1st Gen Mazda 3 GT Question
 

Figured I'd bug you guys on here since I know the first generation Mazda 3 was pretty popular for a while and I'd likely get some answers quicker this way lol

So I picked up a 2006 Mazda 3 GT for cheap cheap recently and am wondering what sort of things I need to watch out for or potentially replace sooner than later.

Car has 196000 km's, 2.3L and 5spd.

So far I've replaced rotors and pads on all four corners, put in new rear KYB Just-a-gas shocks, spark plugs, purchased but not yet installed a/c compressor/condensor/evap/o-rings/etc, driver's side axle and passenger side LCA.

Apart from those items, any thing I need to keep an eye on?

PCV - mainly keep an eye on your oil level
Thermostat - don't worry, it's supposed to fail in the open position
Clean the throttle body and reset ECU
Replace cabin air filter if equipped - it's the dumbest job on this car

Yah it's not fun being head-first, upside down in the passenger footwell for 45 mins. Make sure you put the fuse panel harnesses back on properly or else you might experience a whole whack of seemingly unrelated electrical issues. I've seen that before, some shop changed the cabin filter and afterwards, the lady had no radio, wipers, turn signals, CEL (no communication). Re-positioned the harness plugs and it went back to normal.

I remember over a decade ago when I worked at mr lube, right when in cabin air filters were getting popular. Such a good sale item, but it came with a swift kick in the nuts. Each car was suppose to take 15 minutes or something. Absolutely impossible with an air filter

My wife has had her 2.0 for 8 years and it's been great. I think the only non maintenance item was a PS motor mount (the hydraulic fluid leaks out) and a belt tensioner.

i was gonna say the rear shocks but you already mentioned it. so that's good.

and i just did my mazdaspeed3 cabin air filter two weeks ago. and it was a PAIN!

Ahh yes, totally forgot about the passenger mount.

- Passenger Side Motor mount
- Rear Trailing Arm bushings
- Thermostat
- Electric Hydraulic Power Steering Pump
- Serpentine Belt Tensioner
- Cabin Filter. Fuck this thing!

Those were the common things I ran into when I worked at a Mazda dealership. I got it down to about 15 minutes to do a cabin air filter.

I bought new a cabin air filter for my Speed 4 years ago, I've been dreading the job so much I still haven't put it in...
Stupid design.

The drivetrain is very different than a regular 3, but the only major issue I've had since new (now 10 years old, 98,000kms) was the clutch slave cylinder let go on me a few years ago (replaced under warranty).
Which wasn't that major other than I had to get it towed from my house to Mazda (cost covered by warranty) it was fixed in a day.
And I drive my car hard (but I don't beat the piss out of it, there's a difference)

These 2 posts sum up my 3 years of ownership of an 04 with 215k.

Protegé FAQ
Has a section on the side for all tsbs that came out for Mazda 3. Saved me some headaches when I had the car.

Buddy's parting out an 08 GT sedan if anyone needs stock parts. Pm me.

Just make sure your engine bay doesn't catch fire. :troll:

I know most people see them as boring commuters but g1 3's have aged quite well
were they all built in Japan?

https://i.gaw.to/photos/0/9/09358_2009_Mazda_Mazda3.jpg
https://images.hgmsites.net/lrg/mazda_100171452_l.jpg

Out of curiosity, is there a way to get into the system to adjust the sensitivity of the auto headlights? Mine only seem to come on when it's nearly dark out. Or

All of them were made in Japan as Mazda didn't have any plants in the US during that era (they had ended their MX-6/Probe sharing a bit before that IIRC).

I have an 2008 GT that I picked up in June and it's a nice little car - when it first came it out it must have been a revelation for a small car (it shared its bones with the Focus and Volvo C30/S40/V50). Not sure how long I'll keep mine but it's a satisfying drive (except for the long brake pedal that seems common on all Mazdas).

My 05 GT was a great car. In 2 years and 30,000kms all we did was oil changes and a clutch. Clutch was slipping at 130km when we bought it.

Fun around town and decent space.

not relevant to OP (sorry) but my own anecdotes about these vehicles

between the wife and I - we've had 3 3's (2 gen 1's and a gen 2)

I miss my manual GT sometimes - looks wise, I think it's aged the best. Easy to drive, certainly cheap to own with mazda 43 year 0% financing.

Mine was awesome in the snow until it wasn't. Combo of overconfidence and conditions. Totalled it bad, but walked away. Thanks Mazda for making a quality vehicle.

I'd own or recommend one again as a beater. BC vehicles only - these things have basically no paint on them, and anything out of province has rusted like crazy.

If you put a gen 1 mazdaspeed in front of a gen 2, most people would think the older car was newer I think