Friday 18th October 2013

Shed of the Week: Mazda MX-3 V6

Shed makes the PH downsizing case with a pint-sized V6

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Back in the good old days, there was a 50cc motorcycle Grand Prix class. The two-stroke engines powering these tiny machines in the early 1960s mainly came from the Eastern bloc. Producing over 200hp per litre, they had pistons the size of thimbles, powerbands narrower than a gunfighter's stare and a tendency to seize at inconvenient moments. The gunfighter analogy is apt because riders needed Man With No Name reactions on the clutch lever if, or more accurately when, the motor nipped up.

Only two ad pics and we've space to fill so...

To compete, Honda produced a series of fantastically engineered double overhead cam four-stroke 50cc twins. Have a listen to this RC116 from 1966. Among many other multi-cylinder moments of madness, it also released a five-cylinder 125cc GP bike pushing out a reputed 45hp (360hp per litre) and sounding like a sackful of angry cats. It's believed that Honda was even thinking about a 50cc four. Those Honda lads liked a laugh.

Point being that, when they were running at any rate, the noise from these tiddlers was staggering. Proving that there are two routes to a glorious sounding engine: cylinders, and lots of them, or really small cylinders, and lots of them.

Mazda's MX-3 ran through most of the 1990s and was, as the owner of this week's pleasingly clean Shed states, the smallest production V6 you could get. It therefore merits our attention. That and the fact these cheeky chappies are quite thin on the ground these days: just a few hundred V6s remain, and most of them are autos.

... how it would have looked, all shiny and new

At under £700 this little red number looks like a clever purchase even on a Joe Sensible flat cap basis, taking into account its new tyres, recent cambelt (non-interference variety), long ticket, low running costs and eligibility for classic insurance. Add in the relative rarity, its apparently springy condition and the manual 'box, and it all makes you wonder why it's being sold.

It could be because the MX-3 is not the most exciting drive. It's safe enough and unthreateningly reliable, but despite having a variable length intake manifold (VLIM) and a degree or two of passive rear steer, never inspiring. You could change all that in short order by removing some of the exhaust innards or drilling a few holes in the tailpipe. Then you'd have an automotive flute to play tunes on. A small 60-degree V6 revving to 7,000rpm? It's got to be good for the soul. You just need to be able to hear it.

Perhaps sir would prefer black?

Don't expect raging performance to go with your newly-created racket. At the end of the day it's only a 1.8, a perceived (and, thanks to emission constrictions, actual) inadequacy that played a big part in the MX-3's disappearance from Mazda showrooms in 1998. 120mph is the realistic top end, whilst a smoky motor can mean leaky valve stem seals, and you've got 24 suspects. If the engine does go pop you can slot in the 2.5 V6 from the MX-6 or indeed the Ford Probe. Hopefully it won't, because then you'd lose your bragging rights.

Ten years after the demise of the MX-3, rumours were circulating that Mazda was thinking about bring back an updated version. It never happened, sadly: the time wasn't right. But with manufacturers feverishly scratching around for new USPs that will make their cars unique and/or iconic, maybe now the time is right for a shaved flywheel, some superlight valvegear, a small turbo and a 9,000rpm redline. Yum.

Here's the ad.

Classic Phase 1 Mazda MX3 1.8i now a collectors car, very reliable and smallest V6 made,genuine mileage and well looked after by owners. You won't find a better one in the country. 9 Months MOT 4 months Tax. (Tax is £125 for 6 months) Very quick bulletproof v6 engine but great on fuel 30plus mpg. Amazing engine sound,acceleration and handling but not at all expensive to insure no rust on bodywork at all very clean example great condition for its age. Recent cam-belt . Brand new front tyres backs in great condition Lovely inside and out. Genuine reason for sale, loved this car and will be sorry to see it go.Sunroof, top of the range spec ,alloys ,electric windows power steering,alarm etc. A joy to own and drive.

 

[only1ian]

I cruised around the low countries and west germany in one of these, also red, and I have to say it was a pleasant experience. Typical dull jap interior but I liked the exterior styling and the v6 burble. Girls seemed to think it was far more exotic and interesting than it really was... they say a car reflects its owner!

[dxg]

People are starting to put that engine into MX5s, you know...

[dukebox9reg]

Liked these but always preferred the Honda Del Sols of the similar vintage.

