Originally Posted by Brazuka

I finally took the car to Mazda and after plugging into the diagnostics machine they are saying all I have is a bad Oxygen Sensor. It seems like the connector got hit a rock or something, broke off and layed on top of the exhaust pipe which melted the connector. Mazda wants $850 to fix it which sounds crazy to me. I have found O2 sensors online for as little as $28.00. Would anyone recommend a non OEM part?

Thanks for the support and if anyone lives around Mooresville, NC and is interested in looking at the car please let me know.

Originally Posted by Brazuka

Gentlemen,

Thanks for all the posting and let me share my experience. I have a 2004 Velocity Red GT MT with a little over 67k miles. Today at 92 F weather I was on the interstate when I felt my car choke. The loss of power was insane, at low RPM the car sounded like a bad Civic.
I would downshift to get power to avoid been ran over by trucks and the engine light would come on, than off, than blink, than off. Once I got off the interstate I noticed some smoke and a strange smell inside my car. I couldn't tell what it was, but the smoke seemed to be coming from behind the dip stick under the body (probably enginer). The temperature gauge was at normal levels thru this entire ordeal. I stayed there for 10 mins waiting for the smoke to go away, got back into my car and attempted to drive home since it was only 5 miles away. At first the car was choking, but then out of nowhere performed like a champ. Got home turned the car off inside the garage, waited 30 mins and turned the car on again. with the garage door closed I noticed a strong smell of gasoline that burnt my eyes.

I have done all the recall, including what it seems to be the MSP 16. The car had spark plugs replace around 17 K on a recall.

It sounds like the same issue, but I would appreciate a bit more information.