Mazda Vehicles?

H

homer

Well-known member
Aug 18, 2001
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Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on this brand? It seems to me they are suddenly very popular, and I was thinking of looking into one for the next vehicle? One thing I have noticed, is that I don't see a lot of older ones driving around? Which makes me think either they weren't big sellers 10 years ago, or the older ones didn't last? Will check the usual web sites for reviews, but I like hearing from the TERB community about such things.

Homer
 
I've had a number of Mazdas over the years and have always been satisfied.
Very little maintenance required beyond the regularly scheduled preventative stuff.
Some of the sportier models were really fun to drive.
Their new sky-active technology works well for fuel economy, especially if you drive conservatively.
 
Rust buckets. Friend had a Mazda 3 and started to rust even before he finished his 36 month financing. Widespread problem. Google it.
 
I'll admit that it was more than thirty years ago, but I had a Mazda once. ONCE. Never again. I have a Hyundai now that is almost 10 years old and is almost as good as the day I bought it. The Mazda went to the wrecking yard when it was eight years old. And would have been there two years earlier if I could have afforded to replace it. I don't think it had an original part left on it, as EVERYTHING needed to be replaced at one time or another. I had to replace the starter motor alone three times on the Mazda. Shoot, my ten year old Hyundai still has the original muffler and rad--the only things I've replaced are the tires and the battery.

Again, there have probably been improvements since my 1978 GLC, but I wouldn't take the chance.
 
homer said:
It seems to me they are suddenly very popular, and I was thinking of looking into one for the next vehicle? One thing I have noticed, is that I don't see a lot of older ones driving around? Which makes me think either they weren't big sellers 10 years ago, or the older ones didn't last?
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Are you kidding? Mazda during the mid 2000s saw a huge resurgence thanks to their new designs. The first gen Mazda 3 from 2003-2008 were HUGE sellers [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda3 ] and you still see tons of them on streets today.

Anyways, comparing against only other Japanese brands, I find the Mazdas to be pretty peppy. Definitely more enjoyable to drive than Corollas, Civics and Accords. Fuel efficiently if you get a model with SkyActiv tech is pretty good and on par with Toyotas. I've had no maintenance issues either. I don't expect resell value to be very much given that there are so many Mazdas on the road, but my car seems like it can last a good 15 years at least (mine is currently 8 years old).

bolt.upright said:
Again, there have probably been improvements since my 1978 GLC, but I wouldn't take the chance.
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This is like saying, Well I used a computer back in 1978 and they were huge, slow and cumbersome. Therefore I'm not going to use computers in 2014.
 
I found the suspension in the 3 series too firm - handling was good. If you don't like the feel of the road maybe by a larger model.
 
whobee said:
I found the suspension in the 3 series too firm - handling was good. If you don't like the feel of the road maybe by a larger model.
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3-series???

This is probably why Mazdas are popular these days. Guys walk around telling people they drive M3s..... LOL
 
The quality and reliablility of import vehicles has declined in recent years as the quality and reliability of domestics has improved, as can be seen by the amount of recalls etc. All makes have advantages and disadvantages. Nissan for example has many electrical problems and their Altima's are prone to early rust. A lot of Hondas like the Oddyssey are known for bad transmissions. Regardless of what you buy, regular preventative maintenance is the key!
 
spme said:
Mazda CX 7 http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/car-dealer-scientific-guide-10-worst-used-vehicles-222709616.html - worst used vehicle...
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Glad I saw this article - I am tossing around the idea of a Land or Range Rover later this year - maybe not.

Another Japanese model that is not well known is Mitsubishi - they have great cars from what I understand (never driven one myself, however): For example:http://www.mitsubishi-motors.ca/media/files/vehicles/brochures/2014_Ralliart_Brochure_ENG.pdf
 
Baggy said:
The quality and reliablility of import vehicles has declined in recent years as the quality and reliability of domestics has improved, as can be seen by the amount of recalls etc. All makes have advantages and disadvantages. Nissan for example has many electrical problems and their Altima's are prone to early rust. A lot of Hondas like the Oddyssey are known for bad transmissions. Regardless of what you buy, regular preventative maintenance is the key!
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Some of the imports have actually improved, at least according to consumer reports, and are very well made. At any rate Mazda is pretty much North American.
 
Check out CR April issue. Just on the news stand now. This is their annual auto issue. Mazda 3 is recommended vehicle although I believe their top pick in thst class is the Subaru Impreza.
 
Have a Hyundai GT. Has the touring before it got taken out by a Pathfinder. Both are great reliable cars with a good warrenty and good extras. We test drove Mazda and didn't like the sightlines in comparison. Found the interiors to be smaller too.

Every make "fits people differently". Try to take out 3 or 4 models in the same day. Easier to get a good comparison to what suits your needs.
 
Do you people ever think where your dollars go. Yes Japanese Korea Germany, just wait a few more years and you will be paying for health care higher taxes ect. They just love your dollars.
 
splowed said:
Do you people ever think where your dollars go. Yes Japanese Korea Germany, just wait a few more years and you will be paying for health care higher taxes ect. They just love your dollars.
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I love this. I defy you to go say 1 month without buying a single product made overseas. I remember a reporter tried to do it once and report on it. He basically said if you want to live anything resembing a North American lifestyle it can't be done.

When the Big Three come out with a product that meets my criteria I'll buy it. But they haven't. They missed the boat and don't inmy opinion have the same engineering teams that other non north american companies do. If I'm going to spend the kind of money it takes to get quality I'll be damned if I reward mediocrity.

Tell me you do only see Canadian Sp's, MP's and Dancers? Think all that money is staying here too?
 
rafterman said:
Check out CR April issue. Just on the news stand now. This is their annual auto issue. Mazda 3 is recommended vehicle although I believe their top pick in thst class is the Subaru Impreza.
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CR just absolutely loves Subaru, the Impreza and the Forester are both top rated by CR in their categories. Subaru does what CR is all about, they're practically cars designed to meet CR's specs -- Subaru delivers a quality car with no extra bells and whistles, meaning cost is low and basic reliability, safety, MPG, etc., is great. But really, not a penny extra spent on anything that might resemble luxury -- you get a great engine, a great drivetrain, great AWD, good reliability, safe vehicle, stable on the road--and the most austere interior possible. Great car but everyone who sees you driving it knows you didn't spend a penny you didn't have to on anything fancy.

I would drive one but my wife is status oriented one so we have to drive something that passes for a luxury car -- she says it's too embarassing to show up at a cocktail party in a Subaru. I think that's retarded, but I don't argue. Too bad, they're great cars, probably the best value for money if you don't care about status.
 
spme said:
Mazda CX 7 http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/car-dealer-scientific-guide-10-worst-used-vehicles-222709616.html - worst used vehicle...
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It's hard to say. Newer Mazda's are a LOT more reliable than older ones. Mazda3 was overhauled a couple of times over the last 10 years and each time there were dramatic improvements in reliability. It may not be sensible to predict the future reliability of the current 3's based on cars older than 10 years. Those 10 year old Mazda's were shit the day they were made, always lots of problems, and that's just not the case for Mazda's made in the last few years.

That said I have a real problem calling a car with a 148hp engine "sporty".
 
splowed said:
Do you people ever think where your dollars go. Yes Japanese Korea Germany, just wait a few more years and you will be paying for health care higher taxes ect. They just love your dollars.
Click to expand...


Lol. Speaking of obsolete theories.... Global trading and economics has changed enormously since the 1970s.
 
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