[Kweli]

Hey guys,


Im currently trading in my RSX-s for a more 'convenient car' - lil more room, more doors, and something with tiptronic..

I drove the 6 and really liked it... then i drove a 3 and TOTALLY loved it...

Coming from Acura i want to make sure i get something that is reliable. Mazda, being ford... How is the reliability on them? Dealer says it is great, but they will say anything for a sale – I Don’t want something that requires frequent work (one of the reasons im getting rid of my aging RSX)

Anything I should know about when buying a 3? Certain models/makes to stay away from? Are certain ones made in mexico that I should avoid? Whats the downlow?

What are some underlying issues with the Mazda 3 that a new owner should know? Stuff like - “The RSX has issues with manual transmission when going into 2nd gear”



Help me out, your opinion will make a difference….

My other options are the Rav4, Highlander, or Accord coupe

Thanks in advance

 

[john_in_the_lbc]

are you buying new or used?

One thing they did improve was the A/C in the late '06 models...before then it was kind of weak depending on your expectatons....

here's a post re:reliablity

http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=68247.0;topicseen

 

[wanta3]

33,000 miles haven't been to the dealer since the day I got it.

 

[DanW]

If you are going with the 2.3L engine and auto transmission, look through this forum for reports on bad mileage. I have seen a bunch of them in the low 20's or even teens.

I have had the car for 14 months and 21,000 miles and zero issues so far. There have been some fuel pump issues on the early 2004 models but I believe that has been corrected. If reliability is a major concern, I would be confident about the 3 providing years of dependable service.

 

[wanta3]

I get 25-27 pretty consistantly on my 2.3 MTX.... Manual FTW!

 

[dmention7]

For the record, the mazda 3 is not a ford. The car is made from something like 95% japanese parts, and assembled in japan. Ford does own a share of mazda, but mazdas are mo' definitely not fords!

 

[john_in_the_lbc]

^ correct, for the 4 cylinder engines. my understanding is that ford supplies the 6-8 cyl, engines, which might be why some of the mazda minivans are less than stellar.

mazda3's are JDM ftw!

anyways, i've had no issues with my '06 and luckily I have a late build with the improved A/C. (It gets hot here).

mileage...I drive around 80-85mph on a freeway for 30+ miles to work.
coming home can be stop and go...but sometimes it's clear sailing most of the way 40-70mph.
i have the 5sp automatic and i get around 25-27 mpg.
if i slow down, it's a lot better mileage wise, but i go into work at 5:30am and wtf so i drive fast...lol
if i race around to scare the passengers in the city or twisties, i can easily get it down to 20mpg. fun cots money.

 

[DrWebster]

It's the little things about the 3 that really impress me. The interior is gorgeous, the fit & finish is great, and the attention to detail is nice. All of the parts just plain feel solid -- the blinker stalk has a good weight and action to it, the steering wheel is perfect in its design and functionality (audio controls on the left, cruise on the right, with the most commonly used buttons placed right where your thumbs would be), and the seats are stellar -- I wish they made office chairs from 3 seats. And of course, the performance and handling are great.

There are some minor quirks and problems with the car, but certainly no more than any other car out there. With mine, I've had some problems with the glove box and seat belt latches squeaking in the cold (they replaced the glove box, which fixed that problem, and I'll have them look at the seat belt latches at my next oil change). I also experience the poor gas mileage problem, but I do have the ATX, which I know doesn't help. Also, the EPA just revised their fuel economy testing process and re-rated a bunch of cars, so what I'm actually seeing in mileage is much closer to what they report. Like dmention7 said, 95% of the parts in a 3 are made in Japan, and 0% are made in the USA. Final assembly takes place in Hiroshima too, and it just plain shows. Because of the 3, I'm only buying Japanese cars from now on. You won't be disappointed with what you get for your money.

 

[allfiredup]

I can relate to some of the concerns you're having. Prior to buying my Mazda3 in 12/05, I'd never owned anything other than Honda/Acura vehicles in my 15+ years of driving.

The only significant conern I had was whether the A/C would be adequate since I'd read in numerous places that it was an issue. I live in Atlanta, so it gets up in the 90's in the summer. After spending a full summer with the car, I can say it wasn't a problem at all. It takes a few more minutes than my old car (Accord) to cool down, but a lot of that can be attributed to the mandatory black interior.

I'm around 27k miles now and have not needed to return the dealer once. Even my Hondas had minor issues that required dealer visits. One of the things I liked most about the Mazda3 is that it is one of the only subcompacts/compacts actually built in Japan rather than North America. Somehow the Japanese just know how to build one helluva car.

The car is an amazing value, in my opinion. I highly recommend the 5-door if you're wanting the most practical/versatile packaging.

The only (minor) gripes I have are fuel economy and the ride gets a little stiff on long highway trips. With the 2.3L/manual combo, I average 25-26mpg per tank and it's mostly highway driving. The seats are great on short or long trips, but after a few hours on the road I start to dread those expansion joints...but I wouldn't trade the cars handling for a better ride!

My suggestion, if you go with the Mazda3, would be to go with the s 5-door. If the Grand Touring is within your budget, that would be money well spent. I have the Touring model and kinda wish I had the Bose stereo and heated leather....but I got mine for $16k so I can't complain.

Good luck.

 

[mickberna]

What the hell is FTW and why do you people keep saying it!

