Any Mazda Fans Here?

[RolandDeschain]

Just picked up my second Mazda, replacing this one - a 2008 Mazda 3 I bought for my daughter back in 2009 when she got her license. Paid $15,500 for it back then and it had 26k miles. Absolutely terrific car - great gas mileage and handles and drives like sports cars costing twice as much.

Fast forward to today- After 6 years and 86k trouble free miles on it, its time to either invest in a new set of tires or replace it. Decided that since she is now on the road quite a bit more, especially in the city, that it was time for something a little newer and more substantial. Looked around some, and settled for a new 2015 Mazda CX-5 Touring. Ws able to get a pretty good deal bcs the 2016s are coming in. List was over $26k - after rebates and discounts I paid $23,500, less $8,000 in trade for the 08 Mazda 3 ($7,500 cost for ownership for 6 years is not too shabby). This car is even better than the Mazda 3 - better motor, electronics, even better handling, power, mileage etc,, plus it sits higher with the CUV body. Also has a 5 star crash rating, and the tech behind the Skyactive stuff is really more than just hype (13-1 compression - great torque curve, etc.. I know its no muscle car, but for a college kid its just about perfect.

If you guys have any Mazda stories lets here em!

Here is a good review

https://www.yahoo.com/autos/s/crossover-acts-sportscar-2015-mazda-200015029.html

link to brochure
http://mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/musa2/pdf/brochures/2015/2015_Mazda_CX5_Brochure.pdf

Here is the car

Compare size to my 4Runner

(And I know, I know - kids should buy their own cars. I always had to buy my own, and couldn't afford to buy my first new one until my mid twenties. But since she paid her own way with a basketball full ride for 5 out of 6 years of her private school Pharmd I figured she earned it. Told her I will sign it over to her when she graduates as her present)

 

[FastEd]

Mazda has always made good quality cars.
No reason for them to change...

I'm driving an 07 Ford Focus. Been real happy with that, also.

 

[gramps]

The specs look good. Your daughter is pleased I am sure . FWIW, I don't think your daughter is a kid anymore. :shock:
gramps

 

[wheelgun1958]

Driving an '94 Ford Ranger XLT ext cab 4l v6. A rebranded Mazda truck.

 

[ChiefMuzz]

My wife has a 2014 Mazda CX-9.
Neither of us are very thrilled with it. When the lease is up, it's gone and we are back to Toyota's or possibly a Subaru. The CX-9 has loads of power and drives nice enough, but we've never really warmed up to it. We've also had multiple issues with the power steering that we've had to take it back to the dealership for twice. Both times it spent 5-7 days at the dealer. For a car with less than 24,000 on it that's just unacceptable. Hope you have better luck with yours.

ETA: One of my best friends went to Belmont as a music composition major. I was out there a couple times to visit him. That's a great little school.

 

[Bull Barrel]

That's a mighty expensive set of tires!

 

[Colonialgirl]

I always wanted to try a Mazda Miata and see how it compared to my old "69 Alfa Spider, Never got the chance. One of these days, I'm gonna get my little Fiat 124 Sport Spyder back on the road, But my grand daughter says its going to be HER car :shock: :shock: :roll: :roll: :roll: ; Before then, I'll put a ROLL bar in it and some better seat belts. I may end up buying an electronic distributor too and end the problem of resetting the points every 3000 miles.

 

[graygun]

I always wanted to try a Mazda Miata and see how it compared to my old "69 Alfa Spider, Never got the chance. One of these days, I'm gonna get my little Fiat 124 Sport Spyder back on the road, But my grand daughter says its going to be HER car :shock: :shock: :roll: :roll: :roll: ; Before then, I'll put a ROLL bar in it and some better seat belts. I may end up buying an electronic distributor too and end the problem of resetting the points every 3000 miles.

Good idea,points ignitions are kind of fun but electronic ignition is much better. Most mechanics won't know a thing about them as it is now with carburetors...hardly anyone rebuilds them anymore. Maybe get a spare carb for it unless you want to convert to injection which would be even more money out of your bank account.

 

[graygun]

I almost bought a Mazda 3 last year but got another Civic...maybe next time. I like the prices and their technology efforts.

 

[willk]

Miata's Rule. Brenda owns one and our son owns one that he has set up as a track car. Still streetable and a real kick to drive. Brenda's is our everyday car and we have made multi day trips in it.

Everyone says how small they are. Actually they fit like a glove. When you get in, everything is comfortably in position and you do not lack in the slightest for room. Just remember to get in like you are wearing a skirt :shock: (at least when asked how you get in by an older teacher, she replied "Oh, that's just like the way a lady wearing a skirt gets in a car."

 

[whichwatch]

"Mazda has always made good quality cars.
No reason for them to change..."

Really? Now that's a brilliant statement. I can hear the guys at Mazda saying "we make good quality cars, now let's make some poor quality cars."

 

[Colonialgirl]

I always wanted to try a Mazda Miata and see how it compared to my old "69 Alfa Spider, Never got the chance. One of these days, I'm gonna get my little Fiat 124 Sport Spyder back on the road, But my grand daughter says its going to be HER car :shock: :shock: :roll: :roll: :roll: ; Before then, I'll put a ROLL bar in it and some better seat belts. I may end up buying an electronic distributor too and end the problem of resetting the points every 3000 miles.

Good idea,points ignitions are kind of fun but electronic ignition is much better. Most mechanics won't know a thing about them as it is now with carburetors...hardly anyone rebuilds them anymore. Maybe get a spare carb for it unless you want to convert to injection which would be even more money out of your bank account.

