MX-3.com

Hi,

I have a '94 MX3, 4cyl dohc auto, this is my first car and I just love it. The gas milage is excellent and I've put on 22,000 on it over the past 8 months. Ever since I got the car I've noticed that she doesnt like to accelerate. Expecially on hills. In order for her to keep the standard 65mph I have to actually put the pedal to the metal and it revs up to nearly redline. I've also noticed the same damn thing when I want to accelerate onto the highway, going from usually 35 to 65, it just nearly redlines just to keep up with the car infront of me. This is getting really annoying. I've taken the advice from my neighbor to put the thing into second gear when I do that, but it always brings it to 6000-6500. Its really damn loud and I really dont like having to struggle for speed or hills.

I originally thought it was just because it was 4cyl, but my brother just bought a Ford Camry with almost the exact same specs (auto, 4cyl, dohc, 1.6liter) and it accelerates like a bat out of hell, and smoothly even.

I've taken my car to the shops for all kinds of other reasons and have gone through 2 inspections, and they didnt notice anything wrong. Is there something that is robbing power out of my car? Or is the car just that bad on speed? Its wonderful on flat surfaces after passing the 65mph mark on highways, I can get to 75mph easily. It drops down to 2500-3000 maintaining 65-70. It seems normal there...

What could be wrong? Is it fixable?

Definatly need help with this one.

Thanks in advance, guys.

Check your cat bro, it may be clogged!

later and good luck!

Went to the mazda dealership, but since its a saturday and everything (oddly enough) closes at 4pm, they cant look at it till monday. Also they recommended a tune-up, and we noticed that I've never tuned up the car...ever. We might just tune it up anyways and see if that clears it, seeing we're due for one already.

Any other suggestions?

I had a problem like that it was a plugged cat. car wouldnt go over 100km even when i was on the floor. i did some damage to the engine so get it fixed ASAP
a tune up should help out, i mean it cant hurt it

Most 4 cyl mx3 owners will say their car just isnt quick enough, You could do a tune up...it wouldnt hurt, but bottom line your car will still be crawling up hills and barely keeping up with highway traffic. Your 10 year old, 105 hp engine has worn down. Clogged cats seem to be an issue with our cars, lots have been thru it...even me.
You could do a few minor things to your car to add a bit of pep.
New exhaust (doesnt have to be performance or anything, just maybe 2" piping with a quiet muffler and a high flow cat).
Cold Air Intake would help a lil too.
Taking anything you dont need out of your car (giant speaker boxes in the trunk, 2 or 3 large tool boxes full in the back, your wife in the passenger seat....etc).
If these things dont work to your liking or your budget wont allow them then 3 options remain..
1. Suffer
2. Sell
3. Swap Engine

By the way if you plan to remove your tool boxes.. just dont break down

Im sorry to be picky, but

but my brother just bought a Ford Camry with almost the exact same specs

Just wondering if its a ford or a toyota lol... as for bad acceleration, I have a 95 MT...accelerates fine to around 75, then starts getting sluggish. Maybe only 67k miles on it helps though?

lol his car is around the 160,000 mile range and accelerates beautifully. must be new parts or something.

And i've been talking with firestone and mazda about the whole deal, looks like there's a few problems with the car n'such. Still need to talk to mazda about the cat and stuff. But firestone is replacing a few faulty parts for free (because they installed them, pfft) so that might help.

Oh btw, when I brake it likes to jerk to the right. Firestone just checked all the tires, breaks, and what they could see about the hoses...everything looks fine to them. BUT, they took the car out for a drive and noticed the same thing. They thought it might be an internal constriction of the brake hose? Anyone have insight?

Oh btw, when I brake it likes to jerk to the right. Firestone just checked all the tires, breaks, and what they could see about the hoses...everything looks fine to them. BUT, they took the car out for a drive and noticed the same thing. They thought it might be an internal constriction of the brake hose? Anyone have insight?

I had the same problem about 6 months ago (pulling right), my right side caliper was dragging quite badly. When I jacked the car up the left wheel would spin easily but the right took a lot of effort. Replaced the caliper and it brakes straight now (its best to replace both). If this is the case with yours the right side pads would be worn more than the left, I would hope Firestone would notice that. I doubt it is a hose issue, you would have to have an awful lot of crud in there to block the pressure. There may be air in the hose which would cause problems, simply bleeding them would answer that question.

<small>[ December 02, 2003, 11:47 AM: Message edited by: guyaverage ]</small>