Are Mazdas as reliable as Hondas/Toyotas?

[Barfo]

I'm looking to replace my car and the new Mazda 3 looks to be a less dull alternative to the Corolla and Civic.

I'm wondering if I could keep one for 6-7 years without it breaking down every other month, like I've done with Hondas and Toyotas ( with proper maintenance of course), what are your experiences people?

 

[phucheneh]

Short answer: no.

Long answer: you have driven some really terrible cars if breaking down 'every other month' has been your experience. Even if that's pretty extreme hyperbole...6-7 years is not that long. That's 100k.

All I can think is that you're interpreting stuff like needing tires or having maintenance items recommended to you as 'breakdowns.' The Corolla, Civic, and 3 will all cost more than $0 to maintain. I doubt the Mazda will need more (any) repairs below 100k. Above 100k, I would bet on it.

But from a statistical (rather than anecdotal) POV...'Are Honda and Toyota more reliable than Mazda': Yes.

 

[HitAnyKey]

6-7 years should be fine. My 2004 Mazda 3 (bought late 2003) lasted me 7 years with just an alternator failure. Rust was starting to show so I traded it. Very fun to drive car (mine was stick) and handled great. Little weak on power and gas mileage was crap but I didnt care at the time.

Love the look of the new ones. I really wouldn't worry too much about monthly breakdowns. But in 6-7 years you might have a few more repairs than a typical Honda/Toyota.

Personally I think the Civic is the car to beat right now. Its a decent handler with sufficient power and good mileage. Reliability should be excellent and resale value will be amazing. That would be my first choice unless the price difference is too much.

 

[dguy6789]

As reliable as Honda and Toyota? Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge nope. Able to last 6-7 years without breaking down every other month? Certainly, if you take care of it.

 

[norseamd]

how does nissan do compared with the other companies? does toyota really do as well as honda? figured they would be as reliable as nissan or other japanese companies. what about suburu?

 

[tortillasoup]

Just honda and toyota... but even then they've made vehicles that have had major manufacturing issues like the 2007-2009 ES350/V6 Toyota Camry transmissions or some engines during the 2000s where they were burning oil due to undersized pistons, or piston slap, or other issues. I.e. If you get a Honda/Toyota that doesn't have issues the first 100K miles, the second 100K will be swimmingly assuming you actually maintain the car which most people don't. Had to replace the transmission in my ES350 @ 60K miles. Started off as a 3rd gear shift flare which a TSB was issued for it and it evolved into a full blow transmission failure. engine also isn't butter smooth from the sound of it (but not feel) and to people who have owned older vehicles that have failed, it sometimes sounds like rod knock. But at least the car doesn't burn oil and gas mileage is exactly where it should be.

 

[phucheneh]

how does nissan do compared with the other companies? does toyota really do as well as honda? figured they would be as reliable as nissan or other japanese companies. what about suburu?

I would question any claim that Toyota is less reliable than Honda. Personally, I think they are more reliable simply because Toyota is the epiphany of KISS philosophy. E.g. downside of a new Corolla: it's a periodically refreshed 10+ year old design. Upside: ...it's a 10+ year old design.

If Toyota is a 10 in reliability, Honda's a 9, Nissan's a solid 7+, and the other Japanese makes are like...4-5 or so.

And that's not saying those 'other' brands like Mazda and Subaru are bad at all. Just a definite notch below the Japanese 'big three.'

On the same scale, I'd put some other makes in the negatives (VW and Chrysler I'm looking in your directions).

 

[Zenmervolt]

Honestly, I can't think of a mass-market car on the market today that shouldn't be just fine for 6-7 years. Hyundai, Chevy, Ford, hell, even Chrysler or VW should be OK for that short a time period (it should be less than 100,000 miles).

ZV

 

[SandEagle]

short answer: no
long answer: hell no

 

[theeedude]

It's probably not as reliable, but it's reliable enough for me to buy a Mazda3 based on all the other merits, good looks, how it drives, and hatchback practicality. I like European looking and driving cars, so Civic doesn't do it for me.
There are some trouble areas like liquid filled engine mounts. Mine leaked last year (8 year old car) and I replaced it myself. Engine itself is pretty reliable.

 

[unokitty]

I'm looking to replace my car and the new Mazda 3 looks to be a less dull alternative to the Corolla and Civic.

I'm wondering if I could keep one for 6-7 years without it breaking down every other month, like I've done with Hondas and Toyotas ( with proper maintenance of course), what are your experiences people?

