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Used 1993 Mazda MX-3 Consumer Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
44 reviews

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We have a limited number of reviews for the 1993 MX-3, so we've included reviews for other years of the MX-3 since its last redesign.

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Pros
Cons
4.88 out of 5 stars

Reliable, Cheap maintenance, motivating to drive....

mikeetown, 01/31/2013
1993 Mazda MX-3 GS 2dr Hatchback
11 of 11 people found this review helpful

The 1.8 V6 isn't very powerful but it has a very smooth and steady climb in the RPM's all the way to its 7000rpm redline. When it comes to windy roads, this car is very fast!! The engines small displacement and smooth feel all the way to the redline gives the driver the confidence that the engine can surely take a beating. Mine has 289,000km of hitting the redline every day and no problems. I change the oil evry 5 months or 5000kms though using the reccomended 10w30. The only Mazda MX-3 V6 I would avoid is an automatic one. The auto could not handle the power of the V6 and usually doesnt last. The 5 speed lasts forever provided u change the gear oil every 2 years (only costs 45$)

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Still running at 17 years old

GGCAN, 09/26/2010
1993 Mazda MX-3 2dr Hatchback
6 of 6 people found this review helpful

I purchased this car used in 1999 with 104,000 km and it was the 4 cyl. At that time I didn't have a lot of money for a car as I had just taken out a mortgage and needed a car. I am not sorry for this purchase, as the car has lasted me until now September 2010 and is now showing it's age and I am replacing it. I've pretty much driven it into the ground and other than maintenance, had not put money into any repairs...it's been very dependable.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

Great car

MCannon, 10/12/2008
1992 Mazda MX-3 2dr Hatchback
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

I've had my car for about one year and it had 248000 miles on it and sat in my uncles drive 4 about a year in a half. After he gave it to me I took that car to hell and back. That little car took a beating and would not give up until I hit a deer and I still drove it home with a busted radiator. The car ended up having 270000 miles on it and seemed like it could of gone double that.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

11 years (and counting) of a super car

kchat, 12/13/2011
1992 Mazda MX-3 2dr Hatchback
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

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.

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3.13 out of 5 stars

Mazda Mx3

rl88, 10/22/2004
1993 Mazda MX-3 GS 2dr Hatchback
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

I have all power options, the pw broke on me, i also had to change the tranny, the engine is still strong, I can't seem to beat other v6 cars off the line but then when around 40 KM you feel that you are flying and it doesn't stop accelerating, it's an OKAY car. If you are looking for a nice 2 door V6, get a accord or solara, it's the same on gas, actually probably better.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

21 Years Old and Still a Beautiful Car

dan_jefferies, 03/03/2013
1992 Mazda MX-3 GS 2dr Hatchback
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

WOW! This is a great car. 33 mpg at 80 miles an hour with the 1.8 v6. Unbelievable deal I got. Love it. I did ding it a point on comfort. It's like a go cart on steroids, but I've gotten used to it. It has 275.000 miles and still goes 120+. I f you ever see one, buy the GS version.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

V6 still powerful

wkeogh, 05/07/2015
1992 Mazda MX-3 GS 2dr Hatchback
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

165,000 on this car. Only problem has been replacing the sunroof motor. Recall for the auto seat belts (free). Have taken this car on the track at high speed and also auto-crossed it. She loves being on 3 wheels!! I upgraded to sports shocks, improved brake rotors and performance brake pads. The small V-6 seems to be bullet proof. Great car! I'm going to re-paint her finally, after 24 years

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4 out of 5 stars

My Friend for 12 Years

RJR, 11/13/2008
1993 Mazda MX-3 2dr Hatchback
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

I can't say enough about this car. It might not be the coolest car on the road but I owned this car for over 12 years, put over 110,000 miles on it, and it saved me a ton of cash. The reliability of this car is off the charts. I might have put $3k into it the entire time I owned it, and that's replacing consumables like brakes, exhaust, etc. The car never failed me once and is probably still on the road somewhere. I sold the car with 139,000 miles on it and it was still on the original clutch!

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5 out of 5 stars

Best sports car under $6k!

