Faults:

Air conditioner compressor leaked, requiring replacement at ~85,000 miles.

Clutch replaced at ~110,000 miles.

2 CV boot tears.

Muffler replaced twice.

Bent rear sway bar - to be replaced.

Needs a new wheel bearing at ~133,000 miles.

Normal maintenance for a car with this mileage (replace oil, timing belt, brake pads, tires, battery, etc)

Faults:

The transmission started to slip, after about 800 miles, after I purchased the car.

I hear a little engine noise at times, but really nothing major.

The exhaust needs a little work, from my catalytic converter on back. Since I received the vehicle used, I expected a few problems.

General Comments:

This has a really nice body style, and a nice roomy interior. For this car to be a 2.0 liter engine it is really quick.

I really enjoy the trunk space, and the roomy interior it has to offer.

Faults:

Driver side coil spring broke this year. Both were replaced up front.

Front and rear McPherson struts replaced at the same time as coil springs.

Upper ball joints were worn and also replaced at the same time as coil springs.

Routine maintenance such as brake pads replaced front and rear (car has rear disk brakes).

Front tires were worn excessively due to coil spring collapse and replaced at the same time as the coil springs.

General Comments:

The V6 is incredibly responsive and easy on the pocketbook being a 2.5L. I have had the opportunity to drive the same model year in a 4 cylinder and it was incredibly underpowered.

The car handles well on curves and is stable at high speeds and is overall a thrill to drive.

The 4 wheel disk brakes stop the car quicker than expected.

Repairs this year were plentiful, but, given the mileage, was expected. I was fortunate not to have to put a dime into repairs for 1 1/2 yrs so in my view, it evens out.

Faults:

The rubbers fell off the doors.

I put 4 alternators on it in 2 years.

I replaced the timing post twice, costing $800.each.

I put 2 c.v. joints in it.

The wheel bearings have to be replaced.

General Comments:

The point that I want to make is that this car is very expensive to maintain.

Where I live the parts are very hard to get and cost a nice bit of money to get.

Faults:

The moon roof motor went bad - covered by warranty.

Factory-installed radio did not work properly - covered by warranty.

Door seals cracked and broke - covered by warranty.

More doors seals cracked and broke - NOT covered by warranty.

Both rear brake calipers "went bad" after I owned the car for 37 months and had 34,000 miles - NOT covered by warranty.

Dashboard covering around the passenger-side airbag has bubbled up - not covered by warranty.

The engine started to miss when idling at about 42000 miles - Mazda mechanics are mystified. It still misses to this day.

The paint has deteriorated dramatically in the last six to nine months. Quote from the body shop guy I trust - "They (Mazda) probably didn't spend as much money on their paint as they should have".

General Comments:

I believe I have taken very good care of this car. It has the dark green metallic paint with a leather interior. It is eight years old this month and friends say that from the side it looks like new. From above it looks like it's been sitting in the junkyard for a couple of years.

The brake problem at 34000 miles was infuriating. I spent $550 to fix a car that had 34000 miles on it. I took it to a "non-authorized" mechanic to have the work done. The Mazda mechanic warned me - "They aren't going to use genuine Mazda parts!" To which I replied - "You mean the genuine parts that failed within 34000 miles and you won't replace under warranty?", "Why in the world do you think I'd want any of those parts?".

My advice to everyone - I owned a Toyota Camry before purchasing this vehicle, and believe me, this is no Toyota.