Need guidance on used MS3

Hey everyone -

I used to own an 07 MS3 which I absolutely loved. Stupidly sold it 3 years ago and I've been missing it ever since. I recently sold my Forester XT and have been looking for a new car. Part of me wants to get back into a Speed3. Locally they are either all clapped out or super overpriced. I found one about 3 hours away - 2007, bone stock, new OEM turbo, timing chain and VVT have been replaced, 132k miles, and the guy is asking $6500 obo. Seems to have been well maintained, but when I asked, he did mention that the oil is about 1/4 to 1/2 of the dipstick low every 2-3 weeks. He says he can't find any leaks. Should I pass on this particular car? I guess it could be as simple as a PCV valve, but it could also be bad rings, right?

Any suggestions for how to proceed? How much oil consumption is normal for a high-ish mileage MS3? Thanks!

 

Sounds like decent deal could be as simple as PCV yes or rings. Could ask for a compression test. Dry & wet if dry is low

 

get it checked out. Could be an oil line to rings or more.
also peep this:
https://www.mazdaspeeds.org/index.php?threads/what-to-look-for-when-buying-a-used-mazdaspeed.10009/

 

I am selling a 2007 MS3, but it is not bone stock. You can see all I have done in my signature. I am in scott's valley, so just a quick drive over the hill. I am asking $7,500. It has already had it's VVT issue resolved, and a new CorkSport turbo.

 

Just had this problem over the summer, ended up being the rings and very polished cylinder walls. Did a total teardown and overbore to 88mm. All in for the rebuild will be a few grand. Ordered all the parts and I did it all myself, genuinely not TOO bad of a project and super educational.

 

I have major oil consumption on my speed 3. I'm burning probably 1qt every 500 miles and I'm only at 101k. I'm pretty confident that it's the rings. Seems pretty common on this car. I would purchase knowing that you will probably have to rebuild at some point. As long as you don't forget to add oil you can put it off indefinitely I'd imagine.Will eventually destroy cat though.

I will rebuild one day when I have the funds. Until then I just remember to add oil every other gas fill up basically. Engine runs great other than that. I have been buying Rotella T6 5w40 in bulk every time there is a mail in rebate so it hasn't been that expensive constantly refilling oil yet.