Mazda?

SpookyPistolero

SpookyPistolero

Joined
Dec 13, 2005
Messages
6,105
Howdy folks-

My girlfriend just graduated nursing school and is looking to buy her first new car. Which is good, since her little Corrolla is like 18 years old.

She is pretty much in love with the Mazda 6's, and will likely end up getting one no matter what reviews I uncover.

Does anyone here have any experience with Mazdas from the last few years? Info in the '6' model specifically would be cool.

Thanks-

Spooky
 
No experience with the "6", but the Miata seems like a fine automobile. Very inexpensive, good quality, good feature selections, and fun. Some odd ergonomics though so I didn't actually buy one, but it was still my second choice.

I also like the RX8, but they don't offer a convertible version...

My advice, don't buy anything until she's test-driven every other car in the category.

Best luck to your girlfriend in car shopping!
-Bob
 
I'm currently on my 3rd Mazda. I've never had any problems whatsoever with any of them. I've never personally owned a 6 but I know a couple of people who do and I've never heard any complaints.

I am of the opinion that they are probably at the top of the quality list as far as Japanese cars go.

My current vehicle is a 3.0 litre intercooled turbo diesel. Heaps of power and very economical.

http://www.mazda.com.au/Models/Current models/BT-50/Features.aspx
 
Are there any available ? I ask that because of the Cougar Allen which tilted over .They salvaged the ship but in the end decided to shread all the cars regardless of the damage --4700 brand new Mazdas were shreaded !!!
 
mete said:
Are there any available ? I ask that because of the Cougar Allen which tilted over .They salvaged the ship but in the end decided to shread all the cars regardless of the damage --4700 brand new Mazdas were shreaded !!!
Click to expand...

Well, what did you expect? If you pile 4700 cars on me you have to expect me to tilt over a little.... :grumpy:
 
well tell her congratulations. it is no easy schooling. my mom and sister both have their masters in nursing and teach it at major colleges.

on topic, my girlfriend has a mazda 3 hatch. it has been a great car. 06 with 42k now. yea, she drives a lot. good cars. built well. have good features and finishing touches. the powertrain is solid and smooth as can be. i am a road racer. i own three shifter karts and have been sucessful on a national level with them. my father is a porsche freak and i drive his 997 carrera all the time. and i dont hesitate to say that this car handles incredibly well. i wouldnt hesitate getting one myself for commuting with, that is if i had to commute far.
 
Buddy of mine just got a Mazda 3 like 6 months ago. Loves it. Although she wouldn't be going wrong with another Corolla.
 
I have a Mazdaspeed3, and my experience has been a bit different.

Overall, strong decent car, but the current craze of putting hyper turbo'd powerplants in cars that can't really take it is getting a bit old.

So far there's been one major recall involving an engine mount that will break and cause your engine to fall out, a possible pending recall involving a secondary fuel pump whose failure can cause a lean-miss and blow your engine, and a couple of emissions recalls (voluntary).

Also, the interior build quality is on the level of an American car: rattles everywhere: windshield, dashboard, center console, passenger seat, rear decklid. Though these may be more car specific and not a brand problem.

This'll probably be my first and last Mazda.

-dan
 
if your going to buy brand new then don't worry about this cuz they fixed it... but, if you get an older car i will teach you something...

it takes only a small amount of force to break a cheap plastic locking pin above the door locks. so a punch will be enough to do it. i used to clean stolen recovery cars in surrey B.C witch is the car theft capital of Canada, and i found that out.

just to let you know.
 
I have a mazda protege 5 wagon (2002), protege 4 door (1999), mazda 3 (2005), and a mazda 6 (2007)
I love mazdas!!!!!!!!!
great cars for the money, fast, sporty, and a hell of a lot of fun.
I love the Mazda 3 the best....but then again it is the top of the line black on black (SWEET)
I would recomend any mazda.
 
Can't speak to the newer ones--but had an early 90's (pre-Ford) 4x4 Pickup for 2 years that just didn't hold up well to day to day use---not abuse---just daily driving.

I usually go for Nissan's anymore----haven't looked at another Mazda since---the quality just wasn't there.
 
dano said:
I have a Mazdaspeed3, and my experience has been a bit different.

Overall, strong decent car, but the current craze of putting hyper turbo'd powerplants in cars that can't really take it is getting a bit old.

So far there's been one major recall involving an engine mount that will break and cause your engine to fall out, a possible pending recall involving a secondary fuel pump whose failure can cause a lean-miss and blow your engine, and a couple of emissions recalls (voluntary).

Also, the interior build quality is on the level of an American car: rattles everywhere: windshield, dashboard, center console, passenger seat, rear decklid. Though these may be more car specific and not a brand problem.

This'll probably be my first and last Mazda.

-dan
Click to expand...

"causes the motor to fall out"....yep, I hate it when that happens.
 
I have a 03 mazda protege The car has never had 1 problem unlike my 00 honda civic. The mazda is a good solid car. Just change the oil every 3000 and you are golden...zoom zoom
 
A friend of mine has an older Miata. No problems. One of my partners has a Mazda 3. He loves it. It handles well, goes pretty good and gets good gas mileage. He hasn't had any problems either.
 
My wife has an '03 Mazda 6. It has been a good car with a few exceptions. We have had a few spots appear in the paint. It looks like sap damage but we watch it pretty close so not sure how it happened.
If you like to work on your own cars be aware that it can be a PIA. They use a internal oil filter rather than a normal cartridge. They just started carrying these in auto stores however no one carries the special wrench for the plastic cover for the oil filter. It has caused me huge headaches at times. I have pretty much given up and just have the dealer change it now as they are the only ones with the right wrench.
I have had problems with it and Sylvania Silverstar headlights. After several blown bulbs only weeks old I went back to regular cheap halogens and have had no problems since.
Other than that they aren't a bad car. They definitley don't want you working on them though.
 
My wife drives a 2008 Mazda 5 (Mini Mini Van) and absolutely loves it.

We test drove the 7 but we both decided it was a tremendous POS and went with the van.

Rumor has it, Mazda will be revamping their powertrains for 2009 to increase the fuel mileage. Right now I'd say they are about par, possibly just better than par in the gas mileage dept.

The new 2008/2009 Mazda 6 is one sexy sedan. If it had been available when we got the 5, I'd have been all over it.

The 5 is one of the most under rated family haulers out there. Small. Fun to drive. Plenty of room. and believe it or not, it also comes with Zoom-Zoom. The 150 HP 4 Cyl. does fine with just the Mrs. and I. With 5 or 6 adults you can tell its working but its rare that we have more than two in it.

One of the cool things I found out about it (after leasing it) is the turn radius. The thing turns like a Dixie Chopper!

Chris
 
My wife had an RX-7 when we were in the U.S. Very nice car until you had to buy parts. Outrageous!! Our mechanic said it was par for the Mazda course. A recent comparison here (OZ) with a 3 (I believe) and two similar priced competitors showed although the Mazda was as good or better as its competition, the upkeep was way more expensive - primarily because of parts costs.
 
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