Mazda6 Sedan

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Comments

  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    The distance may be because the s has bigger tires?
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Looks very nice, but the colored bar on the grille looks darker in the pic than the rest of the front end. It might be the light I am looking at it in though...
  • psuf4ipsuf4i Member Posts: 16
    The grille was very easy to install. It took me a few minutes. There are 2 screws and 4 tabs, and the included instructions are easy to follow.

    As for the color match, it's the lighting. The color matches perfectly. I'm going to try and get some pictures in more direct sunlight soon. By the time I get home from work, there's not much daylight left.
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    i thought that both i & s had 16" standard
    But even if not, why would there be an offset?
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    Track, Front (inches)i->60.6 s->60.2

    Track, Rear (inches) i->60.6 s->60.2
  • silvercrownsilvercrown Member Posts: 237
    I took Mazdamarla's advice and called Ford Customer Service. All I have to do is have my Dad call them with my information and they will give him the PIN. I can then take that to the dealership and the S-plan pricing should be on the dealer invoice. The PIN is good for 1 year. It sounds pretty simple.

    Thanks for the example, Psuf4i. I had forgotten about the college grad rebate. I'm eligible for that too, as long as I get the car by December. BTW, your car looks great. I like that Sport Grill. It makes the car look even sharper.

    Now for a test drive and the whole color decision. I'm considering the Sepang Green, Glacier Silver or Lapis Blue. After seeing the pics that Fowler3 sent to me, I'm leaving heavily toward the Sepang Green. I think it's a gorgeous color and it's unique. I still like the Silver, but it's just so commonplace and my current car is silver. I'm less sure about the Lapis Blue, it's just a little brighter in person than I expected.

    This is one of the best boards on Edmunds. Everyone is so knowledgable, helpful and friendly. I feel really prepared to go into the dealership next month. Zoom-Zoom!
  • silvercrownsilvercrown Member Posts: 237
    Anyone know of any good Mazda dealers in SE Michigan that they can recommend? Thanks.
  • cookie01cookie01 Member Posts: 369
    I guess I still need a couple of hundred miles on the 6 to break it in.
    Yesterday I sat at a light to a freeway on ramp next to an older Maxima. The guy inside was a kid and I sorta hoped to beat him to the merge.
    It was very close, but he decided to punch it hard at the very end, and I just didn't have the guts. Dang.
    I still think the car would be KILLER with a little bit more low-end torque.
    But maybe that will come around after another 100 miles or so...
  • jlp8885jlp8885 Member Posts: 13
    Is there any regional sales data on the 6? I live in the Phoenix area and usually we get the newest and flashiest cars in numbers pretty fast after they come out... I have seens lots of FX35/45s and Saab 9-3s (sedans) but no 6s- is Phoenix not a big market for the 6 sales so far? Saab seems to be doing very well, as I have seen more than 5 different new sedans in the past months but again no 6's
  • dbozmandbozman Member Posts: 23
    I live in the East Valley. I was seriously shopping the 6 about six weeks ago, but couldn't come close to the car I wanted (as far as options go). I ended up getting the new Saab 9-3 Linear sedan. My god, what a great car. Honestly, no knock against the Mazda, which I thought was quite nice, but the 9-3 is a different class of vehicle.

    As for the 6, I've seen a grand total of two so far, a black one with sport package and a red base model. That's it.
    Dion
  • miata10aemiata10ae Member Posts: 90
    dbozman: I agree with you.
    The Saab is a different class of vehicle far behind to the "class" of the Mazda6 :-)
    Zoom-Zoom!
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    but isn't that chassis going to be the basis for the next Malibu and Grand Am? I don't doubt the 9-3 is a fine car, but I just don't see how it is a "different class of vehicle". You're acting like it's a BMW or something. Maybe as far as the somewhat luxury brand is concerned, but the product can't be THAT much better. They're both sporty, midsize FWD 4 door sedans. Is the new 9-3 classified as a midsize?
  • buggywhipbuggywhip Member Posts: 188
    I agree; the new Saab 9-3 platform will indeed be shared with the lowly Chevy Malibu. In fact, the 9-3's engine is a turbocharged version of the pedestrian GM 4cyl Ecotec. So I do not think the latest 9-3 is a "higher class" of vehicle than the 6; I suspect its marketing promotes that claim, however. The Saab-story is a sad-story. GM bought Saab, and GM diluted Saab. The 9-3 is a fine car, no doubt........but I am convinced that the 9-3 and the 6s are roughly equal in abilities. Probably not equal in perceived prestige....but that could change!
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    When I was shopping for my 6 the Mazda dealer had a Saab dealer next door. The Saabs are VERY nice. There's a lot more that goes into making a car nice than just an engine. Saab's interior layout and feel place it a tick or two higher than the 6 in look and price. It's a very substantial look and feel.

