In April of 2005 I purchased a new Mazda 3 GT. One of the main reasons for buying this vehicle was reliability... it was supposed to be bulletproof.

Recently I was getting my winter tires installed and while the car was up on the ramp we noticed that the underside of the car was covered in transmission fluid and when we checked there was nothing showing on the dipstick. The mechanic removed the large plastic pan under the engine and transmission and found a transmission line was rusted through.... on a car with 19000 miles on it.

I called Mazda and they would only pay towing up to 100kms ( 60 miles ) so I called the dealership and they agreed to cover the remainder of the towing bill. The car was towed 200kms ( 120 miles ) to the dealership. A couple of days later they had the line replaced and I had to get a bus to the dealership...$34.00..., and my gas home again plus $30.00 for the mechanic. So I am out about $90.00 dollars. Mazda refused to pay the mechanics fee or the other expenses.

According to Consumer Reports, Mazda quality is declining. The Mazda 3 had dropped from Far Better Than Average to Better Than Average and the Miata from Far better Than Average to Average.

this is my first and last Mazda.