New Mazda reliability? Skyactiv Series.

[jflogerzi]

I am looking at the same car. Did you drive the 6 sp or auto?

[cdrazic93]

Thats why they zoom zoom

[chaoskaze]

They are pretty good, not sure about anything over 100k but it's a lot better then ford era Mazda. Back then my friend had a Mazda 6 with a problematic engine @ only 50k...

[rice_classic]

Originally Posted by 2016 Camaro SS

If you haven't driven a Mazda and are considering a daily driver for errands, getting to work, and occasionally taking people around, DO IT. They've really come a long way with this new series.

I'm a huge fan and can't believe someone would buy a Camry or Accord over the new Mazda 6.

The girlfriend is absolutely buying a new Mazda but she's waiting for the CX-3 to come out before she pulls the trigger. If she doesn't like it then she will most likely get the 3-grand-touring packaged out like you.

[2016 Camaro SS]

Originally Posted by jflogerzi

I am looking at the same car. Did you drive the 6 sp or auto?

Auto. This will be my daily driver, grocery getter, drive to work car. Taking a break from the manual transmission until I get a weekend warrior car. I've heard their manual transmissions were quirky at first, but they're very good now.

[2016 Camaro SS]

Originally Posted by chaoskaze

They are pretty good, not sure about anything over 100k but it's a lot better then ford era Mazda. Back then my friend had a Mazda 6 with a problematic engine @ only 50k...

Really hard to say because the new Skyactiv series haven't been around quite long enough.

[2016 Camaro SS]

Originally Posted by rice_classic

I'm a huge fan and can't believe someone would buy a Camry or Accord over the new Mazda 6.

The girlfriend is absolutely buying a new Mazda but she's waiting for the CX-3 to come out before she pulls the trigger. If she doesn't like it then she will most likely get the 3-grand-touring packaged out like you.

The 2016 Mazda 6 is a beautiful car now just like the Mazda 3. I just don't carry passengers a lot or pack down my car to need the bigger model. Plus the price goes a bit over 30k with the tech package. The one thing the Mazda 6 does do great in is gas mileage. Looks way better than anything in its class. I like the direction Mazda is going and I'm willing to give them a chance.

[chaoskaze]

Originally Posted by 2016 Camaro SS

Really hard to say because the new Skyactiv series haven't been around quite long enough.

True, in Asia they are out back in 2012. So far long term reviews seem fine, but most of them are diesel.

[2016 Camaro SS]

Originally Posted by chaoskaze

True, in Asia they are out back in 2012. So far long term reviews seem fine, but most of them are diesel.

Man, I couldn't imagine having a Mazda 3 Skyactiv diesel over here. Too bad it won't happen.

I'm still amazed at the Skyactiv 2.5L having a 13:1 compression ratio. Terrible for a turbo, but N/A, pretty solid.

[rice_classic]

Originally Posted by 2016 Camaro SS

I'm still amazed at the Skyactiv 2.5L having a 13:1 compression ratio.

...on 87 octane too!

[chaoskaze]

Originally Posted by 2016 Camaro SS

Man, I couldn't imagine having a Mazda 3 Skyactiv diesel over here. Too bad it won't happen.

I'm still amazed at the Skyactiv 2.5L having a 13:1 compression ratio. Terrible for a turbo, but N/A, pretty solid.

They are nice, almost double the torque compare to gas one. (Hence lots diesel sells.... They get lots praise for it)

They actually detune the U.S. Spec ones, Asia spec compression ratio is 14:1, they just have better gas.

[TofuJoe]

I drove a 2012 Mazda 3 iTouring for the last 3 years. I am glad to have upgraded to a 2013 FR-S. A few notes:

Mazda 3 Pros
- Excellent mileage, especially highway. Once averaged 42 mpg on a 500 mile trip.
- Reasonably lively chassis for a FWD econo car
- Reliability was fine over 33K miles
- 6 speed AT shifted very smoothly
- Hatchback fits a reasonable amount of stuff with seat folded down

Mazda 3 Cons
- Freeway road noise worse than comparable econo cars (louder than a Civic)
- Suspension feel on rough roads a bit harsh
- Stereo was terrible sounding, iPhone bluetooth did not show song information on stereo display, USB input was $500 extra. Should've got the Bose/Moonroof option.
- Interior design was very button intensive (remedied a little bit on newer versions)
- Interior quality and rattles mean you can tell you're in a $19K car
- For engine longevity , you need to warm the car up. The car revs high for a bit and then drops. This takes longer than warming up a normal car.

I've ridden in a friend's CX-5 and it was better with the road noise, design, and quality. Of course it cost $7K more. I would only consider the higher HP version of the CX-5 - the base model doesn't have enough power.

Hope this helps!

[2016 Camaro SS]

Originally Posted by TofuJoe

I drove a 2012 Mazda 3 iTouring for the last 3 years. I am glad to have upgraded to a 2013 FR-S. A few notes:

Mazda 3 Pros
- Excellent mileage, especially highway. Once averaged 42 mpg on a 500 mile trip.
- Reasonably lively chassis for a FWD econo car
- Reliability was fine over 33K miles
- 6 speed AT shifted very smoothly
- Hatchback fits a reasonable amount of stuff with seat folded down

Mazda 3 Cons
- Freeway road noise worse than comparable econo cars (louder than a Civic)
- Suspension feel on rough roads a bit harsh
- Stereo was terrible sounding, iPhone bluetooth did not show song information on stereo display, USB input was $500 extra. Should've got the Bose/Moonroof option.
- Interior design was very button intensive (remedied a little bit on newer versions)
- Interior quality and rattles mean you can tell you're in a $19K car
- For engine longevity , you need to warm the car up. The car revs high for a bit and then drops. This takes longer than warming up a normal car.

I've ridden in a friend's CX-5 and it was better with the road noise, design, and quality. Of course it cost $7K more. I would only consider the higher HP version of the CX-5 - the base model doesn't have enough power.

Hope this helps!

Yours was 2 years before the refresh, correct? I think a lot of your cons were fixed in 2014.

After driving the Corolla/Camry/Mazda 3 all in the same day, the Camry is the quietest on road noise, followed by the Mazda 3 and Corolla S. The Mazda was not very loud, but I'm also used to my FR-S with 35 sidewall 18 inch wheels. I heard no rattles, but it's hard to gauge that in a test drive.

Thank you for your input!

[TofuJoe]

Yes, mine was before the latest refresh. Road noise and suspension feel on bumpy roads were my two biggest complaints. A very practical car other than that.