Mazda’s Last Hot Hatch Is A Mighty Performance Car At A Great Price

In 2013, Mazda closed the curtain on its hot hatch era. This was the last year that the Japanese company sold the Mazdaspeed 3, which was an unfiltered and boosted firecracker of a car that had some great reviews. Over a decade later and with no direct replacement since its demise, the 2013 Mazdaspeed 3 is almost a cult classic. It’s known for its sharp handling, punchy power, and stick-only experience, but how much does it cost now, and does it still represent a smart purchase?

What the Last Mazdaspeed 3 Costs Today

As of 2025, if you want to buy a clean, second-hand 2013 Mazdaspeed 3, you’ll be looking at somewhere between $10,200 and $12,275, depending on its condition and mileage. One example with 83,000 miles on the clock and in apparently very good condition was recently shown at $12,500 at Kelley Blue Book (KBB). Enthusiast interest and comparative rarity may be helping this hot hatch to retain more value than some of its peers.

Why the 2013 Mazdaspeed 3 Was So Special

The second-generation Mazdaspeed 3 arrived in dealer showrooms back in 2010 but was to last no longer than 2013 before production stopped. In many respects, it was gloriously simple with just one trim available, one transmission option and a clear purpose in life: to deliver enjoyment. Some people thought that it was quite loud and not entirely sophisticated, but it was certainly entertaining. You could rely on plenty of torque, although you’d certainly have to hang on to the steering when it kicked in. The cabin was quite compact but sufficiently focused and this was definitely a driver’s car. You’d need to pay attention, but you’d get plenty of exhilaration in return.

The Power Behind the Fun

Mazda gave the 2013 Mazdaspeed 3 a 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine. This was the company’s direct injection spark ignition motor, and it delivered plenty of capability. For your money, you’d get a very usable 263 hp and, if you had somewhere to experience it, a top speed of 155 mph.

Mazda only gave you a 6-speed manual transmission, but it had a limited slip differential to help you cope with slippery surfaces. Even though it was front-wheel drive, it had a well-balanced suspension system so you could put the power down effectively and drive through corners. So, no artificial driving aids, just plenty of adrenaline.

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Raw But Rewarding Handling

Many hot hatches can be a real handful over undulating and twisty terrain, but not so the Mazdaspeed 3. Some people complained that the ride could be a bit harsh but the steering was direct and the suspension firm, to give plenty of confidence when under pressure. The limited slip differential produced a torque vectoring effect, to deliver power selectively to the individual wheels, rather than an all or nothing approach as is common with others. This would give great traction and cornering performance, perfect for those twisty roads. If you knew what you were doing, the Mazdaspeed 3 would rarely bite back.

A Purposeful Interior

Don’t expect a luxury car and you won’t be disappointed. Inside the 2013 Mazdaspeed 3 you will find a relatively simple car but one that designers equipped with performance in mind. It had supportive sport seats with contrast stitching with aluminum pedals and gearstick. The shifter was of the short-throw variety and all the controls were intuitive enough. On the support side, you’d get an infotainment touchscreen with optional navigation, and a nice Bose 10-speaker audio system.

Some Of the Maintenance Issues to Look Out For

If you find a 12-year-old performance car, you should look at it closely. However, it seems the 2013 Mazdaspeed 3 is generally reliable with just a few common issues to be aware of. You can typically get more of an insight by searching through enthusiast groups or Mazda-related forums.

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Turbo Seals

According to some, turbocharger seals may play up at a high mileage. You’d need to replace those as otherwise you could expect excessive oil consumption on an eventual turbo failure. Telltale signs of turbo seal wear include oil residue near the intake or exhaust manifold.

Carbon Build-up

Within the engine, look out for carbon buildup on intake valves, which is a fairly common issue with direct injection engines. This could lead to misfires and rough idling, with reduced performance, but specialized blasting should take care of it.

Engine Mounts

Don’t be surprised if the rear engine mounts are rather worn and especially if previous drivers have been quite spirited. You’d notice this through vibrations, which will be evident during gear changes or when the engine is idling. It may be a good idea to fit aftermarket upgrades to improve the situation.

Bushes and Links

Some suspension components like bushes or sway bar end links could need replacement at this vintage. If you don’t take care of it, this can lead to strange noises during cornering, vague handling, or uneven tire wear.

General Information

You can get further information about maintenance and reliability from authoritative sites like Repairpal. However, this site does not clearly differentiate between the Mazda 3 and Mazdaspeed 3 for some reason, so bear that in mind. The Mazdaspeed 3 was, after all, a higher-performance version of the Mazda 3, so a rather different animal.

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What Owners Had to Say About the Mazdaspeed 3

Enthusiasts seemed to love the Mazdaspeed 3 because it gives them a no-nonsense approach to performance. According to some feedback, the car was great as a daily runaround, due to its practical hatch layout. It had strong mid-range torque, and the gearbox was responsive. Other enthusiasts noted good aftermarket availability for power and suspension modifications.

Still, it wasn’t all good news. As we previously mentioned, this type of engine and transmission layout could deliver considerable torque steer, especially in wet conditions. The ride quality could be difficult and the level of road noise, high. You wouldn’t expect to get great fuel economy if you drove this car hard, either.

What to Think About Before Buying a 2013 Mazdaspeed 3

If you’re thinking about buying one of these hot hatches, do your due diligence. It’s a great buy for people who love driving adventure, but there are few, if any, frills. You won’t find different driving modes or hybrid systems, but just a solid chassis with a great front-wheel drive configuration.

It’s best to get a stock example with good maintenance records, but if you do, you may find a car that will hold its value going forward. Perhaps you should add a budget for possible engine mount replacement or suspension fettling, but you could also rely on a passionate owner community to help when things go wrong.

Analog Performance at Its Best

The 2013 Mazdaspeed 3 represents a simpler era of performance motoring. It may be imperfect, but it’s a lot of fun and, in a modern era where many manufacturers want to drive the car for you, this makes it rare and valuable. Its current value means it’s going to punch well above its price, so it’s certainly one of the most rewarding used performance cars on the market.

Sources: Mazda, KBB, Repairpal