Hi guys--potential 3 owner new to the group. I have to say, you all have me scared to death with the list of common problems: interior rattles, A/C, rear brakes, suspension clunking, rough manual shifting, engine hesitation. I am hoping these are due to first year uh-ohs and aren't going to persist. Do any of you have an '05 2.3 sedan yet and are free from these maladies? I had eliminated everything else in this market. The coupes were all too small and Toyota and Honda sedans have boring design and performance. Now I'm thinking of taking my chances with a 10-year old Supra or US counterpart or keeping my 200k mile P'up (which has no power and most of the above problems--though it still has frigid a/c.) Please help.
2nd guessing--problems fixed in 05?
- Thread starter dinenasty
- Start date
FemGearHead
Member
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- 2004 Mazda 3, 1993 Ford Probe
I have an 04 model, but one of the very last ones built before the 05's came out. I must say the only thing that I've had an issue with is the hand brake. I'd have to pull it up nearly all the way in order to prevent rolling while the engine was off. I was in this morning having an oil change done and asked them to look at it. Turns out it was out of adjustment and was fixed under warranty. Other than that, I've not experienced much else of what others' mentioned other than the bad brake dust on the rears.
I am very happy with my car and glad I purchased it!
I am very happy with my car and glad I purchased it!
DzzzMz2.3III
Member
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- 2005 5dr Mazda 2 2.3L
problems occurs all the time in new cars. it how you deal with it "fix it" and move on and enjoy the car! just because a mz3 owners are telling you the problems doesn't mean its not a awsome car. i love my 3! and yes i have had problems.... that were all fixable under warranty. what make you think that supra is not going to give you problems?????
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D
problems occurs all the time in new cars. it how you deal with it "fix it" and move on and enjoy the car! just because a mz3 owners are telling you the problems doesn't mean its not a awsome car. i love my 3! and yes i have had problems.... that were all fixable under warranty. what make you think that supra is not going to give you problems?????
If problems were few and indeed fixed by the dealer quickly, I could live with that. However, there are posts that claim no satisfaction from the dealer on a few of these problems. I would assume that a Supra would have problems--it's ten years old. If my car is going to be back and forth at the dealer half of the time, I'd just as soon it be an older Supra or Camaro or Porsche for the time that I'm able to drive it. I'll probably go with an '05 3, though, and keep my fingers crossed.
If problems were few and indeed fixed by the dealer quickly, I could live with that. However, there are posts that claim no satisfaction from the dealer on a few of these problems. I would assume that a Supra would have problems--it's ten years old. If my car is going to be back and forth at the dealer half of the time, I'd just as soon it be an older Supra or Camaro or Porsche for the time that I'm able to drive it. I'll probably go with an '05 3, though, and keep my fingers crossed.
Hey Dinenasty,
I've got an 05 sedan. In Canada it's the GT with the Gfx package, similar to the "i" in the States. Might want to add your location to your profile so folks will know where the guy they're talking to is from.
My sedan has 1700 km (just over 1000 mi) on it and the only problem I've come across is realising that the stock 17" tires are crap-ola in the snow. Lucky for me we only get a couple dumps a year in BC on the coast, but still it's like driving on pizza cutters.
There's been no rattles, squeaks, a/c, brake, HVAC, steering problems... nothing at all. No throttle hesitation, though I just might ground the throttle body as people have suggested; if only to take that little jump in rpm out of my shift changes. The engine starts in half a second, runs smooth as puppy s***, and the 2.3 gives it pretty good for an econobox. If you want a peppy car that's a blast to drive and comfortable as hell, I'd suggest the 3. I imagine I'll get skipped over for the airbag sensor recall too as I haven't heard anything about the 05's having that issue. I'm pleased as hell with my purchase, end of story.
If you get a load of snow and are looking at the 17" wheels (I don't know what rubber comes on the other wheel packages of the lesser priced models) you'll need to swap out the Firestone Eagle RSA's for some better all seasons or some snow tires, but other than that, I reckon you'll be happy.
ballboy
I've got an 05 sedan. In Canada it's the GT with the Gfx package, similar to the "i" in the States. Might want to add your location to your profile so folks will know where the guy they're talking to is from.
