one was looking a bit knackered (but not broken, yet). £500. But I got it done due to my commute in the summer being hell if the AC packed in.
- Required new drop links. £50 for parts from Mazda and I fitted them myself.
- Required new spark plugs. £130 at Mazda to supply and fit. Could have done this a lot cheaper but they did it whilst I was sat working so I didn't particularly mind.
- Servicing. Last service (54k one) was a major service and set me back around £500. An oil service is about £200 and a minor service about £300. These are Mazda main dealer prices - could do it cheaper.
- A new tail light as some s
t reversed into it. £110 from Mazda and fitted it myself. - Looks. Subjective one. I don't mind the bonnet scoop personally as it's there for function (the intercooler is under it).
Would I buy another? Not sure. It's been fun but I miss the practicality of my old Octavia vRS estate. So my next car is more than likely going to be one of those (or an A4 Avant). That said, an ex lease Golf R may be tempting too.
MPSOwners is a pretty useful forum. A few people there have been on the kool aid a little too much, but there's a lot of knowledge out there.
Had a test drive of one of these along with some other hot hatches before I got my RX8. Didn't get it in the end as I do less than 3K a year so fuel consumption doesn't bother me but preferred it to the Ford alternatives but not the Renault Megane RS.
I found it to handle a bit woefully and was very underwhelmed at first with the car feeling unbalanced when coming off the brakes and lots of understeer but found with some judicious left foot braking you could carry seriously impressive speed through corners and the car was much more settled which gave confidence. I think people who slate them can't actually drive a proper (lsd equipped) fwd properly.
I found it to handle a bit woefully and was very underwhelmed at first with the car feeling unbalanced when coming off the brakes and lots of understeer but found with some judicious left foot braking you could carry seriously impressive speed through corners and the car was much more settled which gave confidence. I think people who slate them can't actually drive a proper (lsd equipped) fwd properly.
I went on a SuperCar driving day @ Thruxton a few years ago and a MK1 version of the MPS was used as a "sighting Laps" car...
When we were walking up to it, I didn't even give it a second glance, thinking it was just heap used for literally driving round the circuit.
As we got going, I remember being thoroughly surprised by the speed it ploughed through 100 mph and the instructor really did pedal it round well.
When we got back to the pits I distinctly remeber getting out and very deliberately looking at what on earth it actually was.
Never had I heard of an 3 MPS and I thought to myself, this'll be a performance bargain before long.
Shames they have proven (by many accounts) fragile - as I was impressed!!
When we were walking up to it, I didn't even give it a second glance, thinking it was just heap used for literally driving round the circuit.
As we got going, I remember being thoroughly surprised by the speed it ploughed through 100 mph and the instructor really did pedal it round well.
When we got back to the pits I distinctly remeber getting out and very deliberately looking at what on earth it actually was.
Never had I heard of an 3 MPS and I thought to myself, this'll be a performance bargain before long.
Shames they have proven (by many accounts) fragile - as I was impressed!!
Liked the idea of this when it first came out - based on a Focus but more power than an ST, but then I read the reviews!
About as disappointing as the Volvo C30 offering, presumably also based on a Focus!
RFL band helped kill the Mk1, apathy seemingly killed the Mk2!
Shame really, the idea was good but it looks like the execution was less good!
More information offered by the comments than the PH article (which is why I rated it pretty low)!
Rarity does not always guarantee good used values - some cars are rare for a reason!
About as disappointing as the Volvo C30 offering, presumably also based on a Focus!
RFL band helped kill the Mk1, apathy seemingly killed the Mk2!
Shame really, the idea was good but it looks like the execution was less good!
More information offered by the comments than the PH article (which is why I rated it pretty low)!
Rarity does not always guarantee good used values - some cars are rare for a reason!
How would these compare to say a FN2 Type R?
Price wise a good low mileage R isn't miles apart from a mk2 MPS. But I've never driven either of them, had a look around the Civic and plan on getting a test drive in the near future, so I'm not too sure if it's like comparing apples and oranges.
Price wise a good low mileage R isn't miles apart from a mk2 MPS. But I've never driven either of them, had a look around the Civic and plan on getting a test drive in the near future, so I'm not too sure if it's like comparing apples and oranges.
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