 

[ebhcr]

[quote author=mickberna link=topic=70376.msg1230700#msg1230700 date=1172389742]
What the hell is FTW and why do you people keep saying it!
[/quote]

For The Win!

It's fun to use internet talk.

 

[mickberna]

I must be getting old.

 

[greyzoomer]

Have had my 20063S touring since Dec. of 2005. Now have 18,900 miles on it. There are alot of things I like about my car, and some I'm not so happy with:
Sqealing brakes when it's cold, damp, or wet out......dealership can never seem to fix that.
Have surging problem that happens on and off......dealer can't find anything wrong with it.
A/C just doesn't get cold enough in the summer.
Ignition switch went bad and had to be replaced about 2 months ago...
Rattle coming from back part of car.....dealer can't figure where it's coming from.
Already had to replace the RSA's...($$$$$$$$ crap tires)because I couldn't drive very good in snow, bad weather.
Like I said, there are some aspects to the car that I really like........I probably will not buy another Mazda.
FWIF......because Ford is connected with this car(plus a few parts on it)is another reason I won't probably buy another one. I bought this car because of the size, and the really terrific styling of it. I don't think there is another car out there in this class that looks so sharp........
If I had it to do over again I'd make a different choice.........I just might make that happen sooner than later.......I'm concerned about reliability issues with it.

 

[betelgeuse]

[quote author=Kweli link=topic=70376.msg1229945#msg1229945 date=1172359556]
Hey guys,


Im currently trading in my RSX-s for a more 'convenient car' - lil more room, more doors, and something with tiptronic..

I drove the 6 and really liked it... then i drove a 3 and TOTALLY loved it...

Coming from Acura i want to make sure i get something that is reliable. Mazda, being ford... How is the reliability on them? Dealer says it is great, but they will say anything for a sale – I Don’t want something that requires frequent work (one of the reasons im getting rid of my aging RSX)

Anything I should know about when buying a 3? Certain models/makes to stay away from? Are certain ones made in mexico that I should avoid? Whats the downlow?

What are some underlying issues with the Mazda 3 that a new owner should know? Stuff like - “The RSX has issues with manual transmission when going into 2nd gear”



Help me out, your opinion will make a difference….

My other options are the Rav4, Highlander, or Accord coupe

Thanks in advance


[/quote]

If you're so worried about Ford's connection to this car or where it's from, you're probably not going to be happy no matter how well it holds up. Every little squeak or sound will have you thinking and you'll probably end up coming back here to blame Ford like so many others. My advice to you would be to follow the general perception and buy a Honda, Toyota or another Acura. That way it'll be much easier to forgive the problems you might (or will) have with them.

 

[Kweli]

I was looking to get a 05' or 06' Sport.... 2.3 Automatic... So theres a good chance i might have MPG issues?

Thanks for all the great replies!

 

[ebhcr]

^ I think it's some 3's which get that issue, depends on the one you get. I'm pretty sure it'll be better than an RSX-S though.

 

[mad dog]

my wife & i each have 2005 mazda 3s 5 doors...mine's MTX and hers is ATX. in a little over 31K, i've had no probs so far. my wife had 2 CELs which occurred in the past year; hers has a little over 28K. other than that the only things we've taken our cars in for are for the squealing brake TSBs.

we both love how the 3s handle! great cars so far. hoping to own them troublefree like the 99 honda civic ex sedan i had before my 3. that honda w/ eibach prokit+tokico shocks+ 15" Si wheels wasn't nearly as much fun to drive as the 3 bone stock, but i never had ANY problems with it when i sold it with over 131K on the odometer.

 

[mulberry]

I own an '07 Silver Hatch, GT, no sunroof/Bose, remote-start. Got it mid November. around 3,500 miles now.

Love it!
. Style is like no other. Very distinguished. Loved it at first sight. (Major reason for purchase).
. Zoom Zoom handling. (OK, my other car is a Pilot. It rides on balloon tires. Not hard to beat).
. Consumer Reports rated it as top wagon (2nd reason for purchase). They rate it high for reliability.
. Safety features galore. (Sealed the deal).
. Doesn't look like another Camry/Corolla/Accord/Civic! Thank you, Mazda.

Other likes
. Steering wheel controls. Handy dandy.
. Maual AT
. Seat warmers
. Solid craftsmanship
. Remote start

Dislikes
. Only 17" wheels for hatch. A must for cornering. Your tush will pay for it.
. I get 23 MPG (75 city/25 hwy). Price for Zoom Zoom.
. Poor sound insulation
. Brake/gas pedal spacing

Say what?
. Mandatory AC with vent to foot-well.
. Engine wind deflector with oil filter hole in the wrong place and rusting bolts. Huh?
. Plastic cartridge oil filter.

Definite no-no
. Easy entry without key.


After 3 months, I say, Thumbs up. So glad I did not get an Accord.

 

[MetalCord]

[quote author=mulberry link=topic=70376.msg1232384#msg1232384 date=1172465456]
I own an '07 Silver Hatch, GT, no sunroof/Bose, remote-start. Got it mid November. around 3,500 miles now.

Say what?
. Engine wind deflector with oil filter hole in the wrong place and rusting bolts. Huh?
[/quote]

The "engine wind deflector" is actually a splash/mud guard. The hole in the guard is only for inspection, not for reaching the oil filter. That being said... the situation isn't any less annoying! The splash guard is a pain in the ass.

 

[mulberry]

Thanks for clarifying. I will replace the bolts to the "splash guard" before they become one with the frame.