Hello all, it's been a while since I have owned a Mazda, having owned several MX5's in various states of tuning and modifications... After needing a change of car from the MX5, due to need rear seats for a small human, I opted for a change in brand.
I'm not really a fan of new cars, I prefer something of age that can be tinkered with, but can still be relied upon.. to a degree.. So I picked up a 2003 Seat Leon Cupra, a year or so ago which has been my daily driver. Last month it started to eat it's own Turbo, and is now off the road whilst I pull the engine and rebuild into something more interesting.
So... last week, I found myself in need of a run around, I set myself a challenge to buy something for no more than £500... first of all, it was going to be a throw away car and I wanted to keep money for the Cupra.
After thinking about many large Volvo's, Audi's, Alfa's and other exotic beasts... I came across a 2004 Mazda 3 Sport 2 miles down the road, so thought it would be rude not to go and look.
I did just that, and bought it.. without really even looking at it!
Well, I did drive it and pushed some buttons etc.. all seemed fine, the seller was nice, it had a years MOT, new brakes, new rear shocks and a good Main dealer service history up to 120k. Now on 135k it has been serviced at a local garage since.
It's not clean, it needs new front arches and some tidying on the sills... but everything works, it drives well.... and has now become a permanent member of our household as the family car, so the Cupra can be my toy which I can make into a more track focused car.
Some pictures:
