Topic: Mazda 3

[averyg]

hey, we just leased our first ever car.  It's 2 mos old (almost 3) and has been to the service department three times already.  It will make it's 4th trip next week.  For a couple of weeks it wouldn't start, so we had to have the fuel pump replaced.  We had the fuel pump replaced, and then a gas leak showed up.  We had the leak fixed, and now my engine light is on.  The evaporator pump needs to be replaced next week.  Also, the car has stopped starting on first contact (my original problem), and the engine light is back on.  Also, we have yet to schedule our first oil change, so it has less than 8000kms on it.  Am I just being a paranoid first parent, or is this car starting to become more of a problem than it needs to be?  I know new cars to market have bugs to iron out, but we just don't enjoy knowing that the car always has a problem.  Also, we have an auto on our 2.3L and we're getting around 400 kms per tank, is this normal with others?

[S60]

Hopefully the service department you are using can keep your confidence.

[Driver]

My buddy bought a mazda3 as well, way back in February. He had the same fuel pump problem and his airbag sensor had to be replaced as well. He didn't say anything about starting problems though so I assume he's fine with that.

He isn't happy going back and forth to the dealership.  He's stuck with it until 2008.

[wicked_j]

LOL....all the praise for the MAZDA3

Good thing i didn't lease that....let alone purchase it.

It's always good to let the new models have at least a year of refinement.  Darn Mazdas....I heard they were troublesome.

[tom]

Averyg, your situation sucks and it's too bad that you can't enjoy the car right now.

However, here's a counterpoint to Wicked_j's comment...
I have a Mazda3 Sport w/ the 2.3L engine and automatic. I am close to 4000km and have had NO (zero, zilch, nada) problems with it, knock on wood!  
People who have problems with their cars (I'm not just speak about the Mazda3 right now) are much more vocal about it and skew the general perception.
This is a great car and unfortunately, defects are bound to appear. It's still better than most new cars in the market right now (including the bread-and-butter Civic...)

[averyg]

Don't get me wrong folks, I love this car.  It drives and handles exceptionally well, and it is really kinda speedy.  My wife can't drive, so I am more familiar with it.  Like I said we did anticipate a few glitches with a first year vehicle, but after all of the repairs we have had it still doesn't start occasionally.  And to answer S60, no the service department is not keeping my confidence level high.

I would definitely get this car again given the choices available.  The possible exception would be an Impreza wagon - but the wife doesn't see the practicalities of having extra cargo space.

[tom]

Averyg, it says something about the car that with all the problems you are experiencing you still love this car.

I hope you get everthing fixed and working again.
Good Luck!

[icedtiger]

If I was the one who's leasing the car and all those problems occured, including the car not starting.  I would simply and snap to the dealer.  I'll get them to solve the problem or else I will use the force.  But as Tom says, you still like the car....so I guess as long as you are happy with your car being fixed every month...you'll be ok.  I love my new Aveo though. not a single problem yet.  just leased it 3 weeks ago so.  I didn't expect any.  =P

[S60]

Averyg, then I would look for a more competent
service department, as this can make or break your ownership experience.
Where you are having the car serviced now, is it possible to speak with the techs, or can you only speak with the service advisor.

Sometimes if you can speak with the techs, they can be more honest with you, and let you know if the dealership has a user friendly owner or not.

I was using a certain Volvo dealer/service location for some time with good results, then all of a sudden it was almost impossible to get warranty work done. I found out from speaking with the techs that new ownership and taken over.
Hence I made a hasty exit and started using a different location.

[averyg]

I like your suggestion S60, and I like the S60, I want one in 2008 when the lease is up.  My boss drives a black one, and that's what I like.

But, I wonder if sending a ltter to Mazda Canada is a good piece of advice.  I'll be happy if they just wash the car after every service.  I noticed that I forgot to mention the last tech to work on it took my new leased car for a 40 km test drive and covered it with mud and grass.  I live in a city and the service dept is in the city, where did the grass come from?

[S60]

A letter to Mazda Canada does not hurt, just to send up some flags regarding the dealership you are using. The mud and grass on your vehicle after a techs test drive is not a good sign, and for 40 kms.Hmmmm!!

Take all your service records with you to which ever dealership you decide to go to next, and try to keep your cool.
I have found you get back what you put out when dealing with service departments.

Good luck, and BTW the S60 will be totally redesigned for MY2008.

[bitme]

Sorry to hear about your problems with very popular and well made "japanese" car, my 2 brothers both bought one and are very happy with them, it's just nice to hear something like this after listening to a majority of you knocking american cars..

[averyg]

Funny thing, even with all of the parts replaced on my 3 the car still wouldn't start on first try.  Last week, I take the little orange lemon into the the dealership for its first oil change and it has started properly ever since.

[Smainville]

Hum...I wonder if there's a TSB going and they just did it, whatever it is.

[barrie1]

I for one wouldn't be a bit surprised as what Dealer would be Happy to admit that fact to the Customer. Sounds like they did it right tho.  Good.

[chiuchowboy]

I've had the same problem twice in two weeks with my 3.  It's annoying and it sucks that you have to wait at least an hour just to reset the computer.  The only "plus" is the free car wash.  If you want to know...this is at Scarboro Mazda - free car wash with your oil change, etc.  I still like it more than the civic which was what I traded in when I bought the 3 in May.

[barrie1]

Excellent info Thank You Chiuchowboy and Welcome to the Forum. Glad to Hear the Buggies are Gone.

[groovypippin]

I've had my Mazda 3s sedan for about three weeks now and I could not be more thrilled. Tremendous car for the money and not a hint of a problem. Even getting better gas mileage than I thought I would.

[love_to_drive]

Just purchased my Mzda 3 sport GT 2 weeks ago today - I am getting the fuel pump replaced in 2 days. I had it in with 4oo km on it because of difficulty starting. Hoping that replacing it will end the whole thing.  
Despite this, I Love this car - talk about fun! As for you Averyg, I would have written a letter to Mazda Canada by now if I was you - if my problem isn't solved with the new fuel pump, I sure will be!! I have had 4 new cars (Nissan, Volvo, Toyota and Mazda) and this is the first that has had to go for a major repair during the warranty period...

[bitme]

well the dealership just replaced the auto tranny in my brothers mazda 3 with only 16k on it....
hmmm... a clunking in reverse i think he said...
is this really a ford product ?