Mazda 3 - choice of 2...opinions

Mazda 3 - choice of 2...opinions

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Discussion

georgeyboy12345

3,525 posts

36 months

Tuesday 13th December 2022
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Jonathan-vsfnx said:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255875464224?hash=item3...

What does everyone think of this one? What questions should I ask, I am going to ask number of owners and when it last had a service.
This one looks pretty legit to me. Just make sure you do a VCheck before buying.

Ankh87

684 posts

103 months

Tuesday 13th December 2022
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Few things.

Car is dirty which is never a good thing. You really should clean it for selling photos. To me it shows they haven't cared much.
One tyre is flat which means you might be paying out already for a tyre. Again at least inflate it for photos. Definitely check if they have the locking wheelnut.
Looking into the MOT history it failed on a lot of things to do with bushes and brakes so check those.

If it were me and I really wanted it. I'd offer £3000 cash.

Stallzy

166 posts

62 months

Tuesday 13th December 2022
quotequote all
Ankh87 said:
Few things.

Car is dirty which is never a good thing. You really should clean it for selling photos. To me it shows they haven't cared much.
One tyre is flat which means you might be paying out already for a tyre. Again at least inflate it for photos. Definitely check if they have the locking wheelnut.
Looking into the MOT history it failed on a lot of things to do with bushes and brakes so check those.

If it were me and I really wanted it. I'd offer £3000 cash.
Yeah, I was looking at this on phone so didn't look into too much detail, but I noticed it doesn't have any of the heated seats or not sure if it has the BOSE audio either - also not a fan of the tyres currently on it

Jonathan-vsfnx

Original Poster:

29 posts

51 months

Tuesday 13th December 2022
quotequote all
Ankh87 said:
Few things.

Car is dirty which is never a good thing. You really should clean it for selling photos. To me it shows they haven't cared much.
One tyre is flat which means you might be paying out already for a tyre. Again at least inflate it for photos. Definitely check if they have the locking wheelnut.
Looking into the MOT history it failed on a lot of things to do with bushes and brakes so check those.

If it were me and I really wanted it. I'd offer £3000 cash.
Yes you are right looks dirty inside and outside, the alloy wheels look in a bit of a state as well. If I end up wanting to make it look half decent I might have to get the wheels done, which is more expense. I just don't understand why you wouldn't wash a car before putting up photos, but then I am a member of a facebook group page which sells cars in the north east where I live, and you have people uploading car photos taken at night so you can hardly see the car! I think 3k is a realistic price given its condition and spec - 3.7k no way not in its current state. Will check about heated seats and the Bose sound system.

Skyedriver

17,895 posts

283 months

Tuesday 13th December 2022
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Love the "only selling as I'm getting a new car" bit, so many ads say this, why are you getting a new car if this one is so fantastic?
OP I appreciate your comments on travelling. I used to live Tyneside then Cramlington and afte a while I got to the stage of "I'm not going south of the Tyne!" Would happily travel north but for some reason, every time I went to South Shields or Sunderland the car was a dodgy one. Can well understand the area around Darlo hosts some iffy stuff. (I lived in Aldbrough St John for a while, is there nothing in the Richmond area?)
Good luck with your search, I'm currently looking for a car for my 17 year old son; I'm in a remote area of west coast Scotland - need to travel for most stuff.

Jonathan-vsfnx

Original Poster:

29 posts

51 months

Thursday 15th December 2022
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I have decided to go and view this one, its fairly local to me - I will run a vcheck on it but it seems legit - unlike some of the others, I am only planning to keep the car for a year then maybe upgrade - what does everyone think? Does the price look ok? Any question to ask? I might say I can pay the full price if she throws in the roof bar and box as that could be useful for driving to the airport or weekends away.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/84434290...

Ratae

282 posts

102 months

Thursday 15th December 2022
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Looks like a decent option. I've not long sold my Mazda 3 Sport 2.0. Great utility kinda car, handle and steer well but don't expect any kind of performance, particularly from the 1.6! Even the 2.0 was gutless until 4.5k RPM in 3rd gear, the ECU map/gearing combo is weird on these.

Slowboathome

3,349 posts

45 months

Thursday 15th December 2022
quotequote all
Jonathan-vsfnx said:
I have decided to go and view this one, its fairly local to me - I will run a vcheck on it but it seems legit - unlike some of the others, I am only planning to keep the car for a year then maybe upgrade - what does everyone think? Does the price look ok? Any question to ask? I might say I can pay the full price if she throws in the roof bar and box as that could be useful for driving to the airport or weekends away.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/84434290...
Price seems about right looking at similar models on Autotrader.

If I were viewing it I'd check the Engine light was working (ie, not disabled).

As many people have said on here, trust your gut when you meet the seller (and make sure it's at their home).


Overall it looks like an honest car. I'd buy it (but tbh I would probably pay the dealer premium just in case of significant issues).

Jonathan-vsfnx

Original Poster:

29 posts

51 months

Thursday 15th December 2022
quotequote all
Ratae said:
Looks like a decent option. I've not long sold my Mazda 3 Sport 2.0. Great utility kinda car, handle and steer well but don't expect any kind of performance, particularly from the 1.6! Even the 2.0 was gutless until 4.5k RPM in 3rd gear, the ECU map/gearing combo is weird on these.
Just want something reliable - for this price range - I think this is the best car along with the Avensis/ Civic / Accord

georgeyboy12345

3,525 posts

36 months

Thursday 15th December 2022
quotequote all
Jonathan-vsfnx said:
I have decided to go and view this one, its fairly local to me - I will run a vcheck on it but it seems legit - unlike some of the others, I am only planning to keep the car for a year then maybe upgrade - what does everyone think? Does the price look ok? Any question to ask? I might say I can pay the full price if she throws in the roof bar and box as that could be useful for driving to the airport or weekends away.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/84434290...
That one looks excellent and looks like a legit seller too. As mentioned, do all the usual checks and you should be ok.