Toronto Star Article on Used Mazda 3s

[dumpbear]

The Star Wheels section does an article each week on popular vehicles and how they hold up to the rigours of ownership, identifying pros and cons, and providing a brief overview.

A few weeks ago our beloved M3 was the subject:

http://www.wheels.ca/article/357502

"Mazda3

WHAT'S BEST: European handling, comely styling, slick manual transmission

WHAT'S WORST: Weak air conditioner, underwhelming fuel economy, early rust"

I'd say the info provided within would be decently informative for a non-owner and pretty boring for an owner.

Cheers!

[dumpbear]

Ahhh! And I just saw the post from mazda lover in this section asking for feedback. So it looks like this is the article!

[Go_Habs_Go]

WHAT'S WORST: Weak air conditioner, underwhelming fuel economy, early rust


looks like word on the early corrosion issues is getting around!!

[mleblond]

looks like word on the early corrosion issues is getting around!!
So take good care of your mazda!!! rust proofing GB? :chuckle

[MajesticBlueNTO]

the writer of the article didn't do thorough research or was thinking the opposite while typing:


The new platform was 40 per cent stiffer than the outgoing Protegé's, and borrowed the Mazda6's sophisticated multilink suspension design at the rear, imbuing the 3 with some essential corner-strafing characteristics.

To retain a more natural steering feel, Mazda stuck to conventional hydraulic assistance rather than an electric steering pump.

1) the 3/S40/Euro Focus uses the "control blade" setup from the previous Focus... it is not a multi-link like the 6 and, it abandoned the "trapezoidal links" from the Protege

2) the 3 HAS an electric steering pump (it's why there's a steering wheel warning light that goes on when the power's dying...no juice, no power steering)

as for rust proofing....it *may* work, it may not...some people who were part of the "rust crusade" had their vehicles rust proofed, only to have rust appear.

[Soyabean]

2) the 3 HAS an electric steering pump (it's why there's a steering wheel warning light that goes on when the power's dying...no juice, no power steering)

yea, what the hell is he talking about? these power steering pumps are so loud I can hear em from a mile away :chuckle

[Go_Habs_Go]

So take good care of your mazda!!! rust proofing GB? :chuckle


as for rust proofing....it *may* work, it may not...some people who were part of the "rust crusade" had their vehicles rust proofed, only to have rust appear.


yeah I've been really concerned about the potential for rust on my Mazda. I picked up my 3 in early August and I just had it treated last week at this place in Montreal that uses grease. They don't drill holes anywhere in the car, they basically take apart door panels and use these long hoses to get the grease in all the nooks and crannies of the car where rust can start. They also cover the wheel wells and door bottoms, etc.

It's recommended by the APA so hopefully this will help out my car and prevent any early corrosion!!!!

[stefm3]

yeah I've been really concerned about the potential for rust on my Mazda. I picked up my 3 in early August and I just had it treated last week at this place in Montreal that uses grease. They don't drill holes anywhere in the car, they basically take apart door panels and use these long hoses to get the grease in all the nooks and crannies of the car where rust can start. They also cover the wheel wells and door bottoms, etc.

It's recommended by the APA so hopefully this will help out my car and prevent any early corrosion!!!!


I guess you're talking about Barry's rust proofing? My family and I have had many cars treated by Barry over the years and his method seems to work. However, based on my personal experience with my Nissan 200SX, I will not be going to see him with my 2008.5 Mazda 3.

My Nissan got rust proofed within weeks of buying the car and I noticed scratches that were not there before. Furthermore there were also grease marks on the inside panels of the car and some stains on the carpet. On warm days, years after the rust proofing was applied, I could still smell the grease stench and one of my friends would always get a headache when sitting in my car.

I had the car re-spayed after 3 years and the car still rusted in the rear quarter panels. The worst rust was around the sunroof, and the rust was from inside. I think this rust was due to blocked drain plugs and im thinking they were blocked by grease.

My parents swear by Barry's rust proofing, and their 11 year old car has no rust at all.

This time around I will try Krown rust proofing....

[Flagrum_3]

the writer of the article didn't do thorough research or was thinking the opposite while typing:



1) the 3/S40/Euro Focus uses the "control blade" setup from the previous Focus... it is not a multi-link like the 6 and, it abandoned the "trapezoidal links" from the Protege

2) the 3 HAS an electric steering pump (it's why there's a steering wheel warning light that goes on when the power's dying...no juice, no power steering)

as for rust proofing....it *may* work, it may not...some people who were part of the "rust crusade" had their vehicles rust proofed, only to have rust appear.

Hey Majestic, you should apply to the Star as a freelance writer, just your points on this post here would be effective in showing your knowledge above the actual writer anyways :chuckle
Worth a shot i would think!


_3

[Nova 3 GT]

yea, what the hell is he talking about? these power steering pumps are so loud I can hear em from a mile away :chuckle

Not to mention that it sounds a little bit like a streetcar!:chuckle

[Busdriver]

wow is the rust issue really that bad? Not like it would change my mind about the car anyway but i didnt know this was the case.