Well, I have rebuilt the Carb on this one at least once and fabricated a diaphragm for one thingy on it once; But then I've also been known to rebuild two and four barrel Carbs every since I was knee high to a bumper jack. You CAN still buy rebuild kits for them and also a new larger carb for around $400+ :shock: :shock: . It would probably be easy to convert to FI on it if you could find a used 1979/1980 model that was junked. I did use to screw around with the Mechanical FI on my old Alfa, setting the air intakes and the injection pump control; Never found a "Alfa Mech" that could do it and have it idle nice and smooth yet give great acceleration/Speed and MPG's.
Thank God for a FATHER that had early on insisted ALL his kids know how to work on autos and get their hands (arms and faces) dirty. :wink: :wink:

 

[graygun]

I always wanted to try a Mazda Miata and see how it compared to my old "69 Alfa Spider, Never got the chance. One of these days, I'm gonna get my little Fiat 124 Sport Spyder back on the road, But my grand daughter says its going to be HER car :shock: :shock: :roll: :roll: :roll: ; Before then, I'll put a ROLL bar in it and some better seat belts. I may end up buying an electronic distributor too and end the problem of resetting the points every 3000 miles.

Good idea,points ignitions are kind of fun but electronic ignition is much better. Most mechanics won't know a thing about them as it is now with carburetors...hardly anyone rebuilds them anymore. Maybe get a spare carb for it unless you want to convert to injection which would be even more money out of your bank account.

Well, I have rebuilt the Carb on this one at least once and fabricated a diaphragm for one thingy on it once; But then I've also been known to rebuild two and four barrel Carbs every since I was knee high to a bumper jack. You CAN still buy rebuild kits for them and also a new larger carb for around $400+ :shock: :shock: . It would probably be easy to convert to FI on it if you could find a used 1979/1980 model that was junked. I did use to screw around with the Mechanical FI on my old Alfa, setting the air intakes and the injection pump control; Never found a "Alfa Mech" that could do it and have it idle nice and smooth yet give great acceleration/Speed and MPG's.
Thank God for a FATHER that had early on insisted ALL his kids know how to work on autos and get their hands (arms and faces) dirty. :wink: :wink:

Good pa you had,mine was useless in that area. I need to do the Rochester 2SE on my 81 C-10. I mainly just work on small engine carbs nowadays. My 15hp Chrysler needs a needle and seat;it's a Walbro similar to a lawn mower carb but with a much larger jet. Have a good weekend.

 

[one bullet]

I've had two new Mazda 4X4 trucks. Both were great! That new Mazda SUV looks great. She is a lucky young lady.

 

[Jeepnik]

Great vehicles, but I miss there tag line. Mazda goes hmmmmmmm. I wonder when they made their last rotary.

 

[RolandDeschain]

]Great vehicles, but I miss there tag line. Mazda goes hmmmmmmm. [/b] I wonder when they made their last rotary.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHzeGEHWMjo

 

[graygun]

zoom,zoom

 

[Mike Armstrong]

Had 'em for work cars for years, a 323, and two Proteges. Cheapest really good new cars I could find; I always buy a "leftover" new car at the end of the model year, a base model five speed any color but black or dark blue. Talked to the fleet manager since they only care about volume, not screwing every dime out of every customer. Always kept 'em about 8-9 years then sold to a college kid or working guy who just needed a cheap reliable ride. Always used that cash and some more to pay cash for the next one. Yeah, I'm a cheapskate.

Found those base econoboxes perfect for my needs. Great mileage if you pay attention. I took them places guys with 4-wheel drive wouldn't go, too. Good tires, front wheel drive, go REALLY slow, you can go just about anywhere.

Got off the Mazda train when they started to court the younger crowd and spiffed up the looks and raised the prices. No such thing as a "base model" any more. And since I'm retired, I don't need a work car!

Agree that Mazda's joint venture arrangement with Ford has had a great effect. On FORD.

 

[george preston]

I had a Miata and LOVED IT! Unfortunately, i needed something with a little more room when the family grew and I couldn't justify keeping it. I plan on buying another one in a few years and dropping a 302 under the hood. Company out in California has worked out all the engineering, monster Miata, and it looks like a fun project

 

[Bull Barrel]

The RX-8 stil had a rotary.
Piston engine goes, boing, boing, boing, but a Mazda goes mmmmmmmm.

 

[RedLabel]

Bought my wife the car of her dreams two years ago. A 1990 Miata. Runs and drives like a little sports car should. She has wanted one since 1990 but we had two little kids and it made no sense. Kids are grown now so she got the car! Easy to work on, fun and cheap to drive. What's not to like.

 

[gramps]

I have never had a Mazda. My daughter bought a used 1998 Protege years ago. It got her to and from work. After looking at the specs Roland has posted, I will take another look.
gramps

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

Next door neighbor has a Miata, around 2000 vintage. His sister's had one, his brother in law is on about his third one (he trades 'em at about 200k miles "just cuz"), nephew's had a couple, and others in his family have had 'em, too. They all love 'em!

Neighbor says it would be nice to have a little more power, but likes the fuel economy as it is. If he really wants more power, there's a Saleen Mustang sitting in the garage next to the Miata, and feeding it reminds him of the benefits of a little less horsepower. Even as "underpowered" as his almost bone stock Miata may be, he can be hitting 100 "fast enough" and you barely feel it.

Brother in law likes to tinker, and his current one is a bit quicker than the last one, being fitted with a turbo and a couple of other tweaks. Last one was a sleeper in its own right, and he had lots of fun with drivers of BMWs and various ricers. His goal was to have a car that "Looks like a middle aged college professors car, cuz I AM a middle aged college professor, but has enough spirit to bring back memories (of his misspent youth running SCCA cars.)" He was successful...

Other Mazda owners I've known have been similarly happy with their cars, trucks and vans as most reports here reflect.

Rick C