The unreliable Mazda ?

[Unobtanium]

Just saw the thread. Guess I missed it before.

Yeah that is pretty bad tread wear. My Blizzaks are wearing better and it's been in the 70's here. All seasons go back on Friday.

The thing is, Blizzak's are SNOW tires. The WRG3 SUV is billed as "all weather", which makes it double bad.

 

[concept]

I have a 2000 Toyota Tacoma in my garage. It only has about 60,000 miles on it. So far the rear springs had to be replaced. The stereo quit and was replaced. The tie rod ends were recalled. The water pump started leaking and I replaced it. Just recently replaced front brakes. The truck has been garaged its entire life, and looks showroom new.
Now compare that to the 1990 Mazda 626 that I had up until 400,000 miles. None of these problems occurred on it with the exception of the water pump. I replaced that only one time and that was at 200,000 miles.
I would not put Toyota ahead of Mazda in reliability. So far the 5 Mazda's I have owned have been exceptional. However I keep working Toyotas owned by friends. A friend of mine had a 2001 tacoma. Transmission was toast at 110,000 miles. Another friend with a 2003 Camry. Starter bad at 80,000 miles. New throttle body at 100,000 miles. I just don't see how all these Toyota owners keep saying problem free. It just not happen to anyone I know.

So you have a data "set" of 2 and this defines how reliable the entire brand is? Uh, no, not by a long shot. That's like saying "My uncle smoked cigarettes and lived to be 90, so smoking does NOT mean you will shorten your life."

 

[ColoradoDriver]

For the record, I'm not hating on Mazda. I've driven them and loved them since my friend had a GLC back in the day. The Rotary pick up was the coolest thing ever. The 323GTX was an EVO or STi before Mits or Subie figure it out. The Miata saved the company and brought back a complete segment of automobile. The CX-5 sells like hotcakes and has saved Mazda as much as any other car has, and for that I love the CX-5 too.

Remember when BMW introduced the X5? It sold by the zillions and BMW used that money to make better, faster M3s and other enthusiast aimed cars. The X5 is the bread and butter and the M3 is the main course/dessert.
I think Mazda should take a note from that page. The CX-5 is a great car. Make the CX-5 a little quicker, and make em by the million. Use some of that money to build a car we enthusiasts can drool over. A new MS6? a Supercharged MX-5? A *gasp* new RX-7? SOMEthing fast and good looking?

Yeah I agree. I love my Mazda, but I don't love the new Mazda direction personally.

Feels like the enthusiast has been left behind a bit.

 

[Unobtanium]

There you go mentioning money again, is it me or do you contradict what you previously said. "less about the money" "rav will save enough money"

RAV is long-term savings, CX5 is short term savings, with potential to be long-term savings. RAV4 would be the obvious better place to start, but here I am, in the CX5, for 3 years now, so it's maybe better to just stay. I reviewed some threads detailing cost of component replacement, and the CX5 transmission isn't exactly hard to find. People seem to wreck race-cars a lot, so plenty of low mile donors.

 

[concept]

For the record, I'm not hating on Mazda. I've driven them and loved them since my friend had a GLC back in the day. The Rotary pick up was the coolest thing ever. The 323GTX was an EVO or STi before Mits or Subie figure it out. The Miata saved the company and brought back a complete segment of automobile. The CX-5 sells like hotcakes and has saved Mazda as much as any other car has, and for that I love the CX-5 too.

Remember when BMW introduced the X5? It sold by the zillions and BMW used that money to make better, faster M3s and other enthusiast aimed cars. The X5 is the bread and butter and the M3 is the main course/dessert.
I think Mazda should take a note from that page. The CX-5 is a great car. Make the CX-5 a little quicker, and make em by the million. Use some of that money to build a car we enthusiasts can drool over. A new MS6? a Supercharged MX-5? A *gasp* new RX-7? SOMEthing fast and good looking?

What, the new Mazda 6 with turbocharged 230 HP engine is not good enough? I'd like that engine in my 3.

 

[Natey]

Hell no, Not when an Alfa Romeo that looks like the CX-5 has over 500hp. (uhm)

 

[xtrailman]

Lol. A CUV offroad? Yeah that's a good one. I consider offroad to be trails up in the mountains you'd take a Jeep on. No CUV, including this would be doing those.

In terms of regular mountain roads and dirt roads and driveways, my CX-5 did just fine. I lived up in a little mountain town at 9k elevation when I bought it. It did just fine. The lack of locking AWD bothered me at first coming from a Jeep, until I hit no situation ever where I needed it with my CX-5.

I had lock on both xtrails I had, over the 9 years I drove them I probably used it twice, not because I needed to just that I thought it worth checking it still worked.
Mine was left in auto permanently and not once did I ever encounter an issue, so in the real world a lock switch isn't surplus to requirements.

 

[Unobtanium]

Yeah I agree. I love my Mazda, but I don't love the new Mazda direction personally.

Feels like the enthusiast has been left behind a bit.

Mazda can fix this with an RX9 and about 2900#/375bhp...

 

[ColoradoDriver]

I had lock on both xtrails I had, over the 9 years I drove them I probably used it twice, not because I needed to just that I thought it worth checking it still worked.
Mine was left in auto permanently and not once did I ever encounter an issue, so in the real world a lock switch isn't surplus to requirements.

