When I purchased the Mazda I had to replace the cv joints - the dealership paid half. After wards it was regular maintenance including battery, tires, exhaust and just recently a radiator. All items breakdown eventually and my repairs (as noted) for regular maintenance. Including tune-ups and oil changes likely cost 200 a year over a period of over nine years. good on ya Mazda... the car is not perfect. the front seats are not very supportive after a few hours in the saddles.. very reliable and cheap to run.
When I purchased the vehicles it had the most kilometers of anything I had previously owned. It was the first Japanese (goes without saying first Mazda) I had owned. As it turned it has lasted longer than a number of American cars that were purchased new or near new. The car is as tight as the I bought it. Sometimes however it does burn a little oil for a few blocks. My mechanic say not worry it is to expected as long as rectifies itself don't worry.
Just to keep the readers informed. I wrote that article about two years ago. Further I still own that 1990 323 and it remains very reliable. Last year I had replace the CV joints and the radiator - normal maintenance. The vehicle has about 270,000 kilometers on it. As noted in the prior article the car requires tune ups and oil changes and not much else. I have heard (from a television car show) that when Ford purchased controlling interest in Mazda in the early 1990's they (Ford) sent their engineers to Japan to found out how to build cars. Would I purchase another Mazda - you bet... likely a Protege or Mazda3. It is hard to believe that my little car has lasted 16 Canadian winters (10 of which in my possession)... good on ya Mazda.
August 2006 - still have the car and remains reliable.
Burns a bit of oil when cold, but OK after a block or two. Paint is starting to fad badly and needs a wee bit of cosmetic work... trivial.. really considering how reliable this vehicle has been since April 1996.. would consider purchasing a new Mazda (likely 3 or Protege) once this one blows up...
Good on ya... a lot of friends have sold several vehicles since I have owned this one.. usually because they were costing too much to repair... not in my case.
Will keep readers informed as time goes by.
March 26, 2007 - Imagine that 11 eleven years with a car that I had expected to own for a year. All these years it has only cost general maintenance. Yes at times it does smoke and burn oil when it is cold. Have to add one (sometimes two) litres of oil between oil changes. Once vehicle warms up it is fine. Still get excellent mileage. Most friends have either replaced their my 11 years or spent a fortune. I currently have 280k kilometers with rust around the wheel wells. At times I do consider buying another Mazda, but usually stop short. A combination of sticker shock and not wanting to waste money on something not needed. I am very impressed. It is interesting to note that the Mazda 323 - Protege and the Mazda3's have been on recommended list of consumer reports (not one year, but all) since I started the viewing the late 1980'. Way to go Mazda --- I must be honest I would not consider a Mazda built in association or by Ford...
Yes I am a Mazda fan.
August 8, 2007.
Still own the vehicle and reliable as ever. The paint has faded quite bad. I can polish the colour back, but not the shine. Will try putting on a clear coat as a test...
Will likely last another Canadian winter.
In brief purchased the car with 160,000 kilometers (100k miles or so) and not has close to 300... way to go Mazda.
In April it will be 12 years..
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