[luiso16]

Got a 2006 Mazda 3 2.3L with Sport AT on October 2006, it got 25,000 miles already, and the right front shock absorber blown out completely leaving a massive strut fluid leak all over the wheel rim. It was replaced under warranty but have to question why a practically brand new car is suffering from this. I switched from Mitsubishi looking for something different but I regret not buying a 2006 Lancer GTS. It looks better that this one. Fuel consumption is a killer too. I missed my 95 Mitsubishi Mirage LS sedan, it was a hell of a car.

 

[j-easy]

its slow

 

[nova]

3i & user error= slow

 

[j-easy]

[quote author=NoVa link=topic=78084.msg1652056#msg1652056 date=1187502597]
3i & user error= slow
[/quote]

lol for real though i've got a 5spd reg 3 and if i run it hard its still pretty slow lol

 

[dL.]

Chair / Centre console SQUEAKS. Moonroof making weird noise when opening in tilt mode. Easily scratched interiors. Crappy RSA stock tires.

dL

 

[YUL PHL]

-weak a/c
-broken transmission or engine mount (car would make grinding noise when i popped it in reverse)
-thin carpeting
-no dead pedal
-windshield wipers had to be replaced after 1000 miles
-clock loses track of time and displays wrong time
-glovebox rattle. fixed itself and is fine now

still love the car. most of these issues are minor and are subjective

 

[JLove16]

I'm going to keep it real,

1. My fuel economy was HORRIBLE during the first year. I was averaging around 17 mpg and now I'm around 19-20.5 on average. I logged my mileage after every tank and tried different techinques to improve it but it out and out sucks. No excuse when Honda's 2.4L I-4 gets better real world mileage pulling heavier cars (Accord and CR-V).

2. 4spd AT had shift shock until my dealer finally decided to re flash my ECU despite claiming "They all do that."

3. Eagle RS-As were terrible in the snow and wore out early.

4. Interior will scuff easily and floor carpeting is cheap

5. My rear brakes were completely shot at 24,000 miles (replaced entire rear brake sys under warranty) and lots of dust

6. Took my car in for a funny noise when steering at parking lot speeds and they realized two engine mounts were crack and my strut bearings were shot.

7. Steering system had some worn out bushings some where.

8. Weak A/C

Not trying to scare, but these issue were unacceptable Zoom or No Zoom.

 

[johnf514]

I'm going to respectfully shoot down some of JLove16's "common problems."

I own a 2007 Mazda3i Touring 5MT

1. Fuel economy is great right off the lot @ 38-40 MPG with 100% city driving and 44+ MPG on the highway. It's all in how you drive it.

2. Can't comment on the shift shock, but I know it is a common problem. Have the dealer reflash the ECU

3. Stock tires are all-seasons - they will not fair well in the snow. Stock tires will last their proclaimed amount of miles if driven in an appropriate manner.

4. Interior does scuff easily - and the carpeting is cheap. It's an economy sedan.

5. Little-no brake dust, due to limited usage of the brakes. Again, it's all in how you drive it.

6. Motor mounts are susceptible to cracking/breaking - go easy on the motor.

7. Unaware of any steering problems.

8. A/C is only weak during idle - on acceleration and cruising, AC is ice cold.

Again, I have a 2007, so some of the problems JLove16 experienced may have been rectified on a newer model. However, that is what you're buying, and that is what you should expect.

 

[kspec]

car is good for its price.
its no BMW but neither is the price.

 

[JLove16]

Johnf514

You have an i and not an s so the mileage comparison is moot.

Also, the 2.3 4 spd auto combo in certain 3s was simply flawed. Mazda does not get a free pass for installing a horrible performing powertrain in it's car from me. It was by far the worst shifting transmission I had ever experienced.

How can you respectfully shoot down my comments when a) you don't have the same model as I did and b) the 2.3 automatic's poor mileage has been well documented here and other places? It had nothing to do with how I drove, the mileage was simply terrible. I tried different approaches and it did not improve. My dad's 3500 lbs car with a 3.8L V6/4spd auto had better mileage because I'd rotate between them out of curiosity. While logging mileage, it consistently outperformed my 3 over three fill ups.

Also, for your information every 3 I see in my city has their rear wheels covered in dust. Also, FYI when I traded my 3 in this past Monday, they said the rear brakes had less than 50% of life left before they would need to be replaced. When I told him that Mazda just put brand new brakes on the rear just 9000 miles ago, his jaw dropped. Flawed design, period.

A/C performance was embarrassing. Had people in my car before who commented on the lack of cooling capacity- and I had a 20% tint all the way around.

Motor mounts do not break in 32k miles. I have not known of a single car out of all of the people I know who've had a motor mount break in under 100k miles or greater. Lemons can come from any company, at any time. Just beware because some might lead you to believe the 3 is perfect. I traded for an '07 to see if they got it straightened out but i'll give it a year and if I see these same things pop up. I even opted for a 6yr/75k warranty simply because I don't trust Mazda's quality. However, to get the Grand Tourings features in a different car would cost more than I'm willing to pay for a car so...

