During the early nineties, the 1.8-liter V-6 engine played a great role in lifting the Mazda M-3 from other mini-coupes competitors like the Honda CRX, Nissan NX, Hyundai Scoupe, and the Toyota Paseo. The Mazda MX-3 targeted whom they called the “young first-time sporty car buyers” a cluster that became Mazda’s new and booming customer base. The Mazda MX-3 also boosted the brand’s image as a fun and sporty car to be seen with.
There were two versions of the Mazda MX-3 that came out—the base model, which was equipped by a 1600cc in-line four engine; and the GS model which came with the small heavyweight of an engine, the 1.8-liter V6. The base model’s engine came with a 5-speed manual gearbox, 88 horsepower, and an EPA mileage figure of 29mpg for city driving and 35mpg highway driving.
The GS model came with a heftier 5-speed manual gearbox with a four-speed automatic transmission as another option. With the manual gearbox, the V-6 equipped GS registered 22 mpg for city driving and 28 mpg on highway driving.
The MX-3 first came out in 1992 and continued until 1994 in both the base and GS model. However, in 1995, the base model became the only choice. Mazda decided to take out the MX-3 model from its North America line up. While the MX-3 was, indeed, a sporty car fitted for the first timers and it sure was a blast to drive, a V-6 engine in a sporty coupe doest work out that well.