[FS] '94 Mazda MX-3 White

[magiccowinuse]

viewtopic.php?p=475161#p475161" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That is the original FS thread from the previous owner. The only thing you will not be getting with this car is the head unit because when i picked up the car from the previous owner he kept his and i put in mine on the spot.

Everything is still the same except something with the engine died out on me. I a mechanic buddy look at it and he said something with the timing chain is messed up...I do not have the money nor the time to be even thinking about fixing or getting this fixed. I am supposed to be starting a job in the city in 2 weeks so I need a working car ASAP!

Everything about this car is pretty solid. There was a minor ticking (which im guessing was the timing chain going bad) before the car decided to take a dump. The car is currently in west chicago, IL 60185. I am asking $1800 OBO. It is a beautiful looking car and I really do not want to get rid of it, but like i said i am in debt and if i cant get a car to get to this job in the city in the next 2 weeks im screwed.

Anyone interested please don't PM me, call me at 630.251.5012 I do not answer numbers i do not know because of debt collectors, so please leave me a message and I will call back.

[nos92mx3]

there is no timing chain on these motors its a belt, what you heard were the HLA's (very common issue with these motors)
This is also a non interference motor, so if worse comes to worse you can fix it, hell i would have someone check to see if it just jumped timing.

[onlytrueromeo]

Is that the only reason you are selling the car? You don't want to fix it? 1800 is alot for a car that doesn't run, but if its just the timing belt thats broken you can fix it for about $100 if you do the work yourself. (That price includes other stuff) If you want, I think you can get a timing belt for like 15$ on ebay - but most of us would recommend changing the water pump as well!

Seriously, consider it. If you have a garage you can work in, whether your house, your parents, or a friends, you should be able to do this in 1 weekend yourself, having NO prior experience. I pulled an engine out of a car this summer in 3 days, having never done anything like it, completely by myself. This forum has all the stuff you need to do this besides parts!

[93SOHC]

man if I had a garage that wasn't full of crap id be all over this. I'd trade my Festiva even, lol. Good luck on the sale, but I agree with the others...Just fix it. a timing belt is easy

[magiccowinuse]

Honestly, i dont even have $100 to be doing any work....so really selling is my only option. I have borrowed hundreds already from my parents, phone is about to be shut off....I am far behind on all bills.

Im not 100% sure what the problem is because he (my roomate is a mechanic(lazy one at that)) didn't have enough time to look at it yet. And just today they said they want it out of their lot...i have nowhere to bring it. I already have my other project mx3 parked at my parents house so they will be against me bringing it there, and I dont have money to get it towed anywhere...

Like i said, i just need a working car ASAP. I am very limited with my options...it really sucks because i love this car. But this is already the 2nd mx3 i one and currently have another project one that i cant even complete because of my money situation.

Any other suggestions are very welcome. Thank you on the previous ones.

[onlytrueromeo]

Hmm..that really sucks on the money issue. Here are some thoughts:

Ebay. Sell stuff from your project vehicles that are non-essential for the time being. Sell stuff from this car...it was advertised to have 2 sets of rims/tires...do you have the extra set? Sell the BEST set on ebay or here and make some money, to either fix the car or help yourself. I'm not trying to sound like a d--- by stating "the obvious" but sometimes we all forget things like this.

If you NEED a car to drive, it will be difficult to find a car in as good of shape as this one for the money you want to spend, let alone get that car in your time frame AFTER selling this one. My suggestion is sell stuff to make $100 and fix the car if you can, otherwise reduce the price greatly and put it on ebay. You MIGHT get 800-1000 for it on ebay, the better you can market it the more you will make, obviously. Most people don't want to buy cars that can't run, because they have no way of knowing what is actually wrong with it...which is why fixing it is the best option, seriously. Call some buddies to come help you and owe them a favor or buy them some beer and get to work if you can raise the cash!


If you have another project car, you must know how to do some mechanical work! If the timing belt is broken, the only thing you would hear when you try to start the car is the starter going, turning the crasnkshaft, which would be more like a "wirring" noise I think.

