Looking to buy a 2009 mazdaspeed

[Mogomoss]

Hello I'm looking to buy a 2009 mazdaspeed with just over 80k miles on it. I've done some reading about vvt chain problems and turbos going out fast. Sounds like the 2nd gens solved a lot of the heat related problems. Any red flags to look for? Any wearable parts that will need to be replaced soon around 80k? Thanks for the help

[Mogomoss]

Its gong to be a second car so it will probably sit 90% of the time. I'll must likely do some tasteful mods to it over time. I'm just curious how many miles I'll get out of the engine before needing to do major replacements/ repairs. If you could point me in the right direction I'd appreciate it.

[Djohns]

You never know. Depends how it's been treated through it's life.

[Mogomoss]

In general though how do MS3's hold up? Of course it depends on maintenance and mods etc.

[Djohns]

There really is no in general with these cars. If it's been maintained it *should* be okay. If not well more than likely it's a hunk of shit.

[Mogomoss]

Is a higher milage wrx a better option?

[dandydaniel]

a higher mileage wrx being 1xx,xxx? 02-06' wrx with that type of mileage usually goes for ~$4-6k here in california. an 09 ms3 with ~80k will fetch about ~$9-11k. I'd say that is a pretty big price difference in my opinion. with that being said, the k04 turbos were known to have some seal issues out the gate on the gen1's. the only real horror stories i've heard about our motors have been from people just absolutely thrashing them. if you find one that has all of the oil change records as well as any major TSB records, then for the most part, at 80k, the engine should be fine. at that point, if it hasn't been already, you're probably going to look at having to deal with cleaning/deleting the EGR being the only thing that would throw a code. beyond that, just normal maintenance like any other car my man ie fluids, pads, hp fuel pump (since you said you wanted to mod), oil catch can.

[Djohns]

Agreed with this. Service records are king here, and I can't say a wrx would be a better option because these cars are turbo 4 cylinders, a lot of people feel the need to beat on them because of that. If the records look good, then I may trust it.

[Mogomoss]

The 09 MS3 I found here in CO is posted for 10k with 80k miles. Appears to be stock with maybe exhaust? Can't tell from the pictures. I'm going to go look at it tomorrow. There is a couple various year's of WRX's around 120k miles on them for 7-14k. I've always liked the looks of the mazdaspeeds, just looking for a fun quick car. I've owned dsm's and GTI's in the past. I thought I'd try something newbut hopefully to get 120 to 150k miles out of it without major rebuild/problems. It's from a dealership so we will see on the maintenance re ords.

[dandydaniel]

80k stock, in Colorado. I'd probably take a peek at the suspension too. But again, you said you wanted to mod so I'd hope suspension would be your first bet (esp with our cars, even just a set of springs + rear sway make a world of difference (handles like a boat stock, so much body roll)). I understand its a dealership but a 09 MS3 with 80k for $10k must mean that 1) it has to be the grand touring trim if not you need to just stop right there and 2) the car must be pretty damn aesthetically neat. if it is a MS3 SPORT for 80k then I probably wouldn't pay anything more than $8.5-9k for the car tops. If its a GT, try and get out of there for $9-9.5k.

[Design]

They fixed a lot of the VVT and turbo issues by 08.5. I have an 09 which I can confirm has a single passage oil inlet like the 13s and above. The 09s also got the revised VVT which significantly reduced the number of issues.

The only other thing I can think to check... check down plug holes for signs of carb and oil deposits on the piston heads.

[Dennisms3]

I can get you an 08 silver with 50k miles for 8500 All stock. Rebuilt title tho


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[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Have an 09 here, 9x,xxx miles, and it's built like a tank.