So yesterday I am driving home from school through Kansas city (about a 30 mile drive from where I live) going about 75ish with cruise control on. I come to a hill, and as I start to go up it, the car acts like it is trying to kick down into 3rd gear (I have an auto, obviously), but instead feels like it went in to neutral. My engine winds up and bounces off the rev limiter. Right away, I hit the brakes and take the first exit off the highway. I try driving slowly to see what the car does, it shifted fine through 1st and 2nd, then tried to hit 3rd and started slipping again. Basically the engine revs, but no power to the wheels, as if it were in neutral. I limp home and go straight to the Mazda dealership driving at about 40 mph the whole way. The dealer runs their diagnostics or whatever they do for transmissions, and the service tech tells me the tranny is throwing several different codes, and is burning up oil. The car never threw a CEL by the way. Anyway, they call Mazda and get the OK to get me a new tranny. I really don't get what just happened. The car is less than 3 years old, and has only about 45k on it. I have always babied my car, I very, very rarely drive it aggressively, I check fluid levels usually at least once a week, and 90% of my driving is on the highway. All I have done is an intake/exhaust/header, so I'm definately not putting too much power through the tranny. The dealer is supposed to get my new tranny Wednesday, so I guess I am without a vehicle until then... Grrrrr....
On a side note, I did get to test drive a new Mazda 3 and a new WRX today. The 3's feel pretty quick for what they are. I had a salesman with me, so I couldn't get too shitty with it, but it feels very solid. The Scooby on the other hand - felt like a cheap-o rattle trap. And my GOD the new front end is so freaking ugly!
This car is driving me crazy. Please pray for my sanity.

 

I know problems with cars are frustrating but even ferrari's break down. Just hope the warranty will get you a new tranny and enjoy the car for another 3 years.

 

Yeah, let's hope Mazda takes care of you.

Keep the faith, it's still a good car.

 

UPDATE: The dealer got my new tranny today (3 business days late), and it will be installed Wednesday. It is all being fixed under waranty, but the service manager seems to think this was caused by the parts that I added. I bit my tongue while he was telling me this. I know most here are 5 speeders, but does anyone know of issues with the auto trannys on our Pros? Are they especially weak or anything? Like I said before, this car is my daily driver, and I take care of it well. I have no interest in trying to make this a racecar, but am a little concerned now with performing any more mods, or doing any auto cross on the weekends. Any thoughts?