Well, I have been on the hunt for a fairly local SVTF (I live in Rochester NY). And I have had very little luck on what I am looking for. Either its at a dealer and way over priced, or it has been a private party deal with either two many miles or body cancer on it (rust)!!!

So, I am starting to look around elsewhere and I found this.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f199/FocusBoy949/loadimageaspx.jpg

2007 Mazda MAZDA3 s Grand Touring
37k
5 speed
just about every option available.

dealer is asking 15k - i have them talked down to 14k

The only 3 I would buy is a Mazdaspeed3 other wise your going to be dissapointed.

Rochester is where I'm from!

If you can't find a SVT, would you consider a ST? There's one at Shepard Ford according to Autotrader and it's a tad under $13,000 with 8,000 less miles.



If you are willing to drive to pick one up, there's a SVT with 47.000 miles for $10,995 down here. It's 395 miles from where you are. It takes me about 6.5-7 hours to get home.

Link (http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=273130457&dealer_id=573596&car_year=2004&rdm=1263654568611&lastStartYear=1981&model=FOCUS&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=2002&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=50&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=y&make=FORD&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=19901&advanced=y&end_year=2004&doors=&transmission=Manual&max_price=&cardist=52&standard=false&showphototab=true)

I have actually taken a look at the ST at Shepards but no appearance package.

If I was to buy an ST it would have to have the Appearance package. Like this...

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=273108571&dealer_id=64918215&car_year=2006&rdm=1263655281927&lastStartYear=1981&model=FOCUS&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=__c3Z0__&keywordsrep=115118116&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=200&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&sownerid=57996639&showZipError=y&make=FORD&keywords_display=svt&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=14432&advanced=y&end_year=2011&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=194&standard=false

im pretty sure thats a members car....

check the BST [idea]

thats funny someone said that he'd be dissapointed buying a mazda3 s which has the very same 2.3 liter that the ST has (PLUS VVT), which everyone is recommending.... i bet that 3 has a hell of a lot more features than an st does, i can already see it has xenons.

i'd get the mazda 3 and never look back

here is the website with the info on the mazda3

you have to look in their used cars..i couldnt get a direct link.

http://www.hoselton.com/Penfield_Used_Car.aspx

the base mazda three is a good car. and who wants to pay teh insurance on a mazdaspeed? i say get the three. and thow the tri point engineering turbo on it and kill mazdaspeeds.

I say go for the 3, Nice over all car. Also that ST is a members car haha

I've known a lot of people that had great experience with Hoselton. I think I'd be happy with a Mazda 3 also. They are very nice cars. I've ridden in them, but have never drove one. The interior is pretty nice and it drives smooth (from a passenger's point of view).

Is the Mazda3 as nimble and agile as a Focus?

I have actually taken a look at the ST at Shepards but no appearance package.

If I was to buy an ST it would have to have the Appearance package. Like this...

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=273108571&dealer_id=64918215&car_year=2006&rdm=1263655281927&lastStartYear=1981&model=FOCUS&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=__c3Z0__&keywordsrep=115118116&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=200&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&sownerid=57996639&showZipError=y&make=FORD&keywords_display=svt&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=14432&advanced=y&end_year=2011&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=194&standard=false

That is indeed a members Car and it is for sale here on the forums for around 9,900.00.
Reading Pa,my Hometown!
Buy it and bring it on over!

Is the Mazda3 as nimble and agile as a Focus?

its a bit stiffer so its a little more agile and responsive to steering input and because its stiffer it doesnt shake and shimmy as much on bumpy roads as the focus. you also get a bit more feedback from the steering wheel but other than that its just like a focus to me.


id get the 3, especially that one... grand tourings have a ton of cool features like little BMW's [thumb]

Sweet, thanks for the response! I may be looking into getting a 'new' used car early next year, if I can't find a decent condition SVT, I was already considering the Mazda3 hatch but more so now. :D Thanks again!