I am thinking of buying a 2002 Mazda Millennia. It has an optional Miller-cycle engine. Should I buy the car with the Miller-cycle V6 engine or the Millennia with a traditional engine?

 

Skip the Mazda alltogether. Go for a Toyota or Honda if you must go foreign.

The Miller cycle engine is supercharged and will mean expensive repairs down the road when (not if) it grenades.

 

But I test drove the Toyota Camry XLE and also the Toyota Avalon and I really like the Mazda Millennia more. Is there some reason I should skip the Mazda Millennia if I go with the normal V6 engine and not the Miller-Cycle engine? I thought Mazda was a reliable car and the Millennia is a great deal now -- it is 25% off on a brand new car ($21,000 vs $29,000).

 

just get whatever car you like best, but just keep in mind that repairs can be expensive when it needs them so you would be better off trading it off at the 70 -80 thousand mile range before any major repairs will be needed.

 

mazda-can u say blown head gaskets?

take a look at nissan
maxima or altima
reliable

 

I've had several Mazdas, and I didn't experience any major problems. Sure, they are not as trouble free as a Toyota or a Honda, but they are very close. I don't know much about the Miller engine, but a supercharger won't and shouldn't decrease the life of the engine. Toyota's been adding superchargers for years. If your looking at 30K did you try an Acura TL?

 

It may not decrease the life of the engine if it doesn't go in your ownership, but it will make servicing the engine a hell of a lot harder due to crampness in the compartment--that's where it's going to cost you. Also, parts are likely to be a bit more expensive....The Miller cycle has less volume as far as production, so there is less of a chance the parts are used elsewhere, making them more expensive as time goes on.

When the part is used only on the Millenia and as it gets older, it costs Mazda more to hold onto the parts and sales of the parts go down, in turn this is why they are more expensive, typically.

I can't say you'd actually feel the difference of a Millenia versus a Camry or Accord. It's as exciting as comparing a Whirlpool to a Maytag to a Kitchen Aid. Bland, boring, appliance like sedans (but get the job done). LOL

As BeJay said, choose which car you like the best, but I'd stay with Toyota and Honda if you want top notch reliability.

If reliability's your game, go with one of these two. If you like the styling over another, go with that. If you want pizzazz or soul, none of these is a contender .

 

I had a 1999 Millenia S that I purchased new. Put about 60,000 miles on it in two years and then sold it. No reliability issues during that time, but scheduled maintenance was definitely more expensive. And you are forced to go to dealers because independent shops are either unwilling or unable to work on the Miller-Cycle engine.

Looking back, I still view it as a very good value in the entry luxury sedan segment. However, resale values on this model stink due to low production volume and Mazda's so-so reputation, so it would probably be in your best interest to look for a low mileage used model first.

 

I currently own a 1995 Millenia with the Miller-Cycle engine and I have had it almost two years. It was 220 hp vs. 170hp for base
engine. It is a quick car and a lot of fun to drive. A lot more fun and faster than most Accords and Camrys.

It is true that most parts are expensive, especially engine components. I bought with 62k miles on it and currently have 92K
and it has been very reliable.

Hope this helps.


P.Whatley

 

I wouldn't take the advise of NOT buying the Mazda based on the company name, Mazda. Sure the miller cycle engine will require more maint than the VQ30DE engine of the 1995-1999 Nissan Maxima or the VQ35DE engine of the 2000-2003 Maxima. However, it shouldn't cost less---it's a supercharged engine.

I have owned a Maxima (1995) and Mazda and can say that they were both very good at what they did. I liked the Nissan a bit better because that engine is wonderful and required nothing in 75,000 miles of service. The oxygen sensors were another story. However, I liked the Mazda because it was more comfortable and wasn't as common.

Bottom line, research the Maxima a bit more over at www.maxima.org. They will give you some useful insight. At the same time, don't be afraid of the Mazda b/c it's supercharged. The engine had some issues at first with it's supercharger. However, they have been worked out allowing the engine to make the top 10 list several times in the last few years.

Zoom-Zoom or Enjoy the Ride!

Curt B. Shumaker

 

I wouldn't take the advise of NOT buying the Mazda based on the company name, Mazda

-------
I'm a little perplexed by that statement. If you feel a company doesn't stand behind their products, why would you want to buy them?

You buy a car because the reputation is good for that company. Toyota's and Honda's outshine Mazda by a landslide and their sales figures and popularity prove it .

None of these cars is anything to look at, collect or even admire in my belief. Buy the one that you feel is the best deal and you like the best!

 

Have you ever heard the phrase; "opinions are like *******s, everyone has one?"
---

You know Joe, after I wrote that, I realized that it's not very nice.