    Kinda like the Jaguar platform is the basis for Fords too. That's like when Mazda people chide people for calling the 6 engine a Duratec.

    As far as sitings in my area of Atlanta... I've seen 4 FX45's, 2 6's in Atlanta and 1 in Birmingham, Ala, and about 4 9-3's in Atlanta.
  • clemulusclemulus Member Posts: 27
    Picked up my Steel Grey 6s last night after a long 11 week wait. But worth it! Dealer was 76 miles from home and while driving it back, I almost forgot my wife was supposed to follow me home. Luckily, I slowed down and she caught up to me after awhile :)

    Opted for the Sports pkg, moonroof, bose, comfort, rear air bags and wheel locks. Only complaint is the heated seats; only a on/off switch. Doesn't get too warm. Unless I missed something in the manual. Anyway, off to ponder whether to get the sports grill and other accessories.
  • jlp8885jlp8885 Member Posts: 13
    of course the 9-3 is a "nicer" car but its in an entry-luxury class vs the 6 in the mid-priced mid size market

    back to my question... anyone have any regional sales figures?
  • sparky52tsparky52t Member Posts: 13
    Nice sports grille!

    In fact that answers one of my chief complaints about the 6's design... too much chrome. That big bar in the front grille reminds me of one of the Mr. T look... just a little garish.

    But the sports grille tones down the chrome very nicely.

    Thanks for making me aware.
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    It would fit my stereotype perfectly.
  • stretchsjestretchsje Member Posts: 700
    Calling the Saab's turbo engine a modified Ecotec engine is like calling Mazda's V6 engine a Duratec engine. It's more than that- the internals are different.

    Yes, the 17" tires are noiser than the 16" tires. You are imagining it to justify the purchase of the quieter V6 engine!
  • voochvooch Member Posts: 92
    The "real" gee35 would have known those figures. I think we have an imposter!
  • buggywhipbuggywhip Member Posts: 188
    Yeah, user-gee35coupe has really toned down lately; his recent posts are not nearly as controversial. I miss the old gee35coupe. Sigh........the Saab 9-3's interior is superb, probably somewhat better than in the 6. I've always loved Saab interiors, esp. the unmatched leather seats............I haven't seen a 6 yet here in MA. But face it--Boston is a huge Honda town.
  • jndesmarjndesmar Member Posts: 13
    there's that heated seat issue again. I wonder if there's away for Mazda to fix this problem with an adjustment of some kind. Perhaps a thermostat or something. This area has been one of the only negatives I've seen on what so far looks like a great car....
  • aromasaromas Member Posts: 314
    Honda sux, all people who buy them are lemmings, Mazda rules, the sales figures are some communist plot by Toyota and Honda to keep down Mazda blah, blah, blah!
    If that doesn't get Gee riled up I don't know what will. The board does seem tamer without him.

    It might be time to start trolling the Honda board again to get the old Gee back on board.
  • alcjewalcjew Member Posts: 173
    psuf4i: Nice pics of your 6. The first page looks like it had pin strips and the 2 page w/ sports grille doesn't appear to have the pin strips. Did the 6 come initially with the pin stripes? Also on window tints, you should check your state's tint laws. If you live in PA it would be restricted to 70% LT (The Higher the number the lighter the tint. You can verify this by login on to www.gilafilms.com under the automotive tints, they have a table sections that give all of US and Canadian tint laws. If you plan to DIY window tints, order the custom cut from gila, cost me about $84 (35% LT ultra-shield tints for all windows, installation kit and next day Fed-Ex). Started putting them on last weekend. The cuts were perfect with little edge trimming needed. There rear window is cut in 5 vertical sections instead of one piece to fit the window curvature better. Good luck and have fun on your new 6! Zoom-zoom!
  • clemulusclemulus Member Posts: 27
    I have been reading the various 6 sites and I haven't come across any heated seat issues. Can you advise what the issue may be?
  • skyrayskyray Member Posts: 156
    Boy, those tint laws stink. I'd like to get my windows tinted to help keep the sun off the baby in the back seat a little. But while Vermont doesn't care what percentage you put on the back side or rear windows, you can't tint the drivers windows at ALL? That would look pretty stupid to have a 50% tint all around the back and none on the front.

