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Comments
AC help???
I also found this review - done by AutoSite
http://www.aicautosite.com/Reviews/2004-mazda-3.asp
The part that is interesting -AC wise is
WEAK AIR CONDITIONING CAPACITY
The air conditioner’s ability to cool the cabin was deemed questionable during a springtime heat wave that sent temperatures soaring above 100 degrees in downtown Los Angeles. High temperatures, a black interior, and leather seats require deep-freeze A/C capability, and the Mazda 3 did not deliver – Phoenix residents considering the 2004 Mazda 3, be warned.
This was published 5/2004 - by then I already knew my AC was defective.
Anyone who states that Mazda will not fix a problem " because it costs too much" is clearly delusional, they address and correct all problems.
I would suggest you go to a Mazda dealer- Get in a Mazda 3 hatchback - drive it in traffic and on the highway and see what you think of the AC, that should end all the speculation, and allow you to determine whether it will be adequate for you.
We drove 250 miles today, on city and interstates, in 90 degree weather, and our AC was superb.
.
I have an immediate relative that works as a mechanical Engineer for a parts supplier to a major Auto Manufacturer (American). He spoke of an existing problem this engine had as a result of a part they supply. This part was designed many years ago so it did not properly “mesh” with the changes in the surrounding parts.
This problem caused, in some cases, a break down of the part that resulted in the loss of fluids but nothing major in most cases the owners would continue driving assuming everything was fine. In a few cases it caused the total loss of fluids and therefore risked engine damage.
There were a number of engineers that worked on their own time to design a superior part and they pushed the manufacturer to implement it (pride thing). The additional cost was 80 cents (or just under). Since this part would have been installed on over 1 millions engines per year it was rejected.
It was determined (bean counters) that the warranty costs did not outweigh the costs of the new part.
With that said my 3’s AC works fine in all weather.
The cost in sales and ratings is simply to great to allow a problem which is correctable to continue.
Mazda has consistantly demonstrated their ability and intent to correct all problems with all their models.
The 2004 Mazda 3 has remained a check rated auto in Consumer Reports on line ratings due to its high reliability and lack of problems, including but not limited to the AC.
Had there been any significant mechanical problems with the Mazda 3 it would no longer be check rated or reccomended.
There may be a small number of individuals experiencing AC problems, but make no mistake the Mazda 3 has been and remains a highly reliable car with an excellent AC system.
If Mazda is concerned about a on going problem they should tell the dealers to treat the A/C seriously if any owners feel they have a problem.
I took my car in to have the A/C checked as I felt it was weak. All they did was check the temp at the vents and found it to be within spec. just barely. That test is not enough. The system should be checked for leaks, evacuted, and recharged. There are other tests and procedures that should also be done but too long to post.My compressor cycles every 10 seconds which is not long enough to cool the cabin. I mentioned it to the dealer and they said it should because it is hot outside...duh. It appears my dealer is not interested in solving my problem. I know some will say that not all dealers are the same, which is probably true. Will give the dealer one more chance, I think thats fair. But will contact the Service Manager first.
Check the long TSB list for the 04 which could be a negative but could also be a positive for Mazda because they addressed the production issues and problems owners have.
If my car was out of warranty I am sure they would take the time to test it properly with a cost to me.
That's a blanket statement that's not really true or false. A manufacturer can and will allow a problem to exist if the cost of fixing it is greater than the cost of just doing nothing. I'm not saying they always will, but they can and they do.
"The cost in sales and ratings is simply to great to allow a problem which is correctable to continue."
Again, the cost in lost sales and risk of bad ratings must be weighed against the cost of the correction.
"Mazda has consistantly demonstrated their ability and intent to correct all problems with all their models."
That's another generalization that's not true for Mazda, or for that matter any auto manufacturer.
"The 2004 Mazda 3 has remained a check rated auto in Consumer Reports on line ratings due to its high reliability and lack of problems, including but not limited to the AC."
Don't get me wrong, I like the Mazda3. However, CR ratings are not always on the mark, and they have been known to change their rating for a particular car. A lot has been written about the pros and cons of CR's methods and the value of their published results.
"Had there been any significant mechanical problems with the Mazda 3 it would no longer be check rated or reccomended."
