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I really wish I could get a "ManWagon" for US$30-something-k here. Something with at least either HP or lb.ft above 300 either in RWD or AWD with a RWD bias (i.e. Nissan/Infiniti's ATTESA E-TS Pro).
Hell, just give me a G37x/Q50 in a wagon or hatchback formfactor and I'd buy it right now.
My friend has a Volvo V60 (possibly Polestar). It's pretty awesome.
2.5T is continuing to have Performance and Reliability issues.
CX-9 owners are reporting lack of engine power.
Well it looks like the Manifold (exhaust) 3 port flap actuator is jamming or the pivot shaft has issues and or flaps..
I believe due to heat.
There is a 'new' modified unit and PCM reporogramming to 'address' these issues.
MY Opinion I wondered how long it would be before things like this cropped up, mechanical flaps so close
to exhaust and it's heat can be problematic...I hope they get on-top of this....and fast.
Other countries get more interesting vehicles for 2 (EDIT: 3) reasons:
1) Looser safety and emissions regulations.
2) More predictable driving conditions.
3) Most of them are connected by land.
North America is a huge vehicle market with tight regulations and wildly unpredictable weather compared to most of the world, and our imports have to be hauled across the ocean to get here. We also depend on our cars a lot more than most countries, and we are easily upset by unscheduled maintenance. This means it's a high-risk market with the potential for enormous losses if a vehicle isn't super-unreliable or isn't extremely popular.
Last edited by fyrstormer; 08-20-2018 at 06:15 PM.
Australia is just as large mate and rely on cars just as much as USA....I really don't get the weather part, so Europe does not have cold or wet or hot and neither does Australia or New Zealand?
And yes all our cars are now all imported, Ford, GM, Nissan, Toyota, Mitsubishi all shut plants here.
China makes and sells as many if not more cars than USA?
Regulation really not a lot of difference now between USA and EU, Australia uses EU regs now, next to zero difference in safety, in fact the current Ford Mustang imported in Australia from USA only gets 2 star rating, same in EU because Ford USA does not add all the electronic safety systems, like BSM, RCT Alert, Lane Departure, Radar Cruise.
2.5T is continuing to have Performance and Reliability issues.
CX-9 owners are reporting lack of engine power.
Well it looks like the Manifold (exhaust) 3 port flap actuator is jamming or the pivot shaft has issues and or flaps..
I believe due to heat.
There is a 'new' modified unit and PCM reporogramming to 'address' these issues.
MY Opinion I wondered how long it would be before things like this cropped up, mechanical flaps so close
to exhaust and it's heat can be problematic...I hope they get on-top of this....and fast.
Ash: is this happening mainly in Australia or in other markets as well?
There are about 35,000 of these in USA right now, so what about the cost?
I will say this again, Mazda needs a V6, not this flappy crap, yes it is technically interesting,, clever, BUT...not reliable and never will be.
There are about 35,000 of these in USA right now, so what about the cost?
I will say this again, Mazda needs a V6, not this flappy crap, yes it is technically interesting,, clever, BUT...not reliable and never will be.
V6 is a lost cause at this point. Honda just ditched the 3.5 V6 for the 2.0T on the Accord, and Ford just killed the V6 Mustang, so it's just 2.3T Ecoboost and 5.0 V8 now.
I like me a good V6, but most consumers don't really know the difference between a V6 and an I4T. An I4T can be pretty good in a family car when done right.
Besides, being a small company with a smaller lineup, how many vehicles can use a V6 in the current Mazda lineup? Mazda also has to make a V6 engine from scratch. Not worth the cost IMO.
The cost (design) is really not that much with Mazda's current Skyactiv CAD design and tooling/manufacturing processes which are state of the art.
And what about the cost of virtually All 4 cylinder Turbo's, Mazda is the only one I know with this Exhaust Flap that Turns open with an actuator to obtain the low RPM tourque.
NOT the same as run of the mill 4T's by other brands.
How many models...
Well Mazda 6, CX-5 and CX-9.
There was a time in the 1990's when Mazda had 3 to 4 V6's in their line up from the MX-3 (30X) a SWEET 1.8 litre V6, plus 1.6l and 2.0l and I think a 2.5l , 3.0l V6.
So this 'small' company could do it then and can do it now.
As I said The Cost of this Exhaust manifold will be enourmous as AFAIK the 'repair' will only ever be temporary.
Then there are the dealers who slightly over-tighten a Cylinder head bolt by 25 Degrees and CRACKS the Cylinder Head, another Cost.
