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Mazda3 Maintenance & Repair

4991 messages,  Last post on Jan 21, 2013 at 9:58 PM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDA3, Hatchback, Sedan

    
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Messages Page 346 of 500

#3449 of 4991 Re: Don't believe CR [nifty56] by dc_driver

Jun 28, 2006 (6:24 am)

Replying to: nifty56 (Jun 28, 2006 5:03 am)
"Isn't it amazing that their is 4 owners of the Mazda 3 working at the same place as you..."
 
I work for a very large Fortune 500 company and the office I work out of has over 200 cars in the parking garage. I also work in the tech industry and there are a lot of younger folks employed in the company and the 3 seems to be pretty popular (mods?). So no, I do not find it strange that out of two hundred co-workers, four people own Mazda 3's. It's not like we are talking about some rare collectible here, the Mazda 3 is a big seller and a top pick by most auto sites and magazines (Edmunds included).
 
"You have a right to defend the car, but WHY would or do you? IF my A/C was great I would post here and just say its ok, I wouldn't go on and on and on defending the car, it works end of story and not put down those who are having a problem."
 
Just as you and a few others have the right to post over and over about the A/C issues, I have that same right to point out that this issue is not affecting EVERYONE as many of these posts are led to believe. There are many people shopping for cars that read these forums and folks who make broad statements to the effect that every Mazda 3 has weak A/C is simply false. So, if someone is shopping for a car and is concerned about the weak A/C posts (as was I) I recommend that you do a test drive and checkout the A/C for yourself.
 
"Could please post the links to the Toyota/Hyundai/Honda A/C issues you have mentioned."
 
I only commented that there are several posts in the 06 Civic board have complained about the A/C.
 
I have read every single professional review regarding the Mazda3 I could find and not one review mentioned anything about weak A/C. Don't you find that odd? If this issue is as huge as you and others are saying why has this not been
 
http://nctd.com/review-intro.cfm?Vehicle=2006_Mazda_3&ReviewID=1813
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/jedlicka.aspx?year=2006&make=Mazda&model=Mazda- - - - 3
http://www.thecarconnection.com/Vehicle_Reviews/Sedans_and_Coupes/2004_Mazda3.S1- - - - 80.A6380.html
http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/rt2329.shtml
http://research.cars.com/go/crp/research.jsp?ASSET_TYPE=Affiliate+Review%2CBuyin- - - - g+Guide%2CVehicle+Profile&revlogtype=17&section=reviews&makeid=30&modelid=7491&y- - - - ear=2006
http://research.cars.com/go/crp/research.jsp?revid=49495&indcriteria=ASSET_TYPE-- - - - Affiliate+Review%2CBuying+Guide%2CVehicle+Profile%7CM-_30_%7CD-_7491_%7CY-_2006_- - - - %7CresultStructure-combined&makeid=30&modelid=7491&year=2006&myid=&revlogtype=19- - - - &section=reviews&mode=&aff=boston
http://research.cars.com/go/crp/research.jsp?revid=48763&indcriteria=ASSET_TYPE-- - - - Affiliate+Review%2CBuying+Guide%2CVehicle+Profile%7CM-_30_%7CD-_7491_%7CY-_2005_- - - - %7CresultStructure-combined&makeid=30&modelid=7491&year=2005&myid=&revlogtype=19- - - - &section=reviews&mode=&aff=boston
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2006/mazda/mazda3/100614382/researchlanding.html
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/reviews/healey/2003-11-26-mazda3_x.htm
http://www.automotive.com/2004/12/mazda/mazda3/reviews/index.html
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/cc/05mazda3.htm
 
Those are just a few.. Also, if you look at the user reviews on MSN, Yahoo, Edmunds, and Cars.com you will find the Mazda3 to be ranked at the very top. I would dare say that if the A/C issue was affecting the majority of Mazda 3's there would be a ton of negative reviews and bad feedback.
 
