Rust problem in Canada

[Buzzman12]

Thought I would post this here as this forum seems to be the most active, and there has been a few discussions on here re: the rust issues with Mazda...past and present.
Took these snaps this week of two Mazda 3's I saw in parking lots.
These are not exclusive pics. There are many more rusted Mazda's I could take pictures of, but these two are good examples of the issues Mazda has in a snow/salt environment.
This rust issue is holding me back from buying a Mazda, unfortunately.
I'm still undecided, but I am leaning more and more away from Mazda.
Fortunately, it won't be a Honda (sorry Mango)..lol

 

[yugrus]

Whatever you buy is going to rust, even aluminum bodies on F-150. Rustproof it every year, and the results will be very different. Every other year worked very well on our cars, actually.

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[Kaps]

I had a chip on the front that was fixed - but one thing someone mentioned, modern Mazdas even though the paint chips we dont see the metal. Its a primer or something that gets exposed, had a scratch so it was all greyish - not metal but some undercoat.
Maybe it could save your bacon.

 

[Studum]

Rust issues on Protege's and 1st Gen 3's are extremely well known and documented here. If you don't rust treat early in life on those models here you're asking for it. Before we bailed on our 02 Protege I could almost put my fist thru the rear fender.

Things have improved with Gen 2 3's. No rust on my previous gen 2, I started rust spraying annually at 4 years old / 72,000 kms. That car died 7 months ago in an accident with 172,000 kms on it. The insurance adjuster commented on how good of shape it was in other than being destroyed. My brother's 2010 with nearly 250,000 kms is not rusting out as shown at all and he has never sprayed it. His only rust spots stem from stone chips on the front of the eroof above the windshield. He gambled it would die with mileage before that would be an issue. So far he's winning...

I haven't seen any major cry's from 1st Gen CX-5 owners around here or any 2nd gen 3 owners for that matter. A bigger deal was made when a thin paint issue was found at trunk lip spot welds on gen 3 Mazda3 sedans. That issue has since been corrected.

 

[Buzzman12]

Whatever you buy is going to rust, even aluminum bodies on F-150. Rustproof it every year, and the results will be very different. Every other year worked very well on our cars, actually.

Sent from my SM-T320 using Tapatalk

Yes, anything will rust given time. Agree there.
However, I've been living here for 60 years, and have a pretty good memory when it comes to which cars were more rust prone compared to others.
Believe me when I say that Mazda's are among the worst rusting vehicles up here.
There were some really bad cars in the 60's 70's and 80's, but for any relevant statistics, I think you need to focus on cars built in the last 20 years.
Unfortunately, Mazda does not look good.
Rust proofing certainly helps, if you use the right methods and products, but even that doesn't guaranty anything.
Certain rustproofing systems (early Zeibart as an example) actually make things worse in the long run, and some just plainly do not work.
They all look good in the showrooms.

 

[J.R.]

Just don't see anything like that, even on older Mazda's, over here on the left coast of Canada.

 

[123373]

They come new like that, just look under your seat or spare tire well. (whistle)

 

[SonicBoy]

Those are Generation 1 Mazda 3's. We've come along way from then and those are 13+ year old cars.

 

[craigo]

Those are some old cars.

 

[yugrus]

There were some really bad cars in the 60's 70's and 80's, but for any relevant statistics, I think you need to focus on cars built in the last 20 years.
Unfortunately, Mazda does not look good.

I agree that Mazda WASN'T a best rust-proof brand out there. But hey, few things have changed in 20 years... I've been around for a while as well, and I am fighting (successfully so far) the frame rust (surface) on my '14 Tahoe... Look at whatever-year-it-is Tacoma and their frame. Civic? Sentra? I used to have my repair shop until 5 years ago, and I've seen them all. Rusted. Current Mazdas are different.
Here in Canada, go with a good reputable Crown location, and you will see the light. Unless you have access to the hoist or pit. Then you're way better off doing it yourself with Fluid Film.


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[Ride92]

I'm going to start using Ammo Boost car wash additive to help combat rust problems and before the next winter I'm going to get under the car and paint of some rust neutralizer to stop anything that's going on under there. Anyone have a good product recommendation for such a thing?

 

[Studum]

I'm going to start using Ammo Boost car wash additive to help combat rust problems and before the next winter I'm going to get under the car and paint of some rust neutralizer to stop anything that's going on under there. Anyone have a good product recommendation for such a thing?

If you want to DIY anything: Fluid Film

http://www.fluid-film.com/

Been using ever since someone introduced me to it back in my off-road days. Just used part of an old can to completely silence a noisy garage door (hinges / rollers dried out). Good stuff and can be used many places around the house, not just cars.