Hey guys, haven't been here in QUITE a while. I've been so busy in trying to graduate that I haven't even had time to come to the forums.

I had some time this weekend, however, to go up to ABQ and test drive (for the third time:p ) a Nordic Green RX-8. I'm getting very serious about buying a car and it's a TIGHT race between the RX-8 and a TSX. it's about 70/30 right now with the car decision. However, my dad is VERY biased against Mazda, stating that Mazda is "junk" and they are total crap. Now, he has been using Toyotas all his life and just getting his hands dirty with Hondas.

Why am I making a big deal out of this? My dad might co-sign for me when I buy a brand new car (looking at Jan 2005 when I can get a sizeable down payment). Therefore he also factors in this purchase.

What I want from you is personal and professional feedback that Mazda makes a SOLID, RELIABLE vehicle at the level if not greater than Toyota or Honda.

Yes, I know that this may sound weird, but I was raised in a very conservative family where I grew up on the belief that Mom and Dad are always right.

Anyway, HELP ME OUT!

 

While Mazda's quality of production has definitely increased, I'm under the assumption that the Rx-8 is not quite on par with the Honda Accord - Acura TSX, in terms of reliability and longevity. It might just be a stereotype, but my family has an old honda accord with near 200,000 miles on it, that never had any serious problems. While I'm no expert on the rotary engine, or on Mazda's production standards, I'm not expecting my Rx8 to last as long as the family accorrd.

 

#1 Make sure you want a sports car first. These types of cars generally take a bit more maintenance (tires, clutch, etc.), depending upon how you drive.

#2 How long are you going to keep the car? This question will also decide what TYPE of car you really need.

If you are adamant on getting a sports car, then remember, Mazda has a FOUR year/40k mile warranty compared to Toyota's THREE/year 30k. Aside from a Honda Prelude and a Cougar (don't ask!!), the last cars we've bought have ALL been Toyota's. I had more problems from the Celica GTS the first week than I am having with my 8!
My opinion: Each car is distinct and may or may not be a lemon. Just the roll of the dice!

 

We simply have no idea how reliable the RX-8 is going to be.

Now, the Mazda Miata is absolutely one of the most reliable cars on the market. Has been for years. I had one that I sold with 176,000 miles on it. It was trouble-free.

So, Mazda is just as capable of making a reliable car as Honda or Toyota.

 

I ended up with my 8 after actually renting a loaded Mazda 6. I was blown away with the level of interior quality and thought I should check out the 8. I remember what the Mazda line up used to be like and it now seemed so much better. Test drove the 8, and the rest is history.

Lesson is that you simply have to get dad to go look at the car.

 

Same here. I've a 9 year old MX-6 for more then 7 years now. Never had any problems!

 

From my POV buy a TSX. You won't have any major concerns and will save you from the little headaches that the 8 currently has. They are both excellent cars but for reliability purposes you cant beat a Honda.

 

I'm not a racing type of guy, though I do occassionaly take trips (even my 85 Camry) to redline. However, I NEVER use the car in a racing-type attitude. I want the appearance and ability of a sports car with the usefulness of a trunk and four seats

I plan on keeping it for AT LEAST six years.

 

If the rotary engine scares your parents, tell them to forget the 3rd gen Rx7 (twin turbo) and look at the 2nd and 1st generations of the model. They are reliable and fun well into what would normally be "high mileage". There is no reason to believe IMO that the Renesis won't serve the vast majority of us in the same manner. As far as build quality, have him take a test drive, he should be won over.
Good luck.

 

get the april issue of conumer report, it might help.

 

yes, in that mazda is ranked right after honda in reliablility, and several mazda cars are more reliable than hondas. For example the Mazda 6 4cyl was rated more reliable than the accord. Having been the owner of a 97 CRV that went past 200k mi, I would hope that the Rx8 would do the same and at least break 100k mi. I do maintain it properly.

 

Just don't listen to your parents, they are probably older then you anyway!

 

What he said (may appeal to the purely analytical mind - not sure about your Dad).

Also one could argue that ANY Japanese car sold in the US is of high enough quality to raise it above the 'junk' status compared to ???? {insert your favorite definition of TRUE JUNK cars}

Toyota, Mazda, Nissan, Honda, Subaru are certainly above junk.... Lexus, Infinity, Acura are 'supposed to be' in another, higher one.

Also note that only a handful of "Japanese cars" are actually made in Japan ---- the RX-8 being one of them... and IMHO this ACTUALLY bestows these 'true' Japanese cars YET ANOTHER edge in quality.

Try any of these reasonings on him Good luck!

 

I am older than your father. I learned to drive in the family Studebaker and my grandfather considered Studebaker to be junk next to his Packard. I do value a well made car.

I have owned three Toyotas, six Hondas, and two Mazdas along with Fords, Chevys, VW's and many more. I now drive the RX-8.

Mazda is a very reliable brand, though not across the board up to the Toyotas and Hondas. The Mazda Miata, though, is among the very most reliable sports cars. Who knows about the RX-8--too early--but Mazda is clearly not junk.

I don't think I would co-sign for my son to buy one, though, because he has a lead foot. I might tell him it was junk.

 

I had two Rx-7s, each of which gave me many years and many miles of trouble-free driving. Much better, for example, than the Volvos I owned. I'm looking forward to a long relationship with my RX-8.

Now, if you had asked about my Fiat 128, I would have given you a different story.

 

my parents bought 1988 Mazda MPV 4cyl standard minivan and I have to say it was prob. the msot reliable car I've ever seen. They still drive it regularly with its 250,000 miles on it and has never really been in the shop. Sweet, eh?

