Faults:

Exhaust replaced at 228.000km.

Now experiencing problems while riding, it seems like my Mazda is choking and it stutters if I accelerate at 80km/hour, at 110 and 120km/hour.the more I accelerate the more it looses power. if I let go for a sec than it all comes back to normal. this problem occurred after the one time when oil lamp went on and than I had to fill up the motor with oil. I m still looking for the cause and solution. (its pretty hard to find honest service guys around here)

General Comments:

Extremely reliable!!! I bought it for 500 euro and it was every cent worth!

It's a standard model, no extras beside the radio. no power steering (it sure keeps my shoulders in shape) and until the recent problems it used to accelerate like a bullet. its my second Mazda. its spacious inside I can even put 4 kids in the backseat.

Consumption has been OK till now.

I'm looking for a bigger car now cos I have 9 kids, but till than we're hoping its gonna give us a few more 1000s of km of pleasure.

Faults:

144,200 miles on my car and the only problem I have had was a bad CV axle.

General Comments:

My first car, but the fastest and most reliable 4 cylinder I have ever driven.

This car is such a fun car to drive.

Its really good on gas also.

5 speed transmission for my first car. easy to drive.

Faults:

Cracked air intake at 75,000. This is a known problem and is easily repaired with duct tape.

Replaced CV joints/wheel bearings at 100,000. Cost about 400.00.

Have gone through 3 stainless steel mufflers or one muffler every three years.

Replaced transmission at 130,000. Cost for a used one was 1,500. Probably broke due to lack of engine oil (says my mechanic).

Replaced clutch at the same time as transmission. Cost about 200.00. While they were in there... it probably did not need one.

Seat belt light recently stuck on (150,000).

General Comments:

Great car overall. Only stranded me once when the transmission broke. Engine is strong even if the other parts of the car are starting to wear out.

I have not maintained the car through its lifetime and it has hung tough. Oil changed every 6K to 10K miles or until the oil light comes on. Did not flush radiator for until 140,000 miles had passed. No AC recharge and it still blows cold. This car is bombproof.

Only complaint is the chassis noise. It is rather noisy at highway speeds due to finish of doors/windows.

I have had this car on one cross-country trip, many trips to Moab, etc. and it has never failed me. Love this car!

Faults:

The driver's side axle had a bad velocity joint when I bought it -$70.00.

Replaced the clutch slave cylinder at 230,080 miles - $30.00.

Replaced the exhaust pipe from the manifold to the converter @ 245,00 miles - $145.00.

Replaced heater blower motor @ 270,000 miles - $60.00.

General Comments:

This car's engine is as strong as the day it was manufactured. It can still grab rubber in 1st, 2nd, & 3rd.

This car handles like a finely tuned sports car. I drive it daily like I stole it, sometimes doing 90MPH for extended periods of time, and it sticks to the road like glue.

This is the best car I have ever had for gas mileage. I never get less than 33 MPG, and if I drive it 55 all the time I get as high as 42 MPG on the highway.