Caleb Kelley (Mazda Squad)

I andolutely love my car. I’ve added a back up camera, CarPlay, and I’m about to add wheels and remove the previous owners coffee can. As a car, as a commuter, it is great! But I fear I’m asking or expecting too much from our platform. Not in the obvious, 4 banger, front wheel drive vs V6 rear wheel. But like, I think it’s just… slow… 0-60 in 7.3… I mean… it’s peppy. But by no means am I getting the thrills and chills of a ‘quick’ or fast car. Perhaps I have just outgrown the 4 banger. Any idea how to get more from it? Or to rekindle the lust of the car? I still love it. It’s great! And after all… there’s no monthly payment! What do you guys think? What do you love/hate about your car?

Need some help figuring out what width and offset will fit my car, it’s an 07 Mazda 3S sedan. I have an idea but I was curious about some recommendations for rims. I was looking at the XXR 527 but I’m not exactly sure they’ll fit. This is my first set of rims so need some guidance! I was thinking 17” rather than 18 and it’s on stock suspension.

I’m looking at getting some rims for my 07 mazda3S sedan. I’m looking at some XXR 527s but I’m not sure what size and offset we need. I’ve read on a few forums some specs but I was hoping to get some recommendations that you guys have done. Not sure on width and offset. I’m thinking a 17” rather than 18. Still on stock Suspension. Look forward to what you recommend!

Pretty sure I know the answer. But I have a 2007 Mazda 3 stick shift. 156 hp and 0-60 7.3 sec. this is and will be my daily driver. It has a fancy CarPlay radio and rear camera installed. (Things I can remove and move to another car).

But I have always liked the is300. So should I consider buying an IS300 and selling the Mazda? The IS300 will be auto and I think I can find one with 130K miles (same as the Mazda) it’s not exactly faster, but it’s rear wheel drive and has a 2JZ engine in it. So,

What day you?? Which would be a better daily?

Just a little rant for me. My 2007 Mazda 3 2.3l (Piper) has been in the shop for 6 weeks today. It was a timing issue. I spouted off all the known timing quirks that it could be and informed then lastly that if all else fails it is uncommon but the pcm could have failed. Thinking this was common knowledge to the mechanic. He called me the next day and told me the car looked to have been run out of oil and it was likely the cause of my issues. I assured him it hadn’t. And that I meticulously maintain my vehicle. He then put a new timing sensor in and gave me the keys. I left… to make it 5 miles down the road. I managed to make it to a parking lot and called the shop. He picked it up and it’s now been there for 6 weeks. He has determined it to be… what do ya know… a pcm. So. I figured okay a week for the part to arrive and then a few days to install and program it.. that was 3 weeks ago.

So. Now I am irritated. To add to this issue, I found out they were shutting down for a week to go to SEMA. That’s cool. But where tf is my car. Needless to say I’m frustrated. But, what do you think the cost on this would/should be? He’s given me a quote. I’m assuming it’s pretty fair. But I’d love a discount for the time issue. Let me know what you think it should cost. (The mechanic did confirm that the car hadn’t been run low on oil. And apologized for assuming as such)

Just a little rant for me. My 2007 Mazda 3 2.3l (Piper) has been in the shop for 6 weeks today. It was a timin issue. I spouted off all the known timing quirks that it could be and informed then lastly that if all else fails it is uncommon but the pcm could have failed. Thinking this was common knowledge to the mechanic. He called me the next day and told me the car looked to have been run out of oil and it was likely the cause of my issues. I assured him it hadn’t. And that I meticulously maintain my vehicle. He then put a new timing sensor in and gave me the keys. I left… to make it 5 miles down the road. I managed to make it to a parking lot and called the shop. He picked it up and it’s now been there for 6 weeks. He has determined it to be… what do ya know… a pcm. So. I figured okay a week for the part to arrive and then a few days to install and program it.. that was 3 weeks ago.

So. Now I am irritated. To add to this issue, I found out they were shutting down for a week to go to SEMA. That’s cool. But where tf is my car. Needless to say I’m frustrated. But, what do you think the cost on this would/should be? He’s given me a quote. I’m assuming it’s pretty fair. But I’d love a discount for the time issue. Let me know what you think it should cost.

My brother is looking into one of these but his budget allows real high mileage v6 or lower mileage 4 cylinder. Objectively the v6 isn’t extremely fast to start but what’s the 4 like? I own a 2.3l Mazda 3. It’s more about handling. 0-60 at 7 seconds. So it’s not fast either. But as a benchmark where would an 07 2.0 tiburon run?

Shop fixed it. Said it was a cam shaft position sensor.

It broke down 10 miles down the road. I managed to get it back today and they are re diagnosing. They think it may be a pcm. That as well as any other computer or engine failures sounds very expensive. I love he car but it only blue books at $2800-$3200. At what point do I say hmm it would be better for me to not repair this, sell the car as needing work and go buy a new car? (Newer used car) not a new car. But something with a possible warranty. Or cpo.

I mean if the come back with a $1500 repair bill and I only have half that is it best to drain all my money to repair it and get a loan for the rest and be vulnerable to other issues with no money to back me up? Or loan the whole amount to preserve savings? Or again, sell and look for something else?

Any input is welcome.

I have. 2007 2.3 5-speed. It runs great 99% if the time but it has recently started dying at idle. Sometimes it’ll a start then die immediately. Other times it’ll run for 90 seconds or so then cut off. Not exactly sure what could be causing this. Just had the fuel injection system cleaned and this started about a week later. Related? Idk. Any advice?

Lookin for a new daily. Doesn’t have to be auto. But needs to be fun and enthusiast inspiring. Simple small mods possible. Looking for something luxury esq. Lexus is250/350 bmw 325/328i, Audi A3/A4/A5.

But I’m looking for other possibilities and opinions between these three!

What do you guys say?

I’ve got about $4k-$5k to buy a car. It’ll be a daily but I want to to be sporty and fun.

NA/NB Miata or an E30/E36 BMW? What do you guys recommend?