Mazda Quality

[Al]

As many know, I have been a subaru fanboy for almost 20 years. This Mazda really impresses me. I don't say the fit is any better buts its just little things. The rubber floor mats are better than WeatherTec. The sides are high and they really snap in place. The engine compartment is well laid out and the supports have the look of quality. The hood weighs a ton, unlike the flimsy ones of Forester. It came with better tires.

It rids very firm, maybe to firm for some but I really like it. It corners flat and handles very well. Of course the AWD sistem is not as good and the subaru would beat it on the trail or in very impossible snow, but tat is no requirement for me. Michelin CrossClimate 2s would be a step up.

So all I am saying is that many (like me) might not even think of looking at one. I had no intension. I went to one "on a lark" because it was on my way to other dealerships. The deal was too good to pass up.

I will do a 10,000 review down the road.

 

[Elkins45]

Which model did you buy?

 

[JeffKeryk]

I got a used Mazda 3 Grand Touring (or something) for one of my grand nieces. Lotta car for the $$. So much nicer and solid feeling than her totaled Corolla.

 

[E150GT]

I've been driving a Mazda since 2009. When I decided to get my first new car I thought of the little 626 my parents bought my brother in 1999 for $450. Thing was a champ. So I bought a 2010 Mazda 3 and been a Mazda driver since. I have 126k on the 2016 Mazda 6 and it's just now requiring some work. Motor mounts. Valve cover gasket. A new CV axle. Brakes again and a radiator. That radiator replacement was a chunk of change though because the AC has to be evacuated and recharged. I let a shop do that one. $1000 at an independent shop using OE parts. I cant be too mad. That was a pretty good run of basically just oil changes and one set of brakes.

 

[riff1006]

I drove a Mazda 6 for about 70K miles, then it was totaled by an old guy in a Walmart parking lot. The wife and I both still miss it. All I ever had to do was change fluids and nary a problem. The CX-5 looks attractive to us even though we really don't need one right now. What a disappointment they quit manufacturing the Mazda6. It was one of the nicest cars I've owned, it handled like a dream, and I prefer them over a Toyota Camry or ES350 that I owned after it. It wouldn't win many races, but it was super solid, I loved the look, and it was ultra dependable and got great gas mileage.

 

[Kira]

A relative's well researched 2012 Mazd3 iTouring started it all. It replaced a Jeep Cherokee.
Improved fuel mileage was the central goal.
The preference was for no CVT.

So inspired and impressed, we bought a 2016 Mazda3 Sport a few months later, replacing a Saab Aero Wagen.

Immediately thereafter, Mrs. Kira's friend bought a 2016 CX-3; retiring an early (rear drums) Jeep Liberty.
NOTE: That aged Liberty didn't owe her a dime.

The FR wheel bearing went on the relative's '12 and Mazda replaced both.
COLOR: The nice parts man gave me an OK price on some FZ fluid.

In 2019, 100 miles away on L.I., a college kid wrecked his Mazda6.
Papa favored a more sedate replacement, so they bought the relative's '12 w/61k and serviced transmission.
ARTISTIC NOTE: The relative's '12 was in "Indigo Nights", a unique sexy color. The color made and the trannie refresh sealed the deal.

Then we traded our '16 for a '19 CX-5 with 21k.
I liked that it had 17" wheels, not some stupid size and a nice compliment of options.

Recently, our friends have seriously approached us to buy our '19. They're eager to slough a 2017 JGC which just broke 100k.
The 17" wheels boost our car's appeal. Plus they know I'm a BITOGer who cares.

The friend with the '16 CX-3 just today (surprise to me) traded it for a 2025 CX-50, I think. Mrs. Kira didn't interrogate her friend.

That's the timeline in my Mazda world.

 

[stormgol]

AWD system on newer Mazda has improved dramatically. from failing Car Question diagonal test, to passing it with flying colors. i had a 2019 CX-5 GT turbo and it struggled a lot in harsh winter conditions. i have a 2024 CX-5 Signature and it is like night and day. we are having one of the most severe winter in recent history. it seriously feels like this winter was a farce with this vehicle. Panel gap integrity is better than most and even luxury brands.

Mazda are also conservative. they d'ont make a lot of changes. only small improvements. that is why they are very reliable too. they keep the same engines a long time. interiors of newer models are very classy and understated. very analog. and most Mazda are beautiful vehicles. sometimes very beautiful.

my CX-5 is in Polymetal Grey Metallic, and i often get compliments. it is seriously pretty.