[magiccowinuse]

Hmm..that really sucks on the money issue. Here are some thoughts:

Ebay. Sell stuff from your project vehicles that are non-essential for the time being. Sell stuff from this car...it was advertised to have 2 sets of rims/tires...do you have the extra set? Sell the BEST set on ebay or here and make some money, to either fix the car or help yourself. I'm not trying to sound like a d--- by stating "the obvious" but sometimes we all forget things like this.

If you NEED a car to drive, it will be difficult to find a car in as good of shape as this one for the money you want to spend, let alone get that car in your time frame AFTER selling this one. My suggestion is sell stuff to make $100 and fix the car if you can, otherwise reduce the price greatly and put it on ebay. You MIGHT get 800-1000 for it on ebay, the better you can market it the more you will make, obviously. Most people don't want to buy cars that can't run, because they have no way of knowing what is actually wrong with it...which is why fixing it is the best option, seriously. Call some buddies to come help you and owe them a favor or buy them some beer and get to work if you can raise the cash!

I appreciate the reply, and that does make a lot of sence i have just been so caught up with my money situation i didn't really think of ebaying stuff surprisingly. I know the 1800 was a lot, i am really just seeing what i can get for it. If its something decent just to get it out of my hands, then i'd take it.

If you have another project car, you must know how to do some mechanical work! If the timing belt is broken, the only thing you would hear when you try to start the car is the starter going, turning the crasnkshaft, which would be more like a "wirring" noise I think.

I do know the basics of mechanics it really isn't all that difficult its mostly just WHERE to do it is the problem. My parents garage is heated yet they have like 5 vehicles as it is and he hates me using his garage to work on my cars. What you explained here is almost exactly what i hear i think. When i try starting it sometimes you will hear it try to kick over others all u hear is the starter.

[onlytrueromeo]

You should be able to get a shop to fix it for $500 or so. Now $500 is alot to come up with compared to 100 or less for you to fix it. If you skip the waterpump it could even be less than that. The nice rims/tires should be able to get you close to 3 or 400 I think (don't know their value).

Good luck!

And I hear you about the garage thing...I worked on my car at my rents house over break - non heated. Ever time it snowed I had to pull my car out so we could move our ATV in their to plow our driveway, because my parents didn't want to plow from the road side...

[93SOHC]

if it sometimes tries to kick over it wouldn't be the timing belt. Distributor maybe?

[magiccowinuse]

if it sometimes tries to kick over it wouldn't be the timing belt. Distributor maybe?

I thought so too. I thought moisture got in there some how, but its been 2.5 weeks and still wont start. And im pretty sure he checked to make sure it wasn't arcing...

I think i am just going to scrape up $100 and have them diag. it. then ill know for sure.

[Savin]

if it sometimes tries to kick over it wouldn't be the timing belt. Distributor maybe?

It could still be the belt. my 94's belt has broken a few times (cheap belts). It's not hard to replace, make sure you have an extra set of hands to hold the cams in their correct positions.
Back to the quote: When my tensioner pulley came loose, my belt jump quite far. It would do the described bucking but not much else, aside from occasionally blow exhaust smoke out the intake.

[onlytrueromeo]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1994-200 ... enameZWDVW" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Something like this is what you want if its anything to do w/ the timing belt!

[magiccowinuse]

THANK YOU! I really hope that is all it is...I guess ill update you guys with what the deal is in a day or 2

[Ryan]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1994-200 ... enameZWDVW

Something like this is what you want if its anything to do w/ the timing belt!

Oh my... shyte-aki mushrooms, I just paid 62 for Mazda OEM T belt... and I need a new idler....

Crapola. I figured OEM was a good way to go for timing. Humph. One more lesson learned.

[onlytrueromeo]

Well, OEM timing belts will most likely be better quality that that kit...however, its also focused more towards a tight budget. If you your belt lasts 20k more than his, was it worth the difference to you?

Also Prestone is a good company, so at least some of the parts will be good! And you can't beat that price. Its cheap even if you don't use the timing belt.