Mazda Problems

You don't have to go back too far to find the time when Mazda was on its knees and there was speculation about its ability to survive.  However, with newfound zoom in a completely renewed model range, Mazda is enjoying the best of times and its future appears rock solid. The mid-sized Mazda 6 is one of the new models that has given the company renewed credibility in the market. It has pulled buyers through showroom doors in search of one of the best-looking sedans on the market.MODEL WATCHWith surging fuel prices and the slump in popularity of the traditional big sedans, the mid-sized car class has enjoyed a resurgence in recent times. In Mazda's case it's the 6, and it has worked a treat, attracting buyers who can't afford a BMW. The 6 is a good-looking car with lithe sporting lines and a stance that suggests it has plenty of sporting potential out on the open road.Underneath, it sports double-wishbone front suspension with a multi-link independent rear set-up which gives the 6 sporting handling with impressive response, although the ride can be considered hard and a little harsh in a normal four-door.  The 2.3-litre four-cylinder double-overhead camshaft 16-valve engine is a gem. It loves to be revved and it responds with a throaty burst of encouragement.Mazda offered an extensive range of models with sedan, hatch and wagon body styles in Limited, Classic, Luxury and Sports variants. All were well-equipped, from the entry-level Limited sedan right through to the zippy Sports hatch.The Limited came with power windows and mirrors, full instrumentation, remote central locking, tilt-adjustable steering wheel, immobiliser, airconditioning, cloth trim and CD sound with four speakers.  Add alloy wheels, trip computer, auto air, velour trim, leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, and a CD stacker with six-speaker sound and you had a Classic.Tick the Luxury box and you also got a sunroof, leather trim, power driver's seat, and Bose premium sound with seven speakers.  The Luxury Sports hatch got all of that plus front fog lamps and fold-flat rear seat.IN THE SHOPWhen buying a nearly new car you should approach it much like you would if you were buying new. The oldest Mazda 6 is now only four years old so you're looking at a car that is really in the prime of its life, barely run in. If it appears neglected walk on; there are plenty more out there to choose from.Mechanically there is little to go on so far, the majority of complaints about the Mazda6 relate to brake wear which, while high, is no higher than any other modern car. You have to get used to machining discs by 30,000km and replacing them at 50,000-60,000km. Check for a service record, which will become important when you come to sell later on. When test-driving, make sure the engine runs smoothly and pulls without hesitation, the gears change smoothly without any jerking or hesitation and there are no vibrations as the speed increases. Also make sure there is no noise that can't be explained.CRUNCH TIMEAn agile chassis with responsive steering, powerful four-wheel disc brakes with anti-skid control and a zesty engine give the 6 driver every chance of avoiding a collision.Dual front airbags with seat belt pre-tensioners provide a good level of crash protection in the Limited and Classic models, while the Luxury and Sports models also have side and curtain airbags.MAZDA6 2002-2004Agile, responsive handlingMazdas new-found zoom, zoomGreat engine growlSweet-revving engineSporty stylingRATING78/100 Great-looking sports sedan with zip, responsive handling and good re-sale potential.

The MX5's chassis always seemed as though it could handle more grunt and the engine appeared capable of being fitted with a turbocharger, so it seemed inevitable it would eventually be turbocharged.But Mazda had no plans to turbocharge its sweet little roadster and it was left to Mazda Australia and its veteran motorsport manager, Allan Horsley, to see the project through to realityThe Mazda MX5 has been one of the great motoring success stories of the last 20 years. It was the car that made owning and driving open-top cars acceptable again after many years in which they were shunned. It was the car that made motoring fun again.If there was a criticism of the MX5 it was that it lacked power. Not everyone believed it should have more grunt. The original 1.6-litre engine was plenty for most owners, but those with a motorsport bent wanted more power to exploit the roadster's competent chassis.Mazda responded by increasing the size of the engine to 1.8 litres and it was then refined with sequential valve timing. But some owners wanted more. That came early in 2002 when Mazda delivered the first of 100 SP models developed and built in Australia.The heart of the SP was its turbocharged engine. Mazda took the MX5's 1.8-litre double-overhead camshaft four-cylinder engine and added a turbocharger to boost power by 44kW and torque by 108Nm.Boost pressure was set at a conservative 7.5-8.0 psi (0.54 bar) in the interests of engine durability, but peak output still surged to 157kW at 6800 revs and 289Nm at 4600 revs.It was enough to have the little two-seater racing to 100km/h in six seconds, impressive given the standard car required 8.5 seconds for the same journey.Other features of the SP included anti-skid brakes, 16-inch alloys, remote central locking, power windows, CD player, and dual airbags.There were also some extra touches such as a polished alloy fuel filler cap, gearshift knob, door scuff plates, air vent surrounds, and special SP badges.The main thing to look for when inspecting a Mazda MX5 SP is evidence of competition. Hard driving isn't necessarily harmful if the car has been well serviced, but if it hasn't been serviced, competition can be detrimental to a car's health.Look for holes that have been drilled in the body work for things such as a roll bar, fire extinguisher, and other equipment under the bonnet. It is best to reject a car that has clearly had a hard life, but don't be so concerned about one that has been used for the occasional club event.It is highly likely most SPs will have been owned by members of the MX5 club, so talk to members about them to ascertain their history before handing over your cash.Lift the oil filler cap and take a look inside the valve covers for sludge, which might suggest a lack of servicing. Turbo engines need more regular oil changes.Safety in the MX5 is all about handling and braking. Its agile chassis and responsive steering, along with powerful anti-skid disc brakes, are a potent recipe when it comes to avoiding collisions. Add dual front airbags for that moment a collision becomes unavoidable and you have a strong safety story.