These Skyactiv Engines ARE so finely made and has next to zero tolerance to over/under torquing.
Anyway..... As much as a I love Mazda they make Stupid decisions.
BTW: My bet is when this new Mazda-Toyota Plant starts in Alabama you will see a V6 in a big new Mazda SUV with a Toyota Engine.
Possibly the replacement CX-9..?
The cost (design) is really not that much with Mazda's current Skyactiv CAD design and tooling/manufacturing processes which are state of the art.
And what about the cost of virtually All 4 cylinder Turbo's, Mazda is the only one I know with this Exhaust Flap that Turns open with an actuator to obtain the low RPM tourque.
NOT the same as run of the miss 4T's by other brands.
How many models...
Well Mazda 6, CX-5 and CX-9.
There was a time in the 1990's when Mazda had 3-4 V6's in their line up from the MX-3 (30X) a SWEET 1.8 litre V6, plus 1.6l and 2.0l and I think a 2.2l V6.
So this 'small' company could do it then and can do it now.
As I said The Cost of this Exhaust manifold will be enourmous as AFAIK the 'repair' will only ever be temporary.
Then there are the dealers who slighlt over-tighten a Cylinder head bolt by 25 Degrees and CRACKS the Cylinder Head, another Cost.
These Skyactiv Engines ARE so finely made and has next to zero tolerance to over/under torquing.
Anyway..... As mcu as a I love Mazda they make Stupid decisions.
BTW: My bet is when this new Mazda-Toyota Plant starts in Alabama you will see a V6 in a big new SUV with a Toyota Engine.
Every car guy loves the tiny V6 MX-6 had... Just like Honda's 4WS on the Prelude from the late 80s. But from an average consumer POV, it makes no sense.
Also, making a V6 available probably means they may also have to redesign the engine bays of the vehicles you listed(I doubt the CX-5 will get it). I know the older Honda Accord engine bays were really designed for the V6 so both options can fit. If you look at the current Accord, there is no way you can fit a SOHC V6 in there, let alone a DOHC V6.
Toyota is sticking with the V6 because, well, that's Toyota for you. They will only follow the trend if the technology can last 30+ years of ownership.
Did you ever drive Mazda's 1.8 V6 in the 30X or MX-3, in the 1990's, were you born then?
Seriously the discussion is moot....no car brand like Mazda can afford major warranty work like this 2.5 Turbo appears to be costing Mazda right now.
Since the Skyactiv range of engines we (rest of world as USA did not have any Mazda Diesels) have seen Major engine failures in the 2.2 SA-D's in Australia and Europe and Japan, to the point where some owners here had their cars fully refunded.
Skyactiv Auto transmission Bearing failures, new Auto Transmissions.
ND Miata/MX-5 Manual Transmission failures, plus every Soft Top has had 'wearing and alignment problems'.
This after the massive RX-8 engine failure cost, which is still happening for a few more years.
In my decades with Mazda I have never seen such a avalanche of Major repairs costs, my Mazda Parts manager who took over from me says the same,
He has been in Mazda Parts for 30 years.
It concerns me that new young Mazda Engineers are not testing long enough Before green lighting production.
This 2.5T 'Lack of Engine Power' problem should never have happened if it was tested correctly in the real world.
Lastly then comes 'Brand Reputation' can be more damaging than just losing money, losing loyal customers can destroy a company.
Anyway...
Did you ever drive Mazda's 1.8 V6 in the 30X or MX-3, in the 1990's, were you born then?
Seriously the discussion is moot....no car brand like Mazda can afford major warranty work like this 2.5 Turbo appears to be costing Mazda right now.
Since the Skyactiv range of engines we (rest of world as USA did not have any Mazda Diesels) have seen Major engine failures in the 2.2 SA-D's in Australia and Europe and Japan, to the point where some owners here had their cars fully refunded.
Skyactiv Auto transmission Bearing failures, new Auto Transmissions.
ND Miata/MX-5 Manual Transmission failures, plus every Soft Top has had 'wearing and alignment problems'.
This after the massive RX-8 engine failure cost, which is still happening for a few more years.
In my decades with Mazda I have never seen such a avalanche of Major repairs costs, my Mazda Parts manager who took over from me says the same,
He has been in Mazda Parts for 30 years.
It concerns me that new young Mazda Engineers are not testing long enough Before green lighting production.
This 2.5T 'Lack of Engine Power' problem should never have happened if it was tested correctly in the real world.
