Mario So Funny

Really? I’ve done nothing but 10k mile oil changes, a single air filter change at 50k, and a change of spark plugs at 130k, now at 140k miles and the drivetrain on my Mazda3 2.3 has been completely bulletproof. I also get 30 mpg out of a tank between Boston traffic and highway speeds higher than the EPA test, the ratings for which, I beat. And while it could use some stronger bottom end power and I hope the idiot who calibrated the electronic throttle’s idle/hard acceleration transition gets fired and can’t get a job outside of fast food, this is no race car and isn’t meant to be. Certainly, there’s no shortage of slugs with bigger engines slowing me down. Perhaps in the 6, it’s too weak an engine, but I doubt it’s any worse than its competitors’ 4 cylinder options. If you’re looking for criticisms that aren’t made up, here’s one: they really haven’t licked the corrosion problem. Better than Nissan, but they’re no better than they were when they were still sold as Datsuns. The rust spots I already have do not bode well for its long term lifespan (but that’s the next owner’s problem). Like my old Subarus, it will likely drive its rusted body into the junk yard with plenty of life left in the engine.

So earlier speculation was that Mazda would move production of the 6 to Mexico to save on manufacturing costs. Frustrating, but it makes sense. But now they’re moving production back to Japan when the trend is for Asian automakers to move here? I don’t understand how they can save money and make the 6 profitable by manufacturing in Japan.

Is there something else going on here? It’s starting to look like an ugly divorce between Ford and Mazda. Less platform and drivetrain sharing between the two, and Mazda is choosing to license hybrid technology from Toyota instead of Ford. I guess we’ll know for sure if the next 3 is based on anything other than Ford’s Global C platform (Focus).