OWN1NOW, 05/10/2002
1993 Mazda MX-3 Special 2dr Hatchback
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

The MX-3 GS Special combines several of my favorite features into one vehicle. Nothing (at this price) handles like this little monster. Car and Driver put this car in the 300Z/Supra/3000GT range of road grip, and after 3 years of fun (can you say 90 mph exit ramp circle?), I agree. This car has taken everything I have dished out with a smile. I drove this car 29 hours straight @ 90-100 mph --no probs. I've also driven it with 1 QT oil and NO water for days-with little loss of performance If you can find another car this reliable, fun, and feature-packed for under $6k used, please let me know!

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4.13 out of 5 stars

Fun and very reliable car!

marknjo, 08/26/2002
1993 Mazda MX-3 GS 2dr Hatchback
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

My wife got this car about 5 years ago when she was still in college and it has been rock solid the whole time. Being 6'2" tall, it's a little small for my taste, but it's perfect for her. It rides pretty rough, exactly what you want from a small car that really grips the road. Gas mileage is decent (upper 20's), but leaves a little bit to be desired for a car this size. I guess something has to give if you want it to perform the way this little Mazda does. It has good acceleration and even passing power on the highway thanks to the high revving V6. All around a very dependable fun to drive little car.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Good Car

lalala3, 09/03/2002
1993 Mazda MX-3 GS 2dr Hatchback
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

I bought this car right out of high school. It has been great for me. It handles great and zoops around, very fun to drive. I've loved this car, I've driven almost into the ground several times with no oil for a week. I have had problems with the battery though. And I love the hatchback!

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4.88 out of 5 stars

great buy for import sports enthusiast

synefx, 12/29/2007
1993 Mazda MX-3 GS 2dr Hatchback
2 of 3 people found this review helpful

this car is, as all mazdas, is a great car. its reliable and takes a lot of abuse. i bought mine used from an individual who kept up with it pretty well. but since i've had it, i've had to replace the distributor (135$ at the junkyard) and spark plug wires (40$ at autozone). unfortunately, i let it run too hot trying to get it home after running out of coolant - the motor still runs strong, but it knocks like crazy. i'll be taking it to the mazda dealership for a diagnostic. so far they are guessing that is may be the lifters, if so, i will swap the motor with a KLZE for more horsepower, that is my only complaint on this car, why they put a 1.8L V6 and not a 2.5L V

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4.38 out of 5 stars

MX3-GS Hatchback

Baba, 08/21/2002
1992 Mazda MX-3 GS 2dr Hatchback
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I have 120,000 miles on mine and have not had any mechanical problems at all! It's been an outstanding car and extremely fun to drive. I would not hestitate to recommend this car to others.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

It keeps going, and going, and going

mjlohman, 07/14/2003
1992 Mazda MX-3 GS 2dr Hatchback
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Had this car in Germany when I was stationed there. 143 mph certified, on the AUTOBAHN (not here in the US). Great mileage during my 2 and a half day trip from DC to western Montana just recently. 37 to a gallon using the cruise control. No rust, don't expect any, aluminum and galvinized. Still gets more attention than a friend's newer sports car, even thought it's technically an economy car.

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5 out of 5 stars

I Love My Car

N. Golden, 07/12/2003
1992 Mazda MX-3 2dr Hatchback
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I bought this car new 11 years ago and have had no problems with it other than normal wear and tear. Even with 214,000 miles, it is still extremely reliable and gets excellent gas mileage.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

great car

WAmx-3, 10/10/2003
1992 Mazda MX-3 GS 2dr Hatchback
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

ive had my mx-3 for about a year and a half. and i can tell u its great. even though my brother screwed up some stuff in my engine that required 1000 dollars to fix, i still love my car. im going to drop a klze in it in about 4 months. I think i will keep this car until it dies. I cant say enough about this car.

