If you're really interested in a MS3, you should find their forum and see if there are any for sale. It's enough of a niche car that you could probably find a babied or at least correctly maintained one.

Also came across this if you'd like some Michigan members to do some test driving for you:
http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/cto/1583497212.html

FWIW, stay away from the mazdaspeed 6. They had turbo problems in the first year...not sure about after that.

A turbo'd Forester would be pretty cool. STI engine and WRX turbo.

Nissan Murano?

 

Thanks Pat! I/we'll go drive it, and report back. It's possible Pete may have competition. I've also been looking for them for Bre, but haven't seen one this reasonable...

Edit: Called, planning on seeing it at 6 p.m. EST.

 

The Muranos seem too spendy, but I am gonna look at the rogue.

 

BTW, someone look into my disappearance If I don't post by tomorrow. The ad does look a little fake (certainly the photo isn't from anywhere here in MI), and the owner wants to meet me at Tim Hortons, not at his apartment because it is "hard to find". At least it is a public place in a decent area.

 

Yeah, ask him about that photo. Looks to be dated 11/2/2009 which is not what Michigan looks like that time of year. Ask for him to send you pictures of the car.

It's a good sign that he provided a telephone number and not an easily disposable email address. I prefer to meet people in a public place when buying/selling a car.

 

The beginning of November was pretty mild this year, there's no leaves on the tree in the pic, and I'm pretty sure our grass was still green as well. I wouldn't worry too much.

 

^^^True, but the home in the background doesn't fit that area (Warren, that is, because it's an older area than that) and it does not appear to be an apartment.

 

I'll post some photos later/tomorrow. Overall, that car is a sweet deal. Seemed to be in perfect condition, etc., amazing price. Our only complaints are that it is black on black with no moonroof (I know, not a factory option for the mazdaspeed3's), which makes it somewhat less than ideal for summer fun.

 

Dang... kinda makes me feel bad about how much I paid for Das MINI...

... kinda.

 

Actually, after going back over my photos I missed some strong evidence of collision repair to the front end, but it was my first time looking at a Mazdaspeed3:

In both of these photos you can see that some shrouding is missing both from the engine itself as well as from the interior hood liner:



For comparison, here's how it should look:



Going back over it again in my mind I also recall that the hood prop rod didn't fit back as securely as it should. The paint on the hood seemed a little swirled which I couldn't tell if it was from poor washing technique or because of a repair.

That being said, the car drove well. It was quick and fun to drive. We both liked the way it drove. I suspect that this particular car poses too much of a risk.

I haven't bothered to run the carfax, but the vin is JM1BK34L571695315