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*snore*......*sssssssnnnnnoooorrrreeee*. (waking) huh? what? Must be married driving such a sensible car.
Question:
What might a single girl's reaction might be (if any) when seeing a new Honda Accord on the interstate driven by a man.
I'm in the market for a practical 4 door sedan or wagon commuter car for under $25K. I've test driven them all and the Mazda 6 is the one. Second best in the handling department is the VW Jetta, but the Mazda 6 is way better. I was dissapointed with the low end torque so hopefully the manual will improve things. I'm test driving a 6i manual today (no 6s manuals around) just to get a feel of what the shifting is like. I'm now waiting for some email quotes from San Diego dealers. If anyone purchased in San Diego, could you please email me your dealer and price (Robert.Joe@cox.net).
http://www.photohighway.co.jp/ImageView0.asp?key=887.828553&u- n=9817&m=3&pos=25
When you select the Bose audio package, it says it includes a 6 CD changer. Yet there is still a $500 charge for the std 6 CD changer. Are we getting charged twice here?
Any thoughts on aftermarket stereo installations?
The proprietary dash is a problem. I guess you could mount a stereo somewhere else and use a remote to control it.
I got the impression that the six disc changer is available as a stand alone option, so you could get (invoice prices shown):
1) One Disc player, standard speakers $0
2) Six Disc player, standard speakers $400
3) Six Disc player, Bose $508
Description of the Bose package:
"Includes 7 speaker Bose sound system with amplifier, subwoofer and 6-disc in-dash CD changer."
> Any thoughts on aftermarket stereo installations?
The proprietary dash is a tradeoff. Sure, you can't replace the radio, but that way it can't get stolen. My preference would be get the MP3 player option (which isn't available yet) and replace the speakers myself. The hard part would be trying to install an amp and sub. Have any non-Bose 6 owners tried or have looked into adding a sub?
Message coming your way malt.
Meanwhile, I sit and turn around and follow the car in my mirrors. Green light: I go, and suddently start smiling too, while the grumpy SUV driver to my left forgot the light turned green.
That ladies and gentlemen, is a true story that just occured less than 10 mins ago. It's s story about 2 Mazda drivers that "got it"
Dinu
Zoom-Zoom-Zoom
has anyone owned 6i auto? is there any difference in power AFTER the engine break-in?
I remember a press release a while back about a new manual for one of the trims. I don't know what happened with that...
There is no reason to mention the Accord in here at ALL.
Fair warning: I am right on the verge of deleting *any* message from here on that mentions that vehicle because the subject is clearly off-topic and disruptive to this discussion.
I would appreciate your cooperation.
I am so in love with this car after the test drive, it was a GS-V6. I almost had my mind made up to get a Maxima SE(because of the heavy discounting)great car but sorry Nissan I'm getting a 6 baby! This car handles like it's on rails and is a smooth ride even with the 17" tires. Love the interior, seats are comfortable, roomy interior for my size(5"10). Exterior looks incredibly sleek, trunk is huge with hydrolic lifts. Engine is very responsive with high end torque(although low end torque was a little dissapointing). Did I mention the handling. Great steering feel and good braking. The wife loved the car too. She said this is the only time she's ever been in the car with me and she hasn't felt dizzy with my driving.
I then went back to Nissan to test drive the Max to make sure I wasn't overreacting but the Max seemed bulky in comparison and the handling was no contest. The Maxima is a very nice car but the 6 is so fun to drive that I'm buying one next week. Dufferin Mazda was very accomodating and seem willing to negotiate.
Another funny thing is that my wife mentioned how I had this silly grin on my face the whole time I was driving it. So it had to have been me.
Dinu
Dinu this car is incredible! Go test drive one but beware you'll trade in your PRO the next day for one. The guys at the dealership were great. The manager Wadjit Khan even said that he would give me a car to drive if if my order wasn't ready before my lease was up.
Sorry I didn't notice you out there I was too starstruck by the driving experience to look at anybody beside me. You shoulda honked the horn and told me to wipe the silly grin off my face. If you don't beleive me, I have brown hair, my wife is a brunette and the salesman in the back was Indian.
By the way do you know if the car has a timing chain or belt? I also loved the growl of the engine when I floored it.
