Faults:

The water pump blew at 70,000 miles.

I Had to have the CV joints and CV axles replaced at 100,000 miles and now I am beginning to have problems with the CV joints again.

Several seals and gaskets have been replaced due to oil leakage.

The car requires a major tuneup every 40,000 miles or the engine will start misfiring.

General Comments:

I bought my MX-6 when it was already four years old and it drove like it was brand new.

It has good power and superb handling.

The air/heat slowly leaks from the vents constantly, regardless of whether the fan is turned on or off.

Tires for the alloy rims are expensive.

Faults:

I have had very few problems with this vehicle. The spark plug wires were replaced at 52,000 miles since one or more of them was causing misfiring.

The power antenna raise/retract assembly failed. This failure caused a battery drain and the subsequent replacement of the battery.

There is a small leak in the power steering pump or the associated hoses. I add 3 or 4 ounces of power steering fluid every 3000 miles.

General Comments:

The sporty appearance of this vehicle promises quick response from the gas and nimble handling on the road. It delivers on those promises. The MX6 is very agile and responsive due to the P205/55 tires that are standard. The tight suspension also contributes to the road feel and agility.

My last car, which I drove for almost 11 years was a 2.0 Litre 4 cylinder Mazda 626 LX. The Mazda MX6 is basically a 626 LX with a new body, 2.5 6 cylinder engine, a tight suspension and performance rated tires. The reliability of the 626 speaks well for the MX6.

The harder 'ride' of the MX6 took some getting used to. I was accustomed to a softer and more gentle 'ride'. Long trips in this car can be tiring because of the stiff suspension.

The 2.5 Litre 6 cylinder engine in this car is small, as 6 cylinder engines go. This does not stop it from filling the engine compartment. Shade tree mechanics (like me) will be challenged by the tight confines if they try to work under the hood. I have a manual transmission. There seems to be some sort of fluid sharing system between the brake and the clutch systems. The clutch does not 'grab', but engages smoothly.

This vehicle is not a muscle car! I describe my car as luxury/sport. The specs call for 169 horsepower, which will get you to the finish line behind some 8 cylinder 5.0 Litre behemoth.

The cabin amenities are good. The AM/FM stereo with cassette functions well. The speakers are on the better side of average for factory supply. The power seat works well and has forward and back travel as well as limited up and down. All of the controls are easy to read and find even in the dark.

Back seat room is cramped.

Faults:

The instrument panel went dead a few months after I bought the car. One of the traces on the circuit board burned out. Mazda replaced the board in one day and at no cost.

The spark plug wires had to be replaced at about 50000 miles. The old ones deteriorated causing engine misfires.

A small oil leak started at the valve cover gasket at about 110000 miles.

General Comments:

I've had this car for six years without any major problems, and very few minor ones.

The engine is still smooth and reliable, never had a problem starting. The power is still good, in spite of the high mileage. Gas mileage is right around 30 miles per gallon, mostly highway driving.

The body is in great shape. No rust. The paint has faded, but that's to be expected. No new squeaks or rattles.

This car performs almost as well as the day I bought it.