Mazda?

[jackknife]

I have a friend who has his own auto mechanic shop, and specializes in Japanese cars. He likes Toyota and Honda best, not so much Mazda and Nissan. Same with the anual Consumers Guide auto issue.

Also Toyota's have better crash ratings and lower repair costs.

 

[65535]

There is little wrong with Mazda's but I personally drove a bunch of cars before I bought my first car a week back, between the Mazda and other cars, I liked the drive of the Scion tC a little better, and I loved the Lancer over the Mazda3. Now there is nothing wrong with the Mazda I just liked the lancer's handling better. So definitely don't just go buy what you read, she needs to drive every car she has any interest in and some she doesn't.

 

[Bruise Lee]

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

Wow! I was thinking this would be the car to get. I'm not crazy about the way the hatchback looks, but it seemed like a fast, practical car. Gets better mileage than the Subaru WRX-Sti, too, which is also super ugly in it's latest incarnation. Guess I'll stick with my Acura RSX for now (which really isn't that fast, but is super reliable).

 

[jim preston]

They generally have reputations as good cars; don't know about their indestructability as compared to Toyota and Honda.
The Speed 6 looks particulary nice.