Returned from Spain and so I was quarantined before the Safer at Home order was issued that quarantined everybody, and spending too much time on the intertubes looking at cars. Registered on BAT to bid on a Jaguar 2+2 but the prices on those are more than I can see value in. Then I found a 2010 Mazda3 hatch with a 2.5 and three pedals, cloth seats and no sunroof on cars.com - that's a car I have a soft spot for and exactly what I would look for save for the color. Emailed the dealer and they were going to recondition it on Monday to put it on the lot. I asked about buying it right now As-Is. They were willing to deal but told me the car has blown front struts, needs brakes and an alignment. But I could save $3K off the inflated dealer pricing.
Perfect. It happens I have Koni DAs from the 2012 3 sedan I had, plus a full set of carbotech brakes, and 2 extra sets of wheels. I was planning on putting this stuff on the car anyway, having the dealer fix it would have been totally redundant.
So now I need to take a look at what the car needs and get some parts on order. Aside from the usual oil, fluids, etc, I'm planning on:
- Whatever is needed on the suspension - will check tie rod ends, ball joints, trailing arm bushings, etc.
- Koni DAs plus springs (need to figure out what - Eibach Pro Kit?)
- Rear sway bar (again - what?)
- Summer tires for the Enkei PF01s
- Intake, and eventually a header and full exhaust and tune.
- Any suggestions for weak spots to check?
My first 3 was a 2012 with all this stuff and it always put a smile on my face. This car gives me a decent daily plus a second trackable car. (the Exocet is gone, still have a '94R Miata). Not sure this is worth a build thread, but I suspect I might post some dumb questions for the brain trust here at GRM.
Jim
