Another should I buy?

[lopezet]

I have an opportunity to buy an '93 MX-3 4 cyl w/ 101K+ miles for $2250. It is a salvage title that the seller bought, replaced 2 wheels, fixed bumpers, and replaced a rear strut. Engine looks clean, runs well, valves seem to be chattering, but he offered to have a t-up & valve adjustment. Are parts readily available and what types of maint needs to be done at 101K miles? I have had two other vehicles that were difficult to get parts for and I don't want to do that anymore. Thanks for all info and input.

[Sam Baker]

welcome to tha board! and ya, easy to get parts for these things.. most may be kinda on the expensive side, but its ok. the mazda dealerships have most of all the stock parts, and a lotta people even use parts from ford escorts, probes, mazda 323's, and mx6's, etc.

and it sounds like u found a nice mx with a free tune up! lol so if u need any help check out the FAQ or look around on the board. good luck w/ the car

~ sam

[curtklze]

its a little bit pricy, 1500-2000 would be fair, you cant adjust the valve on that motor, so if they are ticking they will always tick.

as for maintaince, make sure the timming belt and wwater pump were changed as well as the plugs, cap, rotor and spark plug wires, if its an auto make sure the fluid is changed and add a trans cooler.

[xXx_OTEP_xXx]

i would have to disagree... getting parts for our cars is not easy bro, at least where i am its pretty damn hard.. sure i can find everything i need.. if i like paying 10x what the part would cost for a civic, cavalier, neon, etc.

[Sam Baker]

well.. i buy a lotta parts online, since they come from other places anywayz.. and hardly shop at the dealership. Autozone or Canadian Tire can help you out for simple parts, and look around on ebay and you'll always find someone parting out their mx3. or on this board.. but yea i agree with u that Civic parts are way cheaper than ours. but thats just because we have cooler cars than them.
~ sam

[RuffneckMantis]

Canadian Tire...in Cali...

Thats just not right...

[Pearl-JapSpec]

well they got pep boys...
and stuff...
i think....
should open up a company called american tire lmao

[lopezet]

Thanks for the info. If the valves are not adjustable, is that what is making the chattering noise? It's really loud, you can hear it at idle even with the windows shut. Is there any way to tell if the timing belt has been changed other than to take it apart? This is a salvage title, so the seller has replaced two wheels, one rear strut, had it checked out mechanically and done body work. He doesn't know any more about Mazdas than I do, and I don't think he has the service records. The BAP guys and the NAPA guys say that the parts that wear out are easily available, but there are other parts that are special order that are expensive. The alternative is a Saturn and I get mixed reviews on that..... Any further thoughts??? I need to replace the trusty Scout as it is beyond resusitation ($$$).