Regarding a Mazda 3 that clocked about 100,000 KMs.

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Regarding a Mazda 3 that clocked about 100,000 KMs.

Chaitanya

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#148981 7-Jul-2014 16:17

I am considering a potential purchase of 2007 Mazda Axela Hatchback 5dr Auto 4sp 2.0i [IMP] from an importer. So I am going to be the first owner in NZ, if I proceed with the deal. The price they quoted is similar to the AA Vehicle Valuation report I purchased. So everything seems to be good and I really loved the looks etc. Except that it already clocked 99,000 KMs - just 1K KMs short of the magical 100,000 KMs.

I just want to take your opinion as few of my friends have advised me to be a bit wary because maintenance costs might exceed the additional cost I pay upfront to get a car that did low KMs. But I have been reading all over the web (Geekzone/AA Forums/ few other places) that Mazda is indeed a reliable car.

As I am about to blow up little over $10K, I appreciate inputs from anyone here who drives a Mazda 3 that exceeded 100,000KMs on its Odo. Any general advice about Mazda 3 is also appreciated.

Thank you.

Cheers,
Chai

Lurch

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#1082535 7-Jul-2014 16:24

This might be a better deal, 2006. 44k on the clock though. $2k more than what you are looking at but you can probably haggle :-)

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/mazda/auction-749211634.htm

alasta

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#1082555 7-Jul-2014 16:52

If it's open road mileage then it might be okay, but if it's done that sort of mileage around town then it will be very expensive to maintain.

You would be better to buy a low mileage NZ new vehicle with full service history. The capital cost will be higher, but the total cost of ownership will be much lower.

jeffnz

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#1082574 7-Jul-2014 17:35

that quite reasonable price for a 7 year old car. I bought a 2006 Mazda 6 that had 112k KM's and its up to 170k and haven't spent a thing on it, mine is NZ new though.

The biggest issue with some of the import cars is they haven't been maintained which can lead to issues long term but change the oil in engine and trans/gear box and replace every filter and you should be fine.

If you are unsure get an AA inspection done as the cost is worth while in the long run.

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Inphinity

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#1082575 7-Jul-2014 17:42

As far as I'm aware the 2004 to 2009 Mazda 3 2.0 and 2.3 engines were all chain driven rather than belt, in which case you wouldn't be up for an expensive cam belt anytime soon. The 3s are, in my experience, very reliable unless totally abused or neglected from a maintenance standpoint.

Batman

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#1082621 7-Jul-2014 18:55

never ever get an AA inspection done. I have sold 2 cars, new buyers requested AA inspection, I was there, he didn't do anything other than have a good look and came up with a supremely detailed mechanical report including tests he never did, and that had exact words on both occasions, different centres.

alasta

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#1082751 7-Jul-2014 20:32

The problem with mechanical appraisals is that they only tell you the state of the vehicle at the current point in time. If, on the other hand, you buy a second hand car with maintenance records that reconcile back to the manufacturer's specifications then you can be pretty confident that it will be trouble free for many years to come.

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E3xtc

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#1083842 8-Jul-2014 07:52

Lurch: This might be a better deal, 2006. 44k on the clock though. $2k more than what you are looking at but you can probably haggle :-)

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/mazda/auction-749211634.htm

yeah I agree - I rekon there are better deals out there (like the one Lurch has suggested above). Keep looking :)

jtbthatsme

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#1083870 8-Jul-2014 08:48

Considering all that's been said above you could do better and that if well maintained then 100k is nothing. The average lifespan of an engine used to be well over 300,000kms and a regularly serviced vehicle can last more than double / triple that (have known people with over 1,000,000kms on their vehicles although they're work vehicles and serviced regularly) but I would probably look for something with a service history.

Chaitanya

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#1083928 8-Jul-2014 09:49

Thank you very much to everyone who shared their thoughts. I appreciate them. Cheers.

Cheers,
Chai

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#1083993 8-Jul-2014 11:32

No it's not just the engine.

Just about every bit that makes up a car have a life span. Esp moving bits and weight bearing bits.

Byrned

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#1084343 8-Jul-2014 20:09

I've got a 2008 Mazda 3 that I've owned from new and approaching 170k. Only problems to date (apart from regular maint things) was the wiper motor failed (this was at about 60k, and the air con evaporator unit failed and needed replacing (expensive to do but being done under warranty). Mainly highway miles and serviced regularly about every 10-15k.

I would expect this amount of k's on a car of this age and if it has been serviced fairly regularly I would trust that you'll have less problems than a car that been used as a runabout around town doing less than 100km per week.

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mattwnz

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#1084352 8-Jul-2014 20:18

If I was paying that sort of money I would be looking for a car with electronic stability control, which makes a huge difference. I don't think 2007 models came with it.

StructureDr

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#1089934 16-Jul-2014 13:24

We have a 2003 Mazda 6 2.3 that has clocked through 252000km now (we bought when 3 years/130000km old). Mix of town and open road driving. Has been remarkably reliable - though obviously get the odd bigger bill like the (original) clutch going at about 230,000km. Generally still just keeps on trucking.