Mazda are small and underated and that is fine with me. but i wished they had a proper sport car.

some things i wish they do. give more power to the 2.5T engine without the need to use premium fuel.
replace torsion beam setup on all vehicles that have it with proper multilink setup.
replace the 6 speed auto with an identic transmission but with 8 speed.

 

[MCompact]

I bought a new 2007 Mazdaspeed 3 Grand Touring in July 2007. I put 158,000 miles on it before I traded it in January of 2016. It had some teething issues under warranty but after that it was trouble free. I did add a Mazdaspeed CAI, a Hypertech tune, Koni FSDs, Michelin PSS tires, Gen 2 wheels, and a JBR rear anti-roll bar set at 50% stiffer than stock. I absolutely loved it. I would have bought another Mazdaspeed in a heartbeat had Mazda seen fit to keep building them, but unfortunately the company chose to eliminate their performance division.

 

[Propflux01]

Bought my first Mazdaratti back last May. A 2024 CX5 Signature. I bought it mainly for the turbo engine, the power is very good for this size vehicle. Coming from a Hyundai Tucson (which I have had extremely good luck with), this was a change. Yes, there are things I don't like about it, things I do. It's one vehicle that I can drive for hours without getting tired or sore. It's a 4-passenger vehicle, unless your passengers are kids. Engine-wise, it's precise, not much vibration, and simply runs well. It has a certain sound to it, as well. Ride is firm, but not uncomfortable. Rides on rails.
And my Eternal blue is prettier than @stormgols!!

 

[I<3oil]

Mazda has been kicking butt since they redesigned the CX-5 back in 2016. Kicking butt hard.

 

[Urshurak776]

Wife had a Mazda 5 back in 2006 and loved it. In 2023 I got her a CX-5 and she loves that also. I got my Mazda 3 last year and it’s great. Fun to drive. Easy maintenance.

I personally believe they’re the best bang for your buck.

 

[stormgol]

 

[CharBaby]

Mazda makes nice vehicles. Their quality is high, good customer satisfaction, nice(er) materials inside with good coach work on the outside, and good reliability, great driving dynamics, just to name a few things.

 

[dnewton3]

I have a 2023 MX-5 and for the most part it's been great.

But, I am not at all happy with the infotainment system. I have had the core control unit replaced twice already under warranty, in less than 2 years. And I fear that the problem will continue, because the dealer has been honest with me and said there's no hardware updates available for the system, and likely the underlying problem is going to reappear. It makes me very angry to not be able to use the Navi and SXM systems for fear of the unit failing yet again. Why did I pay for the Grand Touring model with all the bells and whistles if they are just going to fail?

 

[andrew_j]

It’s a great car company on shoestring budget.

They have limited engineering budgets so stick older but well functioning designs like the 6 speed autos.

The CX-5 carries the company not sure on to me nicer looking CX-50.

Recent events with tariffs will crush them possibly as only CX-50 is US built.

 

[Kira]

replace the 6 speed auto with an identic transmission but with 8 speed.

Like what Stellantis did with the great 8 speed...changing it to a 9 speed with problems?

Why did I pay for the Grand Touring model with all the bells and whistles if they are just going to fail?

That's why I don't like them and I don't think I'm alone.
The problem with the SACBP's position is that there's no way to tell these car companies to shove their toys.

Not a Mazda example, I know:
My friend's 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander, their first, had remote start.
In cold weather, a heat source was needed under the glove box (location of the remote start card) so it would work.
A known problem Mitsubishi didn't address.
Too many people like toys etc., and we have to ride that stupid, expensive bus. It frequently stinks.

 

[Egg_Head]

Mazda & Toyota have a joint venture assembly plant outside Huntsvile, AL and build the Corolla Cross and the Maza CX-50 on 2 separate lines. Just sayin'.

 

[Randol]

I just did the first oil change in our CX30 Turbo. Easy Peasy

 

[sw99]

Mazda does make a nice vehicle. We had the CX30 but the fuel tank was too small for our needs. The limiting driving range was what was the deciding factor on trading it for another vehicle. Interiors are way ahead of others on the same price points.

 

[rijndael]

We had the CX30 but the fuel tank was too small for our needs.

The tank in our CX5 is also too small.