Does specific VIN#'s = problematic cars?
Registered
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Plano, TX
VIN: 13##
Build date: May 26
Took Delivery: July 15
Odometer: 3,100 or so
Mazda is *not* getting this car back.
Ice cold A/C even at 106 degree temps outside.
Oil light flashed once at 2,600 miles, doing 80, 4k rpms, hard lane change to the right. Stopped, checked oil level, 1/2 way between the top 2 lines (dunno how much oil that means, manual said it was ok). Had and appmt the next day for an oil change anyway.
Sooty tail pipes? Only the lower edge on mine get black but it wipes right off.
Ran several tanks of mid-range octane gas, get right about 20 mpg every time (50-50 city/highway driving). Just ran 1 tank of regular, didn't notice a difference. Currently running premium, still don't notice a difference.
Absolutely fantastic car!
Build date: May 26
Took Delivery: July 15
Odometer: 3,100 or so
Mazda is *not* getting this car back.
Ice cold A/C even at 106 degree temps outside.
Oil light flashed once at 2,600 miles, doing 80, 4k rpms, hard lane change to the right. Stopped, checked oil level, 1/2 way between the top 2 lines (dunno how much oil that means, manual said it was ok). Had and appmt the next day for an oil change anyway.
Sooty tail pipes? Only the lower edge on mine get black but it wipes right off.
Ran several tanks of mid-range octane gas, get right about 20 mpg every time (50-50 city/highway driving). Just ran 1 tank of regular, didn't notice a difference. Currently running premium, still don't notice a difference.
Absolutely fantastic car!
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Texas
VIN: 53xx
Mileage: 1,300
MPG averaging 18 in combination city/street driving with only occasional redlining. Totally inexcusable in today's day and age.
A/C inconsistent and often insufficient. Easily the worst I've owned in the past 20 years. My daughter's 2002 Protege is much better as is my 1995 B4000.
Engine heat permeates throughout cabin in city traffic. Very noticeable especially after driving for a while, parking for half hour, and returning to car.
Soot on lower half of pipes but that is simply the nature of the rotary.
No real loss of power above 7,200 rpm but certainly no boost whatsoever. Enhaust sounds really good above 7,000 though. Perhaps people are being fooled by this more aggressive sound and assuming that their power is surging as well.
Some flapping noise under the hood or at the wheel well occurs above 110 mph. Could easily be the cheap plastic wheel well covers. A couple of other guys have mentioned this same thing.
I think we all pretty much have the same vehicle. Heat is subjective and what is objectionable to one is undetected by another. I learned this from my expreriences with my Honda ST1300 motorcycle. Heat absolutely pours from the engine onto the rider's legs. Most feel it and are now threatening class-action lawsuits while other say they feel nothing. If I were to ride their bike, I know I would feel the same heat gushing out as I feel from mine.
Some are elated to get 20 mpg for some reason and some are disgusted to get 18 mpg. I think until the shine wears off from many new owners, most of whom have been waiting years for this car to finally arrive, we are not going to get an unbiased view.
Mileage: 1,300
MPG averaging 18 in combination city/street driving with only occasional redlining. Totally inexcusable in today's day and age.
A/C inconsistent and often insufficient. Easily the worst I've owned in the past 20 years. My daughter's 2002 Protege is much better as is my 1995 B4000.
Engine heat permeates throughout cabin in city traffic. Very noticeable especially after driving for a while, parking for half hour, and returning to car.
Soot on lower half of pipes but that is simply the nature of the rotary.
No real loss of power above 7,200 rpm but certainly no boost whatsoever. Enhaust sounds really good above 7,000 though. Perhaps people are being fooled by this more aggressive sound and assuming that their power is surging as well.
Some flapping noise under the hood or at the wheel well occurs above 110 mph. Could easily be the cheap plastic wheel well covers. A couple of other guys have mentioned this same thing.
I think we all pretty much have the same vehicle. Heat is subjective and what is objectionable to one is undetected by another. I learned this from my expreriences with my Honda ST1300 motorcycle. Heat absolutely pours from the engine onto the rider's legs. Most feel it and are now threatening class-action lawsuits while other say they feel nothing. If I were to ride their bike, I know I would feel the same heat gushing out as I feel from mine.
Some are elated to get 20 mpg for some reason and some are disgusted to get 18 mpg. I think until the shine wears off from many new owners, most of whom have been waiting years for this car to finally arrive, we are not going to get an unbiased view.
Not so Super right now
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 0
From: Beyond that there swamp.
Vin number 63XX. 1400 miles so far.
Somewhat sooty tailpipes.
Mileage between 14 (first tank) and 25.6 (best so far with 85% highway cruising, 15% easy city traffic)
No power issues that I can see. Noticeable kick at 6500 RPM.
Heat in the cabin is not an issue. Started to notice the AC cycling, but it's not really bad, and we have been having 93+ temps here in Miami the last week or so. No CEL lights, no other problem indicators.
Somewhat sooty tailpipes.
Mileage between 14 (first tank) and 25.6 (best so far with 85% highway cruising, 15% easy city traffic)
No power issues that I can see. Noticeable kick at 6500 RPM.
Heat in the cabin is not an issue. Started to notice the AC cycling, but it's not really bad, and we have been having 93+ temps here in Miami the last week or so. No CEL lights, no other problem indicators.
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