My friends Cobalt has ice cold A/C, a smooth shifting 4 spd, better floor carpet and much better fuel economy (2.2L) than my first 3 so the "it's an economy car" excuse doesn't hold up. Since Mazda nailed down the Zoom Zoom they need to improve their QC.

 

[CRiZO]

The biggest flaw on the Mazda3 is the owners. Most of them them complain about ANYTHING that goes wrong on their economy car, as if they paid 40k for it. The only real problems I've seen, is the poor AC on some of the older models (my 05 didn't suffer from it, but some others did), and poor gas mileage for the engine size/output.

 

[howiek]

The carpet ripped faily quick after I bought the car.
The gas mileage is horrible. But, I've been told its partially due
to my driving style. I have a heavy foot.

 

[johnf514]

Fair enough, JLove16 - we don't have the same models. My comments were only meant to relate to my car and my experiences, just as yours do.

Fuel economy is hard to compare, and so is AT/MT. That's why I got the smaller engine/MT. As for the brakes, I have also seen many 3's with lots of brake dust. Yet mine has none. Hmm, maybe there is something wrong with my car. Maybe the brakes are broken and don't work properly. Or maybe I just understand how to drive my car and not produce brake dust. 8)

AC performance is not good on the older models - things were improved on the 2007's. AC is still weak(er) at idle, and is good under acceleration and cruising.

Motor mounts have been an issue as well. Another fix on the 07 models, hopefully.

I was giving my thoughts and sharing my experience with my 2007 model because I wanted the OP to know that things have improved. Yes, Mazda has some quality issues - however, they have taken steps to improve things. In some aspects, the vehicle is better. In others, it still needs improvements made.

 

[nova]

[quote author=CRiZO link=topic=78084.msg1664270#msg1664270 date=1187888331]
The biggest flaw on the Mazda3 is the owners. Most of them them complain about ANYTHING that goes wrong on their economy car, as if they paid 40k for it. The only real problems I've seen, is the poor AC on some of the older models (my 05 didn't suffer from it, but some others did), and poor gas mileage for the engine size/output.
[/quote]

OMG!!!! you beat me to it! KUDOS!
It's a Mazda not a Lexus! ha ha

 

[JLove16]

NoVo and CriZo- A car is a car. Whether is cost $15k or $50, sh!t ain't supposed to break, PERIOD. Other cars do not break that are cheaper than the 3. Kills me how people give Mazda the benefit of the doubt.

 

[alpha732]

How are you guys ripping the floor mats? Mine are like an 3/4 to an inch thick and a rubberish material Anyways, I get pretty bad gas mileage, that's my only negative. I got around 23 mpg on the last tank with 50/50 city/highway. Dissapointing.

 

[45kicks]

[quote author=JLove16 link=topic=78084.msg1664924#msg1664924 date=1187901569]
Kills me how people give [...insert car here...]the benefit of the doubt.
[/quote]

omg, after surfing cars forums for 2 weeks straight (work is boring) trying to decide what car to get....

EVERYONE SAYS THIS

seriously, its on all the VW forums, all the ford forums, even honda and toyota forums. If anyone slams a manufacture people just scream to stop giving them the benefit of the doubt.

I hate car buying and researching cars......i now believe all cars suck. I am going to buy a jetta then clasp my hands over my ears and run screaming so i can't hear people flame me for my choice.

 

[kspec]

buy what car YOU want in the end.
i bought this mazda3 and it isnt my style, its a nice car but its not me.
thats why im trying to buy another car as soon as possible.

 

[cpham53]

11,000 miles here.

I get 26mpg average with 80/20 highway/city. I notice my mpg drops a lot when in the city more due to stop and go and my habit of shifting at 3200-4000. Best I got was 35mpg on a 500 miles trip to Las Vegas on the flat open interstate.

My list of flaws/petty gripes:

• 
  AC is not ice cold. It does the job, but not quick enough. My mom's 91 corolla station wagon is a freezer in minutes. Good 'ol earth killing R12 refridgerant.
  Tiny creaks in the suspension or drivetrain when it's cold. I still need to get that checked by the dealer.
  RSA tires are noisy but I'm not in any rush to replace them. When they wear out, then I'll finally invest in a god set.
  The revs drop too slow. Pair that with the difference in 1st and 2nd gear sizes, I have to wait a good while for the revs to drop in order to shift smoothly. The rest of the gears are fine.

 

[nova]

[quote author=JLove16 link=topic=78084.msg1664924#msg1664924 date=1187901569]
NoVo and CriZo- A car is a car. Whether is cost $15k or $50, sh!t ain't supposed to break, PERIOD.
[/quote]
jayho:What planet are you living on? Things designed & manufactured by humans are bound to break. Duh.