Faults:

Replaced both front bearings at 190,000km - not at Mazda dealer - Cost 400$.

Replaced transmission speed sensor at 200,000 - wasn't shifting into 2nd gear when the weather was wet or humid - replaced myself - cost of sensor 67$ at Mazda dealer.

Replaced rear door glass - Due to break in - Cost 220 with installation.

Replaced front right shock - did it myself (in 2 hours) - Cost 90$ at Canadian tire.

General Comments:

I find that the Mazda, is generally a great car.

We own the GT 3 Model, very quick for its class and economical.

We bought it used, and had it for over 3 years now. Until now we only replaced a few things. And it is starting to show some rust on the rear quarter panels as well as the trunk hatch. Otherwise, very good.

I would definitely buy another Mazda.

I have previously owned a Audi A6, now with that vehicle there was always a problem, I would have to put down minimum 600$ every 3 months. Not only that, it was so expensive on the labor and parts, was it ever gas hungry; 13 L/Highway - 15L/City for a 2.8 engine. Officially the worst car ever made!!!

Faults:

Cylinder misfire @ 2000 km, 2 months after I bought the car. Covered under warranty. Repair cost if not covered - $1500.

Right front wheel bearing @ 20,000 km (1 year of ownership). Not covered by warranty - $320 for repair. Argued with dealer to no avail.

Rear brake replacement (pads) @ 28,000 km (1/1/2 years of ownership) - a little early by any standards.

Car got broken into because of faulty door lock. $300 worth of electronics stolen. This was around the 1 year mark. Left a nasty dent on top of door handle of drivers door. Mazda wouldn't fix. Quoted $300 by body shop - left unfixed. Mazda fixed lock problem few months later by sticking in a piece of metal into the door frame. Thanks Mazda!

A/C compressor died @ 70,000 km mark (3/1/2 years into ownership). Not covered under warranty. $800 cost of replacement. Replaced in the winter so had no idea if A/C actually worked or not. Come summer, A/C doesn't work. Condenser/drier needs replacement. $700 later A/C finally works. Not covered under warranty.

105,000 km. Back driver side suspension strut sheers off the car while driving in the city. The top attachment inside the wheel well snapped off and was bouncing around inside the wheel well. Not covered under warranty. $600 to replace both back suspension struts.

130,000 km. Front right bearing goes again. $300 to replace. Needless to say, car is outside of warranty now.

133,000 km. Front left and right ball joints of the control arms needed replacing. $700. Not covered under warranty.

138,000 km. Front brake pads, rotors, back pads and rotors. Around $600 parts and labor.

138,000 km. Clutch plate is skipping. This will need replacement soon. Was quoted 900$ for the job. Still didn't fix.

Rust problems. Started in wheel wells, then noticed bubbling on the doors. Dealer replaced the doors under warranty.

1 year later noticed rust forming on the trunk and in front of rear wheel wells. Entire back of car was repainted under warranty.

General Comments:

I can't keep fixing this car. No accidents, not even a fender bender. Love the handling, but gas mileage isn't great and reliability has been horrible, as well as the service. Won't ever buy a Mazda again.

Faults:

Transmission went within the first year of me owning the car, but it was under warranty.

Tires didn't last a year. CD player stopped working.

Material on all 4 doors came loose. Brake lights keep blowing.

Material on the seats started wearing.

It's definitely a car for going around the blocks, not long distance. Uncomfortable noisy ride.

Servicing the car at the dealer is the worst; you have an option of getting cheap part ex brakes or expensive parts.