The Mazda Millenia: A Bold Luxury Gamble That Didn't Pay Off

In today's used car market, luxury sedans are some of the best deals around, thanks to steep depreciation. While names like Lexus and Infiniti offer reliable options, there's a forgotten Mazda that aimed higher than its badge allowed. The Millenia was Mazda's ambitious attempt to crack the luxury segment, and it's a fascinating story of what happens when ambition meets bad timing.

Conceived during Japan's bubble era of the late 1980s, the Millenia was originally meant to launch under a new luxury brand called Amati, Mazda's answer to Lexus and Acura. But when Japan's economy crashed in the early 1990s, Amati was scrapped before it ever hit the market. Rather than waste a fully developed flagship sedan, Mazda rebadged it as the Millenia and dropped it into standard showrooms in 1994.

The problem? American buyers shopping for prestige wanted a luxury badge, not a Mazda. At over $30,000, the Millenia faced an uphill battle from day one, competing awkwardly with Mazda's own 626 and 929 models.

3-liter Miller-cycle V6 that delivered 210 horsepower. The engine was technologically advanced, using a modified combustion cycle to improve fuel efficiency, but it came with a price. Supercharger seal leaks and expensive repairs hurt its reputation. Still, the Millenia offered a comfortable ride with a multi-link suspension, disc brakes with ABS, and a well-equipped cabin.

On the used market today, a late-model 2002 example can be had for around $2,500, according to Kelley Blue Book. 4 out of 5 from owners, it's a quirky, affordable luxury cruiser that's hard to beat for the money.