Small V6 lumps do sound nice. The 2ltr V6s in FTO's I find sound particularly fruity with a decent pipe.

[seefarr]

My old man had one of these for a while. Lovely engine sound but the ad may be overplaying it with the "very quick". .

[KernowSid]

I like this, very different. Really don't see many about anymore (not that you really did when they were new!)

Good SOFTW

[graham22]

dukebox9reg said:

Liked these but always preferred the Honda Del Sols of the similar vintage.

Surely the pre Del-Sol CRX would have been the direct alternative at the time. I looked at both in 1994 & bought a CRX VTEC (hatchback model) as it was far more fun - and it still made a great noise on lift.

A friend bought a MX-3 at the same time and it was much more 'wafty'.

[dukebox9reg]

graham22 said:

dukebox9reg said:

Liked these but always preferred the Honda Del Sols of the similar vintage.

Surely the pre Del-Sol CRX would have been the direct alternative at the time. I looked at both in 1994 & bought a CRX VTEC (hatchback model) as it was far more fun - and it still made a great noise on lift.

A friend bought a MX-3 at the same time and it was much more 'wafty'.

Del sol was produced from 92-98 previous CRX 83-91

[loudlashadjuster]

A mate had one of these. Lovely noise but slow and very expensive to run (fuel, maintenance). Personally I thought he was mad to buy it.

Eventually had to scrap at less than 10 years old it as it had an intermittent electrical/fuelling problem that no amount of cash seemed to be able to solve. Shame.

[J4CKO]

Nicely left field, thoughtful shed, not completely devoid of interest but not grabbing me much.

[AC43]

Back in company car days I had one of those shortlisted, rather than one of the more obvious hot hatches. Before I could order one my allowance went up so I was looking at a VR6. Then it went up again and I could get a 200SX Touring. So I did.

But for the original money it would have been a V6 MX-3

Got to love multis in unusually small cars.

[Prawnboy]

i do like to learn a new fact or 2 on a friday, i really like this shed.
why was this engine not put in the MX5?

[TNH]

I had no idea Mazda made a MX-6. Now I know. Cheers.

[graham22]

dukebox9reg said:

graham22 said:

dukebox9reg said:

Liked these but always preferred the Honda Del Sols of the similar vintage.

Surely the pre Del-Sol CRX would have been the direct alternative at the time. I looked at both in 1994 & bought a CRX VTEC (hatchback model) as it was far more fun - and it still made a great noise on lift.

A friend bought a MX-3 at the same time and it was much more 'wafty'.

Del sol was produced from 92-98 previous CRX 83-91

I'm thinking more hatchback type coupe early '90s bought 2nd hand rather than direct year on year comparisoms.

[Andy ap]

dukebox9reg said:

Liked these but always preferred the Honda Del Sols of the similar vintage.

Small V6 lumps do sound nice. The 2ltr V6s in FTO's I find sound particularly fruity with a decent pipe.

Agreed, although finding and FTO without the veilside bodykit or some other monstrositys is nigh on impossible now. As for the VR6 mention god yes What a noise!

The tax actually seems quite expensive on the MX-3 or is that just me?

Edited by Andy ap on Friday 18th October 09:54

[deltashad]

My mate still has one, a black '91 car, every year the rusty old thing is patched up and glued back together to fight on again.

It's a really nice little rare car.

[LaurasOtherHalf]

i always thought two of these spliced on a common crank would have made a lovely little 3.6 V12, imagine the sound of that on throttle bodies!

[renaultgeek]

dxg said:

People are starting to put that engine into MX5s, you know...

is that not the 2.5? This has less horsepower than the latest 1.8 from the mk2.5 which would fit easier.

[gdelargy]

Shed said:

Mazda's MX-3 ran through most of the 1990s and was, as the owner of this week's pleasingly clean Shed states, the smallest production V6 you could get

Only if you restrict yourself to cars sold in the UK. Mitsubishi put a 1.6L V6 in JDM Lancers and Mirages back in the mid-'90s.

[kazman]

I always wondered what the heritage of the wheels on my MX-5 was. Now i know!

[forzaminardi]

Great shed, interesting and slightly leftfield. I had forgotten these existed, actually, but remember in the day quite liking the idea of a dinky V6. If that doesn't sound like something rude.