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3.88 out of 5 stars

Great cheap car

92mx3, 02/28/2004
1992 Mazda MX-3 2dr Hatchback
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I bought this car for $500 it was stolen. It needed a clutch and cv's and a door hand and ignition lock cylinder. For $1000 total invested this thing is awsome. It is extremely fun to drive (I rally it on the way to work!) No torque steer. it actually handles like a rear wheel rive slight oversteer, which is fun I can get the rear to slide in corners like a rear drive. All this and it gets a consistant 30mpg. The only problem is that I am 6'4" and I have to duck to see stop lights. Extremely economical car. After fixing the initial parts I havent had a problem. 160000 miles on it now and it doesn't use any oil, smoke or leak anything.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Great little car

Gigi B., 04/25/2004
1992 Mazda MX-3 GS 2dr Hatchback
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I bought this car used in 1993 with 24,000 miles on it. I'm still driving it and I've put 150,000 miles on it myself. GREAT GAS MILEAGE - I still get around 33 mpg on the interstate, and that's going around 75 mph with the A/C running wide open. Very nice design; I love the way it handles in the curves and the fact that I've got storage space in the hatch. Repair costs can be high ($500 for a distributor assembly) but once it's fixed, it stays fixed.

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5 out of 5 stars

A great fun reliable little car!

Andy, 12/26/2004
1992 Mazda MX-3 GS 2dr Hatchback
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

In June of 1992 I took delivery on my Elegant Beige Auto V6 GS. Ive been driving the MX since with a grin on my face. The car featured a revolutionary engine for the time. It remains the only 1.8L V6 in existance. Although peak output shows up only north of 4000 RPM, power builds smoothly. If thats not enough for the enthusiast in you, you can pounce on the gas pedal and enjoy a frantic acceleration to 60+MPH in just under 8 seconds. Interior trim is clean and easy to navigate. Controls are within fingertip range and laid out very thoughtfully. Rear seats are functional and amazingly useful for children and (adults under 5'9") Trunk space is great for a small car.

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5 out of 5 stars

The best car I've ever owned

misty, 09/03/2005
1992 Mazda MX-3 GS 2dr Hatchback
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I am currently driving my 3rd MX-3; the 1st one I still have and runs great. The second one was not properly taken care of before I got it so I traded for my current one. This is a truly exceptional car and I love driving it; it's fast, fun, sporty and great looking plus with the newly tragic gas prices it still only takes about $28 to fill up. It handles great and it's easy to do regular maintenance yourself. I love both of my MX-3s.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

Best bang for Buck

HondaKiller, 10/17/2005
1992 Mazda MX-3 2dr Hatchback
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I bought the car used last November for 600 bucks with 125,000 miles on the odometer. So far the only major things I had to replace was the distributor (300 bucks). and a stage 1 clutch ($195). I bought it with a vacuum leak so gas mileage is a little short, but still reasonable. I am mechanic so I can fix the problem when I can find the part. That's probably the only problem....finding parts. Tends to oversteer which is one of the best qualities of this car. Very fun to drive despite only having 90 HP.

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5 out of 5 stars

Best car ever

Ko-Ko, 04/30/2019
1992 Mazda MX-3 GS 2dr Hatchback
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

This is the best car that I ever had!!!! Bought it in 1999 kept it til 2014. The car was 22 yrs old, 250,000 miles and still running like a pro. I had to get rid of it because a truck hit 2x, then knocked it into the interstate walls 2x. All of these hits occurred during one single car accident on the interstate. The crazy part is that when the car finally came to a halt after being knocked around IT WAS STILL RUNNING. That make was one hell of a car!!!!!!!! It was very reliable, and never had any problems out of it at all.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
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4.5 out of 5 stars

zips beautifully

SweetGusty, 06/28/2002
1993 Mazda MX-3 2dr Hatchback
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I bought this car as a senior in high school, it was economical and had great gas mileage. I havnt had problems with it until recently- the battery has lost ability to charge a few times, fan belt keeps snapping, and the Air Conditioner refuses to get fixed. I love the handling and the rougher ride- I feel like i'm in a tire commercial on a winding road. Acceleration is decent, I have the auto trans. but would have preferred a manual. Turning is easy at high speeds, it likes to hug the road and zips around heavy SUV's like its nothing. This is the only car i've been sentimental about- I dont know why. Its a great car for new/young drivers.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

My road dog.

tempvon, 05/30/2002
1993 Mazda MX-3 2dr Hatchback
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

This has been the best car I have ever owned. I've had no major repairs or maintenance fees. I generally just keep the oil changed and regular $50 tune-ups. I'm beggining to have problems with the air conditioning and the automatic seatbelts. I have logged 140k and it's never stopped on me(knock on wood).

