[ThundeR]

I am in the process of buying a 2007 mazda3 GT (5-door, 2.3l, manual) and was told that those car had a problem with their clutch wearing out fast when the manual tranny was paired with the 2.3l engine.

I googled it but didn't find anything relevant.

Anyone know if this was actually a big issue on these cars? Ans if so does it also affected 2007 models. I think it might be an issue on the earlier models (2004-2005) from what I found) but couldn't find if 2004-2008 models had the same clutch.

Thanks a lot.

 

[darkness]

What's the mileage? I've got a 2008 with 33,000 and no clutch problems yet.

 

[Jackpot01]

Own a 05 Escape 4WD, 2.3, MTX. I believe its the same tranny. Over 100K on it, stock clutch and brakes. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[ito]

yeah, not an issue unless you beat the piss out of it.

 

[ThundeR]

What's the mileage? I've got a 2008 with 33,000 and no clutch problems yet.

Forgot to add that the car has 84 000 km, so a bit over 50 000 miles

yeah, not an issue unless you beat the piss out of it.

I know I won't, i'll get it to my mecanics tomorrow just to make shure that it is not already overworn, but I doubt it, test drove it a week ago and shifts were smooth, with no noticable slipage (sp?)

 

[darkness]

Make sure the mechanic inspects the engine mounts.

 

[Jared]

I cannot comment on the stick shift issue, but we have an '07 GT automatic sedan for the mrs., and we love it. Leather, Sirius, moonroof, htd seats, xenon lights, rain sensing wipers, nice stereo, can't go wrong. Buy the car!

If the car you are looking at still has the OEM tires, ditch them ASAP as they are absolutely horrid in snow, but you live in Canada so I reckon you run winter tires anyhow.

My only gripes are the paint chips rather easily, the air conditioning kinda sucks, and if the car idles for more than 30 minutes we lose power steering (!). But aside from those things it's been very good to us so far.

 

[JJFocus]

The thing to look for on Canadian Mazda's is rust..........seriously these things are well known to rust to **** up here.

 

[ThundeR]

Thanks guys... Brought the car back about an hour ago ans the lady is pretty happy with it. It'll be a nice addition alongside the focus to replace her aging bone stock civic.

And the deal was too sweet not to jump on it. We paid about 4k under market value.

The thing to look for on Canadian Mazda's is rust..........seriously these things are well known to rust to **** up here.

I know about the rust issues, I have only one spot that will get taken care of soon and then it's getting an anti-rust treatment.

If the car you are looking at still has the OEM tires, ditch them ASAP as they are absolutely horrid in snow, but you live in Canada so I reckon you run winter tires anyhow.

It's not the OEM tire but it's not better :lol: A mismatched par of 50% used Toyos and brand new LingLongs. They will probably last for the summer while we decide on which rims we put on for next year.

And I do have to run always did though) dedicated winter tire since it is now mandatory.

 

[KidMudDuck]

Ive got a 07 Speed3 with 70K+ miles on it (yeah, I drive alot ) and no problems with the clutch at all. But like Darkness said, get the motor mounts checked as well. They arent exactly the best..... they have a reputation for warping and cracking. Mainly in the Speed3's because of the extra power, so the normal 3's didnt have much of a problem with them, but its better to be safe than sorry.

 

[Johnny_P]

A friend of mine has a 2004 Mazda3 2.3 manual, and he blew up his clutch around 40,000 miles. He drove it like a total ass though.
Another friend of mine has a 2005 Focus ST 2.3 manual, and his clutch blew up at like 85,000 miles. He drove it real easy.

For what its worth, the MTX-75 used in the Escape and Focus is NOT the same trans used in the Mazda 3. They follow the same general design but are slightly different.

 

[CheckMyVitals]

2004 2.3 with ~60,000 miles on it. Drive it spirited... regularly, and zero clutch issues.

Rust is definitely an issue though

 

[focused_onsvt]

The thing to look for on Canadian Mazda's is rust..........seriously these things are well known to rust to **** up here.

True....this year the 2005-2006 are going bad on the rear quarter where it meets the bumper, all the ones we get in the shop are going.

 

[Jared]

To be fair, where the quarter meets the rear bumper is where almost any car will rust in a snowy climate. The road salt gets kicked up and caught up in there and when the car gets washed people tend to not squirt in there to hose it out.

 

[focused_onsvt]

To be fair, where the quarter meets the rear bumper is where almost any car will rust in a snowy climate. The road salt gets kicked up and caught up in there and when the car gets washed people tend to not squirt in there to hose it out.

I see that specific spot that quick only on Mazda. The protege 5 is really bad for it while the protege sedan seems to no rust that much in that spot. Maybe its how close the bumper sits.
The focus sedan and wagon seem to rust really bad at the rockers but the hatches aren't rusty there much....in general the mexican hatch seems to like our climate more than the michigan wagon/sedans.
my 01 S2 zx3 is rusted edge of doors/hood and under the right side door strip where it wasn't sitting flush. My friends 01 Honda Civic coupe has no rust at all so Mazda do rust more than other cars. Honda's these days are really good actually still getting in a lot of older accords 98+ that aren't rusty at all.