General Comments:

The car that won't die. I got it for 550 bucks 4 years ago and it's been a good reliable car that's taken me on multiple roadtrips up and down the east coast. It has 220,000 miles.

The only things that have gone wrong with it were minor things like belts and hoses and stuff like that. No major repairs till today.

I just had to spend 200 getting some air hose replaced, and apparently it's leaking oil too, but that costs more to fix than it's worth.

I might just be getting a new car soon, but I'll be sad to see my Mazda go.

Oh yeah, I forgot, it gets really good gas mileage.

Faults:

Right now its sitting with a crapped out alternator and belt, runs on 3 cylinders and burns oil. It also has the usual rust and needs a door.

General Comments:

Great car and is very reliable. handles well for a car of its age and size.

Faults:

We bought the car for our daughter and it was on sale from a private owner. He sold it to us for $500.00 and we thought it was a good buy for a first car. When we test drove it, it didn't seem to have any problems other than a knock from the suspension. Little did we know that the transmission was not going to shift into 2nd 3rd or 4th gear until we paid for it and drove off. Well thinking we still had a steel, we took it home and can't understand why the (hold) light is blinking. The car will shift into 1st, and then the light starts to blink. Is this something electrical, or something more serious?

I think I know what the knock noise is in the steering/suspension system.

The car does smoke a little. I think the car just needs some tender love and care, it seems like it will be a good car to keep.

General Comments:

Great paint on the car---bright bright red.

Interior is still good. Even came with a JVC cd player.

Faults:

Transmission went at 148ooo miles. drivers side window doesn't go all the way up on it's own. minor electrical problems (tape deck doesn't work, windshield wipers won't start immediately when it's raining, but work all the time when it's not raining, power antenna doesn't retract, drivers side seat belt is stuck in forward position on door).

General Comments:

For a 15 year old car with 149k miles, this thing runs and handles great!

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!