2010 mazdaspeed3 best dd with under 20k for under $20k?

[graveshaker]

Good point..my last two cents is that you can buy a brand new mini cooper s with some lease type deal but actually be an owner ans have dirt cheap payments for 4 years and then consider selling the car back to the dealership or keep it and finish payments... It will have a nice warranty and maintenance package too I think.. Sorry but I just don't like Mazda....again my gf's is a 2005 and my new POS e30 was more stable on the highway with a bad ball joint and rear suspension, and faster...

We are talking mazdaspeed3 that began in 2007, turbo charged 263 hp with tons of torque with very sporty suspension and massive brakes. Not your everyday Mazda 3.

[Texas Toast]

my speed3 with a more solid rear motor mount, CAI and BOV is a blast to drive. The turbo is starting to smoke but apparently mazda finally released a service call for it.

Funnest FWD car I've ever driven!

[naplesE30]

^How many miles does yours have,,, and what is the longevity of the turbos from what you know? I have not heard of any glaring mechanical problems other then the engine mounts...I have never owned a turbo car and do have some reservations about it.

[z31maniac]

^How many miles does yours have,,, and what is the longevity of the turbos from what you know? I have not heard of any glaring mechanical problems other then the engine mounts...I have never owned a turbo car and do have some reservations about it.

He likely has a first-gen car, they changed the problem for the second gen cars.

Modded first-gens eat the turbo seals because of the PCV system, IIRC.

[graveshaker]

He likely has a first-gen car, they changed the problem for the second gen cars.

Modded first-gens eat the turbo seals because of the PCV system, IIRC.

True, Mazda admits this now and a dealer fix is warranted on 1st gens. I currently have 57,000 miles and running strong with no smoke or leaks. The 2nd gen are nice because of the updates and you could find one with very low miles. I opted for the first gen because of the less flashy styling, GT package, much better bolstered seats and interior. 2nd gens interior is really busy with red splattered interior. And not to mention the clown face.
GT package:
-adjustable HID headlights
-Bose stereo
-leather trim
-Navi
-LED tails
-rain sensing wipers

2nd gen......(clown face)


splattered interior, no bolster support....


1st gen........



Better seats and interior 1st gen....

[naplesE30]

Tets drove the a 2012 speed3 and was very impressed. Dont really care about the slow 1st and 2nd gear as I am not gonna stop light race the car. Had great pull in 3rd/4th. Only thing I noticed is it was hard to keep it out of the turbo in normal driving acceleration and I wonder how many rattles it will develop with the cheap ass plastic interior.

[Texas Toast]

^How many miles does yours have,,, and what is the longevity of the turbos from what you know? I have not heard of any glaring mechanical problems other then the engine mounts...I have never owned a turbo car and do have some reservations about it.

I'm just about to hit 57,500 andd the turbo problems seem to be hit or miss. Like z31maniac said its a problem with the PCV system. Its not allowing the turbo to drain oil fast enough (which could cause premature seal wear?). From what I've seen done it looks like mazda just caps off a line from the intake but I think they try switching the oil to 5w-40 first. I just dropped my car off at the dealership last night, I'll post up what they say!