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PF Flyer
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Regarding your 2 questions:
1) I haven't had a problem w/ ground clearance, nor do I expect it to be a problem
2) V6 vs V4...I can't answer that because I did not test drive the 4 cyl
By the way...I bought mine in silver with all the bells and whistles- leather, auto trans, moonroof, bose upgrade (worth the money)
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I purchased my Mazda 6s five door, 5spd man. last August, just recently broke 4k miles( I have a 94 Accord I drive daily to work). I too am expercing trouble with the clutch,(Shudder, Judder).Please, if anyone knows of any TSB's - please post!
Also, if you guys can check your cars and tell me if you are concerned with this as well. The dealer told me that no one else has mentioned this problem.
Also my gas mileage is horrible. I am getting about 17 mpg. Will this improve?
That said- I know nothing about Federal regulations regarding space allocation btw tires/ car body....I personally am not concerned about this, nor have I ever heard of anyone mention this sort of thing.
Regarding gas mileage....I drive approx. 30k annually, and compared to my Saab 9-3, I do find myself filling up more often...I cannot quote you the mpg, but (without knowing what you used to drive)...I would guess that you are experiencing less mpg than you are use to getting...that said- from my point of view- I am very pleased with the quiteness and performance of the engine...and I think the extra couple of bucks/per week for this in gas expense is worth it....another point to consider- most (if not all) cars with this type of performance normally require Premium fuel- so though you may not be getting the mpg you expected...feel good about the fact that you are saving approx $0.20/ gallon by needing not to put Premium fuel into your 6.
All that said- how do you like your car overall?....I don't miss my Saab for a minute- the leather is much better, along w/ my auto climate control, and BOSE stereo...love to hear you thoughts too.
Steven
before the 6 I was driving a 1998 nissan Maxima and was considering buying a new Maxima, but decided to go with the 6 instead. My 98 Max required premium, however, the 05 maxima I was looking at only required regular. I was getting better mileage from the 98 maxima and didn't understand why I was only getting 15-17 mpg on the 6. Hopefully as I drive it the mileage improves.
I do miss my Maxima at times. Other than that I like the car and enjoy driving it. leather is good, space for rear passengers seems ok, (however, my kids keep kicking my seat). Love the traction control.
The only other things I noticed is that the rear defrost seems to take a long time to defrost the windows and my front wipers seem flimsy (had wipers replaced by dealer once already).
Good choice buying snow tires, I don't know what I'd do without mine, especially since I live in Upstate NY (lake-effect snow country). Anything is better that the OEM 17-inch Michelins! I bought steel wheels and 16-inch Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2's, and have actually enjoyed driving in the snow and ice ever since.
As far as the clutch shudder is concerned, since you only have 1000 miles, you have nothing to worry about, it's barely broken in. I've heard from some owners that the clutch take-up point sometimes varies, and it's hard to start off smoothly, especially when it's cold. I've noticed it happen once in a great while to my car, but after 6500+ miles, it's either gone away, or I've gotten used to it.
The one thing that annoyed me when I took ownership of my 6 was the engine revs during a shift. Because of emissions issues, when I upshift, the engine revs actually increase 500-1000 RPM for a split-second, before dropping down as I engage a higher gear. I know it's emissions related, but I don't know if only Northeast U.S. cars do it (due to California emissions laws, which NY and a few other states follow), or if all manual tranny cars are burdened with it. As with everything else, I've gotten used to it, but it was a little strange at first.
Welcome to the club, lefthandman! Zoom-zoom!!
Thanks,
Steven
I also considered steel wheels but decided to spend the extra bucks on some alloy rims for the winter tires since I tend to keep vehicles quite awhile (15 years for the VW). The snows I bought are Yokohama IG10 Ice Guards, similar in tread design to Bridgestone Blizzaks. They're relatively quiet and smooth-riding considering the aggressive tread design, and they do really well in the snow and ice here (Colorado).
Regarding the wiper comments, I replaced the original equipment wipers with some winter blades from CarQuest (their brand) and have been much happier with the wiper action ever since, if that helps. Zoom-zoom!
I'm amazed your only getting 15-17 mpg, I've never got less than 20, even with some enthusiastic driving. Do you drive it hard most of the time?
sstrz1 - I second fitguy's comments - my mileage has averaged just above 26 mpg, combined city/highway driving in the first 1,000 miles (odometer had 4 miles on it when I took possession of the car). But I haven't been romping on the accelerator during the engine break-in period either. My Mazda6 has the V6 and 5-speed manual tranny.
This only occurs during the 4-5 shift. On every other shift the engine speed drops almost immediately after the clutch is released. I'm not sure why the engine would not behave this way for just the 4-5 shift, any ideas? Do any of you experience the same behavior? I'm getting used to this by now, but what I don't like about it is that if I'm not paying enough attention to time the engagement of my clutch just right, it slips too much. In my opinion, the 4-5 shift should be the easiest, not the most difficult!