My sedan has 1700 km (just over 1000 mi) on it and the only problem I've come across is realising that the stock 17" tires are crap-ola in the snow. Lucky for me we only get a couple dumps a year in BC on the coast, but still it's like driving on pizza cutters.
There's been no rattles, squeaks, a/c, brake, HVAC, steering problems... nothing at all. No throttle hesitation, though I just might ground the throttle body as people have suggested; if only to take that little jump in rpm out of my shift changes. The engine starts in half a second, runs smooth as puppy s***, and the 2.3 gives it pretty good for an econobox. If you want a peppy car that's a blast to drive and comfortable as hell, I'd suggest the 3. I imagine I'll get skipped over for the airbag sensor recall too as I haven't heard anything about the 05's having that issue. I'm pleased as hell with my purchase, end of story.
If you get a load of snow and are looking at the 17" wheels (I don't know what rubber comes on the other wheel packages of the lesser priced models) you'll need to swap out the Firestone Eagle RSA's for some better all seasons or some snow tires, but other than that, I reckon you'll be happy.
ballboy
ZippityZoomZoom
Member
dinenasty said:
I think forums give an unfair perception of most cars. Usually it's the "more discerning" drivers that go to car forums (aka nitpickers). I think it works out to about 10% of the entire production of a model that really have the problems. And those 10% make about 100% of the noise. But at least you know what to look out for. (yawn)
No sweat
The only problem I've had is with the glovebox latch sticking. The dealership replaced it quickly and painlessly under warranty.
I think a better way to assess the relative reliability of two vehicles is to look at the recall/TSB title lists at http://www.alldata.com/recalls/index.html. This is particularly fun if your friends have North American cars. I showed a friend of the family the list of titles for his Buick, and the next car he bought was a Toyota. (burp)
A trip to alldata can save you some coin too. I printed off the free list of TSB titles for my father-in-law's Chrysler, and the dealer gave him $800 off the cost of his transmission replacement when he was able to show that there was a history of problems with his make and model.
The only problem I've had is with the glovebox latch sticking. The dealership replaced it quickly and painlessly under warranty.
I think a better way to assess the relative reliability of two vehicles is to look at the recall/TSB title lists at http://www.alldata.com/recalls/index.html. This is particularly fun if your friends have North American cars. I showed a friend of the family the list of titles for his Buick, and the next car he bought was a Toyota. (burp)
A trip to alldata can save you some coin too. I printed off the free list of TSB titles for my father-in-law's Chrysler, and the dealer gave him $800 off the cost of his transmission replacement when he was able to show that there was a history of problems with his make and model.
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- 2003.5 Titanium MSP
My mom has an 05 GT with GFX and all that. No problems, only one I've noticed(I sometimes drive it just for fun
) is that when it's really ******* cold, it sometimes take a few seconds to start, like two instead of half a second, no problem, all cars are like this in cold. Some very ver very minor rattles, but I think those are my moms loose CD's. The car goes pretty good, its the Auto version...which is too bad, cause you can really tell it kills the performance of it, you can feel it loosing power cause its out of the range in the bad 4 speed auto, but 5 speed manual would be really nice. I've noticed her brakes squeel a bit, but every car she has ever owned she's made the brakes squeel...shes one of those people who waits till the last minute, and then gets on the brakes hard...she's really hard on brakes....I've yet to see her own a car longer than 2 weeks without getting those fuckers to squeel. Otherwise, the car is a dream, I actually like it alot, and if I couldn't have my speed, for the price range it's in, I'd be runnin the 3 also. I really like the car, feels less econo then my P5 or Speed does, and has a pretty nice ride also. The stereo is pretty good stock also, nice and crisp, and decent sound.I like how adjustable the driver seat is too, I wish my speed had that(well, kinda does, but not as functional), all in all, The 3 is a really nice car. No problems what so ever. I dunno bout 04's, never been in one.