I depends how you define "significant", and you're assuming that they would automatically know about the problem.
"There may be a small number of individuals experiencing AC problems, but make no mistake the Mazda 3 has been and remains a highly reliable car with an excellent AC system."
I agree it's a highly reliable car, but I think they probably sized the AC system a little on the small side, and due to manufacturing variances a small number of people get cars with AC systems that can't perform well in certain conditions. I strongly suspect that they know this, but since the car is selling so well (and most owners think the AC is OK) they decided they can afford a little negative talk.
Meade
Exactly what do you think specs are for?
Customer dissatisfaction is a combination of a possibly substandard component or assembly procedure, compounded by a less that competent dealer or staff, compounded by an owner who is fed up with bringing it back five times. It's a great drama and we all seem to play a part. How much is the car's fault, the dealer's fault or the owner's fault is something that we'll rarely get an answer to.
I've seen a "bad" car suddenly made good by going to a different dealer; I've seen a "bad" car that never gets fixed; and I've seen a "bad" car that suddenly is made good merely by changing owners
Go figure.
That is interesting because all the “exclusive” autos always tout their “built by hand” engines; such as Ferrari, AMG, BMW M, Aston Martin etc., even Ford’s GT (Edmunds has the link for their factory tour). This is usually one person assigned to the task and then they sign their name for your engine.
I assume these built by hand engines are still built with tools (heh), maybe they mean they’re built with closer inspection.
I too always assumed that if the manufacturing process was automated (robots) the product would be higher quality (on average).
I suppose you could complain to "Ralph" rather than Mazda :P
Robots don't get depressed as a rule or take revenge on their masters.
Robots don't get depressed as a rule or take revenge on their masters
We'll see...(too many Sci-Fi movies)
for those interested in improving their A/C try this http://www.icorinternational.com
I also have the grinding rear brakes - they have been fixed 2 times - helps for about a month - then they start grinding again.
Sorry to see another car with the same issue - wish I could give you some advise - but about all I can say is - getting my windows tinted really helped the weak AC - my car is now acceptable - not cold or even real cool - but I don't sweat while driving now unless the temp is over 95 degrees.
I was getting the harsh shift mostly in the morning - first 3-5 shifts every morning were very harsh - then just a little jerk for a few shifts - and then so smooth I could not even tell the gears have changed unless I looked at the dash light.
I drive mostly city - but did take a 100 mile highway trip - no traffic - most of the miles were 80-85 MPH - the next day my jerky tranny was smooth. It lasted about a week - then slowly the jerky shifts returned - now it is back to the way it was before the highway drive.
I though that my spark plugs could be getting fouled - and maybe that was causing the harsh shift - the way everything is computer controlled maybe the combination of a cold engine & fouled plugs was impacting the shift point or something - I have checked the plugs 2 times and they look great - but I did read about a type of spark plug problem called a DRY FOUL. It can be cleared by bringing the engine temp up - like taking a long highway drive. I am still considering changing out my plugs - moving up one (hotter) heat range - but have had some problems finding the NGK plug Mazda recommends. The are about $60 if I buy them on line.
Oh -- back to sleep. SS, DD.
Meade
I know that all car companies use thin metal now a days - lower cost plus less weight - so it would not have been much different if it was a Honda or Toyota - but just we warned - the metal on these cars is very easy to dent.
Some of these salespeople could be selling shoes for all they care. They are just order takers and do not add any value IMO. They don't last long. The ones that know their product and build their business on referrals are great.
Another source for the mirror: http://www.trussvillemazda.com/PartsStore/index.cfm
I got mine there for $244 including freight. I ordered from them when I had my Miata and had great service.
Mark
I parked next to a red Mazda3 i yesterday and it had a dent in the same place.
Could be I am not the only one that leans on the hood when I wash the windshield.
About the only fun I've gotten this week has been the 30-minute commute either side of work.
To answer your question ... my Velocity Red 2005 Mazda3S hatch -- with 5-speed, but of course -- is loggin' up them miles with ultra-reliable rapidity.
I just crossed 9,000 last night!!!
