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Comments
P.S.
Can any one tell me how much I should expect to pay if I want to upgrade to the Sports Grille? I've looked alot of places but I can't even find an MSRP listed anywhere. Thanks.
(still scratching his head over that)
malt
now if i can just master the aracane skill of stop-n-go manual driving... :-D
(still scratching his head over that)
malt
I've driven stick for 18 years and I can say without any hesitation the Mazda6's stick shift is not worthy of being in the same company as the Miata and it's sublime shift mechanism. A miata's manual is a joy to use - the near heavenly snick-snick from each shift is one more facet of what makes the Miata a blast to drive, while the 6's manual on the s model is very american-car-like in its feel and execution.
I haven't driven the 4 cylinder Mazda6 as it doesn't make it max torque until 4k rpm. Nothing worse than taking a hill from a stop and the car's straining to accelerate because you have 400 extra lbs of passengers in the car. I had cars like that in the past and I'd rather not revert to driving as if I were in a vehicle from the 80s or 90s.
I guess the most baffling thing is how 6 owners are seemingly angered at the thought that a group of people who like to drive want more power. That's the reason Mazda's MazdaSpeed Pro is out now...people complained that the Pro handled great but lacked the power to make it exceptional. The 6 gets nice reviews for handling but consistently every professional critique mentions the anemic engine choice. It's not the horses but the torque and how the engine produces it so late. A turbo or SC will fix that considering Mazda's engineers couldn't do so in the pre-prod stages.
BTW, someone had the nerve to say that only a small segment wants a 6 cylinder midsize sedan. What? I didn't even include the numbers for the Passat V6, Accord V6, Taurus (over 390k cars!), Mitsus V6, GM cars, Hyundais, Dodges and Camry V6s. Add them all in and you're at well over 1 million midsize sedans that were sold last year with 6 cylinder engines.
After I put some miles on the car, I will report back with a complete review. For now, I’m just glad to say I finally own one!!!
Perhaps not, but it's still great. You're spoiled by one of the best manuals in the world!!! Besides, an automatic tranny is supposed to make it all better? Granted, I've never driven a Miata, but of the cars I have driven (classic Vette, MX-6, MR2, Explorer), this has the best manual.
I haven't driven the 4 cylinder Mazda6 as it doesn't make it max torque until 4k rpm. Nothing worse than taking a hill from a stop and the car's straining to accelerate because you have 400 extra lbs of passengers in the car. I had cars like that in the past and I'd rather not revert to driving as if I were in a vehicle from the 80s or 90s.
I've had 400lbs in the car and gone joy-riding, slolem-style. Don't forget, 160hp is the same as yesterday's V6's- even the ones in SUVs. My father's 4000lb '91 Explorer has that much (but more torque). This engine makes 90% of its torque at 1800rpm, if I remember correctly, and beyond that builds a lot of power. Under that, and you'll probably want to shift going uphill, but since 5th gear reaches 3000rpm at 78mph (quietly, I'll add), you'll rarely find yourself starved of power.
I understand people wanting more power, but I will never understand people needing more power.
The dealer who was riding with me even said a couple people complained about the noise of the engine in the 6, and he said he thought it sounded sweet. I said that I liked it, but didn't care for the floor vibrating under my feet when revving the engine up.
Actually, it initially worried me. I was thinking, "...first year teething issues..." but the engine is great 800 miles later.
BTW, the virtues of driving stick have little to do with where your power band comes, but you'll just have to learn to see why. It's like stereo versus surround sound- with the former, you aren't hearing all the sound, even though you hear it. The latter is more emmersive, as the authors intended it to be, but isn't good if you're just trying to fall asleep.
Don't you have a friend who has hesitantly learned, and is now a hardcore manual lover? If not, I'll be your friend
Geez I hope they release the Hatchback sooner rather than later.
Come on - everyone email Mazda and tell 'em to get the Hatchback stateside!
MUSA@mazdausa.com
Mazda should have brought over the hatchback sooner, it would have been about the only one to sell a mid-size hatchback in the US.
A Grand Prix GTP with 240HP and 280 lbs*ft torque will rip the Mazda6 into pieces.
I am not saying that Mazda6 is slow. But if I ever get mine, I will wait for them to put more horsepower under the hood.
The car is not attractive, especially the interior.
hmmm, linkage vs a turret mounted shifter. I think I see the reason why they feel different. As for comparing it to other FWD vehicles, my 6i M/T shifter feels peachy.
I'm not talking about yesterday's V6s, I'm talking about today's 4s and V6s. Less than 200 lb-ft of torque doesn't cut it in my book. drive a G35 with 260 lb-ft and then climb back into something that makes less than 200. It's a sobering experience.
This engine makes 90% of its torque at 1800rpm, if I remember correctly, and beyond that builds a lot of power. Under that, and you'll probably want to shift going uphill, but since 5th gear reaches 3000rpm at 78mph (quietly, I'll add), you'll rarely find yourself starved of power.
My current, wildly underpowered and unreliable Jetta 1.8T, makes only 155 lb-ft of torque on paper (though most VW fiends claim the late 2001s make more power through some engine changes), and I'm desirous of more power 75% of the time I'm in the car. It can get up and go just fine but I'm at the point in my life where I want power instantly and without fuss.
I'm fairly sure Mazda will create a MazdaSpeed version soon. They showed an MPS 6 at one of the car shows...SEMA I believe.
I understand people wanting more power, but I will never understand people needing more power.
I want more power, but I need more when it comes to forking over cash.
That said, joy riding on a hilly, curvy road is much more fun in a manual, but I hardly ever have time (or take the time) for that.
The Lapis Blue looked MUCH brighter in those pics than in the ones from Mazda USA. The Canadian and US blue colour of the 6 seemed to be so different, yet now that I saw another pic, they are the same.