I really do believe that some folks are having some A/C issues. I am not denying that. But, this issue seems to be affecting only a small percentage of people. If Mazda cannot solve your problem sell your Mazda3. I have had two cars in my lifetime (Saturn SC2, VW Jetta VR6) that caused my a lot of problems and I sold them and moved on. There is a big demand for the Mazda3 right now, it is a good time to sell it and get something comparable that you are happier with.
 
No car is perfect. Go look at the message boards. Honda Civic's and Toyota Corollas have their share of problems too. If the dealer/Mazda cannot solve your issues try one of the other manufacturers out.

#3450 of 4991 Re: The Problem with CR [ex_tdier] by mrblonde49

Jun 28, 2006 (7:14 am)

Replying to: ex_tdier (Jun 27, 2006 7:34 pm)
CR surveys their own readership aka subscribers. They don't survey others. Using the analogy, ask a Democrat who will make the best president, they will tell you another democrat. That's the problem with CR's survey. "
 
I don't get your analogy. There are cars rated poorly in CR, and cars rated highly. Your analogy would mean they are all rated highly
 
All it means is that the sample comnes from people who are, in general, concerned about reliability (which is CR's bread and butter). What's wrong with that?

#3451 of 4991 Re: The Problem with CR [ex_tdier] by dc_driver

Jun 28, 2006 (8:10 am)

Replying to: ex_tdier (Jun 27, 2006 7:34 pm)
ex tdier,
 
  Let me get this straight. You live in Vancouver, Canada and the major source of your annoyance with the Mazda3 is the air conditioning? I understand you have SOME hot days where it reaches the high 80's, low 90's, but (according to Wikipedia) your average temperature in the peak of summer is 22 degrees celsius (71.6 degrees fahrenheit).
 
  Umm, isn't that kind of like someone in Arizona complaining about how the Mazda 3 handles in snow? Be honest, how big of an issue is this in reality? The temperature this morning outside on my commute to work was 76 degrees with about 90% humidity. I had my A/C set to 1 and my ambient temperature was 72 degrees in my car (almost a little too cold for my liking). Our temperatures have been in the mid to high 80's this past week with about 90% humidity and I have been very comfortable with my setting between 1 and 2.
 
Like I said, there are hundreds of user and professional reviews out there and the Mazda 3 ranks very high. I researched this car to death, and I did not find any data to support your theory that nearly every Mazda 3 has A/C issues. I do believe that some folks are having issues, and that they should either work through Mazda or, if it bothers them enough, sell the car and get something different.
 
This is my twelfth car that I have purchased in my relatively short driving life (15 years of driving) and every car that I have owned has had one issue or another. Some were very minor. Some were very major. Such is life.
 
I appreciate the fact that you and others have posted about this issue and raised attention. Believe me, I really looked for this issue when I was cross shopping the Honda Civic, Mazda 3, and Toyota Corolla. To me, it was a non-issue. That said, your point is noted, and there is a specific thread dedicated to this A/C issue. I think that is the place to keep discussing this versus all the other forums where you and others continue to post. I mean this topic (A/C issues) seems to creep up in every Mazda3 board.

#3452 of 4991 Dirty Rear Wheels by dride

Jun 28, 2006 (8:44 am)

I am constantly scrubbing my rear rims (brake dust). It's not a huge deal, but is there a TSB for this. I am assuming when I get new brake pads (when due) this problem will go away. Has anyone addressed this problem with a dealer? What was the result?

#3453 of 4991 Re: Dirty Rear Wheels [dride] by mrblonde49

Jun 28, 2006 (9:03 am)

Replying to: dride (Jun 28, 2006 8:44 am)
I am constantly scrubbing my rear rims (brake dust). It's not a huge deal, but is there a TSB for this. I am assuming when I get new brake pads (when due) this problem will go away. Has anyone addressed this problem with a dealer? What was the result? "
 
Cars with good brakes (which the Mazda has) generally have more brake dust. It is a little strange that it is more in the back than front, but it's not an issue for me (especially with easy to clean 5 spoke wheels). It was 10 times worse on my Saab

#3454 of 4991 Brake dust by z71bill

Jun 28, 2006 (9:21 am)

I had my rear rotors and pads replaced - rotors were defective - pads were worn out - around 15K miles.
 
