Topic: Living with your new car purchase

[sirAQUAMAN64]

At least it's proudly built locally 

[The Fuzz]

It's been 15 months (not quite recent) and I still love my 6 hatch and that really means something coming from me. A little more low end grunt would be appreciated and I should have got the leather but that's all. I find the seats comfy enough (I like hard seats, not couches) and there's tonnes of room. I just moved a lawnmower around and could close the hatch. Try that in a regular car. And I still think it looks hot when I look at it across the parking lot. Love it. 

[quadzilla]

I’m going to push the new car limit even further because every time I drive our Mazda 6-wagon it feels like the first time.  We have had the wagon for just over 1 year now and have managed to drive 39,000 kms to everything in-between Quebec and California. With a good 6 feet of space behind the driver/passenger (rear seats folded obviously) the trips to Ikea have never been easier.  There is no better feeling while easily loading 7 foot Ikea cabinets into the back of the wagon and both of getting into the front while you watch SUV owners scratching their heads as they try to load their smaller packages.  I have even slept back there (quite comfortably I may add) on a couple of hiking trips when I get to the trail head late at night and can’t be bothered to set up a tent.

The only problem to date has been a small tear in the rubber seal around the sunroof.  Something must have been stuck to the roof when I opened it and torn it as it went inside.  This will be fixed on our next service since there is no hurry as it isn’t leaking and we park underground, just in case.

Gas Mileage: Since 95% of our driving is highway I have no real city numbers to offer. 
Best Tanks are between 8.0 – 8.5 L/100
Average tanks are between 8.5 – 9.5 L/100
Our worst tank has been 11.0 L/100 over the winter.

Considering that I drive between 120-140kph all the time with bursts up to 160kph, I’m happy with these numbers.

Pros
-   great handling
-   space, space and more space
-   good highway gas mileage
-   6 speed manumatic has +/- in correct locations and you can hit redline if you want
-   easy fold rear seats, just pull the lever in the trunk

Cons
-   city gas mileage can be nasty with a heavy foot
-   heated cloth seats would have been nice in the winter
-   can feel big if you are use to a small car

[Giant Dwarf]

2006 Mazda MX-5 GS.  Triple black.  6 spd. 

I'm a week or two short of the 6 month point and at 12,000 kms for my car formerly known as Miata.  Most of you here already know how I feel about this machine -- like Mattesa, I LOVE IT!!!. 

I've spent nearly 6 months now wondering what the heck took me so long to get one of these things?!  As my daily driver, it's fulfilling all its duties as a reliable and efficient machine that gets me comfortably to and from work and daily activities, no matter the weather.  But, it does so while making me enjoy the drive EVERY time. 

With hot summer weather here already, the top is down more than it's up, and while it becomes quickly tiresome at high-speed highway driving, like Mattesa, it just means that I look for alternate routes to get where I'm going.  The ol' figure of speech about taking the long way home, is a reality now.  Yesterday with a humidex pushing the temps to 109 degrees F, I sweated like a pig on a spit... because it was still worth it to me to have the top down.

My wife and I have taken it on a number of weekend getaways so far.  A long weekend's worth of crap for she and I (not packing lightly I might add!) all fit in the car every time. 

It's been in for one service so far -- a $34 oil service at the dealership... and that's it.  Fuel economy is averaging in the mid-9's for L/100 kms with about 65% of my driving being highway... but at high speeds though (I regularly drive 120 km/h+) and the gearing is set up that 6th is NOT and overdrive so it really revs high at that speed.  When not on the highway, I'm usually driving pretty hard too -- not redline, mind you, but I can't remember the last time I shifted below 4000 rpms. 

Problems / Complaints:

When I first got the car there seemed to be a leak where the side window meets the top.  After lowering the top and re-seating the seal, all is fine.

The "sport" suspension is anything but.  The springs will be swapped out for stiffer Eibachs (or comparable) just as soon as I can find some 'play money' that isn't dedicated to home improvements and summer watersports / boating activities (damned water skis, wakeboards, etc. etc. add up!).  This is a common complaint for the NC on the Miata forums I've visited. 

The black colour is causing heart attacks for me every week.  Not only is it difficult to keep clean (which I knew going in), but I find that the dealership made a real mess of the finish putting swirlies all over it that weren't visible when I picked it up.  Since I know the car has never been washed, dried or waxed using circular motions since it has been in my posession, I know it wasn't me.  Scratches and chips are showing up more and more too -- no fault of the car's though... it's a commuter car for me, what do I expect?

The car certainly doesn't NEED more power -- it's plenty spritely and I have no trouble spinning the wheels in the first few gears... but hey, more is always better, right ?  And if it had been 200 hp and capable of 0-60 in about 6 sec flat, it'd be even more fun, right? 

Overall though... the more I drive around in it, the more I'm reminded that for the money, there's not another car out there I wish I had picked up instead.  And for me, still loving my car 6 months in is a truly remarkable feat!

