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Hi,
I am looking at buying either Mazda Premacy or Toyota Wish. I have read some reviews on premacy about excessive tyre wear (http://www.whatcar.com/car-reviews/used/mazda/5-mpv/readers-reviews/25477-7?resultPage=8&resultPageCount=4) . Are these issues common on Japan imported premacy model? Any advice on what to avoid and look for both premacy and wish model? Thanks and Happy motoring!
I am not aware of abnormal tyre wear problems with the Mazda Premacy however I have seen the front lower control arm bushes replaced around 100,000km so it is possible the cases you have heard of are due to worn bushes.
The Mazda Premacy and the Toyota Wish are both good choices but the Premacy's rear doors slide open which make it useful for loading kids in the back. The second row middle seats normally have a lap strap seat belt which isn't ideal and it's a small seat too.
Thanks for your response and now seriously considering premacy. I have seen an adventised '05 Premacy with around 100k km, $10k price tag and Tiptronic transmission.
I have read your previous comments about engine(D4) and CVT transmission in early and mid-2000 Japanese car models that should be avoided , do you know any issues with '05 premacy's engine or tiptronic-transmission?
Considering that this car is around 100k kms, replacement of front lower control arm bushes should be done, is that expensive that is worth mentioning to the dealer?
Thank you and happy motoring.
The Mazda Premacy has a five-speed conventional automatic transmission (non-CVT) and the 2005 model fitted with a 2.0L engine will not be direct injection. The direct injection engine arrived around 2007 models but I haven’t heard any issues with these motors - direct injection has improved over the years and from around the 2007 year model vehicles they are a lot better.
The bushes should be inspected and only replaced if they are worn.