) is that when it's really ******* cold, it sometimes take a few seconds to start, like two instead of half a second, no problem, all cars are like this in cold. Some very ver very minor rattles, but I think those are my moms loose CD's. The car goes pretty good, its the Auto version...which is too bad, cause you can really tell it kills the performance of it, you can feel it loosing power cause its out of the range in the bad 4 speed auto, but 5 speed manual would be really nice. I've noticed her brakes squeel a bit, but every car she has ever owned she's made the brakes squeel...shes one of those people who waits till the last minute, and then gets on the brakes hard...she's really hard on brakes....I've yet to see her own a car longer than 2 weeks without getting those fuckers to squeel. Otherwise, the car is a dream, I actually like it alot, and if I couldn't have my speed, for the price range it's in, I'd be runnin the 3 also. I really like the car, feels less econo then my P5 or Speed does, and has a pretty nice ride also. The stereo is pretty good stock also, nice and crisp, and decent sound.I like how adjustable the driver seat is too, I wish my speed had that(well, kinda does, but not as functional), all in all, The 3 is a really nice car. No problems what so ever. I dunno bout 04's, never been in one.- :
- 2003.5 Titanium MSP
zenmaster said:
Wow, good link. I now know what that funky smell is(yes there's a TSB regarding the mildew smell from my vents)...excellent link indeed.
EDIT* Out of interest, I looked up my grandparents Cavalier, 4 Safety recalls, 4 emmissions recalls, 1 general recall, and 281 Service Bulletins about parts....wow
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mobomelter
Member
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- 2004 Civic Si
the cavalier is known for having problems...... so is the 2000 focus.
I have an 05 sport GT 5spd. Great car other than the aforemensioned standard tires being positively LETHAL in the snow and the slight hesitation just off idle. No knocks, rattles, squeaks etc. Fuel economy isn't quite what the dealer claims,i'm averageing about 30mpg although that may improve with more miles. I currently have less than 2000km on it.
Re: ballboy's post above (or below I guesss depending on your settings..) Were you talking about the throttle jumping up a tad as you shift? I noticed the 3 we test drove was doing that, I thought I just wasn't used to the clutch and was leaving the throttle on a split second too long. Are we talking about the same thing? Thanks!
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- Hemi Ram, 71 Plymth Scamp, 71 Plymth Duster 340, 69 Dart 340/4sp
I just want to put my .02 cents in here. I am a Mazda and VW tech. and I can tell you Mazda has been working with us (the techs.) very closely on problems that have arised with the new products. Rest assured no car is perfect but Mazda has def. been putting alot of effort in making fixes in problems that have arised.
mobomelter
Member
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- 2004 Civic Si
yeah i noticed that too. doesn't bother me so i'm not too worried about it.dcn said:
FemGearHead
Member
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- 2004 Mazda 3, 1993 Ford Probe
If Im clear on what you guys are referring to, I believe its the VVT in the 2.3 that does that.
FemGearHead said:
Well for me at least I felt as if the throttle was staying open after I had let off the gas and pushed in the clutch pedal. We were in a 2.0 btw. And I never bothered to check when she drove it to see if it did it then. Mayeb the feel is closer to her Neon than my Toyota. What it really sounded like was like I was still slightly on the gas as I started to push the clutch, so the revs would jump maybe 300RPM before dying down, but by the time they did I had selected the next gear and let the clutch out. I figured it was because I was driving a brand new clutch and wasn't used to it yet and therefore wasn't letting the gas totally out before starting to press the clutch, thus the spike in revs. Hope that explains it better so you can get a clearer idea of what I mean.
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DCN.... yes, same thing. You could have been clutching/letting off the gas at the right time and the same thing would have happened.
Release the gas, clutch... and the throttle still kicks up about 100 rpm before dropping back down. Apparently grounding the throttle body (to the battery or any other suitable ground on the car) prevents this from happening.
Don't know if Mazda has responded to it with a tsb or not, and I dont' even pay attention to it now. It doesn't appear to affect my vehicles performance in any way.
Release the gas, clutch... and the throttle still kicks up about 100 rpm before dropping back down. Apparently grounding the throttle body (to the battery or any other suitable ground on the car) prevents this from happening.
Don't know if Mazda has responded to it with a tsb or not, and I dont' even pay attention to it now. It doesn't appear to affect my vehicles performance in any way.
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