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That's part of my dilemma. I'd like the extra power of the 6s, but still concerned about losing the "balance" of the 6i.
Get one. Decide for yourself. Post your thoughts!
It shows a closeup of the red instrumentation, then a caption notes, "$19,050, nicely equipped" or something.....thing is, the red instr. is part of the Sports Package, which CANNOT be obtained at $19,050.
All the instrumentation is red- even the base stuff- and looks pretty neat IMO. Honestly, I don't think the LED guages were a big deal- they didn't look different unless I was paying attention to them or the car was off.
...While people glare and wonder what kind of family sedan does that. Zoom-zoom.
Car: Fully loaded Lapis Blue Mazda6 S with 5 speed Manual (Price $23,500)
Previous Car: Fully loaded 1998 Accord EX-L 4 Cylinder Auto
Fuel Economy: The specs say the 6 does 20/27 mpg in city/highway. I’ve been getting 20 mpg in mostly city driving. To me these numbers are a little disappointing compare to other cars of similar size, weight, hp and torque. Take for example the best in class Accord, with 20 more hp and 20 more lb/foot torque and automatic the accord gets 21/30 mpg in city/highway
Turning Circle: At about 37 feet the 6’s turning radius is about 3 feet larger than most cars in its class. When I first read this figure, I did not care the least. However now that I’ve had the 6 for a couple of weeks I’ve noticed that when parking in certain spots (including my garage) I have to make additional moves with the 6 that where not required with the Accord. It’s kind of annoying
Noise: At idle, the 6 is super quiet and on the freeway it’s reasonably quiet too. During moderate to hard acceleration the 6 is louder than others in its class. In fact during acceleration, I think this car is louder than my 4-cylinder Accord. However, the exhaust note is really sweet so at least it’s good excess noise.
Torque: Even with the manual the 6 lacks torque. Don’t get me wrong, the car is fast and power is adequate. It’s just that acceleration feels gradual rather than sudden. While the car feels strong, it just does not burst into acceleration when pushed. Instead of 192 lb/ft of torque @5000 rpm I wish the car had something like 210 lb/ft of torque @40000 rpm. If you are interested in purchasing this car as a “sport sedan”, I don’t think the Automatic is going to cut it. You need to go with the manual.
Handling: Clearly the strong suite of the 6. The car has very little body role. Without heavy use of the throttle during cornering, the 6 will fish tail before it under steers. Both times that I’ve lost traction while joy ridding it was because the back-end went loose, and both times it was really easy to recover the loss of traction. In most cases, I find my self over steering. The car’s turn-in is very strong and once on path the car stays incredibly planted. Steering feedback is excellent.
Ride Quality: By any standard this car rides very well. When you take into account its handling capacity and that it’s sitting on 50 series 17” rims the ride quality is superb. The 6 rides smooth and firm but not close to being stiff.
Quality: I have not had any mechanical or quality issues yet. Reliability of this car is yet to be known, but so far I can’t imagine this car is going to have any problems. The build quality is on par with my Accord.
Looks: I love the looks of this car inside and out. I think Mazda pushed the styling envelope enough to where the car is sporty looking and non-mainstream without being weird or possibly offensive. I have gotten only positive comments about the exterior\interior appearance from people who have seen the car. I really like the small steering wheel and the electro luminescent lighting. The large speedometer and tachometer are really easy to see. The stereo controls are a bit scattered and not so easy to use, in particular at night, where it’s really hard to read the labeling. Thankfully the most common features are the ones with the largest controls and are also available on the steering wheel.
Comfort: I have driven the 6 several times with 2 or 3 people in the back. Although I was not sitting back there with the passengers, by the looks of it they seemed to fit comfortable. Plenty of leg room and head room, maybe not us much hip and shoulder room. The heated seats work well. The Heater and A\C work really well. I used to not like the round HVAC vents, but after seeing how much better they direct airflow I have changed my mind about that.
BOSE Audio: It’s just like the say “No highs, No lows, it must be a BOSE”. When playing music with heavy bass, the sound quality is marginal. The same goes for music with high treble, such as classical. The stereo sound quality is excellent when listening to Pop music and 80s music.
Convenience: The 6 is packed with cool features, such as the spring-loaded fold down rear seats, bottle holders on the front doors, storage bin on the top of the dash, steering wheel mounted audio controls, and the tilt and telescoping steering wheel.
Overall I think this car is wonderful. It accomplishes its intended purpose beautifully; that is a 4-door sedan that combines all the basic qualities that make a good family sedan (such as Accord and Camry) and a level of sporty performance similar to German sports sedans such as the 3-series and A4. I’m very pleased with my purchase.
In late November when the car was first coming out, I happened to be at the reputed biggest selling Mazda dealer in the USA in Orlando. They had perhaps 10 6's. Again, no sports packages. I have been to large cities in the three states near to where I live. I have YET to see a Mazda6, at the dealership or on the road, with a sports package. Same goes for a V6 manual. Have seen the 4i manuals.
