Faults:

Small water lines behind motor if one goes replace them all.

Window main switch. Bought new from dealer.

Crank pulley could not do timing.

Radiator.

General Comments:

This is the best car I have ever had. I traded it for 1964 Thunderbird. I now have 3 of these cars 285,000-255,000-142,000 miles I have seen them up over 300,000.

These cars pretty much had all the same problems nothing major. Motor burning oil, but still running strong.

I had an automatic did not last as long as the manual. My advise buy a manual.

Very good on gas.

I think this car will be a classic in time.

Faults:

The alternator went at 350K.

The front suspension I had rebuilt at 395.

New head gasket at 346, but it was a cheap cork replacement (not asbestos/steel original) and blew at 354. I rebuilt the motor completely at that time.

There is one crack on the side vinyl of the driver's side seat. The steering wheel and shift knob are worn out completely because of the miles (there is no more shift pattern).

The CV joints seem to be weak. The originals went until 200K, and they were replaced (under canadian tire warranty) 4 times.

Currently, the brake line has rusted through and this has kept me from driving it. I am currently driving another Mazda, a 1996 626.

General Comments:

I love this car.

It handles very well, not as good as the Fiero, but good.

The car isn't terribly powerful, but the car is spunky and revvy. As a family car, it is quite peppy.

I dig the seats.

My only complaint with this car is the high price of Mazda replacement parts and a crappy dealer.

I do (and did) all the non-warranty work on the car personally and the car is very easy to work on. Even though I totaled this car 4 times and the frame resembles a wet noodle, it still handles great and drives very well, with typical Mazda fun. Zoom-Zoom.