This car is proving to be just as reliable as the three Proteges I've owned in the past and my wife's Protege5 that's sitting in our driveway (actually, right now it's zooming its way to her place of employment -- hopefully she's keeping it in the road. It's a 2002 and it's got 54,000 trouble-free miles on it).
Meade
Interesting.
The hood on my 2000 Protege was smooth all the way across, and it used to "give" a little when I leaned on it while waxing, changing wiper blades, etc. They changed the hood in 2001 (and it carried over into my wife's 2002 Protege5), where it now had a crease running down the center of the hood from grille to windshield. My wife's car's hood is much more resistant to "giving" under pressure.
I'll say this -- the sheet metal on the 3 feels more substantial still than the metal on the last-generation Protege -- hood crease or not. Of course, I have a 3 hatch, and as you know the 3 hatch has a more sculpted hood than the sedan. Possibly this contributes to the 3's hood feeling more substantial. It is interesting that they kept the crease in the center of the 3 sedan's hood but it's not present in the 3 hatch's hood. I guess the sculpting down the sides strengthens the hatch's hood -- kinda like that physics experiment where you can make a bridge strong enough to hold a couple of pounds out of a sheet of paper by putting a lot of folds in the paper.
Consider these (large, sorry) pics:
http://media.mazda.ch/dossiers/mazda3/images/high/MAZDA3_CD2_04.jpg
http://media.mazda.ch/dossiers/mazda3/images/high/mazda3_27.jpg
Meade
My daughter plays soccer with a girl - her mother has a HB - she had to replace the grill because some guy backed into her in the Walmart parking lot. (Then he just drove away).
She was explaining to me how she replaced the damaged part herself - and then she says - I guess you already know how this fits together since you own a Mazda3. So I say - but mine is a sedan - they are different. She says - no way they are the same - and actually goes out into the parking lot and looks at both cars!
The details are lost on some people.
Meade
I replaced the stock wipers on my old 2000 Protege, and on my wife's 2002 Protege5, with Anco wipers (not just blade refills, but the part that holds them as well). BIG difference -- best $25 I ever spent on my Protege. The blades themselves were more substantial too and seemed to "grip" the windshield better.
Meade
I was attempting to see what mpg I could get, only got 27mpg (on-ramps to enticing), so I went till the fuel indicator light went on. We were having a garage sale the next day so I parked out on my STEEP driveway (first time leaving it out overnight). In the morning it was very humid and cool.
I tried a few times, even depressing the gas pedal to the floor and it would NOT START :surprise: just cranked over. Later in the day I rolled it down the driveway to a level portion and it started up :confuse:
Not sure of the issue, but a little disconcerting.
When my fuel light comes on it takes 12.5 gallons to fill it up - so I have about 2 gallons left. Seems like 2 gallons should be enough fuel to not be a problem.
Not sure about the Mazda3 - but some cars have the fuel pump in the gas tank - if you run out of gas you can hear the pump running - it makes a WRRRRR sound. Very bad for the fuel pump to run it dry.
The Nissan was on the “reserve”, i.e. fuel indicator light on, much longer than the 3. The 3’s light JUST turned on; not that you could compare the two in that situation since the Nissan has a bigger reserve and is a different type of vehicle (would a Civic have displayed a similar problem?).
Not sure why we had both vehicles sitting there with the fuel lights on we never wait that long.
My driveway is pretty steep and when I finally re-fueled I put in 12.1 gallons so there should have been a little left in oh well just never happened to me before; if that was the problem then I can deal with that.
Meade
Pump auto shut off isn't a sure thing. In fact, I can imagine where some pumps may spill over when fueling due to defects (e.g. computer glitch, etc.).
Is there any truth to that? I bought a 2002 Focus brand new and sold it in early 2004 because it was not holding up the way I thought a car should. I don't want "another" Focus.
Steve Edge
Platform sharing does not mean the same car. I read a definition recently, can’t find it, that described what exactly is shared and it really isn’t much. It saves a bit on engineering and manufacturing when platforms are “shared”.
I prefer to think of my Mazda 3 as sharing it’s platform with the Volvo S40 (which it currently does).
He was very wrong. The Mazda3 and the U.S. Focus have virtually nothing in common except for rear suspension design (but they don't even share parts there).
Meade