Well, I probably don't qualify - I've had a Mazda Protege for 4 years though.
Overall, I have very positive feelings about the car; however, it has ATROCIOUS snow handling. Other than that, it has been reliable and more than what I need.
Overall, I have very positive feelings about the car; however, it has ATROCIOUS snow handling. Other than that, it has been reliable and more than what I need.
My car is a 2004 3S with 61,000 miles.
If I could do it again I probably would have spent more and bought a nicer car.
The car has always seemed a little harsh to me, maybe from driving a corolla for 10 years. I love the outside and inside look.
Gas mileage has been fine. Original tires were a death trap in rain and snow so I replaced them with Kumho.
Problems fixed under warranty -
Fuel Pump
Volume button broke
Break calliper sticking
Unresolved weird issues
- Auto Transmission shifts hard sometimes when its really cold out
- Occasional popping noise from rear wheel passenger side area. Can happen when the car is stopped or when moving.
Latest issue
- Car has a rattling noise when stopped at stop lights. Seems to come from passenger side of engine area. When its making the noise, and I press the gas from the stop light seems like there is a couple noises like something slapping against something.
The noise goes away when in neutral or when driving. Happens about 50% of the time. Seems to not happen when car is cold. I took it to the dealer they said possibly could be Motor mount is bad. Said they could replace it for $280. Otherwise I could just wait till it gets worse and maybe they would be better able to pinpoint whats causing it. Not sure about spending $300 on a possible fix.
I have mixed feelings about the car.
If I could do it again I probably would have spent more and bought a nicer car.
The car has always seemed a little harsh to me, maybe from driving a corolla for 10 years. I love the outside and inside look.
Gas mileage has been fine. Original tires were a death trap in rain and snow so I replaced them with Kumho.
Problems fixed under warranty -
Fuel Pump
Volume button broke
Break calliper sticking
Unresolved weird issues
- Auto Transmission shifts hard sometimes when its really cold out
- Occasional popping noise from rear wheel passenger side area. Can happen when the car is stopped or when moving.
Latest issue
- Car has a rattling noise when stopped at stop lights. Seems to come from passenger side of engine area. When its making the noise, and I press the gas from the stop light seems like there is a couple noises like something slapping against something.
The noise goes away when in neutral or when driving. Happens about 50% of the time. Seems to not happen when car is cold. I took it to the dealer they said possibly could be Motor mount is bad. Said they could replace it for $280. Otherwise I could just wait till it gets worse and maybe they would be better able to pinpoint whats causing it. Not sure about spending $300 on a possible fix.
I have mixed feelings about the car.
- Jul 19, 2001
- 38,572
- 2
- 91
I have a 2005 Mazda3s with roughly 80k miles on it. The car was GREAT up until about 60k miles or so, then the problems started.
Just in the past few months I've had a Fuel Pump Solenoid Valve go, my auto transmission is acting up (really hard shift between 1st and 2nd before the car warms up), my TPMS is very inaccurate and goes off when it shouldn't and the A/C is even worse than before (never gets very cold)
To be honest, all those things are fixable, so no big deal. But the thing that has grown to really irk me about the car, is the freaking ROAD NOISE. They used NO insulation in this car, none at all. Having to drive on the highway almost all 80k of those miles, I want to rip my ears off from my skull.
Also, I got the built in Navigation. STUPID IDEA. Mazda and those navtech fuckers never updated the maps as promised. Still using the ones from 2005.
We'll probably be getting rid of the car in the next few months, but it seved its purpose well I suppose. Just been an expensive past few months.
Just in the past few months I've had a Fuel Pump Solenoid Valve go, my auto transmission is acting up (really hard shift between 1st and 2nd before the car warms up), my TPMS is very inaccurate and goes off when it shouldn't and the A/C is even worse than before (never gets very cold)
To be honest, all those things are fixable, so no big deal. But the thing that has grown to really irk me about the car, is the freaking ROAD NOISE. They used NO insulation in this car, none at all. Having to drive on the highway almost all 80k of those miles, I want to rip my ears off from my skull.
Also, I got the built in Navigation. STUPID IDEA. Mazda and those navtech fuckers never updated the maps as promised. Still using the ones from 2005.
We'll probably be getting rid of the car in the next few months, but it seved its purpose well I suppose. Just been an expensive past few months.
How do you unplug it? do you just pull on it? i looked under the seat and noticed there's about 3-4 wires. do you know which one it is?
I considered the 3 when I was car shopping a few years ago but passed it up because I wanted AWD.
I doubt that I would consider buying one at this point, as I will probably only upgrade as time goes on.
In the end this is an econobox, just like all other econoboxes, what level of quality would one expect from that level?
I would guess that near the lowest level of quality would be expected from entry level cars.
I doubt that I would consider buying one at this point, as I will probably only upgrade as time goes on.
In the end this is an econobox, just like all other econoboxes, what level of quality would one expect from that level?
I would guess that near the lowest level of quality would be expected from entry level cars.
Just posting in this thread since it was linked in the "Resale" value thread....I missed this the first time, glad it was posted.
I am currently considering a 3S Touring wagon. Currently own a Protege, it's been decently reliable, but YES, the rear brakes wear much faster than the fronts (have had to replace them every 30K miles) and the A/C is definitely on the weaker side. Started reading mazda3forum and the 3 does seem to have a lot of little quirks and minor TSBs. Even though most of them aren't too a big a deal, if I'm going to buy a new car I don't want squeaks and rattles or have to bring it to the dealer every few months, even if it's just a minor thing that will be done under warranty. I know a car isn't going to be perfect, but from this thread and others I've read I am hesitant to become a repeat Mazda buyer.