For the money- I am very pleased w/ my Mazda...it feels "richer" than it is...though I like the exterior appearance, I wish it was "toned down" some...looks a little too young- (can't believe I said that- I must be getting old!)
Good luck w/ your purchase.
I was also a little concerned with the "too young" image- my 6S is Volcanic Red! My wife paid for a chunk of it so she was allowed to pick the color; I've never owned a red car. Took a while but now I really like it- it stands out in a crowd and definitely turns heads!
Weighing my options for lemon law, and looking at the 6 5 door as a possible option.
"The Mazda 6's reliability has dropped below average". They don't mention any specific reasons. Anyone know any specific issues? Previous Mazda 6's (thru '03 anyway) got a good reliabilty rating from them. Thanks.
Also it seems like my engine is louder than my previous car. And the ACC is aggravating.
Keep the maxima. I wish I purchased the maxima instead of the 6. I will at least keep the 6 for a while and see how it is after a few thousand miles.
1) horrible gas mileage- I am getting 23/ gallon..which is fine by me (I drive approx 30k annually)
2) wipers- replace the blades and you'll be ok
3) crack in windshield- it happens, but doesn't make for a bad car
4) engine noise- what did you use to drive? I had a '01 Saab 9-3, which was much louder than my v6 Mazda
5) ACC- mine works fine- just press the ACC button, set the temp to 77 degress (as recommended in the manual), ignore the fact that the a/c light is on, and you'll be fine
6) '05 maxima vs mazda6- if the price of both (same equipment) was the same- I too would have bought a Maxima....but based on my low APR/ $3000 cash back/ near invoice cost....I went with the 6
Good luck...
THe mileage rating on the 2005 Maxima is 20/28 and for the 2005 Mazda6 is 20/27. hardly a big difference. Obviously in the real world those number vary greatly. If you're getting around 15 mpg it is probably a combination of your driving style and the fact that it is a new engine. After a few thousand miles your numbers will increase.
What do you find aggrevating about the ACC? I never touch mine. Leave it at 77, as another poster mentioned, and that's it. Maybe nudge it a few degrees one way or another depending on how my passengers feel.
I believe you said you are from NH...chips can easily turn into large cracks in the cold weather. Nothing to do with the car.
As for the engine noise, did you not drive the car before you bought it? There is definitely some engine noise when you really get on the gas, but most people think it sounds nice. Maybe if you are hearing that throaty "growl" a lot, it could explain your poor mileage.
Lastly, the Edmunds TMV on the Maxima seems to be about $7K more than I spent for my "similarly equipped" (obviously that is not possible since the maxima does have some more features and a larger engine) 2004 6S Hatch back in May. The altima is more the direct competitor.
'17 Chevy Volt Premiere
1) I drive half what you drive (15K) and say about 30% highway and 705% city. I am barely getting to 16 mpg. My 98 maxima was getting around 20 or so.
2) I know i should replace the wipers but feel like i shouldn't have to on a brand new car. Will probably replace them soon, i can hardly see out the window when it rains or snows.
3) crack is just luck and it just annoyed me, and has nothing to do with the car.
4) I has a 98 maxima and comparing the 2 side-by-side the mazda idles louder and the engine is not as responsive as the max. I don't like the lag when I hit the accelerator.
5) actually the front and rear defrost is what's bothering me. when the rear window is iced up it takes about 10 minutes to defrost it. my maxima was a lot quicker. hopefully the snow and cold weather ends soon.
6) the 04 mazda 6 was fully loaded (leather, moonroof, 6 cd, etc) and went with the black leather interior on the 6 and looks real nice until it gets dirty. The 05 maxima Se was the base (with the cloth, cd, etc), bigger/better engine. basically the monthly payment would have been the same on both cars.
I've learned to live with the lag,just using the manu-mode seems to help alot.
The new Maxima is a nice car(ugly as hell IMHO),but except what you have and try to overlook some of these common annoyances.
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Regarding the wiper comments, I replaced the original equipment wipers with some winter blades from CarQuest (their brand) and have been much happier with the wiper action since, if that helps.
The accelerator hesitation just off idle bugged me at first, but I've adjusted to it okay. So far I'm very happy with my purchase. Zoom-zoom!
But I'm also interested in hearing how '05 owners like the V6 equipped with the new 6-speed auto tranny...
tom
My driving is not too aggressive and I don't let the car idle too long.
What will improve this? Can anyone help?
'17 Chevy Volt Premiere
'17 Chevy Volt Premiere
So far I have 2,000 miles on the car and I love it. handling is GREAT and I love the looks of it.
I'm getting about 22-23 per gallon. The biggest compliant I have is the level of interior noise.
The car is fully loaded with the Michelin Pilot 215/50/17 tires but I do not think that account for all the noise. It sounds like Air noise but i don not feel any air. Has anyone else experienced having excessive noise? Other then that its a great car and i really enjoy it!!