Opinions: 2012 Mazda 3

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Kuato

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So one kid totalled the oldie-but-goodie 2006 Honda Ridgeline [that had lots of new parts and was gonna go 300k+] :mad:

Fortunately with today's market, we should break even and perhaps make an overall profit, even considering labor for some of the work.

-----

Under consideration for replacement is a 2012 Mazda3, 2.0 automatic with about 111,500 miles. Carfax history is good.

Any information about reliability and things to look for would be appreciated.

From online, have gleaned it's pretty good but the Skyactiv engines are somewhat prone to buildup on the intake valves so that could be a concern.

Thanks in advance for any contributions.
 
My Mazda 3 is not a 2012, but it's a solid reliable car that is fun to drive, relatively speaking for an economy car. Intake valve deposit buildup is a potential risk with any DI engine. It affects some engines more than others. The 2014 Skyactiv has some features to mitigate this: it comes with an oil separator on the PCV line, and the intake valves are designed to run hot enough to discourage deposit formation. 2012 is a prior generation of the engine, don't know whether it has similar features.

However, if your son already totalled one car, you may want one that is not fun to drive - no need to encourage "driving like a teenager".
 
Wife once had a 2012 Mazda3, hence my username. Mazda actually offered 3 engines in the 2012 Mazda3. A 2.0 Skyactiv engine and a 2.0 and 2.3 non Skyactiv. Mazda used a different manual and automatic in the 2.0 Skyactiv.

2014 is the first mode year Mazda started ecoating the body on the Mazda3.

There is no spacing when typing Mazda3 most of time.

https://www.mazdausa.com/vehicles/2021-mazda3-sedan
 
MRC01 said:
However, if your son already totalled one car, you may want one that is not fun to drive - no need to encourage "driving like a teenager".
Click to expand...
LOL agreed -- fortunately it was a snow/ice/new driver 10mph accident...plus the totaler is now away at college.

His younger brother - the responsible one - will be driving it. But not in snow/ice until he gets more time behind the wheel.

Thanks for all the responses guys.
 
A few months ago, I made a post about an oil filter for my neighbors 2011 Mazda 3 she had just bought used from a Mazda dealership. Well, she has only driven it a total of about 10-12 days! It has an anti-locking brake problem that only happens every now and then. The dealership can't replicate said problem. It has been at the dealership all of this time except for the 10-12 days she has had it. She wants a different vehicle, but the dealership is giving her a hard time. She has contacted a lawyer.
I'm not saying your Mazda 3 will have problems, but after I have seen what my neighbor is going through, um, no thank you! I will not buy a Mazda 3. But that's just me..............
 
skyactiv said:
Wife once had a 2012 Mazda3, hence my username. Mazda actually offered 3 engines in the 2012 Mazda3. A 2.0 Skyactiv engine and a 2.0 and 2.3 non Skyactiv. Mazda used a different manual and automatic in the 2.0 Skyactiv.

2014 is the first mode year Mazda started ecoating the body on the Mazda3.

There is no spacing when typing Mazda3 most of time.

https://www.mazdausa.com/vehicles/2021-mazda3-sedan
Click to expand...
In 2012 the 2.3 was not an option, only the 2.0 MZR and 2.5 MZR, or the 2.0 Skyactiv.

My family has had two 2012's, the 2.0 Skyactiv and the 2.5 MZR. The 2.5 was very fun to drive and would be my choice, but really the 2.0 Skyactiv wasn't far behind and did get much better mileage.

The Skyactiv drivetrains are pretty stout and relatively trouble free. The MZR engines are excellent. The non-Skyactiv transmissions are decent as long as they have had 1-2 fluid changes over their lifetime. If no fluid changes are ever done, they are average at best from what I've seen.

All in all, they are decent cars.
 
Our 2012 Mazda5 has the 2.5 and we have over 135K on it now. We love it and accept the 28mpg since it has been very reliable. I rides very nice too. The motor feels just like the day we bought it. Very peppy and wife named it Zippy. We have taken many long trips in it with two others and luggage never felt like it needed more power. Ours has no rust.
 
A 2012 Toyota Matrix would be a solid option. One of the last years before it changed names to a Scion. Not as much fun as the Mazda but probably more reliable and rust resistant. Just checked and 2013 was the last year for them. The Pontiac Vibe's last year was 2010. Skip the '09 since that was the first year of the second generation.
 
Last edited:
PimTac said:
I believe 2012 was the first model year the 3 went SkyActiv. That 2.0 is a real economical engine.
Click to expand...

Yes, but not all 2012 Mazda3 have SkyActiv engines. I believe it was a mid-model-year change. My 2012 Mazda3 has the previous generation 2.5L Some early 2012s have the pre-SkyActive 2.0L engines.

The only real issue I've had with mine is the common dash pad lifting from the instrument cluster. Other than that, it's been a good car.

It's fun to drive, and relatively drama free. The factory brake rotors tend to rust to the hubs, making them a bit harder to change. Doesn't seem to matter where you live. It's not a rust belt only "feature."
 
javacontour said:
Yes, but not all 2012 Mazda3 have SkyActiv engines. I believe it was a mid-model-year change. My 2012 Mazda3 has the previous generation 2.5L Some early 2012s have the pre-SkyActive 2.0L engines.
Click to expand...


I didn’t know that. Mazda has that tendency to make changes mid year which is confusing.
 
They rust really badly. Have a close look underneath. Engine and drivetrain don’t tend to have problems.
 
Check under the car for rust, especially the front and rear subframes. 2011 Mazda6 here - the Ford Flat Rock Mazda’s are rust buckets. The 3 at that time I think was Japan or Mexico - but still worth a check.

My car has a new front subframe replaced from recall and a junkyard rear subframe on it right now.
 
if it is with Skyactive it should have a label on the back of the car; all other engines did not have that label "SkyActive"

i'd stay away from 2.0 SkyActive because it was their first year engine of that technology
 
miden851 said:
if it is with Skyactive it should have a label on the back of the car; all other engines did not have that label "SkyActive"

i'd stay away from 2.0 SkyActive because it was their first year engine of that technology
Click to expand...


If the label on the back says SkyActive then it’s a fake.
 
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