Clean title?

Wrecks?
Clutch?
Upgraded Starter?
Record of oil changes?
Compression test?
Drivers side tail light foggy?
Tires?
Coils, wires, plugs changes last? oil and filter change, spark plugs, wires, an
d coils, transmission and rear differential fluid change, and a brake fluid flus
h.
Ignition coils replaced?
Fuel pump replacement?
GT package?
O2 sensors? Catalytic convertors?
Radiator/waterpump/thermostat?
Brakes?
Shocks?
Body condition?
Interior condition?
(in no particular order)
- Engine ever replaced [Mazda]
- - Mileage on current engine [Mazda]
- Engine Compression
- Catalytic converter replaced
- Mileage of last coil change
- - Has it ever had one or more coils fail on it with the current cat?
- Mileage of last plug change
- Mileage of last plug wire change
- Has it ever been flooded? (cat life remaining info)
- Tail lights ever replaced? [2004, 2005]
- - If not, have the seals ever been replaced, or the tailights modified to drai
n water?
- Oil consumption (ask in how many miles between adding a quart or half a quart,
and have them tell you which it was))
Car mileage over 30,000:
- Replace Ignition coils
- Replace Plug wires
- Replace Spark plugs
- Clean MAF (mass air flow sensor)
- Clean ESS (e-shaft sensor)
- Reset ESS profile
- Clean power steering connections
- Clean battery terminals and clamps
- Replace transmission fluid
- Replace coolant (Mazda FL-22 is highly recommended)
- Replace air filter
- Replace brake fluid (fluid in the brake lines AND the clutch line)
~$300 USD in parts if you shop smartly.
Car mileage over 60,000:
...all above, plus...
- Clean all chassis electrical grounding points
- Replace accessory belts
- Clean OMP lines
- Replace rear differential fluid
- Replace thermostat
- Clean / Straighten AC condenser fins
- Clean / Straighten oil cooler fins
- Inspect catalytic converter
- Clean / Inspect intake valving
- Consider / inspect all points in 90,000+ as well, many items fail early
~$130 USD in parts if you shop smartly.
Car mileage over 90,000:
...all above plus...
- Replace coolant bottle
- Replace radiator hoses
- Replace radiator
- Replace front O2 sensor
- Replace motor mounts
- Inspect clutch pedal assembly for flex / weld breaks
~$900 USD in parts if you shop smartly.
Obviously if you get information about any of these items already addressed, it
will help to reduce the list / cost. Get as much certainty as you can though! Al
l cooling related items can cost you your engine! Even as soon as the same day y
ou take the 8 home with you. It has happened more than once. The rest can be jus
t as critical in how much it can cost you.
Note: This isn't a dealer's maintenance list that is filled with questionable fl
uff. Every single one of these items is something that typically fails in that m
ileage range, and for each item, if it fails it will either A) strand you, or B)
cause significant and costly additional damage.
- MSP 13 performed by a dealer, and date / mileage [Mazda 2004, 2005]
- Gas mileage typically seen
- Number of miles typically on the trip odometer when the low gas light comes on

(yes, ask both gas mileage questions)
- Starter replaced to the upgraded version [2004, 2005]
- Temperature control **** ever replaced or repaired [2004, 2005]
- Clutch pedal assembly ever replaced, re-welded, or re-inforced
- Cranking time before starting when cold
- Cranking time before starting when hot
Based on our experience, with the engine "hot", the compression pressures for a
healthy engine are as follows:
- Normal compression - 110-150 PSI
- Minimum acceptable pressure - 75 PSI
- Maximum acceptable pressure difference between chambers - 20 PSI
Note: Race engines (peripheral or bridge port) generally have a normal compressi
on pressure of 90-120 PSI. All other parameters are the same.
Additionally, in our experience, an engine that falls below 75 PSI "hot" crankin
g pressure will be difficult to start. Because cold cranking pressure is usually
higher than a hot engine, the engine may start when cold, but not restart when
hot.
Copyright 2007-2014 Racing Beat, Inc
Mazda North America Operation contact info:
By Phone: 800-222-5500 Monday ?? Friday, 6:00am to 4:45pm PST
Mazda North American Operations
P.O. Box 19734
Irvine, CA 92623-9734
Attn: Customer Assistance Center