2008 Mazda MAZDA3 MPS

I bought this gem back in 2017 from a dealer. I was looking for something fun in, preferably, a hatchback or wagon with a manual gearbox as a must. My main aim was another Honda to replace my old Civic. Though anything similar would’ve sufficed. European and Korean cars were definitely out. As were the Fiesta and Focus. Which kept me well narrowed to the Japanese marquees.

I stumbled across this car by accident as I set my price range too high on searches and this was just the teensiest bit over what I had. So I done some research on what a MPS was and was quite impressed by what I read and saw in reviews and tests, both official and unofficial. This got me pretty convinced and I drove down to the dealer that had it, took it for a drive and fell in love with the raw power available on tap. I just had to have it. With little effort on haggling I got it well within my price range and had it in my driveway a few days later.

Since then I’ve made her track ready with the minimum mods of engine mounts, high pressure fuel pump and Accessport. With some grippy Yokohama tyres to keep as much traction as I can on the track.