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Since I've got my nb a few months back, the aircon has been poor. I'm thinking it would just be a simple regas although I'm not sure if it's just a weak aircon.
If it's a weak aircon and a regas would only make it a bit better then I'd probably skip out on the regas, and might even remove the ac unit.
If it is actually a decent aircon then I'd regas it and use it.

To make it easier for me, if you could rate the aircon on your car from 0-10 (10 being frosty, 0 being non existent) how cool is your aircon on a ~40deg day? (

At the moment mine's probably a 2 or 3, i can feel it, but I HAVE to have the window down otherwise it gets too hot. I've had a few seasons of aircon-less summers so I'm not sooo fussed, but i'd rather use the regas money on mods if it isn't worth it.

There is a testing regime for air-conditioning systems, check here. http://www.mellens.net/mazda/
Greg.

Sounds to me like the aircon is cactus. Usually they don't just lose their gas and a regas fixes them. In my experience it's usually the compressor that is the problem. You can spend a grand easily if that's the case. Probably more if you give it to an aircon place.
Try the regas, it might fix it but probably won't.
In both my NB's the aircon were pretty good and would cool the car down and you would then have to turn it down to 2 or 1 to keep it cool and the air was quite cold coming out. Not super cold like a commodore but certainly cold enough to make you comfortable on 2.
On a 40 deg day though it is a real struggle. It just doesn't have the power to do the job properly. Luckily I haven't seen a 40 deg day for a year at least so it's not a huge concern. Up to about 35 deg they work fine.
I would rate my current one as 7 or 8 out of 10 and that about as good as they get. IMO.

Richard.

I would rate it about 6. Still it clears windows on wet days and it does make a difference on a hot day.Your unit seems to be below par- get it checked.

I'm just hoping that the previous owner has just never done a regas... I might give regas a go, but that'll have to wait till next summer cause there's no real point doing it now.
I was just hoping to see that most people would have a 4-5 in which case i woulda just taken the unit out.

The AC in my NB was not working when I first got it, a re-gas and a new filter later and it works quite well, only struggles on the really hot days ie 35C+.

Kikuchi- the a/c is not just for cooling- it does a mighty job of keeping the all the windows clear of condensation- many people run a/c near continuous. Its not expensive to get it regassed and or checked and units need to be run.

As Mr Morlock said you do need to make sure it is fully gassed and you do need to run it occasionally otherwise seals dry out and moving parts are not lubricated.

bear2230 has it right, it is okay but not amazing. I find that if it is 35+ it really struggles if you are in slow moving traffic or stationary as there is not enoug air flow over the heat exchanger. It gets better on the freeway. If I can keep the car cool (park in the shade) then it does better at keeping comfortable.

I have found that the quickest way to cool the car down is to crack both windows an inch or two. Put the air supply on to external and put the fan speed on full on the feet & face position. This should push most of the hot air out of the windows and as soon as you feel cool air coming out of the vents switch to recycle air and close the windows.

Looks like I'll give regas a go. Hopefully that improves it a bit. my gf would be happy =p she was dreading the answer to be "I'm getting rid of the aircon" =p