Our 2012 Skyactive (2.0, 6 speed auto) has been solid. It's a basic, no-frills model, so it has bluetooth, CD, power windows, etc. No leather, heated seats, power seats, etc. 2012 was the first year for this drivetrain.
Supposedly that six speed was one of the first autos in-sourced by mazda and was actually a good unit. My wife purchased ours new and it has needed exactly one repair in 13 years. MAF sensor died in 2021 leaving her/it stranded at her office. I was able to diagnose, unplug the sensor, and limp it home. (Would not run plugged in). $230 for a mazda dealer part.
Maintenance has been three batteries, two sets of tires, a $16 set of front brake pads, one trans d&f with Mazda FZ ($60), two radiator d&f with Asian Green ($40), spark plugs ($40 iridium NGKs), cabin air filter, one or two air filters, wipers, etc. I did new TPMS sensors ($55 for mazda replacements) at the most recent tire change because going 12 years on sensor batteries seemed like a poor choice when tires were already getting swapped.
Car seems like it's hard on batteries. Factory battery (Pannasonic?) went 6 years but it's every 2 years since. I carry a jumper pack in winter.
Upgrades - went up one aspect ratio on tires to try and do better with ride and road noise. Toshiba 9011 high beams and H9 bulb conversion for low beams made a huge difference in night time visibility. Then a deer strike got me a pair of Tyco replacement housings which improved things further.
Much of the chassis/running gear is shared with Ford Focus or C-Max from the era. I think Volvo V40 too.
Ride is a little harsh due to short wheelbase but it is fine as my basic commuter. TPMS gets cranky below 30 psi. Door sticker is 36. I try to run around 33/34 cold to soften the ride a little but any lower and I get alarms on cool mornings. I think they targeted 36 for fuel economy but wish they would've set the TPMS nanny lower.
I actually really like the steering (electric over hydro). It drives and handles really well for an econo box. The 2.0 needs to spin to make power but it isn't an absolute dog. Ours is rust free due to minimal salt exposure. Biggest flaw is the dash cover is separating above the cluster. I've seen other of the same model doing the same. It finally developed some rattles I could probably solve if I put time into it. 40 mpg on long trips. 32 on my short commute. Road noise can be a bit much. Tan cloth on seats is holding up well. Seats and ergonomics are somewhere between acceptable and good. Radio sounds pretty good for a basic 6 speaker unit.
Check rear subframe for rust. If it's bad there, it'll be bad elsewhere. (Front undercarriage covers may make it hard to see the front subframe.)
I would prefer a 2014+ due to the redesign. Find a manual and tell your wife to broaden her horizons. Hire an instructor.
It has handled various car seat configurations for us in the past few years but not as our primary kid hauler. Space for rear facing units requires compromising the front seat legroom. Two car seats and two adults in front is a compromize, but it works okay for three humans (one adult, two kids, or two adults, one kid.)
It's paid for and only has 90k miles on it. Insurance and taxes are cheap. It's boring but it has a place in our stable. I don't see it going anywhere anytime soon. Low miles, reliable, frugal, well maintained, older car that you've had since new...
Most importantly to this forum, it's happy on a dexos 1 gen2 5w-30 full syn and a 7317 oil filter.
Supposedly that six speed was one of the first autos in-sourced by mazda and was actually a good unit. My wife purchased ours new and it has needed exactly one repair in 13 years. MAF sensor died in 2021 leaving her/it stranded at her office. I was able to diagnose, unplug the sensor, and limp it home. (Would not run plugged in). $230 for a mazda dealer part.
Maintenance has been three batteries, two sets of tires, a $16 set of front brake pads, one trans d&f with Mazda FZ ($60), two radiator d&f with Asian Green ($40), spark plugs ($40 iridium NGKs), cabin air filter, one or two air filters, wipers, etc. I did new TPMS sensors ($55 for mazda replacements) at the most recent tire change because going 12 years on sensor batteries seemed like a poor choice when tires were already getting swapped.
Car seems like it's hard on batteries. Factory battery (Pannasonic?) went 6 years but it's every 2 years since. I carry a jumper pack in winter.
Upgrades - went up one aspect ratio on tires to try and do better with ride and road noise. Toshiba 9011 high beams and H9 bulb conversion for low beams made a huge difference in night time visibility. Then a deer strike got me a pair of Tyco replacement housings which improved things further.
Much of the chassis/running gear is shared with Ford Focus or C-Max from the era. I think Volvo V40 too.
Ride is a little harsh due to short wheelbase but it is fine as my basic commuter. TPMS gets cranky below 30 psi. Door sticker is 36. I try to run around 33/34 cold to soften the ride a little but any lower and I get alarms on cool mornings. I think they targeted 36 for fuel economy but wish they would've set the TPMS nanny lower.
I actually really like the steering (electric over hydro). It drives and handles really well for an econo box. The 2.0 needs to spin to make power but it isn't an absolute dog. Ours is rust free due to minimal salt exposure. Biggest flaw is the dash cover is separating above the cluster. I've seen other of the same model doing the same. It finally developed some rattles I could probably solve if I put time into it. 40 mpg on long trips. 32 on my short commute. Road noise can be a bit much. Tan cloth on seats is holding up well. Seats and ergonomics are somewhere between acceptable and good. Radio sounds pretty good for a basic 6 speaker unit.
Check rear subframe for rust. If it's bad there, it'll be bad elsewhere. (Front undercarriage covers may make it hard to see the front subframe.)
I would prefer a 2014+ due to the redesign. Find a manual and tell your wife to broaden her horizons. Hire an instructor.
It has handled various car seat configurations for us in the past few years but not as our primary kid hauler. Space for rear facing units requires compromising the front seat legroom. Two car seats and two adults in front is a compromize, but it works okay for three humans (one adult, two kids, or two adults, one kid.)
It's paid for and only has 90k miles on it. Insurance and taxes are cheap. It's boring but it has a place in our stable. I don't see it going anywhere anytime soon. Low miles, reliable, frugal, well maintained, older car that you've had since new...
Most importantly to this forum, it's happy on a dexos 1 gen2 5w-30 full syn and a 7317 oil filter.
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