    Ah, government at work.
  • mazda6smazda6s Member Posts: 1,901
    There are real good reasons for legal restrictions on window tint. One is safety, due to reduced visibility at night. Have you ever seen those idiots that have such dark tint that they have to drive around at night with their window down? I have. Another is so a Police officer can see inside clearly the vehicle, especially at night. This is better for your safety and the officer's as well. You wouldn't want to get blown away because a cop can't see you clearly and thinks the cell phone you're reaching for is a gun, would you? ;)
  • jndesmarjndesmar Member Posts: 13
    throughout the 9200 or so messages there have been a few comments about the heated seats not working that well. There's also a consumer comment in the Edmunds consumer rating section on the Mazda 6 that claims that the seats barely got warm....See Feb 21, 2003 GOMAZDA.
  • drumm01drumm01 Member Posts: 97
    I agree about the chrome in the M6. That big bar in the front grille looks out of place (like a milk moustache). Other than that, I do like the grill. Maybe if the bar was black (like the Protege ES) instead of chrome it would look better.. just M/O

    So I saw this striking Lapis blue M6 parked in the gym's parking lot last night in route 40 Ellicott City. Beautiful, with the sport package. No leather, but still very striking. I have to say the spoiler is growing on me, but I think I would like the other spoiler better.

    You know the Blue is a great color for the 6. A few cars down I spotted a titanium Audi A4 1.8 (smoking blonde driving it by the way) Anyway, looking at both cars I have to say the look of the 6 seems more attractive and "athletic" than the A4. Don't get me wrong, the A4 is a beautiful machine but it looks more elegant while the 6 looks more aggressive... more fun.

    Drumm
  • psuf4ipsuf4i Member Posts: 16
    You're right, there is no pinstripe on the second page of pictures. The first page was taken at the dealership the day I picked it up. They put a pinstripe on the car (at no charge) when it first came onto their lot. I just let it sit in the sun in my driveway for a half hour and peeled it right off.

    As far as the tinting goes, the car I had before the 6 was tinted. I had 6% on the rear window and rear door windows and 13% on the front door windows. I was pulled over once for speeding and I put the windows down whlie the cop was walking to the car. I've had no problems with it. I'm going to go with a lighter tint (~25%) all the way around so I don't have to worry as much about getting pulled over.
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    They're both nice cars. They overlap only slighty in terms of pricing though (the 9-3 is a bit rich for me), so don't compete that much, IMO.

    As for the Malibu and Grand Am sharing the 9-3 platform, all the better for them (especially the Grand Am...it has very sloppy handling and an unsettled ride...I prefer getting a Cavalier to one of those). These are more likely to compete with the 6 than the 9-3, assuming they don't shift price range with the update.
  • mazdamarlamazdamarla Member Posts: 350
    Well now that I've finally decided on the car I want, now my next decision is what my personalized Mazda6 license plate should say.

    ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH! ;-)

    Actually I've got a list of available combos and just have to whittle them down. But I don't want to say here 'cause it might give some other Michigander ideas and they'll TAKE my personalization! :-D
  • mkcomkco Member Posts: 65
    Try Sesi Mazda in Ypsi. We bought an MPV from Sebastian there and he's real easy to deal with.
  • kestrel02kestrel02 Member Posts: 26
    Sounds like the one I want! I'm thinking about a Lapis Blue 6S with sport package only. I like the sport package look, but no way I want black leather in North Carolina, the summer heat can be brutal! So the black cloth should be fine.
  • mazdamarlamazdamarla Member Posts: 350
    Just tried to access the NA site and got:

    HTTP Server Error 503
    No available server to handle this request

    :(

    Jeez - they sure seem to have a hard time keeping their website stable!
  • cookie01cookie01 Member Posts: 369
    Filled the tank last night on my way back from my Mom's. Paid $1.87.. sucks...

    But I'm very happy to report that with only 900+ miles on the car, I got just over 21 mpg!!! (and that's with some showing off..) Really guys, this is sooooooooo much better than I was getting in the Impala. This was almost TOTALLY city driving. In the Impala I was very lucky to get 19 and sometimes got 17 in the city. Highway mileage was VERY good in the Imp... but not city.
    I'm not sure when I'll get a chance to test the Mpg in highway/freeway miles on the 6. But I'm guessing it will be very good.

    Love this car!!
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    the interior feels so fresh.
    The black just feels damp and dark after some time, especially if you do not polish your "leather".
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
  • dbozmandbozman Member Posts: 23
    Uh, I thought I was clear that I like the 6 and very likely would've bought one if I could've found the car I wanted.