Dinu
260 horsepower, nearly 300 pounds of torque, auto locks, satellite radio, slightly larger inside, and available in a month or so, not a year or so. The 04 interior is allegedly much improved, the interior was the weakest link in my 98.
I am seriously considering a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP with the new competition group. Had a 98 GTP and loved it...we will see. No Sirius and no hatch or wagon may mean no sale for Mazda to me, yet again. We will just have to see.
I just bought the book Secrets of Solo Racing today, which is supposed to be the definitive autocrossing handbook. I've never been, but think it sounds fun. Anybody ever been? Anybody going to take their '6?
I'll probably do the above link to start out... in a Mazda-supplied car :-) I think it's neat that Mazda is promoting the '6 by offering to autocross (sort of) in it. Who said this isn't a niche car?!
And I would still rather have Sirius than XM...
Decisions, decisions. The Mazda6 will be less expensive, and MAY be more reliable. Funwise? I'm not sure. Not yet.
Stretch...so true. Heck when faced with any american sedan I'll run as if my butt were on fire to even a Camcord first. For my money the 6 doesn't have an equal from an american nameplate. Heck, the only Japanese car that's subpar to American cars is a Mopar owned company: Mitsubishi.
But that's just my bias.
"...I am pleased that you took the time to bring your suggestions regarding the 2003 MAZDA6 to our attention. Consumer feedback is very important to Mazda. Certainly, we want to offer exciting vehicles, and comments such as yours help us to achieve that goal.
Please check our website www.mazdausa.com towards the end of the month. Certain packages and combinations may change and can be ordered for March production. I know that the moonroof will be offered on the MAZDA6s manual transmission as a stand alone feature. In addition, the most recent information I can tell you about the hatchback, is that it will be available the first quarter of 2004. This is subject to change as the vehicle gets closer to production.
Your suggestions have been documented for our corporate record. These records are continuously being reviewed by our Product Planning Department in an effort to provide only the highest quality products and services to our customers."
Here are the things I specifically asked about in my email to them:
I really really wish that there were more flexible Package/Options choices when configuring a new Mazda6.
1. Why can I not get the Moonroof WITHOUT the Leather/Heated Seats? I want the moonroof, but not necessarily the leather.
2. If I did want leather, I wish there were more color options. For instance, if I wanted the Steel Gray color car, I'd have to get Black
leather. Why not a choice of Black, Grey, or Beige? Any of those colors would look good. I don't care for Black. Yech.
3. Make the ground effects optional. I like the look of the Spoiler and Moonroof, but not necessarily the side sills and ground effects on the car. I am NOT a 17-year-old boy trying to pick up chicks. I'm a 35-year-old woman who wants a 4-door car in a sporty style that is pleasing to the eye and fun to drive.
Please don't make me pick and choose options in the aftermarket or dealer-installed. This will just make me spend more money in the long run because I can't get exactly what I want directly from Mazda. When my husband ordered a new truck a couple years ago from GM he was able to pick every option individually and get exactly what he wanted. That is the experience I would like to get from Mazda.
Also - please release the Hatchback version sooner rather than later. I am waiting for the Hatch so I can compare it to the sedan side-by-side before making my final decision. I know a lot of other people are doing the same thing. And a lot of people will not wait a whole year before buying a new car - they'll just go to Honda or Toyota or Nissan and get something because they have it NOW. Or their taste will change and they'll fancy another car by the time the Hatch is released.
We're really not comparing the M6 to that overpriced overweight yawn, are we??
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
There is a company called Kleen Wheels that makes a special dust-shield wheel insert to keep brake dust off the rims. It also safely covers the internals of the wheel so that as the car ages, the corrosion on the rotor, caliper and suspension components aren't visible to everyone, maintaining the appearance.
The problem: Kleen Wheels doesn't have a dust-shield to fit the 6 right now. When I called yesterday, he said I was the first person to ask for it and it'd be sometime in Spring before he'd have anything at all. He was stunned Mazda had a car with 17's.
I've never used them on one of my cars, but I'm going to get a set for my 6s. I knew about these because my Father used a set for his Enkei's and they worked just great.
If you're interested in getting a set for your car, please give Kleen Wheels a call or email them a request. If demand is present, I'm sure they'll tool up that much sooner, which helps those of us interested.
Depending on the source, pricing for existing models has ranged from $40 to $70 for a set of four.
Kleen Wheels phone - 800-327-6548
Email - kleen90519@aol.com
I haven't heard a bad word about these, but that doesn't mean much. Frankly, I don't know many people using them either.
Good pads won't produce alot of dust. I know there's some pads called Mintex Red Box (for VWs, I don't know if Mazdas can have them or not, but I am sure they can) that cut down on brake dust.
Yo Gee - Had to say that. Let's avoid the whole 'disc' thing.
Suffice it to say that I'd much rather look at a clean black shield and focus the attention on the wheels rather than have people look through the wheel to all corroding, rusting, gray and rust-red colored parts. Brand new - the discs look atracive, but to me they're there for performance, not vanity. I know what I've got.
Besides, with 10,000 miles and some Ohio roadsalt, the insides of the wheels will look less than stellar. Even if you could keep those parts clean, that sounds like a lot more work than most are willing to put forth.
Plus, I don't know if this'll make sense to everyone, but I think that not being able to look 'through' the wheel will give a (slightly) more substantial and perhaps 'thicker' overall look to the wheels and car.
The only reason to have disks is for show?
If you like your discs showing don't use them, they are usually painted black.
fowler3
Makes no sense.
Speaking of sales figures though the Element outsold the 6 when you figure first months sales. And was only 500 off this month. That's a niche vehicle.
Dinu