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Mazda3 High Mileage (2004-2009)

15 messages,  Last post on Jan 13, 2013 at 4:58 PM

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

Messages Page 2 of 2

#7 of 15 Re: Mazda3 High Mileage (2004-2009) [irguy] by jfish5

Jul 02, 2012 (10:53 am)

Replying to: irguy (Dec 30, 2011 6:23 pm)
I am shopping for a used Mazda3. I drove an 06 and the clutch (which had been recently replaced) didn't engage until the very end of it's travel. Does that seem normal. Thanks.

#8 of 15 Re: Mazda3 High Mileage (2004-2009) [roadburner] by jfish5

Jul 02, 2012 (10:56 am)

Replying to: roadburner (May 19, 2012 8:12 pm)
Same question for you please. Thanks.

#9 of 15 Re: Mazda3 High Mileage (2004-2009) [jfish5] by roadburner

Jul 05, 2012 (8:01 pm)

Replying to: jfish5 (Jul 02, 2012 10:56 am)
In the case of my Mazdaspeed 3 the clutch pedal engagement height is normal but the engagement itself is very abrupt- not all that progressive. From published tests and drives of other MS3s I've concluded that the "digital" clutch action is just the nature of the beast.

#10 of 15 Re: Mazda3 High Mileage (2004-2009) [jpeng709] by p928s

Jul 16, 2012 (5:43 am)

Replying to: jpeng709 (Dec 23, 2011 3:40 am)
1. 2007 2.3 s 5-door
2. 130k
3. Auto Transmission
4. Transmission repaired? No, though I get a hard shift between 3rd and 4th when accelerating hard.
 
You didn't ask about other issues, but I had alternator failure at 115k miles which disabled the car and required a tow to the shop and $700 repair bill.
 
Otherwise a very fun and reliable car with 35 mpg hwy.

#11 of 15 Re: Mazda3 High Mileage (2004-2009) [p928s] by autonomous

Jul 17, 2012 (8:24 am)

Replying to: p928s (Jul 16, 2012 5:43 am)
I had alternator failure at 115k miles which disabled the car and required a tow to the shop and $700 repair bill.
 
Care to expand on this failure? Were there any warning signs or recommended service checks by your mechanic? For example, when the car was in service was the alternator ever checked? Also, failed alternators are sometimes due to battery failures or a battery due for replacement. Was this not spotted by the service mechanic ahead of time?

#12 of 15 Re: Mazda3 High Mileage (2004-2009) [autonomous] by p928s

Jul 24, 2012 (5:38 am)

Replying to: autonomous (Jul 17, 2012 8:24 am)
No warning signs on the alternator failure. I live out in the sticks and do most maint. myself so the car rarely sees a mechanic. I did have battery failure early in the life of the car, but no issues after that. Battery was fine at the time of the failure. It's the same one in there now almost a year later.
The alternator failure caused a bunch of erratic electrical problems. I first noticed a problem about a mile after leaving work. The tach needle started jumping around and lights on the dash started blinking. Then the antilock/stability control started to malfunction and I had to pull off the road. I thought maybe shutting off the engine would clear things up but it wouldn't re-start. $700 and a year later it's been fine.
I have alignment issues now. The car is eating tires. Going to take it in for a full alignment this week. Like I said, it doesn't get professional maintenance but neither does my 2005 V8 4runner with similar mileage. The 4runner has been flawless.

#13 of 15 Re: Mazda3 High Mileage (2004-2009) [roadburner] by jfish5

Jul 24, 2012 (6:39 am)

Replying to: roadburner (Jul 05, 2012 8:01 pm)
Thanks for your response.

#14 of 15 Re: Mazda3 High Mileage (2004-2009) [jpeng709] by jdorsett71

Oct 31, 2012 (10:52 am)

Replying to: jpeng709 (Dec 23, 2011 3:40 am)
1. 2004
2. 115,000
3. Manual
4. No, but starting to notice a very slight slip in both 3rd and 4th gear; it seems to take a moment for it to actually "get into gear".
 
I came on here looking to see prices to replace, and what others may have paid. I LOVE this car, and although I could get a new one, prefer to see about possibly replacing transmission when the time comes...

#15 of 15 Re: Mazda3 High Mileage (2004-2009) [jpeng709] by samb6

Jan 13, 2013 (4:58 pm)

Replying to: jpeng709 (Dec 23, 2011 3:40 am)
1. 2006
2. 178,000
3. Auto Transmission
4. Replaced transmission with a used transmission at 176,000 miles. Used transmission was from a 2008 Mazda5 with 30k miles. Transmission with install labor was $1,100. Dealer quoted me $3,000 to replace transmission with a rebuilt unit. Per the owner's manual, I never changed the transmission fluid. My new mechanic recommends changing every 24 months/30,000 miles.

Messages Page 2 of 2

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