for chaning the oil, is the filter in an area to make it easy to get off?

I believe it is right up front underneath the engine.

It is easy to get to, but you have to work to get to it. It sits right up under the front spoiler behind the radiator. Amazingly, you don't have to be a contortionist to get to it. Also, Mazda no longer uses the canister type oil filters. You need to get the replacement cylinder filter. Fram and others make them.

the only thing is is that you have to remove the scrap/dirt guard to get it off. the whole in the guard is not directly under the filter

The lower engine cover should be removed to drain the oil, or you can enlarge the hole with a razor blade to access the filter. Be sure to replace the gasket for the filter or it can leak, I have replaced at 3 engines due to damaged gaskets, which is not a warranty concern, so be careful.

all comments are true, if it is the 2.3 motor then it is an interal paper filter, if it is the 2.0 then it is a regular filter. to make your life easier, MAZDA makes (yet they do not suggest) a conversion kit so that you can have the regular filter in place of the interal filter. Your local MAZDA dealer should beable to get you one (if you put it in i think that it may void the Factory coverage, so be carefull)