A wild "spec me" thread appears...£4k, 200bhp'ish hot hatch fun
- Thread starter SixTwoSix
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Ive got a 2.0 now and I'd love an MPs but I feel that I need to go for a different car so rx8 is very much on the list, cheaper and will be just as bad on fuel!
Out of my 2.0 I get 23mpg average
Soldato
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Is it the same engine Ford use in the new RS and Mustang? (assuming so with the 3 using the focus shell)
Doubt it! Mk1 MPS stopped production in 2009 I believe
Soldato
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Had a check earlier, seems it is (assuming wiki is correct)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_L_engine#2.3L_DISI_Turbo_.28L3-VDT.29
Interesting! Quite a capable power plant then
Soldato
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There's no citation for it, and as far as I'm aware it's only rumoured to be sourced from it. I would imagine it would be simpler for Ford to start with the Duratec from the Ranger and build it from that than a Mazda unit?
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Ford owned Mazda before selling its controlling stake in 2010. They shared a fair bit the Mazda 3 is on a ford c1 chassis. Ford still use Mazda designed engines from the ford ownership era while Mazda do not any more moving to the new "sky activ" chassis and engines once they were sold. my Mazda 2.5 engine from 2010, built in japan has a ford motor company dipstick.
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Soldato
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Heres a focus RS 2.3 engine without the cover
And heres a Mazda 3 mps without the topmount
There are quite a few similarities.
And heres a Mazda 3 mps without the topmount
There are quite a few similarities.
I've only been driving 6 years but I am 37, that helps a lot
Just shy of £6k in the end but had to have it once I saw it. Heart definitely ruled my head with this...the seller wouldn't budge at all on price. I've probably paid more than I should have but I don't mind.
It's done about 78k and has extensive service history plus loads of receipts to back it all up.
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The RX8 has an incredibly stiff chassis and tremendous handling, especially the PZ and R3 versions. It is also nice to move on from a hatchback and especially to a car that feels like a sports car. Super high revving RWD fun!
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Soldato
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I've only been driving 6 years but I am 37, that helps a lot
Just shy of £6k in the end but had to have it once I saw it. Heart definitely ruled my head with this...the seller wouldn't budge at all on price. I've probably paid more than I should have but I don't mind.
It's done about 78k and has extensive service history plus loads of receipts to back it all up.
In September I'll be 25 as well as having been driving for a year so makes a huge difference to insurance.
They're a bit outside my budget by the looks of it so easy to rule out.. this time around
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I can see a few people being surprised when they get up my ass, I drop a gear and push the load pedal
I have registered and had a read, a tune is tempting but for the moment, will leave it as it is.
As I mentioned in the other post, the insurance hit wasn't actually that bad, I was expecting worse.
Aye deffo get a few posts over on MPSOC mate
plenty info and help on there too, well worth the £20 membership.Looks like a decent example, first thing I did was give mazda me reg and see if there was any outstanding recalls or owt on mine.
A lot are suprised by the insurance on these any many reports its far cheaper than the likes of scoobys and evos.
An RX8 will be noticeably worse on fuel from what I've read than an MPS.
I looked at 2l sport 6's when I was having problems locating my first 6mps, the general consensus was all of the running costs of an MPS and none of the performance.
I get a tad over 20mpg in my 6 altho I think the 3's do get a bit better mpg
Get yer wallet ready, a few little mods and a remap
The prices on 3's are all over the place at the moment like and there doesnt seem to be any real rhyme or reason, some people asking silly money and some asking for next to nowt
RX8 is 20-25mpg unless you are hooning it all day like on a track day.Aye deffo get a few posts over on MPSOC mate
Looks like a decent example, first thing I did was give mazda me reg and see if there was any outstanding recalls or owt on mine.
A lot are suprised by the insurance on these any many reports its far cheaper than the likes of scoobys and evos.
An RX8 will be noticeably worse on fuel from what I've read than an MPS.
I looked at 2l sport 6's when I was having problems locating my first 6mps, the general consensus was all of the running costs of an MPS and none of the performance.
I get a tad over 20mpg in my 6 altho I think the 3's do get a bit better mpg
Get yer wallet ready, a few little mods and a remap
The prices on 3's are all over the place at the moment like and there doesnt seem to be any real rhyme or reason, some people asking silly money and some asking for next to nowt
Performance is similar. Straight line the 3MPS is going to be faster but with corners definitely not. The RX8 is faster than the 6MPS for straight lines and corners. If want another 7-8% off your acceleration times then the R3 has a shorter gear ratio which helps.
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Soldato
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Very nice, didn't realise they were 256bhp standard - thought they were around 220 for some reason.
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It looks v tidy, nice
Mazda will quote over a k for parts and labour, but you can get the parts for about £300 from the states after taxes from either Edge autosports or New Age auto parts and then the cheapest fitting is about 150 from Young Motors in Ambleside (Lake District) - they seem to be a MPS specialist. There are a few other fitters about the country so ask on MPSOC, if you can't get to Ambleside.
The mps (especially the 6mps) seems to almost go under the radar regarding insurance and is a true sleeper. from memory my modified 6mps (probably about 280bhp) was about £300/yr and then i swapped to a 160bhp 2.0 mx5 which was about 450... and now I'm on 325bhp M135i for 360/yr... it's just doesn't make sense...
Any mention of timing chain (aka VVT) replacement? If not then you should think about that before modding... sadly it's not a cheap thing tho
Mazda will quote over a k for parts and labour, but you can get the parts for about £300 from the states after taxes from either Edge autosports or New Age auto parts and then the cheapest fitting is about 150 from Young Motors in Ambleside (Lake District) - they seem to be a MPS specialist. There are a few other fitters about the country so ask on MPSOC, if you can't get to Ambleside.The mps (especially the 6mps) seems to almost go under the radar regarding insurance and is a true sleeper. from memory my modified 6mps (probably about 280bhp) was about £300/yr and then i swapped to a 160bhp 2.0 mx5 which was about 450... and now I'm on 325bhp M135i for 360/yr... it's just doesn't make sense...
Aye deffo get a few posts over on MPSOC mate
Looks like a decent example, first thing I did was give mazda me reg and see if there was any outstanding recalls or owt on mine.
Gonna sign up for a paid account shortly. Have a bunch of things noted down I want to ask about.
The guy who sold it to me told me if I contact Mazda and register with them the whole digital service history is available online. Will also ask about recalls and such.
It looks v tidy, nice
Any mention of timing chain (aka VVT) replacement? If not then you should think about that before modding... sadly it's not a cheap thing tho
Nothing in the history for a chain replacement. I don't think it's rattling excessively but can't be 100% as not used to a chain driven engine, first i've had.
Just been on a 100+ mile trip to Malvern Hills and back and I was surprised just how quiet the car is. Even when hitting really high revs, it just doesn't seem loud.
Trip computer tells me it's averaged 34mpg which i'm really happy about. I'll take it with a huge pinch of salt though.
The genuine worry for me is how easily it hits high speeds without feeling like you're speeding.
I have never, EVER seen over 31mpg (calculated) and my trip says I'm doing 35 or more sometimes. Complete rubbish.
Don't get too scared about the timing chain. Mine makes a very small rattle on cold startup but it is nowhere near bad enough to warrant getting it changed yet.
You can make it sound much nicer if you rip the centre silencer out. How it should sound.
Don't get too scared about the timing chain. Mine makes a very small rattle on cold startup but it is nowhere near bad enough to warrant getting it changed yet.
You can make it sound much nicer if you rip the centre silencer out. How it should sound.
