ASH8

Consumer Reports Reliability Rankings, 2020

1. Mazda
2. Toyota
3. Lexus
4. Buick
5. Honda
6. Hyundai
7. Ram
8. Subaru
9. Porsche
10. Dodge
11. Infiniti
12. BMW
13. Nissan
14. Audi
15. Kia
16. GMC
17. Chevrolet
18. Volvo
19. Jeep
20. Mercedes-Benz
21. Cadillac
22. Ford
23. Mini
24. Volkswagen
25. Tesla
26. Lincoln
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Great to see the good people in America can see just how good Mazda CR is,
sorry to rub it in but in Australia Mazda has been number 1 for more times than I can recall
in the past 20 years and usually never below top 5.
THE PRODUCT IS ALWAYS THERE It IS Your MAZDA Dealer Network that lets you down
(Service Department and MNAO but they appear to be better under new Management).

wannawankel

So many Teslas at the repair facility in north Boston. Both of my neighbors have had their Teslas in for major work (frame/suspension). #25 and they try harder.

wannawankel

I did see this and that's great for Mazda. I took my RX-8 in for an oil change and they gave me a coupon to bring my other cars in for oil changes - that to me is great customer service. (I asked if they would change the oil on my two motorcycles* and the service advisor laughed and said politely - we don't do that.).

UnknownJinX

And that's pretty awesome. I guess part of it is, well, there is no more rotary to worry about.

One thing I have to say, the Panasonic batteries in Mazda cars are great. Probably the only conventional lead-acid battery I have respect for. My friend's 6 was sitting for so long, the battery read 6 volts when I took it out and charged it. I didn't expect it to be revived but it now works without skipping a beat. The dealer and Canadian Tire guy checking it both couldn't believe it had been that dead for so long.

ASH8

Agree now that the RE is finished as we know it Mazda's reputation is where it should be, don't know what this mini range extender POS Generator RE will be like, I shudder to think, I guess they should get a lot longer use/reliability as it is a variable voltage Generator and not a LOAD device (engine) for performance and horsepower. I tend to think that Mazda Japan will over engineer this Generator with electronics and warning lights which will give the end user (the car owner) anxiety and plenty of Dealer visits, etc, etc....down goes the Mazda CR rating.

And yes would you believe I still have the original Panasonic Batteries in both my cars (NC and FE), the MX-5 is 2011 went total flat during lockdown and charged it up and works like new, and my RX-8 is a 2008 install.
I have my secrets..
1. One is an additive you put in each wet cell when battery is brand new (about 10 mil in each cell).
2. Always keep fluid (distilled water) well over each Cell, most owners who complain about Mazda Battery failures are becasue they let cells dry out in summer, or long car use where the one Battery end is close to hot engine, as we know L-Acid Batteries hate extreme cold and extreme heat.
3. Is to regularly recon battery with a decent recon battery charger that auto pulse regens, RX-8 I have done twice and MX-5 once, there is a limit to how many times this works, I think two maybe 3 times is the limit.

UnknownJinX

We will just have to wait and see what the RE range extender will be like, I guess. And to be fair, Mazda will be coming out with a bunch of new engines and drivetrains(like an I6 longitudinal drivetrain, all of them will be carrying risks associated with new designs. Skyactiv-G engines are reliable because they haven't seen many updates since about 2013. There is the 2.5T engine which so far seems like an okay unit(I am driving one right now, borrowing a friend's 6 for the winter). There were some complaints about the gate that controls the exhaust flow, not sure how widespread that issue is.

I haven't heard of additives for lead-acid batteries, and usually, I just go with AGM batteries when I upgrade. Less likelihood to corrode.

As for the water level, it looks to me that the Mazda OEM Panasonic units have the catalyst caps you usually find on AGM batteries, as when I was charging the battery in my friend's 6, I noticed quite a bit of bubbling(from electrolysis) at one point and there is no apparent loss of water. Doesn't hurt to check the level occasionally, of course, especially in hot environments, but these batteries are very solid well-built units. Again, it's about the only conventional lead-acid unit I actually like.

