Discussion
I am thinking of getting a Mazda 3 MPS.
The particular car in question is an early (2006 I think) one, and does not have the airo pack or lowered suspension.
I know about the £400 road tax and the VVT actuator issue.
Is there anything else to be aware of?
Are the engines particuarly delicate?
Any other issues or common MOT failure points?
Any useful comments from current or past owners would be appreciated.
The particular car in question is an early (2006 I think) one, and does not have the airo pack or lowered suspension.
I know about the £400 road tax and the VVT actuator issue.
Is there anything else to be aware of?
Are the engines particuarly delicate?
Any other issues or common MOT failure points?
Any useful comments from current or past owners would be appreciated.
Hi,
Have a 2007 Aero and just passed 69K in it since new. Engine has been very reliable with no glitches. Has settled down to about 33 mpg on motorway.
Only negative points I've found are the rather dead, semi detached feeling to the steering and the high tyre wear. I get about 12/12 or 10K from the fronts & they are a bit of an odd expensive size 215/45/18.
I've needed new shocks all round at 65K & am looking at new disks all round at 70K but nothing major or unexpected just wear & tear.
Overall good car with excellent performance which is very understated in appearance. Upsets lots of Audis & BMW, totally baffles the Saxo set. Costs lot less than VW etc
Andy
Have a 2007 Aero and just passed 69K in it since new. Engine has been very reliable with no glitches. Has settled down to about 33 mpg on motorway.
Only negative points I've found are the rather dead, semi detached feeling to the steering and the high tyre wear. I get about 12/12 or 10K from the fronts & they are a bit of an odd expensive size 215/45/18.
I've needed new shocks all round at 65K & am looking at new disks all round at 70K but nothing major or unexpected just wear & tear.
Overall good car with excellent performance which is very understated in appearance. Upsets lots of Audis & BMW, totally baffles the Saxo set. Costs lot less than VW etc
Andy
Hi,
To return to this topic, from the reviews I've read of the non Aero MPS you may be better waiting for an Aero pack to come around. Mine is an Aero & the combination of the light steering & the suspension means it is still a bit vague in corners. This is one with lowered Eibach suspension so I'd personally be wary of one with the stock suspension fitted to the non Aero. I think Mazda fitted the Eibach after feedback about handling.
Very fast in straight line, never had problems in corners in the dry, can be very scrabbly in the wet if booted as not 4WD. It's a car in which I really wouldn't economise on tyres.
If you get one make sure the lights are correctly set up, lots of hype about it having discharge headlights, for some reason they have a short range due to their position & suspension. Personally find wifes TT with ordinary bulbs 100% better. Good audio system for those of us who don't replace them with after market units & bass bins etc.
The early ones were subject to a recall for an engine mounting - the dealer had to be reminded about this, make sure it was done as it can cause big problems.
Sorry if these are mundane points, thought they'd be more use than 'fast car blud'
Andy
To return to this topic, from the reviews I've read of the non Aero MPS you may be better waiting for an Aero pack to come around. Mine is an Aero & the combination of the light steering & the suspension means it is still a bit vague in corners. This is one with lowered Eibach suspension so I'd personally be wary of one with the stock suspension fitted to the non Aero. I think Mazda fitted the Eibach after feedback about handling.
Very fast in straight line, never had problems in corners in the dry, can be very scrabbly in the wet if booted as not 4WD. It's a car in which I really wouldn't economise on tyres.
If you get one make sure the lights are correctly set up, lots of hype about it having discharge headlights, for some reason they have a short range due to their position & suspension. Personally find wifes TT with ordinary bulbs 100% better. Good audio system for those of us who don't replace them with after market units & bass bins etc.
The early ones were subject to a recall for an engine mounting - the dealer had to be reminded about this, make sure it was done as it can cause big problems.
Sorry if these are mundane points, thought they'd be more use than 'fast car blud'
Andy
The original standard car was slated when it was released, apparently the aero package makes a massive difference. I have only driven an aero so don't know how much different they are but the ride is not bonecrunching as per a type-r.
Hold out for an aero, it will be easier to sell on afterwards too.
Hold out for an aero, it will be easier to sell on afterwards too.
One of the things I like about it that other than the exhaust tail pipe and wheels, it looks like a shopping car. The aero has spoiled (not huge admittedly) but I would rather not have them. Other than the springs & spoilers, are there any other improvements to the aero? What I am saying is, if I were to fit aero springs, would I then effectively has an aero without the spoilers (which I am not so keen on), or are there other differences as well.
hygt2 said:
Standard 3MPS Mark 1?
No standard 6MPS and standard MK2 3MPS, but my post wasn't intended as a one car is quicker than the other (there is little in it and that would vary from one to another dependant on conditions), just to point out the 3 isn't in anyway lacking in handling performance because it is FWD.The truth is, and this is assuming the OP isn't considering an MPS for how many cubic litres of luggage space it has, the MPS range of cars are pretty good all rounders and won't break the bank.
GAjon said:
hygt2 said:
Standard 3MPS Mark 1?
No standard 6MPS and standard MK2 3MPS, but my post wasn't intended as a one car is quicker than the other (there is little in it and that would vary from one to another dependant on conditions), just to point out the 3 isn't in anyway lacking in handling performance because it is FWD.The truth is, and this is assuming the OP isn't considering an MPS for how many cubic litres of luggage space it has, the MPS range of cars are pretty good all rounders and won't break the bank.
The Mazda test engineers confirmed when I was at Ford many year ago that the 6MPS was very slightly faster than the MK1 3MPS on handling circuit, dry or wet (though less than 1% different in dry from the telemetry and I'm not sure if it is the same test driver so it could be down to driver variation). Also, that was development platform so I'm not sure how different the production models are compared to the development models.
Having driven both, I can categorically say the MK1 3MPS is faster than the 6MPS. Thus with less weight, lower transmission loss, better fuel economy, better interior packaging, more flexible interior with folding rear seats and lower overall costs, the 3MPS is a better all rounder.
However, I just didn't like the way the MK1 3MPS drives so I admit bias. Being single and having 4 cars in London only allow me to drive each about 1,000 miles or so a year so admittedly my "needs" are mostly different.
the 1st few uk cars were non aero i believe, from 07 onwards there is a mix of both, but most are aero's. some of the later cars were classed as earo's but didn't have the big spoiler on the rear but had the aero mirrors and eibach springs.
i've had an 08 aero now for 2 years, and on the handling side i can tell you that a tyre change away from bridgestones to goodyears will vastly improve ride quality and handling.
there are no major faults to report, the vvt actuator is a known fault but not all that common, as is smoke from turbo on extended idle.
my advice, get an aero, lowest mileage you can and enjoy.
i've had an 08 aero now for 2 years, and on the handling side i can tell you that a tyre change away from bridgestones to goodyears will vastly improve ride quality and handling.
there are no major faults to report, the vvt actuator is a known fault but not all that common, as is smoke from turbo on extended idle.
my advice, get an aero, lowest mileage you can and enjoy.
Gassing Station | Japanese Chat | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff