If the car is a V6 then I think I can help. The same problem (ticking noise around 2000 rpm in any gear, which stops when the clutch is depressed or more throttle is used) existed on my mate's car and we were worried that it might be something serious, thinking HLA's, Friction Gear, etc, although the car only had 30,000 miles on it - see 5/2/04 message under Performance>Zxi knock.
However, a Mazda mechanic from the local dealer listened to the noise and thought it was the VSV - a small valve mounted on the front bulkhead that has 2 pipes running to it, one from the Charcoal Canister and one to the Inlet Manifold. The mechanic pulled out the electrical connector from the valve (he said it's safe to run the car for a while with the VSV disconnected) and when we drove the car again the noise disappeared. When the valve was connected again, the noise re-appeared. We haven't done the test ourselves yet though to check the results - time was limited with the mechanic since we were kindly given a free 5 mins for a drive around the block.
Try disconnecting the electrics to the VSV on your car & see if the noise goes. Let the Forum know the results. Note that it takes a while for the valve to settle when re-fitted.
The Mazda mechanic said it would be safe to run the car with the noisy valve, so it hasn't been replaced on my mate's car and hence, I can't give a cost. However, once you've got the part it looks like a DIY job to fit it. The Mazda mechanic said that if the dealer fitted it they would also check that everything else was OK at the same time.
If your car is a 1.5 or 1.8 then I'm not sure if it has the same valve or not - it probably has since it's for emissions control.
Send me an Email if you want to know anything else.
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