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Comments
So now I am armed to the teeth with information-- all I have to do is actually take the visors off and start trying one of the methods I read about to rid myself permanently of UAWLS (my name for for "Ugly Airbag Warning Label Syndrome"-- I pronounce it 'YOU-ALLS').
Nitrolady
"Japanese manufacturers cemented their position as producers of the most reliable cars with the older design of the Honda Accord joining, among others, the Honda Jazz and Mazda 323 in earning a 100 per cent reliability rating."
Small British cars made in the 1950's, had to be overhauled at 45,000 to 50,000 miles. Parts were readily available in England since the factorys weren't far away.
With advances over the decades one would think all German cars would have benefited, but obviously not. German cars are built somewhat like American cars, prone to problems and regular, not oil changes, service trips to dealers.
Before the Mazda6 came out, I spent some time looking at the Audi A4s, keeping in mind that the last Audi I owned (1977) had cronic alternator problems. Then I read a road test of the 2002 Audi A4. The only problem the tester had with it -- the alternator broke. So what has changed?
Japanese reliability is the main reason for buying their cars. Unlike American cars -- the buyer spends the first 90 days "restoring them" to what should have been done at the factory. I got tired of that 30 years ago.
As reliable as my 2001 Protegé has been, I am more interested in the 2004 Mazda3 Sportif variation. Anxious to see them!
fowler3
Oh and that cornering is just... oh soo un-appliance-like
I LOVE THIS CAR!!!
Dinu
PS: That stupid grin came back!
DEEEEEERRRRRRRRR!!!!
Doggone mammal darted out from the left, bounding across the road at full speed. Just as I stood on the brakes and veered left, missing him by THAT much, here comes ....
DEEEEERRRR NUMBER TWO!!!
This one slammed into the left side of ol' Zoomster. THUDDDDD!!!!
"Aw, darn it," I said in a cheerful, pleasant voice.
Went down the road and into a gas station parking lot and got out, expecting to see my left rear door and/or fender smashed to smithereens. But guess what?! Ol' Bambi had executed a perfect Pete Rose slide into my left rear wheel, leaving hair and a smidgeon o' blood on it, and scuffing the sidewall of my BFG BambiBlaster T/A. There was also some hair on the side of the fender. But .... NO DENTS or SCRATCHES!!!
Had a short stint on I-95 a few miles later and I noticed no shimmying or vibrations ... even at, er, 80. (Hey, I had to "test" things ...)
Think I'll hide under my desk the rest of the day.
And take a different route to work tomorrow.
Meade
P.S. For the wildlife [non-permissible content removed] in this discussion, the deer shook it off and ran/limped off into the woods. And nooooooooo, I did not stop to check to see if he was OK.
Sorry, Zoomster takes priority over stupid mammals.
Do PROs have dear magnets on them?
Dinu
That's the thing with deer. They almost never travel alone, and they like to play "follow the leader".
Bambiblaster. Heh.
;-)))
-Larry
Dinu
I guess we'll wait until tomorow morning then.
Dinu
should I?
Nope, that's what happened. Think I'd make up a deer running into ME?
Meade
That makes us ...
2ZOOMZOOM
Hmmm, would that be 2ZOOM^2?
Meade
Mazdas:
I've never owned two at the same time, but I have owned 3 Mazdas in the last 10 years. Meade's got me beat though. IIRC, Meade has had 4 Mazdas. No Meade, the truck doesn't count as a Mazda.
Sorry, it does count. And I'm as sorry as you are.
Meade
Too bad my reaction time is so good.
Dammit.
Meade
that is what I last remembered u saying. No?
Dan
It is their fault though IMO. If Mazda didn't believe that the Ranger could live up to Mazda's reputation for reliability, they shouldn't have sold them and should have told Ford to keep their Rangers for themselves. Same thing with the Ford autotrannies in the 626. Where was Mazda's QC? Who at Mazda gave that tranny the OK? Same deal with Honda and Isuzu. If they're willing to put their badge on the grill, then they are responsible and no one else is to blame.
Dan
Dinu
Dan
On the other hand - you can also check on MazdaUSA.com if one/any of your local dealers has onlinse discount coupons available. And take it there. But for basic stuff like oil changes and going over the car - the dealership also uses their rooky mechanics, and the benefit of using their service is marginal (any during-service damage is easier to cover
Oh - and definitely rotate your tires - especially if you never have yet, and its been 15K miles! I used to do mine every alternate oil change (approx every 6500-7000 miles at most)
Respectfully,
Larry
Part Description Part Cost
Engine oil $ 10.00
Oil filter $ 5.80
Total Estimated Parts Cost $ 15.80
Labor Action Item Labor Cost
Check operation A/C compressor $ 5.11
Check operation Air conditioning system $ 5.11
Inspect Air filter $ 2.55
Inspect Body nuts & bolts $ 5.11
Check fluid level Brake & clutch master cylinders $ 1.53
Inspect Brake system $ 20.46
Inspect Chassis nuts & bolts $ 5.11
Check level Coolant $ 1.02
Change Engine oil $ 10.23
Inspect Hinges, locks & latches $ 2.55
Check operation Lighting $ 5.11
Replace Oil filter $ 5.11
Check level Power steering fluid $ 1.02
Inspect Wheels & tires $ 4.09
Check fluid level Windshield washer $ 1.02
Total Estimated Labor Cost $ 75.19
Total Estimated Costs:
Total Estimated Parts Cost For Your Area $ 15.80
Total Estimated Labor Cost For Your Area $ 75.19
Total Estimated Cost (excluding tax)* $ 90.00
Get your heads out of the sand, you other guys! Shame on Ford for building such unreliable junk, but equally -- if not more -- shameful is Mazda for willingly putting their good name on such trash!
Too bad some buyers don't find out until it's too late and that piece of junk is parked in their driveway with 60 brand-new shiny payments staring them in the face. Some of them knew Ford's quality wasn't up to Mazda's but took the chance, saying the same kind of things to themselves that some of you are saying now about the 6 and the Tribute -- "Oh dear me, Mazda must have made some changes that will make this vehicle/engine/etc. more reliable." Or "Mazda must have certified this truck/6-cylinder engine/etc. as up to its high quality standards."
Guess again! Ford owns a controlling interest in Mazda and can tell Mazda whatever the heck it wants! Ford could put a '75 Pinto engine in the new 3 for all it cares!
Yep, my so-called "Mazda B2300SE" pickup was a Ranger in Mazda clothing. Complete with bad PCM, leaking transmission, poorly grounded electrical system and suspension defects. And that was in the first year of ownership. Our IT guy in the office next door to mine has a 2002 Tribute that likes to shut off when he's driving downhill. And we all remember the Ford tranny problems in the early last-gen 626s, and how can we ignore the funky problems new 6 owners (the ones with the 6-cylinder engines -- hmmm, Ford engines) are having with the dreaded Check Engine Light?
And let's not even bring up the Focus, OK?
Go ahead and believe, ye blinder-wearing blue-sky ignoramuses! Brothuhs an' sistahs, AH have SEEN tha LIGHT!!!!!
Maybe domestic automakers should go beyond the morning calisthenics when trying to emulate their Japanese competitors, and venture into the territory of family shaming and execution for engineering and production flaws!
Meade
The Virginia Wildlife Officer who investigated Meade Daffron's whitetail deer accident reported Meade's blood sugar levels well above the state law limits of 1,000 parts of fructose sugars per 10,000. An empty box of Krispy Kremes was found on the passenger seat after the Bambi collision. Meade admitted had consumed over a dozen doughnuts while driving to work and was actively eating a Key Lime Krispy Kreme when he struck poor Bambi to the Wildlife Officer!!!
Learn from Meade's crime don't eat and drive. Remember a large regular coffee and a couple of doughnuts can raise your blood sugars to impaired levels.
Respectfully,
Larry
I just hope you keep neoprene seat covers firmly affixed to your Protege's seats at all times.
Please go home, have a bologna sandwich and a quart of Kaopectate, and we'll see you tomorrow.
Meade
Although I think the general reaction would be one for which I would need to borrow Mr. Kline's aforementioned neoprene seatcovers!!!
Meade
Ixnay on the Ugarsay
YES!!!
However, his legal counsel has advised him to enter doughnut detox, asap. Please ignore his last post. He is a sick man.
-larry
-Larry
1) Manual tranny that is really stiff and noisy
2) Sqeaky driver's seat
3) Wheelcovers that break in your hands
4) The volume band on the radio display disappears
5) Tires that wear very quickly and are very noisy
6) Mazda's horrible customer service
1) No comment. I have an AT.
2) My seat squeaks. Probably because I weight 195lbs. You may need only tighten the bolts holding the seat to the floor.
3) Mine are still fine, though they've been sitting in the garage the last two years. I heard of some broke during cold weather. Seems they used the wrong resin on some. I'd complain and get replacements.
4) No, but mine quit playing CDs, so I've got a JVC SX-780 and my iPod instead. Might be a bad connection to the LCD for that section. Shouldn't affect function, and you've got ears (being funny here, not nasty).
5) Check tire pressures and alignment. The stock tires are sub-par, to put it nicely. Too low or too high pressure can yield poor tire wear.
6) This is spotty. One dealer's shop may be much better than the next's. However, I think in general, they've been improving the last few years, partly due to pressure from MNAO, mostly because of competition.
2) Nope, and I weigh 270 pounds
3) Alloys, sorry!
4) Nope
5) Blame the tires!
6) Nope!
Sorry! 62,000 very happy miles!
Meade
As for the radio thing, ears work great, very hard to adjust the bass/treble/fade without knowing where it is currently. Obviously, if the bass is too soft or too harsh you can hear that but the LCD indicators actually disappear and you have to press on the faceplate to get them to come back.
I also noticed the shift pattern on the top of the shifter is completely worn off after a little over a year of use. This is my first Japanese car and I have to say I am a little disappointed. I was under the impression that it was the "little things" that made Japanese cars so great. With Ford's increasing influence, I think I will stay away from buying another Mazda. Was looking at the 6 but with a ford engine and tranny, probably not a good idea.
The 6 does not have a Ford tranny.
The CD should be replaced if under warranty. Mine ate a Cd in the first week after we got the car in July 2001 and was replaced right away.
There's no excuse for poor svc! I can recommend Avante Toronto if you're in TO.
What city are you in? If in Toronto what dealer did you deal with?
Dinu
2001 PRO ES w/classy 15" wheel covers (:
Dinu