MattMPS

no love for Honda Fit owners

https://www.rx8club.com/lounge-4/maz...-brand-244215/

direct link to video

http://www.theonion.com/articles/man...1761/?ref=auto

Maxvla

Hello all.

Brief history - I'm in the US and I've been looking at new cars for almost a year now. Looking for a compact or maybe mid-size car and have driven most of the compact options already. Was really impressed with the VW Golf TDI because of how the city driving experience was with the low RPM torque. Decided the Golf TDI was too pricey (sticker of $28k+) and the risk of HPFP failures with VW TDIs was too much, so I looked for other diesel options and found exactly zero. The first to come available will be the Cruze TD, but I was not impressed with the $26k starting price point for a car that starts at $16k in base trim with a gasser. I then found the Mazda 6 was coming with the Skyactiv-D, and while I wasn't really looking to have a mid-size car, it looked great and the better driving feel of the diesel might be worth up-sizing for.

So I've been following developments on this car for the last couple months, again playing the long waiting game, only to tonight find reference to this thread warning about short distance driving with diesels. I drive about 5,000 miles a year at most, so the diesel really is about the driving feel, not the fuel economy for me. I equate it to going for a V6 instead of settling for a I4, but with double or more fuel economy (with a diesel vs V6). Compact cars with V6s are almost unheard of now, so diesel is really the only option if I'd rather not settle for the I4.

I typically take 3 long trips a year, 2 which are about 450 miles round trip and one that is about 900 miles round trip, so the rest of my miles are in short 5-10 minute segments most of the time. According to this thread, I should not buy any diesel, not only Skyactiv-D diesels, which is disappointing. My question is, if I were to do a longer (30-60) minute drive once a week would this be enough to keep me in good shape, or will I still have oil and particulate (not being burned up) problems?

And if that isn't good enough, I'm not sure what my next car can be. Since seeing this thread I did some searching about this topic for normal gas cars and it is also suggested not to drive short distances, but I suspect the severity is less than you mentioned for diesels and rotaries. Hybrids still use a gas motor, so that's not perfect. The only real answer is an EV, but most are above my price point ($20-25k) even with the tax credit. The only one that is close is the Nissan Leaf, but I've seen where owners are selling their Leafs back to Nissan due to poorer than promised EV range. I'd go with a bicycle as my work commute is only 2.6 miles, but my city is not suited to biking and I'd be risking my life doing it, and my city is also not equipped with good public transportation. I'm at a loss..

ASH8

/\ No....why you would want a buy a Diesel when you only do 'a' 5-10 minute excursion is really beyond me...Diesels are NOT for short distance use...for ANY brand of car .

Please whether it is Mazda Diesel or VW or any other make, it is NOT the engine for you, simple.

In Australia and Europe we have had diesels for many decades in cars (more so in Europe), and even in Europe issues happen (old Mazda Diesels) because owners buy them for economy and short use...a big mistake.

Whatever a car salesman says to you, Don't do it.

Naturally IF one drives daily for more than 20 minutes at a time the DPF will self clean (Mazda), anything shorter and it won't.

A Diesel is meant to run long distance, even clean diesels of today, don't let anyone else tell you otherwise.

Good luck.

Maxvla

I would appreciate if you read my post before replying.

I made it quite clear why I preferred the diesel. You rehashing the same points I already read isn't helpful. You didn't answer the bolded question and didn't offer any advice. I don't know what a salesman has to do with what I mentioned, none of this was because what a saleman told me. If it was I would have said "But the salesman told me...".

I hope you don't think I'm being rude, it is just frustrating asking a question and being told exactly the same thing as before, and things I specifically stated completely ignored.

Bladecutter

Mazda 6 with the diesel is going to be above your price point also, so you might as well look for something else.

So is the Mazda CX-5 with the diesel.
And eventually, even the Mazda 3 with a diesel, if that car comes to the US market.

So, no Mazda with a diesel for you.

BC.

Maxvla

According to prices overseas the difference is $2-3k USD. The base Sport is $21k. Add $2-3k and factor negotiation and I'm still well within my budget. People are getting Touring 6s with options for $22-23k when the base Touring starts at $24,495.

A diesel sport 6 after negotiation should be possible for $22-24k before tax/etc.

I'm not interested in a SUV. The 3 would certainly be in my price range.

Carbon8

iTrader: (4)

Mazda 6 gas, is faster, and gets about the same MPG as the diesel without the hassle of costly diesel maintenance and the risk of the unknown as it will be the first of its kind in the states so expect some headaches.

I used to advocate the diesel but after doing research there is no logical reason to buy one.