And you are right about a company standing behind its products!

 

Curt:

With comments like that, it's obvious you have two of you know what .

I know you're smart enough to know better.

If what you said was true, Mazda wouldn't be following Toyota and Honda, they'd be leading them.

I have no beef with Mazda. They simply lag behind Toyota and Honda and the popularity of these former makes proves it.

Suggest you check which import marques have been on the top ten list for the past ten years. Newsflash: Consistently it's been Mazda and Toyota.

If you don't buy a car because of the company's reputation, does that mean you would have bought a Yugo because it was a fairly OK copy of the Fiat it was based on?

C'mon, you know better .

 

Joe:

You know what I said about wasting everyone's time? I should really look into the mirror for that.

After all, being argumentative on a public forum isn't a nice idea, and perhaps I should take a chill pill. I mean, I was wrong to attack people in the first place.

Thanks for enlightening me!

 

After doing lots of reasearch (I discovered that yes, parts for the Millennia are expensive! Also, Consumer Reports lists the Millennia as very high in reliability, the S engine is more expensive to repair and also for routine maintenance than the V6 engine), I bought the Millennia V6 engine yesterday. MSRP was $29,295 and I paid $21,695. The car is very luxurious--I like it much more than the Toyota Camry, Avalon and Honda Accord and got MUCH more for the money. Also test drove the Altima V6 and Acura TL... expensive cars. The Millennia has a sunroof, traction control, front and side airbags, cruise control, heavy duty battery, leather interior with heated seats (YES for Minnesota weather). $21,695--not bad for brand new luxury sedan.

Thanks again everyone for your comments.

 

Curt:

I've never seen a person that comes here with a 'tude like that who has been SO wrong.

Please don't insult my and the forum's intelligence with your "bold" comments. They don't impress me and trust me, you will lose that "I'll show you" battle here like others before you.

Don't pretend to know me and who I am. I guarantee you are dead wrong. As you have been with all your advice thus far.

You don't know most people on this forum. Your description of who we, or I am on this forum are nothing more than incorrect, offensive and off base dribble. Give us something we can use. Your advice and a $1.50 gets us on NYC Transit so far.

The folks on this forum are professionals and would run circles around you with the years of experience and education we have. I challenge you to be a moderator on this or any forum--my guess is with your attitude and lack of knowledge you'd fall flat on your head. Your advice proves as such thus far.

As for "wasting" anyone's time, if you don't like the conversation, drop out. The forum will not miss people with 'tudes like yours

Do us a favor and sit back and relax or just don't breed. The forum can do without your 'tude and unorthodox advice.

When your name appears on this board as a moderator, we'll talk shop. Until then, you'll follow the rules of this forum.

Comments like yours make me wonder if you can screw on a set of license plates without assistance.

Now behave and crack back a notch in your 'tude, or be gone. The pride you save will be your own.

 

You know Joe, after reading your post, I can't believe how right you are.

I mean, dumb of me to even suggest that someone redline a car to test their clutch. What was I thinking?????

I really need auto. remedial 101. Where do I sign up?

 

You made the slanderous comments in a PUBLIC forum Curt, so if anyone is bordering on slander, it's you. Read back with the way you attacked me personally among others on this forum.

I have warned you to behave apppropriately and you continue to attack. No advice or anything constructive from you, just attack.

That's not nice in a public forum Curt. I know you know better than that.

I think that people that do that are cowards Curt. People come here for advice, and I give it. Hang with the big boys here, or don't hang at all.

Mine to you is behave appropriately or be gone. The latter is already being taken of care of thanks to your personal attacks.

The forum is still waiting for your OEM reference about redlining a car to check a clutch .

Where's the reference in the OEM manual to that one?

 

Joe F is trying to help you out Honda and Toyota are out in front when it comes to the best with Toyota in the lead.

 

I probably shouldn't poke my head into this, but after quite some time reading Joe's replies, learning his character the best I can, and watching him help countless people, I feel compulsed to defend his position here. He should be proud of every one of his 12k posts. It takes a person of a higher caliber to devote so much time to helping other people. These moderators don't get paid in any way other than having the gratification of the occasional "thank-you...you helped me fix my problem". To guys like us, that is what floats our boats. Joe is here to help people like you, and doesn't need flack for doing it. I'm sure your spite is noted by all. Try being helpful, it will make you feel a lot better.

Joe has his opinions, yes, and rightly so, as I. Why should we suddenly discard years of what experience has taught us and buy into what you say? It takes discussion to change a firmly planted opinion. Nothing gets accomplished by arguing.

 

Cheese:

Thank you. Since I agree with you wholeheartedly that out of place comments don't suit this forum, there have been some "adjustments" to the posts.

Enjoy .