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4.88 out of 5 stars

MAZDA M3X

sammar, 11/23/2002
1993 Mazda MX-3 2dr Hatchback
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Excellent car, real fun to drive and reliable. Driver seat is very comfortable for long trips. It is also economical, and fast when need. Hard to find at dealers since owners like to keep hold of their MX3’s.

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4 out of 5 stars

GOOD SPORTY CAR

BEN, 01/14/2003
1993 Mazda MX-3 GS 2dr Hatchback
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I bought it 2 years ago. It was almost 150,000 miles. Based on my tight budget i had few options then. I am glad that i made this bold, but right decision. I drove another 25,000 miles. Still very reliable. No repairs. Just basic maintenance.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

What a fun car to Drive

Mazda goes mmmmmmmmm, 09/16/2003
1993 Mazda MX-3 GS 2dr Hatchback
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

This car is the greatest, I have so much fun driving it after 11 years I still enjoy getting in the car and going. Its also reliable with very few problems. I'm sorry Mazda doesn't make it any more or I would go buy another.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

more power

jesushcrist, 07/18/2003
1993 Mazda MX-3 2dr Hatchback
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

i bought my mazda with 118000 miles and i drove the hellout of it and the only thing ive done is change the battery. but theres just not enough power.

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5 out of 5 stars

A Fun Little Car

MX3 Fan, 10/31/2005
1993 Mazda MX-3 GS 2dr Hatchback
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

This is my first car, and it is SO MUCH FUN! It doesn't seem it, but it's quite tough (it survived my horrible beginners driving). Handles very well, and is easy to drive as well. With an exterior design that looks much newer than its year, and a roomy interior able to hold everything a teenager needs with ease, I will always love this little car!

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4.25 out of 5 stars

Who needs botox...she still looks good.

Rod, 08/03/2006
1993 Mazda MX-3 GS 2dr Hatchback
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

This is my second MX3. First one was a 4 cylinder. The 4 cylinder just wasn't powerful enough...stick with the GS V6 with manual tranny (trust me). Worst case, stick with manual tranny in either model. The exterior of the MX3 does hold it's age well, very well actually. I still feel pretty cool driving it around after all these years. However, mechanically, the age of the car is starting to show. Common problems on this car include, power windows, automatic shoulder belts (recall), tons of front axle problems (front). Best bet is to buy from a dependable source or someone who keeps good records. Look for repairs in the areas listed prior. All in all, I would buy it again...It's that cool.;)

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2 out of 5 stars

Worse car I've owned

emmapeel, 05/02/2004
1993 Mazda MX-3 GS 2dr Hatchback
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I must have gotten the lemon of the bunch. I have had more problems with this car than any other I've had. The air conditioner has been replaced several times. Seat belts problems,rubber warping on all windows, I have a library full of the work I've had to have done on it and that was right after the warranty ended.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

When are they going to build a new one?

HondaKiller, 01/02/2007
1993 Mazda MX-3 GS 2dr Hatchback
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

This is my third MX-3, and my first V-6. I haven't had it long, but so far everything is great. I was able to grab one with under 100K on the ODO so that was definitely a plus. It's definitely a sleeper, as most would even expect a V-6 in such a small car. Beats most other cars its size and and even some bigger ones. Hopefully I can keep this one for a while :). P.S. My first one was in totaled in an accident...and continued to run even after the accident and the second one was bought from a shady guy that sold me one with a defective head. Third time's a charm right?

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4.13 out of 5 stars

DON'T BUY AUTOMATICS

Santos, 05/23/2003
1993 Mazda MX-3 GS 2dr Hatchback
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

This would be an excellent car, as long as you get the standard. Turns out the Auto-Tran is the same one as the Ford Escort. It may have saved them (Ford) money on manufacturing cost, but it's undersized for the 130 Hp engine of the MX-3. I've already had to replace my Transmission and my have to do so again.

