Faults:

The timing belt has been replaced 3 times, roughly at every 50k interval. It never broke, just routine maintenance.

The water pump pulley gets very sharp, and began shredding belts.

General Comments:

I bought this car with 106,000 on it, and it finally was put to rest at 268,000.

Water was discovered in the oil, and due to age, I decided not to repair. It never left me stranded; even with water in the motor, it never quit.

I rarely changed the oil (it leaked a good bit), I drove pretty aggressively. It consistently got between 33-36 mpg.

It was a very fun, reliable sporty car. I wish Mazda still made cars of this quality.

Faults:

Cracked leather seats when I bought it.

Spark plug wires at 115,000 miles (my fault).

Transmission starting to slip going into 3rd gear. (Lucas transmission oil helps with this).

General Comments:

I absolutely love this car.

My first drivable car, and plan on having it for a long time.

A lot of modifications available for the car if you are into that.

Timeless body style.

Very quick!!!

Awesome handling stock.

Not too much room for people in the back when I'm 6'2".

Gets a lot of respect from all of my friends.

Tons of trunk room.

Faults:

When I bought it for $800.00 needed a water-pump

Fixed for $1100.00 and that included, water-pump, timing belt, and all gaskets.

Center pipe was replaced a year later.

Torn both ever since I bought it, might have been from previous owner.

Right lower control arm needs to be replaced.

Paint from hood is starting to fade.

Poor quality material in the interior of vehicle (some buttons have failed to work, some interior pieces have cracked like door handles and door panels.

General Comments:

I have no complaints about this car what so ever. I paid $800.00 and it was towed to replace the water pump. Previous owner overpaid at a mechanic to do other work and didn't fix the original problem and didn't want to deal with the car anymore. Ever since I paid $1100.00 to get everything fixed. So in total I paid $1900.00. I've had this car for 2 years and all I've had to do is regular wear and tear maintenance. For what I have paid for I have gotten my money's worth.

It's a great looking car, if you don't mind space. There is practically no leg room in the rear seats but what can you expect from a small 2 door. This car is powerful and I have to say I waste as much gas as my previous 1995 Honda accord EX 4 Cyl.

Faults:

Power steering belt replaced, valve cover gasket leaking, CV boots need replaced in the next few months, headliner is torn in a few places. Nothing major.

General Comments:

This is one quick snappy car! I love it!

A family member owned this car since it was new and I've driven it many times, sometimes for a year at a time without problems. The family member never checked or changed the oil, never serviced it and I don't think she even opened the hood on it ever. So for this little car to run this good and be so forgiving it's got to be a tough car. I'm barely over 5' so it's easy for me to get in and out of, but my (taller) husband has more trouble getting in and out. I can't believe a Mazda is this tough of a car. I expect it from a Toyota yet this Mazda has truly impressed me.