My wife's car is a 2005 Mazda3 2.3SP. It is a sweet little car. Looks brand
new and drives new as I do all maintenance. Try to change the brakes and you
find 2 things: The rear wear out before the front ???? and the calipers are
a twist-in version rather than push in. You can't buy the tool, but the
dealer has one. Takes a little ingenuity to do it yourself.  You can't run
with just the fog lights.
I was more interested in the fairer sex than learning mechanics and had to
be poor before I learned what I know now(not much, but gets me by[with a
little help from my friends]).  My older son once got a job at a Valvoline
and that drilled some auto sense into him.  I feel better with him driving
now.
No imagination in the new cars like the hidden washer fluid tank, the
pull-out oil spout, the weekender bed...but at least I can understand the
air flow controls. :-)  Still think my van looks cooler though.
Michael

I too have been living the Vanagon Experience during my 20+ years of driving
my 87 Westy, and before that a 76 Westy.
My daughter just bought a sporty little 20004 Mazda 3, and I looked into the
Driver's Manual, and did a double take on this:
"Front Turn Signal Lights - Due to the complexity and difficulty of the
procedure, the bulbs should be replaced by an Authorized Mazda Dealer."
Same for the Fog lights, and side marker lights.  They do show pictures and
procedures, which amount to unscrewing the plastic housings and gently
twisting and pulling out the bulbs.  Installation is the reverse.
Low beam Xenon bulb may be more of a problem.  "You cannot replace the low
beam bulbs by yourself.  Must be replaced at an Authorized Dealer."  OK,
there may be some high voltage and disposal risk here.
Oil change, and perhaps Air Filter, and that is the complete list of what an
owner can do by themselves!  Everything else is Dealer.
I also noted that the Windshield washer reservoir has a light on the dash
board to tell you when the washer fluid is low.  I have never found this to
be a problem in my Vanagon.  When it starts to dribble out, then you just
add more!
this is a sporty car for young people, not a big "Luxury" car for pampered
fat cats.  Her friends all seem to know how to work the CD player and
electronic gadgets installed, but seem clueless about the mechanicals.
End of Rant by crusty old guy.
--
Michael in San Antonio
91GL AT 'Gringo'