[Mazda3guy]

Had Mazda 3 GT for approx. 9 month and 5000 Km +.
No problem so far, and I love the power that is available all the time when I need.
I can even move the car from 3rd gear from stop (I did this accidentally...after long day....-_-)
Excellent acceleration and pick up, nice interior (had comments like baby bimmer several times), and comfortable seats.

Now cons...
First, it's quite loud on highway. I think I'm comparing to my previous car (Acura 3.2 TL) so may be I'm not being very reasonable. It is 4 banger after all, and you'd think that interior insulation is not as good as those in near luxury cars.

Second, the AC is terrible!!!
I am finding this out now, when it's 34c with humidex of 42-43 c.
No matter how much you crank them up, you just don't feel that you are getting cold air....
I've read some posts about these problem, but I just think Mazda 3 has weaker AC then required.

Finally, I can't stand automatic wiper funtion. I love automatic light and wiper never seem to be at right speed. Either too fast or slow.

Overall, though, the driving experience is what is saving this car from replacement. I think there is very few car (may be Civic si) that can match the driving characteristics of this one.

[Careener]

06 Mazda 3 since late last year.
I still find it light years ahead of the Protege that we have and definitely one of the best small car buys. It has decent power, drives well on the highway and seems to have a pretty high seating position.
The interior is great for its class.

Things I have noticed so far:
1)In cold weather the first to second shift is quite stiff until the engine (well,tranny oil I suppose) is warm.

2)In cold weather clutch is really stiff...good calf workout

3)There is a slight left to right shudder when the car starts. It definitely didnt do this when I first got it. Engine mount? That would be sad at 8k.

4)The door and glove box both rattle over small bumps/ruts in the road

5)Right knee gets sore on long drives do to the wide centre console and the fact that I'm tall.

I still recommend this car to anyone looking for a basic car. I think Mazda really hit the nail on the head and the upgrades to the base 2007 model make it even more attractive.

[Leviathan]

I'll add to the parade of Mazdas   1 month & 1100Kms in to a 4WD Tribute GX and she's a beauty  Got the seat adjusted just so and the radio presets done and am already getting better mileage than the Sentra that it replaced. Giddyup.

[safristi]

a Mazda Love_FEST... ...does MY 2000 Millenia COUNT as a new purchase....??

[safristi]

Las are you related to DUCK...he had a similar litany of "BUMPS IN THE NIGHT" Woes........

[Bullet Blue]

Doesn't count as a "new" purchase... or even a purchase at all for that matter, but I've had the CL for about 14 months now.

Pros: Good comfortable leather seats, still has a decent sounding stereo for a 9 year old car, the ride is still pretty quiet on the highway, the paint looks like it just came new from the dealership (although I attribute that to my obsession with having clean cars and waxing all the time), all the power gizmos still work the way they are supposed to, I get decent fuel economy (especially with the way I drive it), and the handling is pretty good for a FWD car. The Vtec is one peppy motor and the 5 speed is silky smooth.

Cons: I have been a little disapointed with reliability. I'm still sort of waiting for the all famous Acura-Honda reliability to kick in. Not that it's been terrible, just not great either. I've had to have both the right and left rear speed sensors replaced within months of each other, the DRL's have mind of their own and love to come on when they please (i've had this problem fixed, but for a while, my mechanic couldn't figure it out), and also had the left rear caliper seize on me. The leather is starting to crack and the front passenger squeaks unless someone is sitting in it. and the Alloys aren't the greatest to look at (pretty homely).

All in all, since I didn't pay the initial cost of the car, it's been pretty cheap to run I suppose. I'm quite happy with it, and would probably consider another Acura/Honda when it comes time for a replacement.

[84im]

Wetson:
Even though 2006 the Mini looks the same, it's changed considerably since 2002/3.  I drove a few 2003s before I bought the 2006.  Interior quality as improved, more hp, and revised six speed.  I had a chance to buy a low mileage 2003 'S', but passed on the deal.  Too many horror stories.

Mattesa & Giant Dwarf:
I also LOVE my Miata. 
Went on a three day cruise with two other Miata buddies....what a blast.  One guy has a 90 turbo, and the other has a 92 supercharger.  We went up to Kelowna, through Manning Park.  What a great cruising road.  Lots of twisties, and very little traffic.  On one run I managed to get 32 mpg, which is outstanding for my car.

[y2chuck]

Even tho it's a tad pre-mature, we've owned the Torrent for 17 hours and:

Likes: ride and handling is fantastic for an SUV and the steering is very direct but very light at low speeds which is great in parking lots.  Audio system is FAN-FRIGGING-TASTIC.  Best I've ever heard and I did test a TL with the supposed 5.1 audio system.  Styling is subjective, but I get all tinggly down there just looking at this thing.  Best looking SUV out there except for the Cayenne IMO.   Cabin is very quiet on the highway, probably the same as my 6, maybe even a little quieter due to reduced engine noise.  ZERO wind leaks, rattles or squeeks.  Very solid vehicle.  I like the interior as well, great comfy and firm seats, sliding 2nd seat is the best feature for versatility.  Love the XM radio as well.  When the 3 month free trial is up, I will pay for it.  Pop-out cupholders on the centre storage thingy is nice as well.  Had locking wheel nuts as well.  There is space for 6 CD cases under the center storage/armrest and they are slots so the cases click right in and don't rattle.

