1993 Mazda MX3 GS from North America - Comments

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.

Dude, I have the exact same car I bought 6 months ago... But what were you looking at when you bought this car?? Did you not take it to the garage to get it checked? When things go wrong on this car, trust me they go WRONG, but so many replacements!! I feel terrible for you. Do yourself a favor and don't go to any casinos! loll I write this because my heart seriously goes out to you man. I hope all these new parts on your car stand up for a while :P Good luck.

Dude, you really should consider having a car checked out before the purchase. Let's face it, ANY car can be a lemon for any number of reasons. I've owned my MX3 for 12 years and other than routine maintenance I've had very few problems. I did replace both CV axles, water pump, and valve cover gaskets. Not a bad record for a ride over a decade old. The automatic transmission is to this day so smooth you barely know when it shifts gears. Believe me I understand your disgust, but don't let this spook you. Mazda builds a great car. Just be mindful of the impulse buying.

About the brake pads sqeaking. If a mechanic says they are OK then it means that the pads are a different material (which isn't bad) it just means that they are a harder material and when the press up against the rotors they grind. Nothing is wrong so don't sweat that one. Also about the window. If you can make it go up by using the switch on the drivers side then it isn't a motor it is either the switch on the passenger side or maybe it isn't getting power to the switch or has a bad ground. Hope that this helps and I really hope the next car you get doesn't screw you over. Good luck. I really know how you feel though. I got a nissan 300zx and I have put more money into the car than I have spent paying the car off. I can't wait to sell it. Well again good luck man.

Listen man. Everything you listed is a typical car problem. I have been working on cars since I was 16 and it just sounds like the previous owner let a bunch of crap pile up. Don't bad mouth the mx3. It has nothing to do with the car. It's the owners who know nothing about cars that have the problems. The mx3 is actually known as a very reliable car. Now VW Jettas have problems that are not typical. The stock electrical wiring is complete crap, the hardware is terrible, and they need constant attention. Even the door handles need maitnance. The mx3 will treat you right as long as you fix it up. I don't think the head gaskets blown or else it would be blowing up in a short amount of time. If you don't want it, I'll buy it. Let me know avclothing@hotmail.com Later! Ryan.

I've got a 93' V6 automatic as well. Very similar problems between years 2-3 (had it 5yrs). I also spent at least the value of the car in repairs. This is my second MX3. My first one, a 1.6L, I traded in after 3yrs for the bigger 1.8L. The problems between the two were like day and night. I ran my old manual 1.6L into the dirt and with few problems, while I pampered my current 1.8L...and it's hating it.

WE CAN'T WIN... unless we put in a little of our own elbow grease. The car is older and at least we'll save $$ on the labor and pick up some skills for the next one;)

I'm going to attempt to fix mine up myself. Well, at least to a point where I can sell it with the peace of mind that I'm passing along a safe car. Good luck to you and yours... this will be my last MX3...time for the minivan any ways. Cheers!

As has been said, all of what you describe are typical problems with older cars... it's 13 years old, it's going to need some work. But I noticed you said the tires had to be replaced...

Tires ALWAYS need to be replaced. They wear down. That's their nature.

I have also had those same problems

I don't care what ANYBODY... even MECHANICS say, you should never have to spend more money on repairs then the car is worth.

A transmission going out does not happen to every car that is a decade old.

Other than that, brakes, rotors, batteries, CV Joints and everything else are common problems for a decade old vehical.

I hope you have goodluck with your MX3

Very fun car to drive.

--------Juan S.

Sorry to hear you got a lemon. The only major problem I've had with my car, is the auto tranny going out on me while doing 65mph on the highway. It really sucked, but, I got a good used one for $400 and installed for $400 and it's been perfect for now over a year. However, I do change the tranny fluid out every 2 to 3 months. Some may call it overkill... but the MX-3 trannies have a history of over heating and burning the fluid which was the reason my first tranny went out.

I'll never trade my MX in, however, I will be getting a 2nd car soon and my MX-3 will pretty much be used as just cruising around town for the weekends. I put on factory side skirts, GS spoiler, colored matched rear mud guards, Viper alarm,17" Enkei rims, Alpine deck, Boston Acoustics speakers, euro gauges... and I'm not done yet. It's amazing how brand new the MX-3 looks when kept up with. Now all I need to do is get her dropped!

Didn't you bring the car in for an INSPECTION before you bought it? Hope you didn't pay too much for it from the start? If you would have brought it in in the first place, much would have been brought up then... which then you could have lowered the initial price of the car from the start... I own a 93 MX-3, which I swapped the 1.8l out, and popped the 2.5l KL-ZE into... My water pump went last fall... FIRST THING IN 5 YEARS That's GONE WRONG WITH THE CAR... + I still have the 1.8l that I put on a crate since the swap that's there for back up I guess you could say... To deem the MX-3 an awful car is wrong... THE BLAME ON THIS FALLS ONTO A UNIVERSITY STUDENT THAT Didn't GET THE CAR CHECKED OUT BY A MECHANIC IN THE FIRST PLACE...

I just bought a 1993 Mazda MX3 GS V-6 5 speed. It's fun to drive.

I am looking for a good mechanic and a place to get parts (they are hard to find). I bought it from the original owner, who took very good care of it. I am not familiar with Mazdas. I live in Orange County California.

I just got car back after two week in the shop, it died on the way to work. Found out I had to replace the distributor and ACM computer. It seems to be fine now.

Next on my list is the front struts. Can anyone help?

Dude MX3 is the best car ever!! just poeple need to take better care of it, get it looked at before buying it duh!! lol.