Faults:

Ignitor coil failed.

Voltage regulator failed.

Exhaust rusted badly overall.

Clutch wore out.

Wheel cylinder seal ruptured.

Vacuum line connector broke.

Radiator tends to build rust very quickly.

Turn signals stopped working on one side (can't remember the part name right now.

Cabin lights stopped working.

Moonroof doesn't work very well.

Coolant leaking from somewhere apparently; car begins overheating every few weeks.

Tapping noise from the lifters.

Brakes not working as well as when purchased for unknown reason possibly due to a slowly failing master cylinder.

Clutch slips when very hot (if the temp gauge is above 1/2 (less than half is normal for me anyway) )

Pcv valve broke.

General Comments:

The car is pretty quick, though the acceleration is just a bit slow for my taste.

Handles very well with good tires

- wouldn't recommend cheapie tires.

Interior craftsmanship is pretty poor.

Repairs are pretty costly overall, most parts cost more than they would on most cars even though this engine is used in seven or eight cars. If you can find the parts that is, plan on visiting junkyards or dealers (even more expensive) or being without your car for a few days when ordering online.

I can't decide whether I hate this car or love it. when it's running well and everything works it's an absolute joy. whenever anything needs to be fixed or if I'm upgrading something it's frustrating as hell. it seems common sense hadn't yet been invented even when you consider the golden rule: they were designed to be built, not repaired.

If you buy have it checked over thoroughly by a good mechanic, check the wiring carefully for anything being frayed/rusted. take a look at the engine oil to see what it looks like. some people have complained of head gaskets leaking water/coolant, if the oil is milky or looks like/has the consistency of pudding it's leaking coolant into the oil ask when/if the fluids have been changed same for belts/hoses/spark plug wires/spark plugs.

Get a Hayne's repair manual, they can be pretty useless a lot of the time but can be useful, do ALL of the maintenance listed, whether it been over 60k or not whether it's been done recently or not.

Pretty much plan to spend at least a grand right after you buy it.

Faults:

I bought this car for 2500 from my friend's dad, and it had a bad tranny, bad brakes and rotors.

Since then I've had to replace the timing belt, water pump, and mass airflow sensor.

Just like all MX6's, my sensor went out, although which one I do not know. It went bad, and it felt like I had VTEC, which was not good.

Also the infamous pinion problem.

All are fixed now, and it's running smoothly.

General Comments:

I love this car, and would like to turbo it one day.

So far I have bought cold air intake, 21/2 Magnaflow cat-back exhaust, added ground wires, new vacuum hoses, high performance gaskets, headers with a down pipe, light weight flywheel and crank pulley, stage 3 racing clutch, short shifter.

I took the leather back seats out and stripped the interior. The only thing I have is one leather driver's seat, I couldn't throw it away, it's too comfortable.. weird I know...

I have the Mazdaspeed lip kit and side skirts.. don't worry, it's not anywhere near the ricer Invader kit.. I just added the big brake kit, and it came with drilled rotors; it's a lot smoother.

I kept the stock size tires, and got light weight 15 inch rims.. The tires are great; they are BF Goodrich racing tires.. very nice.

When changing the gaskets for kicks, I painted the 2 valve covers blue, and the engine itself black.. I will try to get pics up soon.

All in all, a very great car, and was worth putting money into. Watch out for the pinion problem and the steering problem, and also the sensor. Mazda is the way to go.