Dislikes:  I miss the top storage thingy on my 6 already.  There's not a lot of "easy access" storage in the Torrent.  My PDA/Phone just barely fits on the little rubber mat around the shifter (altho a normal cell phone would fit fine).  the sun visor doesn't have a little pocket in it so I'll probably buy one of those storage dealys from CDN Tire for the sunvisor. Pontiac does have a centre organizer accessory that fits right under the centre storage/armrest so I may look at one of those as well. No MP3 support on the changer, but I use the XM a lot now.  No full 6-CD random on the changer, you can only put 1 CD on randon and when it's done I suspect it'll cycle to the next CD.

[kelli]

Best looking SUV out there except for the Cayenne IMO. 

I'm gonna have to disagree with you there 

[Leviathan]

I'm gonna have to disagree with you there 

Yes, the Tribute is a looker   

[silvercaliber]

I've just spent the weekend driving my new Dodge Caliber SXT Sport 5 speed. Have a total of 600 kilometers on the car and I am very satisfied with my purchase. I endured a horrible wait for this car as the manuals were not even being made in March and I didn't want the automatic. I got the smallest engine but it still has plenty of power and is suprisingly smooth and quiet. The vehicle feels very solid as well as feeling like a much bigger and more expensive vehicle than it is. The only question will be the reliability, this is a first year model car. If you are considering a Pontiac Vibe or a Toyota Matrix you should check this one out too.

[y2chuck]

ok, found something to nit-pick about the Torrent.  Since the rear seat slides forwards and backwards 8 inches or so, there is actually 4 inches LESS width to the seat than in our VUE or so (didn't measure, going by gut feel based on sitting in both rear seats with the car seat in the middle).  I suspect this is to allow the seat to be moved back into the cargo area when it's slid all the way back.

Official comparo specs say "rear hip room" is only 1.5 inches less in the Torrent, but with the car seat in the middle, we noticed that it's a much tighter fit in the Torrent than our VUE. 

[infinitime]

Maybe a bit longer of an ownership experience to date... I've had my Pontiac Vibe for nearly 2 years now.  Great car, reliable as a Toyota (gee, I wonder why!), and very practical.   My only complaints are:

1) fuel economy not even close to what it is advertised to be... I drive almost exclusively in the city, and my average mileage is about 11.5L/100km;

2) the centre of gravity is a bit high.  We have a Corolla of the same vintage in the family, and with the exact same powertrain, the Vibe is noticeably more tipsy in the turns;

3) ignorant people keep on telling me how i should have bought an import! (never mind that this thing is mechanically identical to a Toyota Matrix!)

Overall, I have been very pleased with the purchase, and would gladly recommend this car to anyone in the market for a small wagon.

[Shnak]

(Some copy/paste from my own thread in the Reader's Ride section)

After some 1,750km, here are some of my intial pros/cons.

Pros
- Very quiet at high speed, probably even a little better than the Jetta was.
- Turning radius is excellent (identical to Jetta)
- Engine extremely quiet once you're up at speed... from what I can remember, it does only 2800rpm at 130kph.
- Direction is precise and quick.
- Handling is great! I would even say that it has less body-roll in corners than the Jetta had! It definitely is the best handling vehicle I have ever owned, not that this is saying much considering I only owned an old Passat, older CR-V, and non-sport versions of the Golf and Jetta... but still, I'm VERY impressed by the handling characteristics of the Sportage.
- Love the seats! Very comfortable, leg support is impreccable, and side boulsters on the backrest are just big enough to support you when cornering, but you do not feel 'sucked in'. And there is almost no side-boulstering on the seat itself, so that is perfect. The seats are not as hard as the ones in the Jetta, but side-boulstering is definitely a lot better. This contributes a lot to the feeling of better handling, you're not sliding everywhere when cornering.

Cons
- Dash plastic is VERY easy to scratch. I forgot to take a picture, but there are already a few scratches around the ignition switch...
- The suspension is very noisy... you hear it 'work'...
- Slight hesitation when transmission goes from 1st to 2nd.
- Geared very conservatively... it is geared so high that it has no power at all when in 4th gear... as soon as you press the accelerator, it has to downshift in 3rd or even 2nd to have enough power to pass someone. This vehicle really would have benefitted greatly from a 5-speed transmission. You can shift yourself with the shift-tronic function, but you know, I don't want to do that constantly... I bought an automatic transmission for a reason!
- Initial fuel consumption is slightly disapointing, averaging 14.2L/100km over the first 2 tanks, with about 85% of the driving done in city. Hopefully, the average will drop closer to 12.5 or 13 once it is fully broken in.