1996 Mazda MX3 RS review from North America

The stitching in the back seat ripped all the way along the length of the seam when my friend sat back there. I need skinnier friends.

I bought the car from a salvage auction for $1400. I purchased a new bumper cover, rebar, radiator support, radiator, two fenders, two headlights, one signal light, and hatch junk tray for $400 at a scrap yard. Took it to my roommates dad who runs a shop and ta da I have a perfect running low mileage sport coupe for $1800 :)

Good Stuff:

The car isn't exactly wicked fast, but it revs quickly and is fun to drive, but don't expect to win many drags. Anything below 4000rpm is fairly weak. A 250hp Turbo JDM will soon remedy this.

The handling is awesome and with stock rims and cheap rubber it handles better than some of my friends modded cars. I sometimes find myself taking freeway on and off ramps at double the posted speed with barely a squawk from the tires. The squawk will soon be remedied by 16inch alloys and Proxies.

The style is timeless. My only complaints is that the rear looks a little high off the ground and it looks silly without the spoiler. I don't know why, but that subtle spoiler flush with the hatch makes the back end a LOT nicer.

Cheap parts. Never buy collision insurance, the amount you pay for that in two months could buy you the entire front half of the car in body parts.

Bad stuff:

Engine revs a little too high I think. Cruising at 140 on the highway it's almost 4000 rpm in 5th gear, and there isn't much difference between 4th and 5th. They should have lowered the ratio to 5th for highway cruising and let 4th be the acceleration work horse.

It's not deafening loud, but it's no luxury car. Just turn up the music, who needs hearing anyway.

I think the seats are a little low and the dash a little high.. and I'm 6ft.

Overall:

Best car you can get for this kind of money, unless you want 4 doors. Fairly reliable, parts are cheap and plentiful, performs like much newer coupes for a fraction of the price, what more do you want?