Just some questions

ivan001 · Post by **ivan001** » November 27th, 2005, 12:39 am

Hey everyone. I'm new to these forums. I don't have an MX-3 yet but i'm hoping on buying one soon. The one i'm looking at is a V6 5 spd. Its 1992 or 1993, i'm not quite sure, but the interior is very clean, and theres no rust on the outside. Its got full suspension and is dropped around 2", has cold air intake, a shortshifter, and comes on one set of winter rims, and a set of 17X7 10 spoke rims. Its got 247 XXX km on it. I know thats pretty high, but the price is right...right as in very very low. I have a few questions that I'd like to know the answer to before i buy it. How long will the engine last? I know it depends how hard its been driven, etc. But around how long till they die. Because its so cheap, I'll probably be doing a KLZE swap. (Btw, around how much will that cost?). if i do swap it , what parts of the car are going to be junk due to the high mileage?? Like what are the common problems of a precidia, stuff I should look out for, etc. I don't want it to be a money pit.
Thanks eveyrone

93_mx3_gs · Post by **93_mx3_gs** » November 27th, 2005, 1:26 am

Even if it's super clean and there is no rust doen't mean it has no mechanical damage or stuff on it's way out. 200+ seems like a crap load for that 1.8 mines got 161K and it was driven by a old lady for 6 years and sat for almost 5 before I purchased it. I wuld expect to replace the engine soon with that much wear and tear. If the ZE swap is too much for your pocket, you can always find a junked MX-3 with a 6 cylinder motor in it, have a junk yard pull and sell it for about 300, Change the head gaskets, manifold, oil pan, check the mains, check the valves, etc and replace stuff as needed and you will still be under what it would costs you for a full ZE swap or a rebuild for some shop to pull the motor and do it. I plan on taking in a donor motor I purchased for 250.00 and having them run through the entire motor and it's estimated at 800.00 for pretty much new everything mainly because the motor is on a crate instead of in a car.

This will let them or you work much faster, do a better job and make sure everything is done right. After that is done, go pick the motor up, drop it in yourself, hook up all your vacuum and sensors and you'll be good to go.

I picked up a used 94' Mx-6 ECU for 125.00, got the MAF for 50.00 and the KLDE motor for 250.00 and that's all I've done so far but I should be looking around 1,300.00 after everything is all said and done. We'll see...lol

Nick.

den · Post by **den** » November 27th, 2005, 1:28 am

Hey welcome. Here's a that will give you some ideas on how long mx-3s last.: http://www.mx-3.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=46456 I think ZE swap will cost you around $1500 plus labor. Here's a little tip... If you are not sure about the car it is best to bring it to a mechanic for a checkup before buying it. Good luck!

93_mx3_gs · Post by **93_mx3_gs** » November 27th, 2005, 1:40 am

Yes, take a mechanic or take it to a mechanic after a good long test drive =)

slimmyslim1420 · Post by **slimmyslim1420** » November 27th, 2005, 6:04 pm

My K8 had 287,000 original miles on it before i did my ZE swap. It had 3 bad piston rings but it still ran hard. The k8 is notorious for bad rings though so that is one thing you would want to look out for, and keep an eye on.

Juans_93_MX3 · Post by **Juans_93_MX3** » November 27th, 2005, 7:11 pm

A KLZE swap could cost you up to $2000(US)
Thats if you get everying (ECU, full exhaust, lighter flywheel, CAI and other stuff)
The KLZE should botl on easily with the car. No need to change the wiring harness or tranny.

hgallegos915 · Post by **hgallegos915** » November 27th, 2005, 7:26 pm

mx3s are good anmd sorta rare cars. Once the v6. parts for the v6 are expensive but its worth it imo

ivan001 · Post by **ivan001** » November 28th, 2005, 10:57 pm

Thanks for all your reply's.
Other than engine problems, what other problems do high mileage precidias usually have. Like it looks all good on the outside ( even on the inside) but like i'm talking rusted frame, A/C busting, power steering going, stuff like that which i should be aware of.
Thanks everyone. I might be buying it tommorow..in which case i'll post pics and stuff

93_mx3_gs · Post by **93_mx3_gs** » November 28th, 2005, 11:06 pm

Power steering, Suspension issues seem to be common, Water pump, Altenators, Distributors. Anything else like rust and such, I picked up my 1993' GS for 700.00 and it had a small rust line begining to form around the windshield trim piece but then again, it sat outside for 4 years =)

PATDIESEL · Post by **PATDIESEL** » November 29th, 2005, 1:18 am

I've not heard of many water pump, power steering or alternator problems before. I've been a MX-3 owner for about 10 years now and have only had it not crank once and it was the distributor. About 400.00 US later from Mazda (that is why it was so expensive) I was running again.
Anyway, look out for automatic seatbelts, distributor, piston rings (compression) valve cover leaks (will be common, but check oil to make sure it is full) suspension will be worn by now, but you say he has it lowered so maybe he replaced the springs and shocks already. Bushings will be getting old and probably rotten so it might need new engine mounts, shifter bushings, controll arm bushings and a few others (none of them are too expensive) Check brake fluid for a nice cream soda kind of color (dark fluid is old and he may have neglected to flush it) Ask about service record, they can tell more than you can ask (ask him to bring them with him when you go to look at hte car again, see what he can produce and read over them quickly. Definately take it to a mechanic and ask for a brake, bearing, compression, steering, cooling, AC, heat, spark, and rust inspection. I do one on every car I buy. Usually a 120 point inspection costs about 120.00 US dollars.

Good luck. If you take care of the car you'll never want to sell it. They can be money pits like mine, but it really depends on what you want the car to do.

PS, my ZE swap cost about 3500-4000 US, but I did replace everything that I could get to easliy. I'll spend 20.00 to make sure I don't have to figure out what the problem is later and know that it is good now.