ASH8

I did read what you wrote...

NO... to your bold question, and that is what I replied ..No..

You were not ignored...no is NO...please take your frustration out somewhere else I suggest, whichever way you want to dissect a 'driving plan of use', it will not work,
a Diesel is not for a owner who drives 5000 miles a year ''at most''.

The rest I wrote as an assumption what 'a' car salesman might do/say before it happens, just to get a sale, in other words don't get talked into it (a Diesel)...Usually though car salesmen tell you what you want to hear.

Frankly, if I may be so, IF you did your homework you would not even be considering any Diesel Engined car.

One, two, or three 'long trips' a year would really make no difference to the operation of engine.

The Mazda SA DPF (converter) is operated by ECU (PCM Computer) 'burning off' particulates when the engine/coolant reaches a certain temperature (HOT), and @ pre-set drive cycles (not necessarily @ every turn key start).

Good luck.

Mr.Mango

iTrader: (2)

Good luck getting much of a deal on a new Mazda as mark up is very low & if I am not mistaken the diesel will only be available in GT models and maybe T with the 6... add 2k to those prices and your at 26.5-31.5 before taxs, PDI, accessories, tint, financing etc.. Thats IF the diesel is $2k more than the 2.5 gas, I expect it to be in the 3K range.

Maxvla

The frustration was only generated by your reply. I didn't have any before.

Your answer of 'No' didn't address any specific question, and I couldn't assume it was to my main question. The rest of your post was so regurgitated, looking back I didn't know what 'No' might have referred to.

What was ignored was that I explicitly said I enjoyed the driving feel of the diesel. You then asked why I wanted a diesel. See what I mean?

Then you say something completely off the wall about 2-3 long trips not affecting the life of the engine?? - I asked no question regarding this, I merely said what my driving pattern was. Why are you answering an unasked question?

Isn't finding threads like this and asking questions about it part of 'doing my homework'? I haven't bought the car yet, don't condemn me for something I haven't done.

I think I have the question answered finally, but you really need to learn how to communicate. The answer to my post should have been 'No, the system doesn't work that way. It needs to be driven at least 15-20 minutes each time, not just once a week as you suggest. You should buy a gas car'.

Instead of that I get an ambiguous 'No' followed by a summary of the first post of this thread which I had already read, and a question about why I want a diesel when that was already answered. Then in your last post you tell me I should know the answer to my question already if I had done my homework. What sense does that make?

--

Thanks for the answer, but you made this much more difficult than it had to be.

ASH8

OH cricky...

YOU mentioned your DRIVING Habits...I replied to it..

What do you not understand, in my reply?, you have been a member here for 5 minutes, I have no idea who you are, or much about what you really want as your thinking is all over the place as to what brand, what type of vehicle in 'buying' 'a' car.

I simply stated based on what YOU said about your driving habits that a Diesel is not the TYPE of car for a person like you to own...IMO...even though you like the 'feeling of a diesel'.

You did say..

This thread is about "Skyactiv Engines Oil Level Issues" which is directly attributed to owner driving habits and use of said car....which IS then directly related to engine longevity and issues!...plus some Mazda ECU updates.

It appears you want someone else to make up your mind for you on 'what type' of car to drive and own.....this thread is not the place to continue .....


IF you have been reading what I wrote in the first page (that is page 1 of this thread) as you say you have then ALL of your questions (like above) should have been answered....??

....you really need learn how to comprehend first before asking 'a' question.

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

Please stop, Maxvla... ASH is here to help the community and is generous enough to provide such valuable enlighten to us free of charge, yet people like you make those who are willing to help want to shy away instead.

Maxvla

Wow. Grats on me never buying a Mazda of any kind and actively protesting against it for anyone who asks me. You are truly a one of a kind ambassador for your brand.

ASH8

grow up..

You are the type of owner who is never satisfied with an answer or reply, I say you have done the Mazda community a favour...

You would be the type to let all the warnings and advice given to you to go ahead and buy a diesel car anyway, and when something then goes wrong with it's 10 minutes of daily use, you abuse the brand.

If you liked your own answer then WHY did you ask...lol..

Typically your comeback reply would have been "why doesn't the system work that way"...

I repeat READ page 1 of THIS thread.
No one can ever satisfy ...

kvakotaj

Hi BaronX. I had oil dilution problem with my mazda6 diesel. Oil level started to increase dramaticaly after aprox. 25 000 km. Main problem was faulty pressure sensor in particle filter. Engine was theretore trying to regenerate too often which led to oil dillution. Problem disapeared after sensor replacent. So try the same thing.