So I’m not a mechanic by any means and my MS3 is coming up on the end of its warranty period. The last two Mitsu’s I owned I kept for 5 years (concurrently) with no issues. I am a reasonable driver and have a lot of fun in this car so it does see redline once in a while (no track time) and gets regular maintenance at the dealer and all periodic maintenance etc. Hardly any real mods to speak of…So I am open for opinions- is this a 5 year 60K car or might I need to trade as my warranty (and hopefully not turbo) expires in June ??? Thoughts?

I say keep it. Before the warranty goes out have a dealer do a complete look over. Make sure the turbo is good and doesn't smoke.

The powertrain warranty is good to 60k, no? I know a bunch of stuff drops off at 3yr/36k though.

Regardless- with regular oil changes, upkeep on the maintenance, no excessive modding, and moderate driving... I'd say the car is a keeper.

i would just get a new car i mean average car is kept by most americans for 2.4 years sounds like you fit that mnumber i mean i would read on the mazdaspeed forums on how the car is above 60k miles...most of the cars take the damage around 40k though so your already over it

I say if you like the car still, then it's a keeper. It will last 60k miles for you with minimal problems I'm sure, especially since you haven't heavily modded it and been beating on it.

reconbygod12 wrote:i would just get a new car i mean average car is kept by most americans for 2.4 years sounds like you fit that mnumber i mean i would read on the mazdaspeed forums on how the car is above 60k miles...most of the cars take the damage around 40k though so your already over it

Actually the car is at 27K. For a long while I was 4 miles from work. I'm now in Loveland but I won't be here that long.(Hanging at my sons house while he is in sunning himself in Iraq) So It would make a good trade or a outright sale. My insurance seems a bit high too for an old guy with zero accidents etc. But I'm pretty sure whatever else I got, I would be disappointed with...at least in this price range......

Who are you with for insurance? I just switched insurance companies and dropped $100 a month. Just shop around.

Armur wrote:Who are you with for insurance? I just switched insurance companies and dropped $100 a month. Just shop around.

farmers.... So far Amica and progressive are about the same.............

i pay 140 a month with progressive and thats full coverage gap and the whole 9 yards and i dont have hte prettiest record either

reconbygod12 wrote:i pay 140 a month with progressive and thats full coverage gap and the whole 9 yards and i dont have hte prettiest record either

holy #$%!^

I pay 76/m a month for the Evo. I actually pay 125/m for the Evo, Truck, and SX4. I'd shop around if I were you. Progressive is cheap UNLESS you have any tickets. Then they tend to be on the high side one that happens. I have Shelter Ins.

As for it being a keeper, I can't really comment much since I traded mine, but not for that reason. I think you might be the best judge of that given the number of miles you have on yours vs many of the others here. I do know that the MS3 can get VERY high MPG if you are really light with the throttle and really work at it. You can approach Civic levels of MPG around town, which can be a huge reason for many people to keep it, considering the power and performance it also has when you don't want to save gas.

I've been staying off the turbo this week and I'm getting 29.7 MPG.

Yeah- my average is about 29 and my record was 33mpg on a road trip to SLC. However we all have to buy premium so I'm not sure how the cost vs. mileage works out but the economy vs. performance is a good equation with these cars. So I'm leaning towards a detail this spring, maybe sell the wheels I have now and get something different and maybe keep her as the car is flawless so far (ok, I had a backup light switch replaced) and my dealer treats me well AND I don't see anything else I like until the $$$ starts. Sounds nuts but I would like my old 70 GTO back and maybe a 1980 Subaru for winter.....

I think I'm going with Amica. Great customer service (so far and I hope that continues) and the same rate but much better coverage (i.e. glass, rental etc.) I have never been in a accident except when I was driving a police vehicle (Ram Charger, lights, 90mph, deer-you get the picture) which is not on my record. Last ticket was 2001 in my GTO!
I would still be at about $80.00 a month......

Sounds like you need an insurance broker. Rather than doing the point and shoot method, with the various insurance companies.