    I have no intention of getting into an Internet pissing match with anyone. Unless you've driven both cars, you have little margin for input other than of the beat-you-chest-and-feel-important variety. The Saab 9-3 IS, in fact, a different class of car than the 6. I'm not trying to be disrespectful or classist. Facts is facts.

    Truth is, though the sticker is MUCH higher, the lease rights now on the 9-3 are incredible, barely more than I would've paid for a loaded 6 (plus all included maintenance).

    Yes, I crossed the 9-3 against the A4 and the BMW 3 series. Once you factor in the cost of ownership, the Saab (to me) is the clear winner.
    Dion
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    When they don't favor the 6 in here. You all of a sudden become negative or bashing. Strange huh?
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    other than seeing the "SOS, different day" from gee, I don't see why every post needs to be a glowing review.
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
  • swift6swift6 Member Posts: 2
    Thanks to everyone who chimed in with advice on buying a hard-to-find configuration of the 6 with 260 miles on it. I decided to buy it at invoice and will pick it up tomorrow. My 1990 Miata's transmission is shot and I didn't want to wait a few more months to replace it...
  • metenuzerometenuzero Member Posts: 32
    Just drove home my Redfire Metallic 6s w/ Sport package, bose audio, sport grille, auto-dimming mirror w/ homelink, and chrome fuel door. I didn't opt for the leather due to my animal rights thing. The car was hot when I got into it but the ACC did a good job cooling it down. When i was at the dealer i noticed a scratch on the center consol and they fixed it. Bose was great but needed adjustment. Loving it.
  • mrblonde49mrblonde49 Member Posts: 626
    Funny you mention the beige interior, chikoo. I stopped by the dealer to look at the Sepang green (6i, non-sport, but with the other packages) that they had in stock. It is a very nice color and the pictures do not do it justice. I’m not sure if I will get it, since I still really like the lapis blue and redfire, and with the sport package, a little “pizzazz” is the way I want to go, I think (at least that's what I say today). I think that this color is the most refined that you can get on the car. With the beige leather that the car had, it looked really classy. I think the two tone interior (darker brown with the beige leather) looks great, fits well with the titanium, as well as the Sepang green. So, for those that are concerned that the 6 may be TOO sporty looking for them, I would definitely recommend this combo. Check it out - they should be coming into dealerships more now

    I like the beige leather so much that I think I’ll be contacting Mazda to see if they have any plans to unbundle the black interior from the sport package in 2004.
  • buggywhipbuggywhip Member Posts: 188
    Well, at least gee35 is back to usual form. Finally, something I can rely on!...........yeah, anything negative about the 6 is really pounced on here. I guess that's why the 'Accord v. 6' board was closed; much fighting and controversy. It's interesting, however, that the 'Altima v. 6' board is quite civilized. I think Altima and 6 owners are rather kindred spirits..........I like EVERYTHING about the new 9-3 except its engine. I merely wish that it were a fully-Saab design. It's still a fine engine and it does have much Saab influence. I just don't want GM to ruin Saab. It is VERY likely that the 9-3 is a (somewhat) better value than the 6 right now. I know that in my area (MA), at least on carsdirect.com, dealers are not budging on 6 prices.............and come on, let's be serious. A Saab has some serious status power, surely far more than any Mazda. They are, in my opinion, in the same "performance" class, but hardly the same status class.
  • miata10aemiata10ae Member Posts: 90
    metenuzero: Congrats on your new purchase.
    Could you please post your initial impressions with the car, either good or bad? Any particular likes or dislikes? Is this an AT or MT 6s?
  • choppermakerchoppermaker Member Posts: 31
    Is it legal to put a small amount of tint on the side mirrors? One of my favorite features on my A4 is the auto-dimming side mirrors - it totally eliminates the annoying glare that you get from cars behind you when driving on the highway at night. I'm going to miss it when I pick up my 6, unless I can have the side mirrors tinted slightly to reduce the glare at night.
  • stretchsjestretchsje Member Posts: 700
    all these people buying redfire lately.

    I remember having to search up and down the East coast for mine, and was pretty convinced I had the only red one in Maryland.
  • mpiatekmpiatek Member Posts: 68
    Stretch: Look at it this way...at least you have good taste. :-) I can't wait to pick up mine...still don't have a delivery date, but I'm expecting it in about 5 1/2 weeks. I have only seen 2 Redfire 6's here in Tucson, and they were both on the dealer lot. I will probably have one of the first Redfires here in AZ.

    Mike
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