History
Ever since I sold my 1999 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS, I missed the feeling of tossing around a light weight car. Don't get me wrong, I found the WRX fun, but I find eating twisties much more satisfying than getting pushed back in a seat from speed.
So for the past year or so, I've been keeping my eyes our for a somewhat clean Miata. Everyone asked me why I was going from a Subaru to a Mazda. Everyone gave me crap for wanting a Miata. I didn't care. Sure, I'm a big guy and I knew I probably wouldn't fit comfortably... but I still wanted one.
Fast forward until this past weekend. I had a few friends over and they started talking about one of their Mazda MX3. I asked them what it was and they explained it was a 1.8L V6, 2 door coupe. I was intrigued so I decided to do a quick Google image to search to see what it looked like. Honestly, at first, I didn't really like it. However, it was priced that I just HAD to look at it. So I ventured over and I took a look at it and I fell in love. It had a rx7 rear window slope, it had a very non-aggressive front end. It had very comfortable front seats. It had sporty rear seats. The only downfall was that its an automatic. Regardless, I decided to take a stroll in it.
It took a while to crank her over since it hasn't started in a year. A few seconds trying to start it, while it was being jumped, and pushing down the gas pedal it slowly started to turn over. As I sat in the driver seat, listening to running I realized how calm it sounded. It was like she only sat for one day, not for a year.
So we went up and down a few roads in his neighborhood. It shifted very smooth, it ran very smooth, and the little V6 revved smooth all the way up to 7k. Driving down a side street, throwing it around like I was avoiding chicanes, getting weird looks from his neighbors, I realized I was smiling from ear to ear. I was in love with the car.
After we parked it, I told him I love it but I have to do more research about the car first. On the way home, I had the wife on her phone reading more about it. By the time we got home I told him I wanted it. It needs brakes, rotors, and tires... and for the price, I'd be an idiot not to take it especially it gave me that feeling that I haven't felt since I sold my 2.5RS.
Last night,we picked up the car, towed it home and parked it in my driveway. I spent 8 hours today cleaning it out, vacuuming it, and scrubbing the engine bay.
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Originally Posted by Wikipeda
The Mazda MX-3 was a four-seat hatchback produced from September 1991 to 1998. It was based on the EC platform. The MX-3 was marketed as the Mazda MX-3 Precidia in Canada, the Eunos 30X in Australia, and as the Eunos Presso, Autozam AZ-3 and Mazda AZ-3 in Japan.The MX-3 is quite popular for modification because of the range of performance engines which can be transplanted, such as the KL-ZE.
The MX-3 was notable for having one of the lowest displacement V6 engines ever fitted to a production vehicle with its 1.8 L V6.
The V6 MX-3 had a top speed of approximately 212 km/h (132 mph). The MX-3 GS could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 8.4 seconds, and could travel a quarter mile in 16.4 seconds. With a turning rate of 0.89 g (8.7 m/sē), its handling capabilities were one of the best in its class.
The V6 engine was impressive for the time, belonging to the Mazda K-series, which were used in a range of Mazda vehicles. These engines were designed to be smooth, very long lasting, and hold a high torque across the RPM range. These engines used a variable length intake manifold (VLIM), in order to provide optimal torque using intake resonance. Mazda called their system on the MX-3 the "Variable Resonance Induction System" (VRIS). This engine had a 7000 rpm redline, and a 7800 rpm fuel cutoff. It is rumored that Porsche designers helped to create the K series engine.[citation needed]
The MX-3 used Mazda's proprietary Twin-Trapezoidal Link (TTL) for the rear suspension. It passively allowed the rear wheels to turn slightly in order to enhance handling. It has been used on a range of Mazda vehicles, providing a smooth ride, yet delivering responsive handling while minimizing body lean.
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