Is Mazda's forgotten hot hatch worth a punt?
Lightly regarded in its day and not much to look at - but cheap and very cheerful in a lusty sort of way...
One of the nice things about hot hatches (hot hatches from 20 years ago), is that virtually everyone got in on the game. Or everyone that was building a C-segment model - which, again, was virtually everyone because back then family-sized hatchbacks were the undisputed kings of Europe. We bought them like fun-sized chocolate bars, and because they were so popular, there was inevitably a portion of the market that preferred them to come with the enlivening kicker that is a large petrol engine. Hence we got cars like the Mazda3 MPS.
The first-gen Mazda3 is one of those cars prone to slipping from the memory banks, but anyone who owned one tends to rave about them - mostly because they were tough as old boots (inevitable rust issues aside). Mazda revealed the 3 MPS in 2006, a year after the all-wheel-drive 6 MPS and featuring the same turbocharged 2.3-litre four-pot. This produced slightly less power in the hatchback, but when you consider it had half as many driven axles, that was probably a good thing.
Even without it, Mazda claimed a sub-6-second 0-62mph time, and that was pretty handy in-period. Or it made it quicker on paper than the (lower-powered) Mk5 Golf GTI and Ford Focus ST. Only the Astra VXR was really playing the same front-drive excess game, and it had a similarly disinterested attitude when it came to handling delicacy. If that seems out of character now for a manufacturer that has consistently favoured nuance over output in its globally famous rear-drive sports car, it didn’t make hugely much sense at the time. But, again, back in those days, itches got scratched.
No surprise that contemporary road tests liked the engine more than the chassis; twenty years later, the direct injected MZR unit is the reason for putting your thinking cap on. Any generation of Honda Civic Type R will run rings around the MPS on a roundabout - but if you prefer mid-range shove (and a smaller outlay), and don’t let torque steer ruin your day, this well-kept example might be worth a second look. Two owners from new is strong, and over nearly two decades, 59,000 miles works out at roughly 3,300 miles a year. Seller states full service history, and the advert photos suggest a refreshingly standard car.
This is notable because the turbocharger allowed for easy-peasy remapping - not always to the benefit of longevity. You can safely access more power from the chunky lump, but you’ll want to invest in some upgraded components elsewhere before unlocking it. The engine also requires more working than a modern turbocharged four-pot, although that’s all part of the charm in 2026. Especially with a six-speed manual gearbox lever to thrust about the place.
Problems? Well, it’s an old hot hatch, so you can expect a few. And £8,490 is annoyingly distant from the sort of money that might have captured a decent one in previous years. But when the dealer says ‘rare’, it isn’t wishful thinking. Howmanyleft suggests that there are precious few examples of the earliest iteration still registered, and while its replacement is more numerous, it’s worth remembering that Mazda never bothered to properly replace the MPS, despite continuing with the 3 till the current day. A missed opportunity? Yes. One for the connoisseur? No. But a likeable curio from the good old days.
"Rare" doesn't make something worth money – plenty of cars are rare simply because no one wants them.
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Just not that appealing really, not ugly but a bit meh, caused a minor stir back in the day due to the power output but things have long since made that seem pretty average.
Would just spend a little more, get a MK7 Golf GTI and bung a remap on it, I know its not very imaginative but it will be way better, and despite its rarity, this isnt that inspiring anyway.
However, they do rust. not as bad as an MX5, but in the same ball park.
And high VED, plus pretty bad fuel consumption.
I'd much rather have a Megane RS for that kind of money
I'd much rather have a Megane RS for that kind of money
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