By the way do you know if the car has a timing chain or belt?
A quiet chain.
I have pretty high standards when it comes to audio. I have to agree that it sucks. I even think the Bose option sucks. I will say, however, that the speakers sounded much better after a break-in. A lot of people don't realize speakers need to be broken in- the foam surrounds need to loosen up to allow the speaker to vibrate freely. So, yeah- it still sucks, but much less.
Can't wait to get my replacements in... probably Friday. They're waiting in the basement.
I'll go test drive one in mid-February when I'll have my reading week at York since the PRO will need an oil change and I will need to see the 6 "live".
Now that I think about it (well actually obesssing over it), I'll probably just buy an older car this November as our 2nd car instead of a 2000 PRO LX Touring like I originally wanted to, wait until I graduate and by Sept. 2004 when I'll start my job, get a new 6 (HB preferably).
I still can't believe this
So did you buy it?
Dinu
Dinu that's a good plan because the hatch looks hot too and if you like your PRO you're gonna love this car.
The V6 was being prepped so my old man and I took the 4 cylinder out fora spin. What a wonderful car. I was extremely impressed with the build quality. Closing the doors feels like closing a bank vault. Interior quality exceeded my expectations and that was with the somwhat utilitarian cloth seats. Can't wait to see the leather.
Ride quality was very nice. the car is just incredibly composed. Handles like advertised.
I can't wait to drive a manual, but we live in a market where selling manual transmission sedans is difficult so the first batch will be all automatics.
I could say a lot more, but its all been said on this board before. After waiting for the car for so long it was great to have my lofy expectations met.
So, now I'm going to buy one. The one I test drove had no options
Now there is a lot of talk of purchasing cars close to invoice price in this economy. What to you folks think about pricing for the 6s manual? Since it is such a rare beast dealers probably won't discount as much? The dealer I just took the test drive with said I could order one with $1000 off MSRP. One other dealer said he couldn't even order one for me. I'm still price shopping...
Intro:
If Batman drives the Batmobile, Bruce Wayne could very well drive the Mazda6. It is a car of two distinct personalities, but always wears the four-door disguise. The costume is completed with a relaxed, quiet-ride, complete with a trunk fit for a soccer-mom. Remove this mask and you'll find yourself performing acrobatics that will elude those who disbelieve what a family sedan can do.
While no match for the Batmobile and its plethora of toys, the Mazda6 offers that zoom-zoom aura that Bruce Wayne would need should trouble arise. It's no race car like the Black Knight's signature ride, but Bruce Wayne could be just as elusive in his daily driver. Stylish and comfortable, the '6 doesn't show it's capabilities until you ask for them. The car transforms at 3250RPM.
Over one month and one thousand miles, I've gotten to know this car a little more intimately. I test drove several 6's before buying a Redfire Metallic 2.3l 4cyl base model, but wasn't nearly as happy with the purchase as I am now.
The Decision:
My initial reservations had to do with wanting a sporty rear-wheel-drive car. I wanted a smaller, lighter car, and a car with a little more personality. I looked at 1991-1995 Toyota MR2's, an IS300, and an Acura RSX. I was replacing an automatic 1.6l 4cyl Toyota Celica- a car that seemed bested by everything and yet second-to-none for thrills. I was ready to move into more of a performance oriented daily driving machine, though, and had a preconceived notion of what that would need to be.
The RX-8 was it. Delays and speculation of a $30k price tag nixed that idea.
Both the RX-8 and the M6 interested me. Mazda has always struck me as a company with good ideas- the rotary and the miller cycle come to mind. With the RX-8 out of the picture, I looked into some of Mazda's other offerings. I test drove a Protege and loved it- particularly for the price. Before I had a chance to buy the car, however, I got married, and my wife didn't think the much of the Protege. She is spoiled by her new Camry's refinement, and missed that in the economy Protege. When she saw the '6, she became jealous of the car, and I knew I had her instant approval.
