1993 Mazda MX3 GS review from North America

As my first car, I was excited and was looking for a nice looking car (ignoring the practicality of it all). Big mistake! I bought the car too quickly and the car has seriously left me in a huge debt. Maybe I was just unlucky buying a used, older car. And my ignorance played a good part in buying the worst possible car I could. Keep in mind I've had the car a year and a half.

The battery along with the alternator needed replacement almost right when the car was purchased. The alternator belt snapped. But hey, at least it happened right in my driveway!

Head gaskets are leaking and instead of replacing them due to the high costs I have to feed my car at least two liters of oil per week.

Air conditioning doesn't work.

Breaks have been replaced and continue to make grinding noises when coming to a stop, even though no mechanic can tell me the reason for the problem.

Ball joints, CV joints, and both front axles needed replacements.

The front passenger spring has broken.

I've had to get the starter replaced.

The muffler pipe needed replacing and now the catalytic converter needs to be done soon.

The 'check engine' light continuously goes on. O2 sensor, which I've been told is too expensive to replace.

The passenger side window won't go up on its own. I need to put it up from the drivers side. Motor problem most likely.

The seats in the back have worn. I'll have to get out the needle and thread and I'm not kidding.

The lighter element seems to be defective.

Tires have needed replacing.

And last, but definitely not the least the transmission needed complete replacement. The transmission before was unbelievably jerky. I was afraid to drive it due to the fear it would leave me stranded somewhere. And now after $1,500, it still rides pretty jerky. I'm not sure what to do about that now either.

I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but I'm sure you get the picture.

It's a quick car, but I'll never buy an automatic again.

People who sit in the back complain it's uncomfortable, but I love my bucket seats in the front! They're great.

The sunroof is great in the summer as well.

And that's pretty much all the good things I can say about the car.

To be perfectly honest I've spent more on this car than it's worth. Plus some.

It is really depressing to have to take the car into the shop at least once a month for a new problem and, as a university student, this car is definitely not affordable. The insurance is unbelievable as well. I wouldn't recommend this car to anyone at all. Please save yourself the time, money, fear, and heartbreak you'll get from owning this car. It's a serious money pit. Also, since it's been discontinued makes it much harder to find appropriate parts and makes things much more expensive.