2005 Mazda 3 5-speed, $1250 in CT

Not mine, etc...

http://newhaven.craigslist.org/cto/5182228618.html

2005 Mazda 3. Sold for parts or repair runs and drives fine power steering doesn't work and sometimes pops out of 3rd gear, may be in the linkage. 179k miles. 4 cylinder with a 5 speed manual transmission. Power windows power locks power moonroof black leather seats and alloy wheels with new tires. Call 8602656273 no text they will be deleted

Any Mazda experts know what can be wrong with the transmission?

At $1000, how much could a 40,000 mile engine/tranny combo cost? Add some new bushings and you've got a sweet car for under $5K

That is a pretty good price.

A google search on 3rd gear popping out indicates it may be a bad synchro. It could also be bushings or maybe even a broken rear engine mount.

The sunroof may be aftermarket, check that, too.

I have a known good 5 speed trans from an 06 Mazda 3 that I would sell for cheap if anyone gets this, only pulled it for a 6 speed swap, it was fine.

Not a bad price. It appears to have rear wheel well rust, just like every other 1st generation 3 in the Northeast. Did they offer the Grand Touring package back then? If so, that's what this car has. That means it's fully loaded with HID's.