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5 out of 5 stars

Great compact, fun sporty car

felixemo, 06/03/2003
1993 Mazda MX-3 GS 2dr Hatchback
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I have had this car almost a year and hasn't let me down yet. i have a list of mods done to my car, faster than civics . and no body does any mods and they should i don't plan on selling it anytime soon.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

best car for the daily driver

mitmaks, 12/06/2007
1993 Mazda MX-3 Special 2dr Hatchback
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I have owned this car for more than 6 years and I'm very pleased with it. It's really hard to move onto something newer. It has one of the best handling abilities compared to all FWD cars even being 15 yr old car. I'm not even talking about how much more positive difference it makes when you start adding upgrades and engine swaps are easy and inexpensive (200hp J-spec kl-ze) will waste much more expensive cars such as Integra type R, S2000's, etc.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Mazda MX-3 GS-R

WyldSide, 09/01/2004
1992 Mazda MX-3 GS 2dr Hatchback
1 of 5 people found this review helpful

This car is a blast to drive after preforming it's 2.5L KLZE Engine swap. The engine is from a Japanese MS8. This combined with the Japanese computer gives the car better fuel efficiency than the stock motor. 0 - 60 miles/h acceleration takes approximately 6 seconds. This car also has some of the best handling I have ever seen in a small coupe.

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4 out of 5 stars

good to look at

FORMERmx-3owner, 11/01/2002
1992 Mazda MX-3 GS 2dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I loved my MX-3 until I started spending $500 for every repair about every month and a half (which started a couple of months after I bought it). TMV went down 50% in the year I owned it (I think everyone's mx-3s broke down within that year). A lot of little electrical problems. The car was perfect when I got it, but they're just getting old now and won't last for much longer if they're even still running at all. Good luck if you just bought one!

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4.63 out of 5 stars

MX-3 just keeps on going

Project RS-R, 11/25/2002
1992 Mazda MX-3 2dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I purchased this car with 11 miles on it and 10 years and 165,000 miles later it is still going strong. I cannot complain about this little fun car. I wish Mazda would add it back to the line up cause I would get another one.

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5 out of 5 stars

awesome

mattster, 01/12/2003
1992 Mazda MX-3 GS 2dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

the mx-3 is a great car, very reliable and fun to drive with its sporty v6 engine!

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Great Car!

Panther023, 03/01/2002
1992 Mazda MX-3 GS 2dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I love my Mazda. I may have to get rid of it soon because of a baby on the way, but I will miss it. It's been a great car! I would definitely get another.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

My MX3

katdee, 05/03/2006
1992 Mazda MX-3 GS 2dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I have a 1992 Mazda Mx3. Am going on having it 2 years now and the car is great! Right now is broke down for the FIRST time! Not sure what's wrong, has no spark to the coil. Anyhow, I love to drive it, handles great and is good on gas. I think it's a sporty looking little coupe, and I love to drive it. Am upset with it right now...is sitting until I get a mechanic to look at it.

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4 out of 5 stars

Almost 30 and still going strong

NC PCW, 07/08/2021
1992 Mazda MX-3 GS 2dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I just bought a 1992 MX-3 GS with really low miles. (71k on body; 23k on engine) The previous owner did an amazing job maintaining her. In driving her home, I was impressed by the gearbox and smoothness of the engine. While not fast by modern standards, she ran well when up to speed. Other than some chipping paint, which I plan to remedy, she’s in remarkably good shape and I can see why she won’t be running in 30 years time!

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

Niche Car Waiting To Happen

ProjekMX3, 01/28/2003
1993 Mazda MX-3 2dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I absolutely love my Mazda MX-3. I don't think for what I paid I could possibly find a car thats more fun to drive, and easy to find information on too. I recommend all MX-3 owners and future owners go to www.mx-3.com for all their mx-3 information. I've had the car for about 3 months its the best car I've ever had. The car has fantastic cornering, and really good acceleration. The seats hug you when you drive all and all great car.

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4.38 out of 5 stars

Cool Car

haycraft, 03/13/2008
1993 Mazda MX-3 2dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

this is a great car I have had mine for a little less than 6 months but i love it i had a little electrical trouble but that was because whoever i bought it from could nt put in a stereo. my car has 190000+ miles on it and still runs like a charm, mazda did great.

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