Exactly. Couldn't agree more.

 

[Unobtanium]

I had lock on both xtrails I had, over the 9 years I drove them I probably used it twice, not because I needed to just that I thought it worth checking it still worked.
Mine was left in auto permanently and not once did I ever encounter an issue, so in the real world a lock switch isn't surplus to requirements.

My world, a lock would be amazing. I'd use it every day.

 

[xtrailman]

Hell no, Not when an Alfa Romeo that looks like the CX-5 has over 500hp. (uhm)

Is that faster than a Tesla?

 

[xtrailman]

My world, a lock would be amazing. I'd use it every day.

Why its speed limited so of limited value and not suitable on most roads.

 

[shadonoz]

Why have they died like a dog at 60K miles? I dunno, man, I hope it doesn't, but I've never owned a car that lasted past 120K miles without a major FUBAR issue (Transmission/Diff/Engine/etc).

There's your answer, unob. What's the one common factor with all of those cars that have had major problems by 120k?

You, bro.

 

[shadonoz]

Lol. A CUV offroad? Yeah that's a good one. I consider offroad to be trails up in the mountains you'd take a Jeep on. No CUV, including this would be doing those.

In terms of regular mountain roads and dirt roads and driveways, my CX-5 did just fine. I lived up in a little mountain town at 9k elevation when I bought it. It did just fine. The lack of locking AWD bothered me at first coming from a Jeep, until I hit no situation ever where I needed it with my CX-5.

This, exactly.

 

[shadonoz]

Yes that's great for the 1% of the population that will take the time to figure out the difference between 'sand' and 'rock'. What if you're on sandy rocks? Or Rocky sand? ****...what do I use now?
Subarus are pretty capable off road vehicles generally speaking. They don't need a stupid switch.

Exactly. That's the whole point of ALL wheel drive as opposed to FOUR wheel drive.

If you want total drive train control, you get an SUV with a manual and locking diffs and xfer case.

 

[Puyapim]

There's your answer, unob. What's the one common factor with all of those cars that have had major problems by 120k?

You, bro.

Yep. I’d have to think someone is driving vehicles beyond their limits if they cannot get 120k from them.

 

[CX-5um]

The CX-5 is a great car. Make the CX-5 a little quicker, and make em by the million. Use some of that money to build a car we enthusiasts can drool over. A new MS6? a Supercharged MX-5? A *gasp* new RX-7? SOMEthing fast and good looking?

A 4-door coupe Mazda6 with rear suicide doors, rear-wheel drive, a sport version of the new Skyactiv-X 2.5T (300hp/305lb tq), 8000rpm redline Brembo brakes, and with manual transmission.

 

[7eregrine]

Doubt it, the CRV has it's 'practicality'(i.e cargo space/interior space) niche going for it, Subaru has it's 'AWD' niche. Mazda doesn't have any kind of niche going for it. It's going to be behind in the pack in everything except for maybe fuel economy once the HCCI engine is used.

Not sure how you can say that.
US News:
"When it comes to handling, the CX-5 will take the Pepsi challenge against any compact SUV. This Mazda has accurate steering and is one of the most agile SUVs in any class, making it incredibly engaging to drive."

Car & Driver:
"Mazda blends sports-car know-how into every model, and the 10Best-winning CX-5 is no exception. Sharp steering and a poised chassis make it an enthusiasts pick"

Edmunds:
"Simply a crisper and more satisfying crossover to drive than rivals such as the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4"

MotorTrend:
"Its handling chops continued to impress where it felt right at home on winding roads and didnt exhibit much body roll."

Autoweek:
"Mazda's CX-5 may mimic the enormous population of small crossovers on sale today, but from behind the wheel the brand's trademark friskiness is immediately noticeable. It's great for the driving enthusiasts among us"

Look... I'm not even saying it's true, but to say Mazda has no 'niche'?!? I think you're mistaken.

 

[ColoradoDriver]

AGreed 7. It definitely appealed to me as a niche and as an engaged driver versus all the CUV floating boats out on the market at the time in 2013.

 

[Kaps]

Mazda is definitely going for Acura and Lexus's bacon with some power added in the mix. There is a cork sport post about mazda's 2.0L hybrid in Mazda 3 with 63 mpg. Better chassis and handling + better mpg than a Prius. Sad part is if it did succeed in selling at Acura / Lexus premiums - it wont be the Mazda we love (cheap). Its truly a wonder in Automotive world second to Tesla and Volvo's revival. In one of the toughest segment with such established brands. Like I said before - If 6 came as a Hybrid with mid 40s as the mpg - I will buy one when I replace my Camry.

My reason for shopping Mazda is true value. It trumps Toyota and Honda. It provides so much compared to those in 2016. I got RCTA / BSM / Power Seats / Premium Audio / Moon roof / Heated Seats / Navigation / BMW style commander knob - all under 24 grand in the color I wanted. Toyota was stickering around 29 - so cannot see how it would meet. Used Rav4 was our default choice 2. On the commander knob - There is a lone new Accord and the smudge marks on its tablet style screen looks awful. Accord interior itself looks 'bleh'!