2.3 Oil Filter Source
 

Anyone find the oil filter someplace besides the dealer yet? Coming up on oil change #2 and would like to spread the wealth a little. And for those wondering it is a PITA to change the filter. The filter itself is the easy part. The b!tch is getting the under tray off and back on. If you have ramps it makes it way easier.

Spencer

Just answered my own question
 

www.thepartsbin.com has the Mazda 3 2.3l filter with both o-rings for ~$8 each.

thanks for posting your answer.... i am comming up on oil change number one and don't feel like payin out the ass for it at the dealership....

I went ahead and cut a square hole in the belly pan of my car to make the oil changes easier. No, I didn't leave a gaping hole. I used Dzus fastners and made a panel I can remove with (4) 1/4 turn fastners. Much better than (7) 10MM bolts and the (2) plastic rivet things. 5 seconds -vs- over 5 minutes to get at the filter.

Wow... I just bought two at a dealership for $5.30 ea (that included a 20% discount, but still way cheaper than $8 even at full price.

oil filter
 

Actually I manage oil service center here in VA. The filter numbers that we use are an AL017 or a 9461. It depends on where you buy it from. But you should be able to go to any basic oil change palce like Sears, pepboys or Jiffy Lube and they should have that filter in stock.

But If you do have someone esle do you're oil change just make sure that they replace the gasket on the canister oil filter. So just make sure it's in the box if you buy the filter seperatly.