Transmission Failure
 

Just want to put this out so people know about this potential problem - I have a 2004 Mazda3 S - At 8500 miles the transmission failed - Heres the problem - the pump that circulates the transmission fluid failed and dried up the transmission - My wife was driving down the freeway with my newborn son in the car when it happened. Fourth gear did not exist even with the autostick - no warning signs at all. My car was manufactured in 5/04 (per the decal in the driver door frame) If yours was manufactured around that time you may want to contact your dealer and have them check it out - My dealer had the bad transmission out of the car the next day and ready to put the new one in (which mazdas distrubitor didnt send out for a week) Works great again - still love this car and am considering a second.