Faults:

Clutch - I had to have my first clutch replaced after 22,000 and a costs of £800 (Initially the dealer quoted £1,200!)

Clutch - I had to have my second clutch replaced after another 15,000 miles. This time it was priced at the original £1,200, so I got it fixed by a local company at a cost of £500. This clutch has been fine.

Engine - After 72,000 miles the piston snapped and I was quoted £8,000 for a new engine! After lots of discussion the dealership agreed to repair the engine at a cost of £3,100. After working on the engine they said I needs a new clutch Fly Wheel at a cost of £538.

When I initially complained to Mazda they said it was my driving (I am 50 years of age and have never had a clutch go on any other car I have owned). When I complained the second time the clutch failed they wanted proof. I sent them the clutch and they lost it!

I am now trying to get compensation for the engine failure, but I do not expect anything from Mazda.

The car is unreliable, after sales is poor, in fact they are aggressive and rude.

I would never buy another Mazda.

General Comments:

To be honest I like the car. I enjoy driving it but the cost of keeping it on the road is crippling.

Faults:

Check engine light is currently on.

General Comments:

I have not had to touch a thing on this vehicle. The check engine light did recently come on. I changed the air filter and will attempt to reset the light and see if it stays on.

It is an excellent vehicle for a family of 4 or 5. I bought the van used 2.5 years ago for a low price and have been very satisfied with its convenience, maneuverability, and quality.

Gas mileage is below what I expected, but few vans are good.

The brakes do click after reversing, but there is a fix for this. It is not a problem, just an annoyance.

Faults:

Interior plastic parts scratch fast and badly.

Coil failed.

Rust started to appear on doors.

O2 sensor needed to be replaced, told by dealer, but the check engine light still even after replaced.

Back heat and AC stopped working.

General Comments:

The car very nice looking van comparing with others, and way cheaper than the Sienna and Odyssey, and it's a Japanese made, that's what make me decide to buy it.

But since day one, I found lots of things I didn't like for a newer model car:

- The transmission shifter is big and located in a strange place, blocking your hand to reach the audio buttons and AC... etc.

- The plastic parts are so soft and scratch fast.

- 5 speed auto transmission is too much... keeps the transmission busy all the time changing gears, and sometimes jerks.

- The engine not bad; it has 200hp; better than 2001 and previous models, but still I feel the van is heavy.

- The gas mileage is horrible

- The steering is little heavy and hard to steer

- It's not fun to drive, and the blind spots are huge.

I drive a 1990 GMC Vandura 3500 truck, and it feels lighter and and easier to drive.

Comparing this MPV with my previous car, a 1988 Accord, this van is expensive to maintain, and the heater and AC are not strong.

Maybe I'm not a van guy, but I bought it because I have 2 kids now, and my 1988 Honda was a 2 door.