I am in the process of helping my daughter purchase a 2004 Mazda 3 hatchback. We've located one, test drove, etc, and she is considering purchasing.

We were given the carfax report and this car has had no known accidents. The VIN shows that the engine is the 2.3L, and we've noticed that the 2.3L option Mazda 3's have a "2.3" emblem on the doors. However, the car that we are looking at does not have the "2.3" on the doors. Does anyone know if the "2.3" emblem was on EVERY 2.3L Mazada 3? Or, could this mean that the doors were replaced at some time? Just wondering if anyone had any thoughts on this.

Thanks in advance,
Doug

 

Did you open hood? Look at emissions sticker on hood. If not a 2.3 then a 2.0. Less power cheaper to replace.

 

If anything it was debadged

 

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, I looked under the hood, and the sticker showed 2.3L. That matches the VIN, so I'm good with that.

Debadging is (hopefully) the explanation. That's what the dealer thought as well. I just find it strange, as the "2.3" on the doors would be the last emblem that I would want to remove. And no other emblems had been removed.

Oh well, hopefully we don't have any problems because we went ahead and bought it. Really fun car to drive.

Thanks again,
Doug

 

If you pull up to a 3 with a 2.0 no badges and tried to race u. Just an idea why no 2.3 badges. Just stay on top of oil changes. 04 05 2.3 motors in the 3 are non for bad luck. Just did motor swap. Very expensive compared to the 05 - early 09 models. If you need or want any parts factory or aftermarket let me know. Can get almost anything cheaper than anywhere