 

When I was doing research I looked at the history for NA rotary engines and found that for the ones that didnt mess with them they where good ones, and even with some tinkering they seem to be very strong and long lasting. Also I really think Mazda has improved their overall line quite a bit over previos offerings. Sales have been strong and the cars overall have all been pretty solid.

 

I bought a new EX V6 626 in 2000. Its 4years old now. Totally maintenance free so far. Feels very solid and just as well made as my Honda Accord I owned a few years before. It has the best of Toyota and Honda in one car. Mazda had some quality control and financial problems in the early 90s but has overcome them since being partially owned by Ford. Mazda always had the engineering and presently makes a very decent car on level with or better than Honda/Toyota. If you don't beleive me check Epinions on the net. The late model Mazdas get very positive comments for reliability and value. Especially the Mellenia and the 626.
Your dad apparently does not know much about the company and its progress in reliability in recent years. The rx8 promises to be one of the most reliable sportscars as it benefits from its earlier siblings engineering in the Miata,626 and Mellenia. The Mazda 6 is another example of high quality and engineering with value. You can't go wrong with a Mazda. It's one of the best kept secrets in automotive. People overlook this Manufacturer because of past problems and reputation in the early 90s.
It will be your loss if Pops says no. Good luck

 

Whether he says yes or no, it will be my decision. I just want to look for somebody to co-sign in case they turn me down. In that case, I would have to put a monstrous down payment (is that correct, or is that a myth?)

 

1. mazda is a japanese company. they dont have anything better to do than invent hightech stuff and make cartoon ****. thats why japanese car manufacturers are on top of the game when it comes to quality.

2. ford owns a controlling part of mazda. the ford GT eats ferraris, lambourghinis, and porsches for lunch...all for the low low price of about 150,000 yankee dollars.

3. tell your dad to stop being so ignorant. any car can last if its been treated well and maintained properly.

 

I was in the very same position you were in about a month ago. Being 17 years old, it's a bit hard to finance a car, but a cosigner makes everything better. After the paperwork and about 900 miles, I can say that its probably the best car I've ever owned (and I've been through 4 if anyones curious). It comes standard with all the saftey options you would ever need and is a very smooth ride, while not sacraficing power or handling. The gas and oil consumption isn't too practical at the moment, but what sports car is when it comes to gas and oil? It's manufactured by Mazda and comes standard with a 5yr/50k Mile warranty, so if it does happen to have a defect, they will repair it. Overall it's probably one of the best choices you could make in the 30K price range.

 

OK, it's 1969. My father, who was paying, dismissed the car **I** wanted to buy as "junk" so I wound up with a 1969 Cutlass S (stolen in 1971). Nice car, lucky kid, can't complain. But the car **I** wanted to buy, for the same price, was a BMW 2002. Kids do tend to be more up to date on future value than their parents.

BTW, my 1988 Mazda 626 5-door turbo ran without a hiccup from October, 1987 until November, 2003, when totaled by a guy who ran a red light. However, it protected me very well and the engine was STILL purring as when new, even though the whole front end was wrecked.

This having been said, think hard what you want the car for. But Mazdas ain't junk. My '93 626 ES is now owned by my next door neighbor and my son has a great Protege5. The only 2 lemons I ever owned were a 1971 Toyota Corolla and a 1980 Pontiac Phoenix. Now, THAT was junk.

Good luck and lucky you. You can't go wrong.

 

Thinking I may be on my own on this one. Do you think I can finance this on my own with a sizeable down payment? Or do still need a co-signer?

 

My 8 is my fourth Mazda. I have other vehicles and therefore have never used my Mazdas exclusively - but they've always been my primary vehicle. Here's my experience:

1980 Mazda 626 (2-liter piston engine, 5 speed, 2-dr. coupe). Bought new and put ~215,000 miles on it (long daily commute). Sold it to an employee and when last seen, had ratcheted up to 245,000+. Major service: re-built the front end at 105,000 because I wanted to - not because it needed it. Clutch. Fried the transmission input shaft bearing lugging it in 5th for maximum gas mileage. Blown head gasket at ~115,000 due to a high spot on the block casting. Cooling fan clutch.

1986 Mazda RX7 (first year of the 2gen, 5 spd Sport model). Bought new and still have it, showing ~204,000 miles. Major service: clutch, logicon (hvac controller), power steering pump, added Mazdatrix' fuel injector fix to cure flooding problems after 100,000 miles. Radiator.

1994 Mazda RX7 5 spd Popular Equipment Group). Bought new and still have it, showing ~91,000 miles. Major service: vacuum hose replacement (preventative), rear main oil seal.

2004 Mazda RX8, 6spd. Bought new, currently have ~3,200 miles.

This totals 513,200 miles in Mazda products over a 24-year span. They've undoubtedly been helped by the fact that they live in Southern California, and that I've taken care of them. But in that time span, I can recall only once that they didn't get me where I was going (broken fan belt on the '86).

'Nuff said.

 

I had little to no credit and bought my Miata right after college. I used my paid for Mustang as the down payment. They gave me 6k for it. Really it depends on your credit. If you are graduating from college then it isnt to hard to buy a car by yourself. If you want say a MT Sport package and you can get the dealer to sell for 26-27k you should be good. If you have a job I would think the minimal amount for a DP would be 4k maybe?? But who knows, it is all about the numbers and you maybe able to put nothing down depending on your credit and/or job history. Hell, you may be able to get a 32k GT model. Who knows. I would just go in there and see what options you have if you really want this car. Life is too short to let your dreams become "what-ifs".