ASH8

Well Lead Acid is all Mazda use in all the gasoline/diesel fueled cars, so you are stuck with OEM Panasonic and I prefer them over anything else as I get many years of use, as I said my 2 OEM Panasonics are still original.
I guess if one is too lazy or not inclined to keep water topped up then you will get a short life cycle.
Mazda are experimenting/researching on replacing their Lead Acid batteries with Lithium ones (save weight)?

Many car owner in US (to me) appear to love wasting their money putting so much crap on them (go fast rubbish or look good feel good stuff). like owners who love to change their oil and filter every 3000 miles!!, seriously they are nuts, most if not all engine oils today are synthetic and are excellent they last at least 2 years and can go as much as 20,000 Kms (12,000 miles) and in some cases (depending on grade) oil is still OK.

UnknownJinX

I know Porsche has lithium starting batteries as an option, though they are very expensive. There are also people on this forum that has a lithium starting battery, but lithium batteries hate heat even more than lead-acid units and so a trunk battery relocation is usually recommended. That will add even more cost in a manufacturing setting as you need a lot more of thick wiring. It can be good for weight distribution, though. Batteries are not light.

Most cars with the auto start-stop feature will have AGM batteries. I know Mazda has that feature in markets outside of North America(i-Stop is I believe what Mazda calls their version). I wonder what kind of battery those cars use.

I changed oil frequently on the RX-8 but that was because I used conventional/dino oil and I drove somewhat hard. Mazda still uses a static oil change life nowadays. I wonder why, as a lot of other makes have an oil life monitor that will adjust based on your driving style. My Honda Accords and now Camaro all have that, you can even see the oil life percentage in the gauge cluster. You just change oil when the light comes on(unless you track your car, then there is a separate schedule for that).

wannawankel

What is the additive that OEM battery companies add to prolong that first lead acid battery? (My research finds that adding aluminum sulfate helps - but curious why the factory battery seems to last longer - any Panasonic LA batteries are great!!!!).

ASH8

Cadmium Sulphate (5%)
https://www.inoxmx.com/
And you can also put it in old and even worn out LA batteries and give them life for a few more years, retails here for about $10.00AUD (small 92mil Bottle), INOX is put together in Queensland AU and there was a distribution in Florida, you can message AU via above link.

ASH8

LA Batteries are still used for i-Stop, I serviced my neighbours CX-3 (with i-stop) 2 days ago (Skyactiv-G 2.0) just a heavier duty LA Battery, guess who put in INOX when his car was new 3 years ago.
Mazda has had Oil Maintenance monitoring since about 2014, and in all current cars in AU and EU, I would assume NA (have not checked but may not be still and I don't know why, maybe CR?), and it can be overridden if you know how.
You guys still over-service your cars, it is not necessary, just like all the crap you add when you buy a new car, I get it and grew out of that when 25, but I guess a fool and their money is easily parted...JOKE!!

UnknownJinX

Doesn't look like it's easy to get ahold of this INOX stuff in North America, unfortunately. The shipping is very expensive, which makes sense as it's a liquid. You guys have a lot of cool stuff we don't have, like the 6 2.5T AWD. My friend who owns the 6 2.5T says he would really appreciate the extra traction with the AWD.

I know Mazda has the oil life reminder, but the one in my friend's 6 GT 2.5T is static, as in it will always remind you in 8000 km or 6 months, whichever comes first. Some cars have a more dynamic one that changes based on how you drive the car, which some people don't like, usually the people that like to over-maintain them.

ASH8

US is getting 2021 Mazda 3 Turbo from Mexico, Australia won't at this stage as Japan does not make them and may not?
Our 3's come from Japan as we are Right Hand Drive, also proves a point from so many so called 'experts' who said
I won't buy a car made in Mexico even though MMM was brand new and many of main parts are either from Japan source
or are made at factory with identical CAD machines.
Would this not reflect in CR?

Bladecutter

Well, you can tell those "experts" that if they won't buy a car made by our good friends down in Mexico, then I won't buy a car made in Australia ever again.

Oh, wait.

