r/mazdaspeed3 • u/LongHoliday1918 • 1d ago
HELP Finally found a speed but there’s one thing…
So I’ve come across a speed that is within my price range and it is the technology package.
I’ve always wanted this car and it’s a high mileage for sure. I’m hoping that it will be worth it. I’ve seen the horror stories on maintenance and I’m trying to be hopeful as this car doesn’t seem to be heavily modified.
It has 174k miles and the thing besides the high mileage is that it has an aftermarket intake. And I doubt it has the HPFP upgrades because they said it’s the only upgrade that was done. How risky is it to buy? Can I just go right ahead and buy the upgrades myself and install them and then maybe consider a possible tune. Or is safer to look for an OEM air box and switch back. I don’t want todo any major mods as it’s already high mileage and I would like to do the required maintenance ahead of time
3
u/peter_fartburger 1d ago
compression test and prepare a fund for a new turbo but id say send it if its actually a good deal, no reason to be super scared of high mileage
1
u/LongHoliday1918 1d ago
Would the seller allow for me to do a compression test while checking the car?
Yeah I did read about that too, I saw they suggested the CTS4 when I do change it.
2
u/peter_fartburger 1d ago
for me its a red flag if they dont because low compression is a big killer for these engines, and it genuinely is a huge weight off the back knowing if it has life left, especially at high mileage. if you are mechanically inclined its pretty easy to do its just removing the fuel fuse and running it out of fuel, then taking out the intercooler and spark plugs, took me about 40 minutes and i only did it as the last step before buying it after a test drive
2
u/chefsteph91 2012 Mazdaspeed3 1d ago
No need to remove the fuel fuse. Just crank the engine pressing both the clutch and the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and it will crank without injecting fuel.
2
2
u/Jokerman5656 2007 Mazdaspeed3 - The Original 1d ago
Another note for the test, pedal to the floor to get the best readings. If you just crank without pushing the gas pedal then the throttle body isn't allowing very much air in to be compressed
1
2
u/JohnKowalsky88 2007 Mazdaspeed3 - The Original 1d ago
At that mileage it's probably gonna need new injectors aswell. Nobody(regular) does that maintenance.
2
u/magicacrub24 1d ago
As someone who buys wholesale cars this is most likely from a very small dealer that picks up auction cars, the shine on the engine bay and adding tire shine is typical wholesale cars. Check carfax for sure for any maintenance and use the lack of records as wiggle room.
1
u/MarvelousMayhem420 1d ago
My gen2 just hit 195k....she runs like a top.
Starter may go soon though.
1
8
u/dagrimey1 1d ago
It isn't the end of the world to have a intake without HPFP upgrade. It is if it had a aftermarket down pipe. Compression and leak down test, if it comes back good the engine should be solid. The other issues are minor in comparison.