Mazda Mx-3: Future Classic?

[stratman1988]

Now that our cars are starting to get long in the tooth (especially the earlier mx-3's), and are getting rarer as more are being junked and taken off the road. I thought I would start the debate, In another decade's time will our cars become sought after classics or obscure old imports with little to no value? Let the debate begin!

[solo_ryder]

Classic, sought after? No.

[stratman1988]

Personally I've got a Blaze Red '93 MX-3 SE that I've recently bought and have been fixing it up over the summer. I think this car could be a future classic not just because it's rare, but it has been the symbol of a lot of people's youth. I can see it having the baby boomer effect where people see this car in the future and say to themselves "Man, I remember owning one of those" or "I loved that little car, I wish I hadn't sold it" and want to own one again. Something like what's happened to old American muscle.
In terms of the car itself I think its definitely worthy of being a classic. It still looks good even today, leaving it in a big mall parking lot MX-3 stands out among the dull econo-boxs as a properly pretty sports car with its smooth curving lines. It certainly has the looks of a classic. It's performance isn't that impressive, but then with such a quirky engine... that 1.8L V6 with so many new technologies like the variable intake system make it a car that really stand out from other imports. Every time I tell someone that my car has a 1.8L V6 I always get this "Whaa?" double take that really heightens their interest in the car. And it's a properly good engine too! Rev happy, good low torque and a fabulous exhaust note! (I confess my MX-3 does have a custom exhaust)
The one big thing stopping this car from being a classic is the fact that it's at low end of the model range; it doesn't hold a candle to Mazda's upper range like the RX-7, a car which can now pretty safely be called a classic. The question is will the MX-3 follow suit into classic car stardom?

[mxmikey]

The mx-3 was never a really popular car, it has its own close colt like following, but it is not overall a popular car, such as old Camaro's, Mustang's, and Z car's were popular and sought after. I could see Honda Civic's and Acura Integra's becoming the next classic, because they are popular, granted most are shitty. Now whenever I tell someone I have an mx-3 I have to explain to them what it is, in ten years even fewer people will know.

[Inodoro Pereyra]

I don't think so. Best case scenario, I see the car becoming kind of a cult car for a limited number of people (us, basically)). The car was never too popular to begin with. It's not about it being top of the line or not. The mustang was always a cheap car, but it was a car everybody and their mother drove, and that's what made it a sought after classic.
On the other hand, the MX-3 is already rare enough, without having a bunch of collectors taking them off the streets. The lower the demand these cars have, the better for us.

[stratman1988]

The mx-3 was never a really popular car, it has its own close colt like following, but it is not overall a popular car, such as old Camaro's, Mustang's, and Z car's were popular and sought after. I could see Honda Civic's and Acura Integra's becoming the next classic, because they are popular, granted most are shitty. Now whenever I tell someone I have an mx-3 I have to explain to them what it is, in ten years even fewer people will know.

Yeah, that's true the Honda Civic (sadly) is a lot more popular and will be the car people will probably remember. Other than to the MX-3's cult fanbase it will become the obscure one.
I can now see it has of those more interesting rare cars you see at car shows. The kind that make you say "What is that? I haven't seen that car before." The car has on timeless good looks and some really weird features.

[Ryan]

Around here, they were very popular. Its just long enough that they're rusting away now...

[Nd4SpdSe]

It's a classic when Jay Leno says so

[johnmx3ze]

in my town theres 5 mx3's me (2) my friend(1) old lady(1) and an some kid(1)

i think there pretty rare... but not alot of people like em... when i talk to people and talk about cars i have to say my white car cause if i say mx3 there like ummm what is that? mazda? lol

[Daninski]

Someone should of smacked Mazda in the back of the head for putting that damn K8 in the car in the first place. Should of been the DE right from the start. And I gotta say, some of the interior colours leave much to be desired as well. IMO

[solo_ryder]

Shoulda put a kfze in imo

[Inodoro Pereyra]

I would've liked 2 versions of the MX-3: a KL-ZE, and a KJ-ZEM RWD.

[Nd4SpdSe]

I would've liked 2 versions of the MX-3: a KL-ZE, and a KJ-ZEM RWD.

The reason the Mx-3 never would of same with a DE would be that it would of eaten into the Mx-6/Probe sales and would of nipped at the heals of the Rx-7 for performance (minus the handling of course). Having a RWD Mx-3 wouldn't of been feasible since it would of competed against the Miata and equiped with anything more than a BP would of made it faster than a Miata. Mind you, an AWD version would of been neat, but the Mx-3 never had no direct rally roots.

For the price of an Mx-3 and a KL swap now, why wish that Mazda made them? They're easilly built and are something to be proud of; they make a decent little sleeper. If you want RWD, minus not being 2+2, the 2nd gen Miata is a close cousin.

[Inodoro Pereyra]

I would've liked 2 versions of the MX-3: a KL-ZE, and a KJ-ZEM RWD.

The reason the Mx-3 never would of same with a DE would be that it would of eaten into the Mx-6/Probe sales and would of nipped at the heals of the Rx-7 for performance (minus the handling of course). Having a RWD Mx-3 wouldn't of been feasible since it would of competed against the Miata and equiped with anything more than a BP would of made it faster than a Miata. Mind you, an AWD version would of been neat, but the Mx-3 never had no direct rally roots.

For the price of an Mx-3 and a KL swap now, why wish that Mazda made them? They're easilly built and are something to be proud of; they make a decent little sleeper. If you want RWD, minus not being 2+2, the 2nd gen Miata is a close cousin.

Well, I was just stating my preferences, not getting into Mazda's commercial policies.
However, I'm not sure I agree with you (or actually with Mazda) on those reasons, as, in my experience, MX-6 owners don't buy it just because of its performance, but mostly because it's roomier than the 3, and Miata owners would never give up the whole "roadster" thing.
Meanwhile, both a ZE and a KJ MX-3s would have PULVERIZED heaps like the Civic, CRX, Eclipse, etc.

Personally, I WILL have a RWD, and the engine I'm planning to use is a lot crazier than the KJ-ZEM. But, so far, that's only a dream. Maybe in a year or so...

[Nd4SpdSe]

Well, I was just stating my preferences, not getting into Mazda's commercial policies.
However, I'm not sure I agree with you (or actually with Mazda) on those reasons, as, in my experience, MX-6 owners don't buy it just because of its performance, but mostly because it's roomier than the 3, and Miata owners would never give up the whole "roadster" thing.
Meanwhile, both a ZE and a KJ MX-3s would have PULVERIZED heaps like the Civic, CRX, Eclipse, etc.

Personally, I WILL have a RWD, and the engine I'm planning to use is a lot crazier than the KJ-ZEM. But, so far, that's only a dream. Maybe in a year or so...

A 200hp Mazda Mx-3 would probably be unaffordable in terms of insurance towards it's marketed group. I remember pricing out a H22 Prelude long before I got my Mx-3. I wish I remember the quote (we're saying like almost 10 years ago) but it was astronomical. Yes. the Mx-3 doesn't truely fit into any of those categories, but it's close enough to seriously affect sales, and in the end, it's all about he sales.. Other manufacturers have gone through the same thing.

The KJ isn't and was never meant to be a motor for a sportscar, and an engine built for efficiency and economy. It's how a loaded sedan like the Millenia can get the same Milleage as a base model 4cyl 626