My first test drive was awful. I was told by the salesman that Mazda wasn't going to produce manual transmissions for another six months, and that special orders could not be placed. I asked to drive an automatic 4cyl Mazda6 with the premium package anyway, just to get a feel for what the car offers. The salesman drove me out ten miles from the dealership with awkward silences abounding. He didn't have much to say about the car, and it was clear he didn't know much about it. My drive back was on a ten lane highway in medium traffic. The car didn't have much oomph, and I didn't get to take the car through any corners. The brakes were so firm that I had trouble easing the car to a stop. The interior looked somewhere in-between classy and sporty, and I definitely liked it. My test drive as a whole sucked. The car had done nothing for me- I didn't smile at all.
I then went to test-drive some sportier cars. I had a good experience in a modified Toyota MR2, and may have bought one if I had found a low mileage, stock car for sale. The IS300 was more expensive than MisterTwo, but no more fun and didn't have enough extra room to justify the cost. The RSX, Accord, and Altima couldn't make me tingle. Then, on the day before Christmas eve, I was given a gift early. While visiting my wife's parents, their local dealer gave me an unsupervised test drive in a 4cyl manual Mazda6.
I have to admit, I wasn't totally floored by this car. The car was so quiet I didn't feel involved, despite responding to my every move. I still thought the car felt sluggish, and despite being fun, the car was too well behaved to have personality. Yet, I couldn't stop thinking about it after my drive was over, and I knew it made the most sense of the cars I had driven. It was the most practical, among the most fun, and among the most refined. I figured I couldn't go wrong with this combination, and bought the next day.
in my opinion, i think the 6i was more fun to drive. the v-6 was alright, but the ride and engine wasn't as smooth as i thought it would be. but i also thought it had too much power for me!
I think i'm going to go with the 6i-auto, when i buy a car next month... i'm from soCAL, what's a good target price? 500 over invoice? or is that going to be out of the question soon?
On a cold day, when the engine first starts up, you'll notice an interesting characteristic: as the tachometer crosses 3250RPM, the car will lurch forward. This is the moment of transformation. When the car warms up, the engine smoothes out, but this magical point of excitement is still there.
Underneath this point, and the engine lacks excitement. What it has, though, is outstanding mileage. Based on my observations, the engine may not make its power down low, but it certainly doesn't use any gas either. This is important because I live in the Capital Beltway area, and most of my driving is in traffic. If I can't have fun with the car, I might as well get good mileage, right?
The '6 is very quiet around town. Keep in mind my wife has a softly-spring Camry, and we both agree the ride of the '6 can be just as peaceful around town. I really love the interior of this car- the high mounted LCD display is very easy to glance at while driving and took no getting used to. While it seems odd that the display is separated from the console's stereo controls, I usually adjust the stereo from the steering wheel anyway, making the display's positioning more convenient. The red illumination looks crafty at night.
There's enough power below 2000RPM to putter around town, and the shifter feels good enough that I eagerly shift too often and too early, just for fun. The results? My first tank of gas reached from 108 miles to 530 miles on 10.2 gallons of gas. My second tank used only 14.66 gallons through 972 miles. Now, the 6's owner's manual recommends an engine break-in of only 600 miles, and you can bet the 372 miles after that had a bit of redlines and downshifts in them. And that's an average of 34mpg since I've owned the car.
That puts the '6 as the most fuel efficient vehicle I've ever been in. My previous car, the tiny 1.6 liter, 2500lb Toyota Celica would get 40mpg on the highway, but would barely muster 24mpg on the very same route I've been driving the '6 on. This is simply incredible to the point that I'm still in disbelief. I just haven't been able to disprove myself yet.
Over 3250 RPM, and this car is a rocket. The engine goes from a whisper to a roar- a sound that encourages the driver not to stop. The tires fight for grip right up through second gear, breaking free on road imperfections. Third gear is strong with the tach wound up, and the final two gears are only useful for passing and cruising.
For those who feel the need for speed in third gear (up to 90mph), I'd probably recommend the V6. To those like me who have their fun below 60, the 4 cylinder engine can be your baby. The 4 cylinder engine is mounted curiously forward in the engine bay. There's a 3-4 inch gap between it and the firewall that is just asking to be filled with a turbocharger. The engine could have otherwise been pushed back to improve the weight distribution of the car.