ASH8

You trying to be ironic?, Australia no longer makes any new cars..
GM even closed completely this year with GM EU imports, almost 100 years of history gone, 300 Dealer network out in cold.
They could not sell them, people are not stupid, you move out and close plants do you think we are going to support any American car maker like we did for 100 years.
Ford all imports of EU cars have tanked too, **** em.
**** GM, **** FORD....AS USUAL TAKE OUR BILLIONS of TAXPAYER DOLLARS FOR CORORATE WELFARE, then closedown., ********

mazdaverx7

iTrader: (6)

I feel as though Mazda's overall quality has been pretty good. Over the last 20 years they have really stepped up their overall quality and interior design. Glad to see they are on top!

hornbm

iTrader: (1)

Wait, the Mazda 3 turbo for North America is made in Mexico? I was planning on buying one for a commuter next summer once I hypothetically need to start commuting again.

That really throws a wrench into things. I prefer my Mazda's built in Japan.

hornbm

iTrader: (1)

Ok, I've just checked, every single 2021 Mazda 3 hatch, turbo and non turbo, at my local dealership has a VIN that starts with a J, meaning made in Japan.

Of the mazda 3 sedans, only the select trim models have a vin that starts with 3, which would be made in Mexico.

That's a relief.

UnknownJinX

It's funny though, because my friend would always complain about the little details on his made-in-Japan Mazda6. Then I would tell him, "bro, I drive a GM."

Out of all seriousness, other than some very minor fit and finish things, I wouldn't lose sleep on where the car is made of it's well engineered in general. My friend's Mazda6 also had some minor fit-and-finish issues like a window trim falling off(replaced within warranty), so there is that.

hornbm

iTrader: (1)

As a real world example. I worked at a mazda dealer as a mechanic from 2003 - 2005. During that time, all mazda's were made in japan with the exception of the mazda 6 and the mazda tribute (which is really just a ford escape anyway).

We saw more assembly defects in the mazda 6 than in all of the other models combined (not counting the tribute). The mazda 6 in those days was made in america for the north american market (the JDM version was made in Japan). Where it's made absolutely does matter. Japanese labor is among the best if not the best in the world.

ASH8

You mean the US original Flat Rock Michigan plant that Mazda first built and then Ford took over (as a joint alliance) and now Ford exclusively owns I think where Mustang is built, yeah we got the Ford US made was it the Probe? in RHD, all shaped like a half used cake of soap, they said it was designed by women, looked like a giant **** (*****) to me too. Sold buggs all here I think early mid 90's, until Ford Australia pulled the plug.

Todays US Mustang in RHD is currently or was Ford Australia's best seller apart from Thailand build Ford Ranger pickup/ute., about all that does sell OK here, but they have just released new Escaper and Puma, Everest and Endura very poor market share.

IMO if new Escape and Puma do not take off (sell) here Ford US will pull out of Australia completely like GM did as Dealers can not survive on low sales units.

ASH8

Yes out of Mexico, look at VIN numbers if you don't believe me
Most of Europe's Mazda LHD cars come from Mexico, the 2, 3, CX-30.
IT IS a state of the art car plant, in fact cleaner and more modern than Mazda Japan...fact.
Mazda had some issues with Mexican suppliers like Fuel Tank sub assembly (a worker not connecting internal Evap Canister hose correctly) and Windows Sash Glass Runner Seals, but these get rectified and if supplier does not improve Japan simply cuts them free and freights the parts out of Japan to Mexico.

UnknownJinX

To me, it depends on how much you care about, say, door panel gaps. Cars made in Japan will tend to be better in that department. My RX-8 felt like it has a better fit and finish than the C7 Corvette and Camaro.

But then again, there is this line of logic, which I can agree with.



If you have to have a Mazda made in Japan, there is always the Mazda6.

ASH8

CX-5 Turbo is Japan made, but a CX and soon in run out, all new coming soon.
All new Mazda 6 in 12 months with 6 cylinder engine..yes and what I was saying 4 years ago, Mazda needs a 6 cylinder engine.

UnknownJinX

But isn't the new inline-6 engine naturally aspirated?

This is a good thing if they are making a sports car, but from a daily driver perspective, it actually isn't an improvement over the 2.5T because it will have worse low-end torque. The 2.5T can pull 4.0 NA engine level torque down low. It chokes at higher revs, but Mazda is moving away from sporty to luxury so whatever.

Not sure what the reasoning behind it is. I know 6 cylinder engines are a bit smoother but that's really about it.

Edit: I just remembered there is the Skyactiv-X. That could work but I am curious how much that's gonna cost.