For my Miata, I had to change the plug wires as well as the ignition tumbler. Had it for about 140,000+ miles.

Did regular maintenance.

Never had a Mazda 3. But it seems that alot of people like them.

Best of luck,
Uno

 

[JimKiler]

I disagree. I am on my second Mazda, my first 94 protege lasted for 145K miles and i delivered pizzas in it, the engine was fine when i finally got rid of it. My 2003 Protege5 now has 149K miles on it and until mile 148K the only repairs i did was the seat belt latch stopped working on my drivers seat, easily replacement and I have rust. I also have done regular maintenance like brake pads twice and just did the rotors at 145K miles.

Now the last two months, 148K miles I have replaced the EGR valve, ignition coil and my catalytic converter is melting down because the ingnition coil allowed unburned fuel into the converter. I am going to see how long before the meltdown causes my car not to run then i will replace it, it could last two years or more they said, or it could go in 2 months.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

I would say Mazda is almost as reliable. Truedelta data backs this claim up.

 

[Leyawiin]

I would say Mazda is almost as reliable. Truedelta data backs this claim up.

I owned a 1999 Protege which is still being driving by my niece (who isn't easy on it). I also owned a 2002 Protege which is still being driving by my older sister. She is pretty diligent with maintenance. Both have held up very well. I've also owned a Toyota Celica and the Mazdas were just as reliable for me. The only issue the Mazdas had were emission related (oxygen sensor, EGR valve) - never mechanical. I think the US made models were less reliable than the Japanese made ones, but if I'm not mistaken Mazda no longer makes cars at the plant in Michigan with Ford.

 

[dbk]

Probably, if you maintain it.

 

[mmntech]

As reliable as Honda and Toyota? No. More reliable than American and German cars, yes. As long as you take care of them, Mazdas hold up pretty well. The big problem with them used to be that they rusted. That's what killed my first car (Mazda 626). Not sure if that's the case anymore.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

As reliable as Honda and Toyota? No. More reliable than American and German cars, yes. As long as you take care of them, Mazdas hold up pretty well. The big problem with them used to be that they rusted. That's what killed my first car (Mazda 626). Not sure if that's the case anymore.

Rust is still an issue, especially for the mazda 3's.

 

[Leyawiin]

What is this thing you call "rust"?

 

[WilliamM2]

I had a Japanese made 1998 Protege. When delivered it had several issues, CD player didn't work, brakes were spongy, passenger seat wouldn't move, other minor interior finish issues. After getting that sorted under warranty, the only other issues I had with it after 14 years and 85K miles, was that the exhaust manifold cracked at 19K, the air conditioning quit about 60K, and rust like you wouldn't believe. Paint starting bubbling at only 4 years old.

So while it was mostly reliable, due to the odd issues at delivery, rust, and the manifold cracking, I doubt I'd buy another.

My family owned a Mazda dealership, so lots of relatives had them. They all rusted like crazy, and had the air conditioning fail about 60K. Many models, many different years.

 

[PricklyPete]

I would instantly buy over corolla/civic. May not be quite as reliable, but should still be decent and oh so much more enjoyable to drive.

 

[Leyawiin]

Paint starting bubbling at only 4 years old.

My 1999's paint was just average (sand beige metallic), but the 02 Protege had the best paint job of any car I've ever own. Its a dark metallic red (burgundy) and its always sat out in the sun. My sister was over the other day with it and it still has very little oxidation or fading. Weird how one year or one color can be so different from another. Maybe the factory was just having a good day when the 02 was built.

 

[JCH13]

I would instantly buy over corolla/civic. May not be quite as reliable, but should still be decent and oh so much more enjoyable to drive.

X2

My 4-year-old MS3 has been quite reliable.

I preemptively replaced battery at 47k miles/4 years due to sub-0 starting sluggishness, cold nights here in NH were getting down to -20 to -30. The car had been sitting long enough on the dealer lot that it needed a boost for my test drive.

I replaced struts at 35kmiles/3 years after a rear strut blew up... after hauling 800lbs of laminate flooring in it... oops.

...and that is it. Nothing inexplicable or weird. Not too bad given the life it has lead.

 

[stag3]

no issues on our 09 cx-7, 80k miles so far
no issues on the other mazda's we've owned either (ms3, mazda5)

 

[rasczak]

NO

 

[desy]

I'd buy the Mazda if you want something more stylish and engaging than a Honda or Toyota. It won't be as reliable as a stripper Corolla but certainly reliable and life is short