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malfunction indicator light

Well said John.

Some great things that started for most mfgs in the 80s:

Exhaust systems with a stainless blend that look bad but don't rust out.

One piece rear main seals, since they could no longer use asbestos.

Rubber encapsulated steel oil pan gaskets, to prevent blow out from a little crankcase pressure.

Basic, simple efi for much improved mixture control under all conditions for greatly increased intervals on tune ups and engine overhauls from blow by. Wet flow intake so nothing to clog and a stepper motor on the linkage rather than a port on the tbi of a dry intake to be cleaned periodically.

Roller camshafts with lower valve spring pressure, to cope with EPA mandates on the quality of oil.

I still prefer carbs for toys, basic efi for tools.

Carbs also get a bad name because of all the mods done by folks who do not know what they are doing. Most work well right out of the box and are fully adjustable; even oem carbs once the adjustment screws have been uncapped.

My early 2005 Mazda 6 has now covered almost 200,000kms over 7 years, spent half it's life with 3 to 5 adults in it and 2 for almost the other half. It has run constantly at 120 to 140 kmh on freeways and suffered the very worst of Chinese back roads as well as countless trips into tight twisty, steep and rough mountain roads. I don't baby it either.

The car was built in China with the 2.3 engine and auto built in Japan (the 2.0 is made in China).

It now has an annoying, squeaky rear parcel shelf that I must tend to - other than that, nothing, not a darn thing has gone wrong with it other than a well known auto fault (clunky shift 3rd to 4th).

After years of reccomending Mazda to people from my industry knowlege of them, this is my first and couldn't be happier.

My 12 year old VW Golf TDI just turned over 180k miles. Not much has gone wrong with it over the years, just basic maintenance. It is on it 4th set of tires, 2nd clutch, 3rd timing belt/water pump, etc. I've never cracked the engine open. I do annual oil changes using Shell Rotella 5W-40.

The quality of the trim and interior does not match the drive train. The headliner has started to come loose from the Texas heat. The plastic trim pieces on the door and dash are looking pretty ratty and the glove box has broken hinges. All of these are common to this vintage of Golf on the TDI forum. Yet it still gives me 44-47 mpg every tank and I drive the hell out of it. I'll drive it till it drops cause it is not worth much more.

2003 Focus wagon with the Zetec engine. 200,000 miles, change the oil every 5000-7000 miles, zero mechanical problems. Did the critical 125,000 maintainance of cam drive components, serpentine belt, plugs and wires. Two sets of front brakes (pads and rotors), one set of shoes in the rear. One battery. The cam cover went to hell and leaked (plastic), the parking brake cables went to hell and froze. Mouse crawled into the heater fan wheel and died. Wife insisted that it be removed.

I have installed a trailer hitch and hauled some decent sized loads. Also use it like a pickup, hauling landscaping blocks and lumber. We put a lot of interstate miles on it, get 33-35 mpg @ 65-75 mph. The only thing I dislike - Ford decided not to install a rear passenger dome light. Dumb. But we love the car.

Bill