When I bought the car, I actually had a hard time getting the car to understeer. I'd throw the car through corners, the back would begin to slide, and I'd throttle my way into a neutral stance again. The car understeers a bit more readily now that the engine is broken in- a testament to the transformation this engine undergoes in the first 600 miles (more later). The engine will now handily overpower the grip of the stock tires in a turn. Back off on the throttle a bit, and the car will drift quite easily.
I said earlier that I had a preconceived notion that I'd need a rear wheel drive car. As I sit contemplating what a sports car is, I still wonder how I ever was motivated to settle for this wrong wheel drive car. Then, when I drive, a miraculous thing happens- oversteer- and any desire for a RWD car disappears. The 4 cylinder Mazda6 has just a hint of dialed-in oversteer, and throttle is used to neutralize this or understeer. It's a great combination, and I've got to say that I've never driven a front wheel drive car like this.
The engine break-in was dramatic. When I got the car it felt rather sluggish and the sound Mazda engineered out of this engine sounded like more of a hollow echo of it's current body. The engine's power output has increased all-around, and the sound has become much more pleasing to hear. While the noise level probably hasn't changed, it's gotten more pleasing- less droning in traffic and more exciting at speed.
The stock speakers even sound significantly better once broken in, although I admit I'm still very unimpressed. I'm rather picky with audio, however, and though the optional Bose stereo was awful. The stock head unit is made by Panasonic and is as loud as a typical Panasonic unit. It would probably power aftermarket speakers fairly nicely. On the back of the unit, there are a series of connectors to allow it to interface with the other optional accessories such as the Bose stereo and the MP3/Tape modules. Two of these pins ought to be analog outputs, making it possible to run an aftermarket amplifier off of the stock head unit.
The heater seems to do a better job with the middle vent at the top of the console closed. It forces more air to the sides and feet of the car, which otherwise don't have nearly the output of the three center vents. Kudos to Mazda for the vent design. Not only is it stylish, but they're the most flexible vents I've ever used. And, thankfully, they still look good closed up.
There are a lot of nice touches to this vehicle. The interior doors to the glove box and cup holders are dampened. The interior lights fade in and out. There are overhead lights in the rear. The dead pedal is comfortable. The rear seats fold down from a switch in the trunk- no hassle. This car has game, but it clearly has manners too. I used to believe refinement numbs the driving experience- and perhaps this car still too much for my tastes- but it's getting me used to being spoiled. It's like having my cake and eating it too.
The car rides solidly without any squeaks or rattles, even in single-digit weather. OK, there was one rattle. Periodically I hear the sunglasses holder vibrating, but it's awfully sporadic. It was a hard rattle to track down because of this, as it sounded like it was coming from the dash or the passenger's side. The fix is very complex- it involves opening the holder and closing it
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Again, I am now hosting a web site on my personal computer for this document. I've never done this before, so I don't know if it'll work. Somebody let me know!
http://thoughts.mredwards.net/mazda6.htm
After driving the car a second time, the climate/radio display became easier to deal with for me. I also had trouble stopping the car smoothly at first (a surprise to me, because the Jetta's brakes are very firm too), but it's something you get used to, as I did with the VW.
The 6 is a very nice alternative to others in the class though, I will say that. I have seen Heritage Mazda (Owings Mills, MD) selling them for invoice or under already, too...
I really appreciate your views on the car. I am looking forward to your2000 review. And thanks Vocus for letting us know that Heritage Mazda (Owings Mills, MD) is selling them for invoice or under. I am taking my Protégé ES for oil change at Russel Mazda (Ellicott City, MD) and will take the 6i for a test drive. I took the 6s for a drive but unfortunately there are no good roads around Russel Mazda to really taste the 6s. I was however impress with the 6s power. I was going very fast and never made it to fourth gear. Wow…..
Right now I am playing for time. I finish paying off my Protégé ES in another year (two years before my 60 month plan ends) and will make a decision on the 6 OR the RX-8. Man that RX-8 looks nice. Convincing the wife to get a sport car might be tricky, but with the four seats, I might just do it.
Nice review, btw.
also, does anyone have any information about the MPS?
On my '01 Protegé LX, I have found using the fader to bring out more sound from the rear shelf speakers helps bass.
I'm not as critical about car stereo as many of you are, I'm totally deaf in one ear, but do hear music as Hi-Fi. Bass gives it more depth.
fowler3