Help with buying used Mazdaspeed3
 

I found a 2008 Mazdaspeed3 GT for $15500 online from a private party and I was wondering if anyone had any pointers as to what I should look out for. It has 20,000 miles on it. Here is part of the email I received -

A few other things - the tires need to be replaced. I just took it into the shop to have it serviced and the brakes are in good condition, the tires need to be replaced soon. I got quotes from 5 different places and for a set of Perrelli tires and got $690 otd for all 4 tires. I have the tire size - 215 45 18. I'm giving the option of buying your own tires for this car and I can discount the price of the car. I'm only willing to bargain about the tires or put them on myself with a serious buyer.

I have attached a picture showing a small part of body damage. A piece of road trash hit the door molding and that piece needs to be replaced. I have a quote from a body shop for $600 in repair. There was no extensive damage done to the car what so ever. Again, this is something I'm willing to negotiate about.

Any advice on how I should negotiate the price? Also, do you think the cost of the repairs and tires are accurate? All comments are appreciated!

Here is picture of the damage and car -

http://www.inspirefxstudios.com/other/1.JPG
http://www.inspirefxstudios.com/other/2.JPG

Thank you!

$15,500 seems pretty cheap for a used 08 Speed3 GT. You may want to:

1. Run a Vehix Report. You'll need the VIN from the current owner.
2. Go to KBB.com and find out the value is on a "private party" sale. When inputing the information take in account the minor body damage, and worn tires. Also the seller did not metion how many miles he/she put on the vehicle.
3. Ask if they have the maintenace records. This will tell you how well they did or didn't take care of the care. Was it serviced a "jiffy lube" or was it taken to the dealer.

I did a VIN check on AutoCheck and it checks out fine. Clean history. However there have been 16500 miles put on it since 4/7/08 to present. That is about 1500 miles a month which is way higher than the national average. But the lady lives in Yucca Valley, CA which is in the middle of nowhere.

On KBB, the value of the car under "fair" condition is $16,615 which is actually less than the $15500 price + $1200 (repairs needed) = $16,700.

Any thoughts?

I bought a used one recently... when I was looking around I drove few that were modified. From the pics this one doesnt look like it was lowered. I would have thought the tires would last more than 16k miles.

Well if they will replace the tires thats a plus and its a very good price.
I would tell them if they throw in a new set of tires at the asking price they would have a deal.
I would jump on that...


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07'MazdaSpeed3 Stage2+SF 93 v103
Current Mods: COBB AP, COBB SRI, COBB Shift Weight, COBB STS, COBB PCV Catch Can,TWM Shifter Bushings, FORGE BPV, TRZ Rear MM, CS Racepipe, TurboXS DP, TB BYPASS MOD, SU BOOST TUBES, SU Silicone Recirculation Tube, SU Silicone Vacuum line, MSD Dash Hawk, Denso 1-Step Colder plugs

Seems your getting a good deal. Go for it!

how many miles are on it? it may have a lot of miles since the tires are already needing to be replaced.

There's 20,000 miles on it. The seller put approximately 1500 miles a month on it while she owned it. As I have never been through the negotiation process before, what do you recommend I ask her to lower the price to? Should I lowball it so that we can meet in the middle? If so, how much?

Thanks!

One other question, can someone tell me how much it would cost to repair the side skirt shown in the picture? I am debating if it would be cheaper to repair it myself or have the seller repair/replace it. Thank you!