Try to make this short. Seems like a great forum. I'm sure I've checked it out a time or two but had not registered until now.
Bought my 2006 Touring AT new, to be my commuter/work vehicle that I drive and work out of all day, every day. It's been a fantastic vehicle, if it were not for the horrible suspension and tire eating issues. Leave it at that....
Now has 209,000 miles on it, and glad to say that it has never been in the shop for anything except regular maintenance, stuff like new shocks, brake pads, tires, oil. Check that... I did bring it to Mazda while under warranty at 35k to complain about the tire wear and clunking suspension, and had new sway bar bushings, etc. Also did the recall on the door latches.
First 150,000 miles, did nothing but oil/filter changes, trans flush around 100k, and maybe a couple air filters in there somewhere.
around 160k, front suspension work, struts, control arms, bushings, alignment, etc. (done at a local shop, $1300... all other work I've done at home)
around 170k, front brake pads and partial trans fluid flush.
around 195k, rear brake pads, spark plugs. (plugs were still working fine, just figured it couldn't hurt LOL)
around 205k, trans fluid flush, rear shocks... cheap ones from rockauto.
Still has original rotors, but fronts have some warp feel and will be replaced if I decide to fix up and keep it. Will probably flush coolant and brake fluid too, maybe a new belt... stuff like that, that's still original.
So basically, it's just had oil/trans changes and one round of brake pads and shocks... in 200k miles. Suspension gets worn out so fast it could be done with every other oil change, and takes the tires with it.
I've always used Wix filters and Mobile1 full synthetic. I use the extended life "15,000 mile" stuff, unless it was out of stock. (@26 bucks for a 5 qt jug at walmart) I try to get it changed at 10k, but have run it to 15 a couple times. Anyway, seems to be good enough.... engine runs great and seems like it's ready for another 100k easy. I don't drive like an idiot, but I do drive a little aggressive around town as mentioned. Cars are like dogs... they like to run, not walk... (whistle)
I've never really liked how slow and lazy the AT shifts if you are trying to get somewhere. It was getting worse... delayed, 3-2 downshift when rolling around corners etc... made for a hard shift. Fresh trans flush cured most of the shift issue (Valvoline synthetic multi vehicle), but I've picked up the habit of simply shifting it myself, so it's in the gear I want, when I want it. And it's a lot more fun getting on and off the highways when you drive like it's a manual. (braindead Now I rarely just leave it in D unless I'm Sunday cruising. Trans does still feel nice if you drive slow. LOL
Bought my 2006 Touring AT new, to be my commuter/work vehicle that I drive and work out of all day, every day. It's been a fantastic vehicle, if it were not for the horrible suspension and tire eating issues. Leave it at that....
Now has 209,000 miles on it, and glad to say that it has never been in the shop for anything except regular maintenance, stuff like new shocks, brake pads, tires, oil. Check that... I did bring it to Mazda while under warranty at 35k to complain about the tire wear and clunking suspension, and had new sway bar bushings, etc. Also did the recall on the door latches.
First 150,000 miles, did nothing but oil/filter changes, trans flush around 100k, and maybe a couple air filters in there somewhere.
around 160k, front suspension work, struts, control arms, bushings, alignment, etc. (done at a local shop, $1300... all other work I've done at home)
around 170k, front brake pads and partial trans fluid flush.
around 195k, rear brake pads, spark plugs. (plugs were still working fine, just figured it couldn't hurt LOL)
around 205k, trans fluid flush, rear shocks... cheap ones from rockauto.
Still has original rotors, but fronts have some warp feel and will be replaced if I decide to fix up and keep it. Will probably flush coolant and brake fluid too, maybe a new belt... stuff like that, that's still original.
So basically, it's just had oil/trans changes and one round of brake pads and shocks... in 200k miles. Suspension gets worn out so fast it could be done with every other oil change, and takes the tires with it.
I've always used Wix filters and Mobile1 full synthetic. I use the extended life "15,000 mile" stuff, unless it was out of stock. (@26 bucks for a 5 qt jug at walmart) I try to get it changed at 10k, but have run it to 15 a couple times. Anyway, seems to be good enough.... engine runs great and seems like it's ready for another 100k easy. I don't drive like an idiot, but I do drive a little aggressive around town as mentioned. Cars are like dogs... they like to run, not walk... (whistle)
I've never really liked how slow and lazy the AT shifts if you are trying to get somewhere. It was getting worse... delayed, 3-2 downshift when rolling around corners etc... made for a hard shift. Fresh trans flush cured most of the shift issue (Valvoline synthetic multi vehicle), but I've picked up the habit of simply shifting it myself, so it's in the gear I want, when I want it. And it's a lot more fun getting on and off the highways when you drive like it's a manual. (braindead Now I rarely just leave it in D unless I'm Sunday cruising. Trans does still feel nice if you drive slow. LOL
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