This completely solved my grinding brake problem - but Mazda would not allow the dealer to install the "new" pad that reduces the brake dust. This seemed strange - why install the old pad that is a known problem? Dealer said if they replaced the rotor they had to use the old brake pads - or I could buy the rotor and they would replace the brake pad with the new style. My choice.
 
I went with the no cost option - so I still have the brake dust on the rear - not as bad as before.
 
My only minor complaint at this point is if I go through an automatic car wash - even if I get the so called tire & wheel cleaner option - the rear wheels are still coverd in dust - so when I get home I still need to clean them. Which kind of defeats the main reason to use the automatic car wash in the first place.

#3455 of 4991 Re: Dirty Rear Wheels [mrblonde49] by dc_driver

Jun 28, 2006 (9:28 am)

Replying to: mrblonde49 (Jun 28, 2006 9:03 am)
My 06 Honda Odyssey has the same issue, as did my 02 Altima before it. I think I am just used to it by now..
 
When I switched to ceramic brake pads on my Altima the problem was much better.
 
Agree that the wheels are easy to clean on the 3, my 99 Jetta was really hard to clean...

#3456 of 4991 Re: Brake dust [z71bill] by dc_driver

Jun 28, 2006 (9:30 am)

Replying to: z71bill (Jun 28, 2006 9:21 am)
"My only minor complaint at this point is if I go through an automatic car wash - even if I get the so called tire & wheel cleaner option - the rear wheels are still coverd in dust - so when I get home I still need to clean them. Which kind of defeats the main reason to use the automatic car wash in the first place."
 
Haha.. I was just thinking the same thing last week when I took my Odyssey through the car wash...
 
From here on out I am just going to save the $2 and clean the wheels myself..

#3457 of 4991 Re: Don't believe CR [dc_driver] by nifty56

Jun 28, 2006 (9:31 am)

Replying to: dc_driver (Jun 28, 2006 6:24 am)
When were all these test drives done? Spring? summer? what was the outside temp? Sunny, humid? Any car review I have read makes no mention of the cars A/C performance. All we want to hear is how fast, how sporty, handling, horsepower, torque, braking, comfort, etc, thats all these reviews do. Car of the year means nothing when it comes to reliability. Who cares about the wipers, headlights,heater A/C , etc so no mention of them....didn't take you long to post all the reviews, you must eat breath and .... Mazda

#3458 of 4991 Re: Don't believe CR [nifty56] by dc_driver

Jun 28, 2006 (10:00 am)

Replying to: nifty56 (Jun 28, 2006 9:31 am)
Not sure when the reviews were done, but the fact remains that I have yet to come across a professional review where they complained about the A/C.
 
Again, what about the hundreds of user reviews on MSN, Edmunds, Yahoo, cars.com? Do these not count? The fact that the Mazda 3 gets rave reviews and satisfaction ratings from the folks who have purchased it means nothing to you?
 
As for Mazda, out of twelve vehicles that I have owned in the last 15 years, this is my fourth. For the price that I paid for it, the performance, the features, and (hopefully) the MPG I am quite happy since this is strictly a commuter car. I have had very good luck with all of the Mazda vehicles I have owned (except for my first RX-7 which was totalled in an accident) I have purchased and have had great dealer service. That said, none of the vehicles that I have owned have been problem free. Every one of them, at one point or another, required warranty work. I actually go out of my way to be nice to a dealers service department and not be visibly upset or confrontational. My 2002 Nissan Altima SE had (what it seems like) about a dozen recalls and I always tried to have a great attitude with the service team..
 
nifty56, sell your 3 and get a Corolla.. Life is too short to get this worked up over weak A/C...

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