Still, I'm also looking at the Civic, which also seems to have issues with rattles and paint. Also looking at the 2008 Forester since you can get GREAT deals on them right now, but the mileage isn't that great (though probably not much worse than the Mazda 2.3L, from what I've read).
I am currently considering a 3S Touring wagon. Currently own a Protege, it's been decently reliable, but YES, the rear brakes wear much faster than the fronts (have had to replace them every 30K miles) and the A/C is definitely on the weaker side. Started reading mazda3forum and the 3 does seem to have a lot of little quirks and minor TSBs. Even though most of them aren't too a big a deal, if I'm going to buy a new car I don't want squeaks and rattles or have to bring it to the dealer every few months, even if it's just a minor thing that will be done under warranty. I know a car isn't going to be perfect, but from this thread and others I've read I am hesitant to become a repeat Mazda buyer.
Still, I'm also looking at the Civic, which also seems to have issues with rattles and paint. Also looking at the 2008 Forester since you can get GREAT deals on them right now, but the mileage isn't that great (though probably not much worse than the Mazda 2.3L, from what I've read).
Gibson486
Lifer
- Aug 9, 2000
- 18,378
- 2
- 0
Well...no squeeks??? do not get the 3 then
. I found though that one of the problems was caused by having the passenger seat pulled all the way back (my gf loves maximum space in the front). After I fixed that, another squeek emerged. Now, just recenty, the engine has begun squeeling at 40mph while at 2k RPM. It sucks and is annoying when travaling at low speeds on a highway.For those with the 2.3 motor that complain about costly oil filters. Go to rockauto.com as they have wix filters for less then $4. They also have a 10% off coupon at fatwallet to help.
they have the best price on the oil filter for my CTS and am looking at getting a 3 for my brother in law so was researching the filters and other general use items.
they have the best price on the oil filter for my CTS and am looking at getting a 3 for my brother in law so was researching the filters and other general use items.
I'm not familiar with the 2.3L motor, what is the deal with changing the oil.....I've heard there is a plastic shield on the underbody you must remove just to get to the oil filter? Yes? (My Dad's 350z has something similar if it's what I'm thinking of). Then there isn't the typical screw on cannister, but some sort of cartridge? Is it anymore difficult/PITA than a normal oil change? I thought I read somewhere that you have to be more "careful" to do it right or you can cause serious engine damage. The price doesn't matter too much to me, oil filters are cheap, if it's a few bucks more, no biggie. I'm more concerned about access and time to do the actual change.
meltdown75
Lifer
- Nov 17, 2004
- 37,548
- 7
- 81
i have an old-school '03 protege ES that i love.
had to yank the factory audio and put in something with an AUX input.
it is perfect for my commuter lifestyle and the gas mileage has been decent.
almost at 43K kms
had to yank the factory audio and put in something with an AUX input.
it is perfect for my commuter lifestyle and the gas mileage has been decent.
almost at 43K kms
Gibson486
Lifer
- Aug 9, 2000
- 18,378
- 2
- 0
well, when teh 3 first came out, you wer enot able to chnage your oil at just any place. you had to pretty much bring it to teh dealer or do it your self very carefully. I am not sure if that is teh case now because I just bring my car to the dealer for an oil change (FREE LOANER CAR FOR DAY!!!!).
The Mazda is tempting me since they have 1.9% financing this month. I think Hondas new incentives come out tomorrow, so we'll see what they are offering, though they don't offer low APR nearly as frequently as Mazda or Subaru...
misle
Diamond Member
- Nov 30, 2000
- 3,371
- 0
- 76
I bought my Mazda 3 GT 5 speed manual in November of 2006. I have just over 20k miles on it. I think it's a great car. Looking back, I would buy this car again. Looking forward, would I buy another Mazda 3 when this one wears out? Probably not, just because I would like to pick up a nicer used car for the same or less money.
No AC problems at all. Mostly City driving with a little Highway, I average 26 mpg. If I drive all highway, I average 32.
My only real complaint is the OEM tires (goodyear RS-A's) are terrible for winter driving. I replaced them with Toyo's and have not had any problems in rain or snow.
No AC problems at all. Mostly City driving with a little Highway, I average 26 mpg. If I drive all highway, I average 32.
My only real complaint is the OEM tires (goodyear RS-A's) are terrible for winter driving. I replaced them with Toyo's and have not had any problems in rain or snow.
Eesh. I was dead set on buying a mazda3 back in september/october 06 and just happened to go to a Subaru dealer beforehand and ended up buying a Impreza hatchback. After reading this thread pretty glad I did. The difference in quality from my old 99 sentra is huge.
My only complaints are the weak brakes and really awful viewing angles when trying to change lanes.
My only complaints are the weak brakes and really awful viewing angles when trying to change lanes.
I bought my Mazda 3 with 2 miles on it in March of 2006. Right now, I have 51k miles on it and I love it as much as I do the day I bought it. The only con, which is probably my fault, is the wheels bend easily, I got one or two that are slightly bent so it throws a shim. Other than that, it's running great. Still getting around 28 to 30 mpg on average.
Mind giving a short review of the Impreza wagon, it is on my list as well. Not sure on the styling, I still have to test drive one....
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