The Mazda MX-3: A Tiny V6 Coupe That Time Forgot

Back in the late ’80s and early ’90s, Japanese automakers were flush with cash and building some truly wild machines. Mazda, in particular, went on a creative bender that gave us the gullwing-doored Autozam AZ-1, the legendary FD RX-7, and the Le Mans-winning 787B. But tucked away in that era is the MX-3, a little front-wheel-drive 2+2 coupe that packed a secret weapon: the smallest V6 engine ever sold in America.

0 liters to dodge Japan’s tax penalties. The result was an all-aluminum, dual-overhead-cam unit making 130 horsepower and revving past 7,500 rpm. It was paired with a five-speed manual, a clever VRIS intake system that flattened the torque curve, and a Twin-Trapezoidal Link rear suspension that gave the car a four-wheel-steering feel.

At the same price as a Honda CR-X or early Acura Integra, the MX-3 GS came standard with power steering, airbags, and air conditioning, options on its rivals.

So why did it flop? The MX-3 launched in 1991 with a four-cylinder, and the V6 GS didn’t arrive until 1992. Critics liked the engine’s smoothness and sound but found the chassis uninspiring. S. outsold it easily. S. numbers. Today, clean examples are rare: a red 1993 with 36,000 miles sold for $10,300 in 2023, and another for $12,500 in 2025.

The MX-3 remains a footnote, but for those who know, its overbuilt little V6 is a gem worth waiting for.