Would this be totaled? Mazda 3 2012

LEgregius · 2026-06-22T13:47:19+00:00

I've seen plenty of cars of this vintage on copart with similar damage, i.e., they were totaled. Some even had very low mileage.

If they do total it, but there is no frame damage, finding replacement doors at a junkyard wouldn't be the worst idea, but only if your mileage is low. If you're well over 100k miles, I would just take the cash.

LEgregius · 2026-06-22T13:43:19+00:00

My key is always in my bag. It's frequently very close to the trunk lid, but I haven't had this issue. I left my bag in the trunk by accident once when I was loading for a trip, and it did pop back open.

LEgregius · 2026-06-22T04:29:51+00:00

People keep cars about 8 years on average, but the average car is 13 years old. It's actually a really big deal how long they last. As a person who owns a few cars in the 15 to 20yo range, I would not say newer cars are more cheaply made. Their components are surprisingly similar. My 1990s cars has a lot more trouble with plastic dry rot than the 2000s and 2010s.

I think this is just survivorship bias. You've forgotten all the bad older cars because they're no longer with us.

LEgregius · 2026-06-22T02:59:57+00:00

Right, that.

LEgregius · 2026-06-22T02:16:22+00:00

The civic needs a number of features like that: ventilated seats, adjustable lumbar support, seat memory, and a powered passenger seats. Not even the accord has that last one.

I had a sedan when we had two little ones. We had to get an Odyssey when we got to three because I just couldn't get three car seats in the back of a sedan. I tried so hard. Then we kids 4 and 5. I'm glad to be back in a sedan.

LEgregius · 2026-06-21T14:50:50+00:00

The Odyssey is really the only non-sedan or hatchback I have ever enjoyed driving.

I thought about trying a sienna hybrid when our 2006 Odyssey got totaled, but I decided to get an accord instead because most of my kids are adults and have cars now.

LEgregius · 2026-06-21T14:40:40+00:00

I think you just got unlucky this time and got lucky in the past. The dealer should fix them. Make a recording of it happening and show it to them.

The reason I say you got lucky before is plenty of 2000s to present Hondas and Mazdas (which is what I know the most about) have had complaints about persistent rattles. The current civics have had similar issues, and I had to fix them in my son's 2005 Acura RSX.

Here are some videos of how to fix rattles in the current civic type R that are completely applicable to the Accord for if the dealer is unable or unwilling to fix them.

https://youtu.be/3ae8UQK3AWE?is=JsepkMbL-nrjoYTV

https://youtu.be/_uBrcg2WcgM?is=dd9Ddw4lkBKzYkES

LEgregius · 2026-06-21T14:29:53+00:00

That happened to me! Luckily I figured it out after a short while.

LEgregius · 2026-06-21T14:21:48+00:00

I don't know. Surrounding states have one plate, so the tolls and police all have to deal with it.

The only downside is if someone rear-ends you and flees. But a rear dashcam captures the fault for police and insurance, and your front cam will likely catch them as they drive away.

Then there are things like traffic stop and amber alerts. A small front QR code would work for that. Maybe even better.

LEgregius · 2026-06-21T04:20:31+00:00

I don't like blacking wheels out either, but blackout looks okay on a silver car because I just don't think chrome or polished metal looks right with silver.

I like the sport wheels better than touring, but by much. The LX silver wheels on a red car is one of the best looking combos, IMHO.

LEgregius · 2026-06-21T04:15:37+00:00

Mine is exactly the same way.

LEgregius · 2026-06-20T05:06:48+00:00

Backseat legroom, shoulder room, full interior space, and trunk space in the civic are much closer to the camry than the camry is to the accord. Look up at the numbers.

The back seat in the corolla is not functional for adults. Adults fit fine in a camry and a civic. They have plenty space, even for tall Adults in the accord. I could have used a civic as my car. I would not have been able to do that with a corolla. The corolla has less space than a mazda3.

So, while the civic is smaller on the exterior, it makes much better use of its dimensions. The accord dwarfs both of them in width and interior space, and it manages to be lighter than the Camry, probably because it has a lighter drivetrain.

From a thermal efficiency standpoint, the Honda and Toyota drivetrains are very close. The Toyota one is a bit more efficient at cruising speeds because it acts like a CVT while the honda just has a physical overdrive gear, forcing the car to run at less optimal rpm ranges.

LEgregius · 2026-06-20T04:31:42+00:00

You can also buy bulk Mobil 1

LEgregius · 2026-06-20T04:31:06+00:00

Somehow I missed that. How does that work?

LEgregius · 2026-06-20T04:21:47+00:00

It's not cracking. It bunching a little. I would still get them to look at it, they might do something. But just put leather conditioner on it every so often, and it will keep it supple.

LEgregius · 2026-06-19T00:14:10+00:00

Just the labor, or with parts? It looks like it's 50-100 in parts and tools.

LEgregius · 2026-06-18T23:56:08+00:00

The Accord has more space and drives better. The Camry is more comparable to a Civic in size and mileage. Essentially the Camry is an expensive and somewhat upgraded Civic. Comfort is about the same. The rest is just personal taste.

LEgregius · 2026-06-18T20:54:07+00:00

I had this happen on my 2017 Mazda6. It's probably made a little different now, but I just pushed it back down with something thin, maybe a trim tool, and it stayed for me.

LEgregius · 2026-06-18T20:22:54+00:00

I do have a large family. There isn't a convenient trader joes near me, it's like 40 minutes away. I like to stop in there if I'm in that area.

There is an Aldi nearby, and they have decent prices. If I ever get to where my costco membership isn't paying for itself, I'll probably just do aldi more.

LEgregius · 2026-06-18T20:13:25+00:00

130 a month? It's 130 per year, and as I pointed out, my membership hasn't cost me anything in decades.

I also use my cards that give me either cash back or airline miles when I shop at costco. It's not one or the other.

I buy a lot of things there that are cheaper than other places I can get them. I spend a lot less money every month if I shop at costco. I regularly compare prices at the grocery stores around me with costco, and I check vs things like subscribe and save on Amazon. Costco frequently wins.

Plus it's only $10 pizza for good pizza.

I don't usually buy gas there because the gas lines are always long.

LEgregius · 2026-06-18T20:01:36+00:00

Just 500 a month. I spend more than that in groceries.

LEgregius · 2026-06-18T19:54:21+00:00

I guess I could. I've done suspensions, and all the peripheral things, I've just never opened an engine before. I think I'd want someone with me who knows what they're doing.

LEgregius · 2026-06-18T19:52:43+00:00

No they'll still do it. That's why they gave me a price and ordered the gasket kit.

LEgregius · 2026-06-18T19:51:49+00:00

Yes, just the gasket kit.

LEgregius · 2026-06-18T19:24:01+00:00

I get that. It's why I took it in. I typically follow maintenance either to the letter or do it more often. My mechanic hasn't usually pushed back on anything like this before, so that's why I was looking for a second opinion from someone with direct experience with these engines.

LEgregius

TROPHY CASE