What made you choose Mazda?

[MP5driva03]

I was thinking earlier...so many people love our cars, its obvious by the following this board has. But what made so many people choose and eventually fall in love with their Mazdas? Mazda's have been in my family for quite some time; my dad had an incredible '93 RX-7 Twin turbo 5 speed, bright red (ooooh, I miss it), among others, including an old 626, 323, I think an older protege. We even had one of those MPV van-thingies. The biggest reason we have owned so many is because my dad is good friends with everyone at our local dealership (Bill Britt Mazda), and they almost help him out.

Anyway, I started thinking, and I know the reason I came across my MP5 and eventually bought it, but what's everyone else's story? Why did you choose the Mazda over, say, a Lancer(ewww) or a Neon (gross).

Sorry if this a common topic, but I was bored and thought it might bring about some interesting stories.

 

[PaulMP3]

I had a 97 dodge dakota 4x4 and I wanted a sporty car. I saw the MP3 and P5 in auto week, and called every dealer around and finally put down a deposit for my laser blue mp3. Then i waited 2 months to get it. Ever since i have been in love with my MP3. just waxed her today. This is the first mazda in my family, my parents always have american or european cars. except my dad always talks about his old datsun 510 that he loved when he was a kid.

 

[MP5driva03]

yeah, my mom had a Datsun 510 at one point. I think she got it stuck in a ditch or something one day and flooded it. Regardless, she always talks about how great a car that was. My whole family loves the MP5 tho!

 

[PaulMP3]

my dad sold the 510 to his younger bro, who crashed it, then drove it home with the engine coolant leaking out of it. He blew the motor.:'(

 

[MP5driva03]

That's awful. Where is everyone else in this forum? How did yall come upon the Mazda's?

 

[_ScoRpiOn_]

My MP5 is my first Mazda, I went to check for a used and new MP5, just to check prices, at the dealership (came from checking out a Matrix :wtf: a normal Sentra and a 4-cyl Eclipse :'( ) and my MP5 was the best-looking, most-loaded, most-fun to drive, less expensive car of the ones I checked out, it's like it almost whispered to me in a seductive voice "Buy me, Buy me, I will give you the most fun", and so I fell in love with it and bought it.

What a happy ending

 

[derrick1623]

i had a mx6 ls before this one, and i loved that car, as soon as i saw the mp3, i had to have it, so i traded in my mx6 on it, my next vehicle will more than likely be a mazda truck.

 

[ph0enixrising]

My dad owns an 89 626, and it has 250k miles on it and still runs fine, so I figured Mazda was reliable. I love the styling of the P5 and the fact that it doesn't just look like another 4 banger, like my 2000 Sentra SE did.

 

[falkofire]

my dad had a 929...then a melenia S...I was looking at civics..ect...then I came accross a mazda protege 5.... it had a lot for the price so I found out what sort of a deal I could get on a lease...208 dollars a month later I was driving away a new red protege 5....a lot has changed since then as I now own the car...and turbo is going in on tuesday....but I still love how it drives...feels...and just overall looks

 

[inflections]

I was looking for a new affordable 4- door car to buy - it wasn't specifically a hatchback - But I had noticed that it was a recommended car by Consumer Reports. I also used to work at a Mazda lot and when I used to move the new P5's around I thought they were so cool. I ended up going with a Silver P5. I'm at 30,000 miles and it still runs like the day I got it - except I need new tires from all of the "aggressive driving" the dealer says I have been doing. Love the car to death though.

 

[MP5driva03]

yeah, I definately agree. our cars are frickin' awesome to drive. After owning this car, I'm sure there will be nothing but disappointments to come; no car can live up to the expectations that my MP5 has built for me. Even though she is soooooo stock, it just feels so damn fast. I love that feeling... among others LOL

 

[clownphish]

I've always loved hatchbacks for their utility and because they weren't as unimaginative as most sedans in their styling. I was test driving one day w/my fiance (PT Cruiser, Pontiac Aztec, WRX Wagon (unfortunately too much $$!)) and he suggested the P5. I'd never heard of it but when I saw it I loved it and bought the one I test drove. I was most impressed at the standard features and that I could afford a car and get all that I wanted in it. I love my P5, it's fun as hell to drive, it's reliable, it turns heads even though it's not yellow ;P , I wouldn't trade it if somebody paid me, I plan on having it well after it's paid off!

 

[zerosignal0]

Ive had my lazer blue p5 for almost a month and a half and I absolutly LOVE THIS CAR. I have always been into modifying cars but the only other car Ive played with is what I ended up trading in for my p5. It was a 96 camaro v6 with TONS of work in it. I had it running 13 secs with a full stereo in the back and tons of other interior and exterior mods and I honest to god almost cried getting rid of it but I have ABSOLUTLY no regret. F*CK A CAMARO.

 

[REMillers]

My old 95 Saturn Wagon was on it's last legs at about 117,000 miles of racing. Went looking around for cars, SVT, V-Spec etc. Then my dad went to Britt and bought a 02 Miata from their showroom. Just happen to drop by with him one time to pick it up, and saw your Red MP5 sitting there. Loved it from right there. Then on the day I went to test drive and take it home I saw a Blue Mp5 coming off the truck. So switched and got the 03 Blue one instead.

Hmm I often wonder if you would have ended up with my Blue on.....

