Bought my MX3 in high school, and have been driving it ever since.
I have always lived in rural areas in the West and she handles beautifully on the back roads, even in the snow...I have taken her up Mt Hood many times.
I take curves at the same speed as the rest of the highway (in good weather!)
thanks to her Twin-Trapezoidal Link rear suspension.
Maintenance has been minimal/normal: … new brakes, clutch, window motor, distributor (twice), muffler (twice).
I have even fit a full size ikea couch in that car, with the hatch closed! Cargo space is amazing for a car that gets 40 mpg in summer highway driving.
Love this car.