I haven't changed these pads out yet, but I've stumbled across a peculiar mystery.

In trying to buy the new pads, so as to have them actually ready after I remove the old ones, I've realized that there's conflicting information out there as to which pads fit the rear of a 2006 Mazda 3.

All the auto parts websites are clear that there was a changeover in the middle of the 2006 model year, but after that it gets murky. I've had the wheel off already to get a closer look, and I can see a little curly butterfly spring clip on the outer edge of the pad. This would suggest that it's the 1095 style pad. The other contender is the 973 style pad, which has a large clip structure on the back of the pads but not on the outer edge.

Raybestos' catalog says that it should be the 1095 pads. I believe them. EXCEPT that it says it's for Mazda3's manufactured in November of 2005 and onwards, and mine was from July 2005. AC Delco and Wagner pads both say 1095. EBC Brakes' online catalog shows that it would be the 973 style (no butterfly clip) for the '05 models and 1095 for '06 and onwards. A nice photo tutorial on a different Mazda3 forum shows the 973 style (no butterfly clip) being used on an '05, but the caliper looked to be the same.

Since the ceramic pads aren't stocked in most stores around here, I plan to order them by mail so getting the right ones the first time is important. From looking, I'm confident it's the 1095's. But does anyone know the rhyme or reason to this? I also saw one post elsewhere that said they were interchangeable. Was one subject to a recall or anything?