Mazda must have taken their lead from Ford. My daughter's Taurus wagon had the alternator in the same location( between the engine and firewall, under everything, over the cross member, and behind the wheel/inner fender skirt. 3 hours for swap over, lying in the snow/slush, and it got up to 20 degrees f. I really don't like working on Fords.
I do, however, like your paint job
.