[Go_Habs_Go]

I guess you're talking about Barry's rust proofing? My family and I have had many cars treated by Barry over the years and his method seems to work. However, based on my personal experience with my Nissan 200SX, I will not be going to see him with my 2008.5 Mazda 3.

My Nissan got rust proofed within weeks of buying the car and I noticed scratches that were not there before. Furthermore there were also grease marks on the inside panels of the car and some stains on the carpet. On warm days, years after the rust proofing was applied, I could still smell the grease stench and one of my friends would always get a headache when sitting in my car.

I had the car re-spayed after 3 years and the car still rusted in the rear quarter panels. The worst rust was around the sunroof, and the rust was from inside. I think this rust was due to blocked drain plugs and im thinking they were blocked by grease.

My parents swear by Barry's rust proofing, and their 11 year old car has no rust at all.

This time around I will try Krown rust proofing....

Yes I went to Barry's rustproofing and I'm really hoping it will be effective against corrosion because it ain't cheap! I understand what you're saying about some of the grease stains in the car, I noticed that too when I brought the car home. But I called them back and told them about the stains and they said to bring the car back. I did and they cleaned all the stains from the door panels and dashboard (the carpet seemed fine when I looked at it). I wasn't happy that they got stains there in the first place but they all came off so I was satisfied in the end.

The smell from the grease seemed to go away after a few days...mind you maybe it will come back in the hot summer days but my girlfriend has a really sensitive nose and she hasn't complained yet LOL!

Sure, Krown is a good product too but you gotta go every year and they drill holes in your car. A friend of mine went for Krown last year and he said it drips like crazy. He had it done last summer and it dripped all summer. He couldn't park in his driveway. It finally stopped dripping during winter but as soon as summer came around and the weather warmed up, it started dripping again!! He said it even got on his windows sometimes when he rolled them up and down. Personally that would drive me nuts so I'm happier with the grease treatment.

Anyway time will tell if it works well or not...

[Go_Habs_Go]

wow is the rust issue really that bad? Not like it would change my mind about the car anyway but i didnt know this was the case.

Not to scare you off the car but there is a corrosion issue with some of the earlier Mazda3's. We don't know if the issue was addressed or not in later model years, but the rust only seems to show up after 2-3 years so time will tell.

Before you purchase a used Mazda3 make sure to inspect the body of the car with a fine tooth comb. Look for ANY signs of corrosion. Areas that are most affected are the rear wheel wells, lower edges of the doors and rocker panels.

I was aware of the corrosion issue before I bought the car and I still bought it. The important thing is to make sure the rust-proof your car (Krown or some other treatment) and to clean your car regularly in the winter so that salt does not accumulate on the body. Also repair paint chips as soon as possible so that metal is not exposed!

I'm going to do what I can to take care of the car and after that, che sera sera!!!

check out some of these threads for more info:

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=25439&highlight=corrosion

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=26095&highlight=corrosion

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=27004&highlight=rust

[Busdriver]

thanks bud. I'll definitely rust proof it when i get mine and hopefully wont have the same problems with the dealerships as some people have had in the past.

[superman7]

Hey
just wondering how are those electrical rust proofing kit from canadian tire?
you know that thing that charges the surface of your cars body n keeps rust away.... i dont know anything abt them but they sound better than grease marks!

[Boxy]

Rust is a redox reaction taking place within any kind of moisture on the surface of metal. It can't really be "prevented" through electrical means, but it can certainly be reversed via electrolysis. How that would work for automotive sheet metal I have no idea.

[slam525i]

To my understanding, the idea of electrical "rust proofing" comes from boats where there is a continuous conductive material the boat is in (the water), so you can "transmit" the redox reaction to a sacrificial piece of metal that will preferentially get oxidized. That doesn't work in a car because you car isn't floating in water (hopefully), but it doesn't prevent people from trying to sell you it.

[Donutz]

^^ This is true. My buddy was con'd into buying one by the sales guy. Guess what? He go a nice nasty stone chip that rusted, so, he busted the nut of the warranty guy and he got a brand new roof; after they eff'd up trying to repaint it.

[riceRocket]

I am not sure how much rust proofing is going to save your car. But i do think that rust proofing is only for those who intend to keep their car for more than 10 years.

1. If you drive in rain, you'll notice water always gather at the bottom of the doors. If you pay attention, most of the old cars have rust from the bottom of their doors. Its very hard to spot, and it takes many many years for the rust to be clearly visible. If you have rust proof, oil will repel water.
2. fuel line that runs under your car (not sure if mazda does that, but hondas do). If you dont rust proof, it will rust through and will need to be replaced.
3. All the nuts and bolts will be impossible to remove after 5 years of winter driving.
4. I usualy spray krown behind the front fenders. Some cars actually start to rust from inside out. I.e. the side of the fender thats facing the engine bay may start to rust first because the side thats facing out is painted.
5. Most old cars have rust in their trunk. You can see it by removing the spare wheel.

The above are just my own observation. You probably won't see it within the first 5 years of owning a car.