Faults:

I had to replace the timing belt, which cost $500 with labour!

General Comments:

The car is a head turner and decently fast for stock.

I enjoy every minute I drive this car, but maintenance is costly.

For tuners, this car is a good start to be a good contender on your scene.

Many visual upgrades are available for this true pocket rocket, with plenty performance mods to be found as well.

Faults:

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.

General Comments:

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?

Faults:

Nothing major/costly.

General Comments:

First thing is first, this car does not use that much fuel despite what others seem to say? Maybe that's because I never really cruise under 60km/hr and use 5 gear almost always. I routinely get 450-510 km on a tank of Fuel (city driving). I shift at about 3000 rpm and don't really drive it much harder than this commuting daily, Although occasionally I rev it to 7000 just to hear the noise. I also will add that the car can go 100 km once the fuel warning light comes on, for some reason the needle goes down much faster than it should or the reserve is very big? I any case the car should net even the worst drivers 400-420 km per tank even when driven hard. If you can't achieve this than your car needs a tune up, or perhaps this is due to poor driving habit?. I have read many rants from United Kingdom drivers who complain about the poor fuel economy, perhaps there is differences in United Kingdom MX-3's cars compared to Canadian Mx-3's? In any case the car sips fuel if you treat it right so I am not sure why United Kingdom cars use more fuel?

The rest of the car is absolutely a dream, I am impressed with the reliability, refinement, feel, and sound of the car. Nothing else can compare for such a small car, at least not in Canada.

The Mx-3 still looks fresh since it's 1992 debut in North America and it is even a bit rare. The wheels, front and rear spoilers, steeply raked windshield and rear glass section add to the car's aerodynamic sexy form.

The engine is a complete jewel with it's smooth power delivery, quick throttle response, and intoxicating sound that makes one forget all about 4 cylinder engines. As stated fuel economy is actually very good if you don't rev the motor too high and use 5th gear over 60 km/hr.

The Clutch and 5 speed are a joy to use and are very light and accurate. The only flaw is that 1st gear to 2nd seems a bit too tall (if revved to 7000 rpm) the revs drop for a second before the engine really comes on boil. Besides this the engine/transmission work in complete harmony with the driver.

The rest of the car is so unique that you will always get noticed, especially when the rev happy V6 sings it's raspy yet smooth tune. The car is an obvious extrovert and makes you just want to drive with the sunroof open on a sunny day.

I have also owned the "RS" base Mx-3 with a 1.6 Litre DOHC detuned Miata engine (1995) and have many similar things to say about it. However the GS model is the choice for a more serious and refined sports coupe.

The greatest and most unknown trait of the Mx-3 is how much potential there is for engine swapping. There are several engines that can be transplanted into the Mx-3 with little difficulty. In North America the 1993-1997 Mazda Mx-6 and Ford Probe 2.5 Litre V6 can be dropped in with little fuss and offers 162-170 hp. Even better the 2.5 Litre V6 from the Japanese domestic market (JDM) Mazda Mx-6 and Millennia can also fit in with ease. This engine makes 200 hp for the power hungry. Super chargers and turbo chargers designed for the Ford probe and Mx-6 have also been put in mx-3 engine bays (although this is no easy job). In any case the Mx-3 has potential for various engine swaps that undercut the cost of the Honda swaps by thousands of dollars. All the while offering just as much or more horsepower, more torque and all fitting in lighter car than even a Honda Civic. How can you lose?