Mazda Mx-3

[messerschmitt owner]

Am looking at a new daily car so I can retire the smart roadster to weekends and sunny days and fancy an Mx-3 - does anyone have any experience of them?Also looking at the possibility of a Saab 900 cabriolet - but worried about the fuel consumption. WHat do they do to the gallon in real life?

[Rocket88]

Being a Mazda, probably pretty good, a lot of them seem to have been bought new as a second car for "the wife". As long as Barry hasn't got hold of it, and it has a good service history, should be fine.

[dollywobbler]

Cambelt changes are important I believe. I've driven one and while it's hardly the last word in exciting, they're very competent and make the right sort of noises.

[dollywobbler]

Cambelt changes are important I believe. I've driven one and while it's hardly the last word in exciting, they're very competent and make the right sort of noises.

[2Thumbs]

You gotta make sure the service history is up to check. The engine's an unusual design so they're quite hard to work on apparently.

[Guest]

Wuvvum had one, the headgasket blew if I recall.

[Volksy]

IIRC the MX-3's fitted with a manual box have the V6, and the auto's have the 1.8 4cyl.

[wuvvum]

Wuvvum had one, the headgasket blew if I recall.

Yup. And they're an absolute arsehole to work on (at least the V6's are). Not hugely quick either, but they sound nice and the handling is fun. I can't imagine a 1.6 being much to get excited about, especially with an auto, but it would be easier to fix if it goes wrong. There's one that goes to Marham which has had a 2.5 V6 from an MX6 fitted, and that is an absolute beast of a machine.