 

[Phoenix5]

My 1st car was my dad's old '89 Toyota Tercel.I drove that since Feb 01 then this past August when the car was due for it's smog test,it didn't pass because it was a gross pollutor cuz it was reving too high.So rather than having to spend more money to get it fixes.My dad decides to get a new car for me(I know,I know I'm spoiled)At the time, I really liked Civics so my dad's friend who worked at Mazda told my dad that they had a 2000 Civic Coupe EX and we could trade in the Tercel.When my dad told me that i was jumping for joy.So we go to the dealership and notice that the left low beam light is out and there is no manual and no spare tire w/ the car so they said they'll get it for us so I test drive it and love it(of course) and get the car despite all the problems and go home.When we get home, my dad wants to test drive it.As he is driving it,he notices that the steering wheel seems heavy even though the car comes w/ power steering.He then opens the hood and sees that there is no sticker under the hood(the one that tells what the engine components are),so he figures that the car has been in an accident.As for me,I didn't really care because it was a new car for me and I didn't want to take it back.So anyways, when I drive it, I hear grinding underneath the chassis whenever I make a right turn.So, we go to the dealership to try to get it fixed but in the end,it didn't really help.So my dad's friend tells my dad to get me a P5.But I didn't want it cuz it was a wagon.So after arguing w/ me about it and reading about the P5 in Motor Trend I finally decide to get a P5 in either Midnight Blue or Black in MT.So we go to the dealership to trade in the Civic but they didn't have blue.It was a choice between two reds(one in AT,the other MT),a white(Sport Shift) and a black(AT).So I got the red in manual tranny.This time my dad test drove it and he was happy this time because it was perfect.When my sister bot home and saw my new car, she was mad that she couldn't drive it cuz she can't drive stick and I laughed.So ever sinced then, the P5 grew on me

 

[z00mer]

My first ride was a 74` Triumph Spitfire. A couple of buds and I, yanked out the engine and tranny, and replced them both w/ a 289 V-8(650 Holley 4 bll) and a C-4 tranny. I did all this while my father was stationed in W.Germany. The car was a virtual rocket, and gave those Germans a run for their money. I later sold the car to a pilot friend before coming back to the states.

Then my father picked up a 323 GTX!!! That was one AWSOME car!!! After going through a couple of Mustangs and an 85 Corrola, I picked up a 93 Celica All-Trac. This was my pride and joy....but I could`nt find that many parts for it.

Eventually I decided on getting a new car. After shopping around and doing some research, it was a toss up between :03`Celica Gts(too small for my liking),03`Eclipse GT, 02`Civic SI, and 03 RSX-Type-S. But then I came across the MSP.....and automatically fell in love with this sedan. After test driving....I knew that I had to have it(the handling was uncanny)!!! I pissed-off my wife, fore she does`nt know how to drive stick, plus the night I got my MSP....it took forever to finish the paper work, so....it ruined our evening together.

She has now cooled her jets, and has actually said,"I like YOUR car"!!! Which is one step better than what she used to say.

After having the MSP for 3 months now, I know that I made the right choice, over the other vehicles.

 

[bazooka joe]

i wasn't really lookin for a new car, but i saw an ad on tv for the "protege 5" and i was like whoa, that's an awesome lookin ride! i called my local dealer to see if he had any, he did, went for a test drive the next day and fell in love!! i brought it home and showed the family and then went back to the dealer and said sign me up!! i've owned many new and used cars over the years and this is the best car i've owned for the money!!zoom,zoom,zoom!

 

[Dave_x]

Never owned a Mazda before, but the ultimate factors were looks, price, and lack of interest in other cars. I had a budget in mind for a year or two old car, and couldn't settle on what to get, but knew I didn't want a Focus/Neon/Matrix. I saw a great looking Protege sedan that had me thinking in that direction...until I saw a P5 and the game was over. The great performance was the icing on the cake.

 

[Action Jackson]

My first Mazda.

Why?

- looks good outside
- looks good inside
- handles great from the factory
- nice seats
- 4 disc ABS = stops better [bonus!]
- has lots of cargo space, so if I get married, I won't have to sell this [bonus again!]
- has some mods available
- I live in the land of 50,000 Civic's
- it's not American/Domestic
- still made in Japan=better quality control

Cars driven before:
- 84 Century
- 88 Dodge Shadow Turbo
- 88 Beretta GT
- 90 Lumina
- 94 Civic [still have it]

Cars in the driveway/garage:
- my P5
- '02 Accord
- '94 Civic
- '97 [?] Escort Wagon

 

[Mazdaspeedgirl]

First off, I was pretty much a domestic girl before I turned to Japanese cars. I had many old school Chevys and two mustangs at the time I bought my first Mazda (traded up TWO mustangs for a Mazda). But that's not really where I should start...

I was introduced to Mazda by my ex's 3rd generation RX-7. I was absolutely fascinated with the rotary engine and a car company that had such dedication to being different.

When I first drove a miata, even though it was an auto, I fell in love with the feel/handling. I had to have one! Hence, the selling of both my mustangs to get one. After I lost my first miata, I bought the Pro5 because I rememberd loving the design when they first came out. The Pro5 was my first FWD vehicle, though I had driven many. Most other FWD cars feel rubbery and imprecise. I didnt think I would like a Protege, but had to stick with a Mazda regardless of needing a cheap car to get me thru the rough time I was having.
I was VERY suprised with the handling of the Pro5 and fell in love.

Now I am on my 3rd Mazda (Akio), the 10th Anniversary Edition Miata in my sig next to Pogo, my Pro5.

Overall, I love Mazda because they build cars RIGHT, from the ground up. All their cars are built to handle, which is very important to me because my personal motto when it comes to cars:
"Chassis setup is near impossible to change. Buy a car that handles well because you can always add power!"

'nuff said.