Lastly then comes 'Brand Reputation' can be more damaging than just losing money, losing loyal customers can destroy a company.
Anyway...
No, I haven't, but it doesn't take a genius to figure why it died. More parts, more manufacturing cost for advantages that average consumers don't give 2 cents about.
But I agree, it should have been more throughly tested before coming to the market. Honda's 1.5T engine oil level concern and now Mazda's 2.5T exhaust concern should be a lesson to all.
Lack of thorough testing seems to Mazda's MO. They had issues with rising oil levels in the SkyActiv-D. Huge issues with the Renesis.
I'm honestly surprised that Ford is still pushing a V8 Mustang. I'd have expected them to go I4T and V6T/V6TT by now.
Mazda are figuring out that "interesting" doesn't really sell. Saab tried to stay "interesting" and died. Subaru dumped "interesting" and went mainstream.
Lack of thorough testing seems to Mazda's MO. They had issues with rising oil levels in the SkyActiv-D. Huge issues with the Renesis.
I'm honestly surprised that Ford is still pushing a V8 Mustang. I'd have expected them to go I4T and V6T/V6TT by now.
Well then I hope the Skyactiv-X isn't too bad when it comes out.
And V8 American muscle/pony is a symbol. They can make I4T/hybrid Mustang all they want, but there will always be a V8 option until the car itself dies or ICE gets banned.
There are some qualities you can't replace with a V6T. Not replacement for displacement, as they say. Just the V8 growl and no turbo lag should be a valid reason.
Here is another one, that I hope most know about.....Mazda's stupid decisions.............
When initial Engineering Stats were distributed to all Mazda Techs @ Distributors World-wide,
the ND/ MX-5/ Miata was ONLY ever going to get the 1.5 Litre Engine...NO OTHER OPTIONS.
Then Mazda NAO and MA stepped in and said that a 1.5 Litre engine simply does not have enough POWER for the US Market.
Mazda Australia said the same thing, the 2.0 litre was the sole option for the NC.
After much arm twisting MMC Japan relented and tooled up the 2.0 litre engine for the first ND Production release.
And now we see a beefed up (HP) 2.0 Litre new engine for the 2019 ND2 MX-5.
YES, it is ALL Marketing ploys to sell more Product, but to have a starting point of ONLY offering a 1.5 Litre again is/was just stupid!.
What does the competition offer again... Oh the Toyota 86 (Scion), Subaru starts with a 2.0 Litre engine
Here is another one, that I hope most know about.....Mazda's stupid decisions.............
When initial Engineering Stats were distributed to all Mazda Techs @ Distributors World-wide,
the ND/ MX-5/ Miata was ONLY ever going to get the 1.5 Litre Engine...NO OTHER OPTIONS.
Then Mazda NAO and MA stepped in and said that a 1.5 Litre engine simply does not have enough POWER for the US Market.
Mazda Australia said the same thing, the 2.0 litre was the sole option for the NC.
After much arm twisting MMC Japan relented and tooled up the 2.0 litre engine for the first ND Production release.
And now we see a beefed up (HP) 2.0 Litre new engine for the 2019 ND2 MX-5.
YES, it is ALL Marketing ploys to sell more Product, but to have a starting point of ONLY offering a 1.5 Litre again is/was just stupid!.
What does the competition offer again... Oh the Toyota 86 (Scion), Subaru starts with a 2.0 Litre engine
I am actually kinda baffled when you said this. I thought you'd understand Colin Chapman philosophy.
Adding power makes you faster on the straights. Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere.
So what, Lotus Elise is a crap car because it only has an NA 1.8L Toyota engine? Pfff, who cares it's only 800 kg heavy, right?
As for BRZ, read any review and you will still see people complain about its lack of power. Why? While it may have 205 BHP, it's also 1200~1300 kg heavy. The ND Miata is only 1050ish kg. And what about gas mileage? Sure, "it's a sports car so no one cares", but everyone has emission standards to meet. BRZ's gas mileage is somewhat close to a V6 from what I have seen.
Hey mate, can you do me a favour and stop trolling my comments...it is becoming somewhat a pain
Please don't get upset, I am 3 times your age and I don't need to be lectured.
How am I trolling? You mentioned FR-S/86/BRZ as a competition, and I point out the problem. It's a heavier car, and gets the same complaint: it needs MOAR POWAH!
I do respect older people, but just because you are older, doesn't mean you are right. Argue with facts, please.
08-09-2018, 06:04 PM