Yet the brochure is FULL of sports package equipped models. As others have said, the only pic of a vehicle not so equipped is blurry.
Very odd. Market one thing. Sell another. Wouldn't you want what you are marketing to be available at the point of sale? And wouldn't you want to market what you ARE selling?
To this old bird, it just doesn't make sense.
I do NOT want a manual. I do NOT want the sport package. I DO want a 6. With Sirius, please.
My point is this, from the marketing those who WOULD be attracted to the cars actually at the dealerships I have seen would not even know they are there: the ads show only sport packages, most with manuals. And those who are attracted to the ads usually won't find those cars (sports packages with manuals) at the dealer.
There is a MAJOR disconnect here.
I too had no interest in the GFX gaudy looks and just happened to drive by the dealership and saw in the window that the 6 had arrived. It was a clean version and I was sold once I took it out. God knows how many people see the commercials and think that it's ugly and don't even attempt to visit the dealer. People would probably assume the car without the GFX is ugly that's why Mazda never shows it.
The only photos I have seen with the non-sport version is in newspaper ads and those pictures never do any car justice. The picture makes it look very plain.
The only way that Mazda can save themselves would be to go door to door and let people test drive it. Then I bet you would see Accord like #'s.
ameen6: Great review, you show both the car's strong and weak points. Wish Accord owners were the same.
The car has been available in the states for less than 90 days in one of the worst selling environments any of us has ever seen.
Per Charlie Hughes, President of Mazda's North American Operations:
"The numbers show we're on track [with the 6] better than Nissan Altima was at this time, but it takes time to reach a critical mass,"
With any new product, you have to give it time. Awareness and trust are not created in a day. Week or month. More marketing to come in March and April.
It's sad 'cause the basic shape of the 6 is beautiful, then they go and f*** it up with a bunch of plastic! And then, that's the only car you see in advertising.
Bad move, Mazda. You've taken a car that should be a home run and through off-target ads and restrictive packaging, blown it (at least so far)!
Trouble is, I can't find the car I want.
The sport package is ultimately a taste issue. No one is right or wrong. Personally, I'm in my 30s and find the non-sports package car a touch plain for my own taste. Mazda should be doing a better job of providing potential buyers with options. I'm ready to buy TODAY, but can't find anything close to the car I want. Basically, my choices are base car or fully loaded car. Where's the middle ground?
BTW, I live in Phoenix with at least half a dozen Mazda dealers. I've yet to see a Mazda 6 on the road.
Dion
I also have yet to see to see a GFX car at the different showrooms so the dealers seem to realize that it's not going to sell. I hope they don't advertise the GFX with the hatch and wagon when they come out.
Dinu
A family shot (MPV, Miata, Protege, P5, 6, Tribute etc.) would be nice. Maybe then, a larger part of the populace will associate them with each other. I guess they'd have to use silver metallic if they want to put the same color on them all, but that'd start to look too much like a Chrysler ad.
Taste is subjective.
My only concern with the GFX is whether or not it lowers the car such that speed bumps and snow obstacles will cause a problem. If I have to scrape the bottom every time I drive over the speed bumps at work I'll just buy a different car...like maybe the TSX.
I definitely agree that they may be missing some of the broader market by only showing the sport version.
Sure wish I could find a black manual 6 with sport package (grin).
d
What I want is the ability to see any/all options on the car before I make my final decision. I want Mazda's website to "add" and "delete" options and packages as you click on them when building your car. Same with dealer add-ons. I don't want to go by just a little picture of that particular AREA of the car - I want to see the effect it has on the entire look of the whole car.
I4 GS (i) with Sport Package for $900=$25195 if I remember correctly. The Sport Package has the 17" alloys, leather-wrapped steering wheel, parking brake and shifter. The spoiler is a stand-alone option (extra).
BTW, this is in Canada (:
Dinu
Something to think about.
What I think changes with the sport pacakge is not the height, but the effective overhang and approach angles. That is to say, the 5.1" extends farther fore and aft, meaning you have to be more careful going up curbs and inclined drives etc.
Dinu
dbozman- the black 6 with GFX is nice. Maybe it was the lights in the dealership (or all the people touching the car or even the fact that it's not metallic paint) but the car was completely covered in grubby fingerprints. Had a black car once and won't get one again.
I'd like to see the dark grey with GFX- this more muted colour may take away from some the "boy racer" effect.
In any event, when I was a boy racer all I could afford was a Pontiac Firefly (chev sprint) 3 cyl lawnmower with a roof, so my time is due.
2. Fuse Cover falls off. Cover on backorder and Mazda says they had problem with person who was installing at factory was breaking them.
3. Automatic Shift lever. Making noise like plastic catching on something when moving from Park to Drive etc. In Manumatic the lever would stick. Dealer found out from Mazda they had 5 other reports of this and that factory had forgot to put the lubricant in. Seems to be resolved.
4. THE WORST! Transmision leaking!
Have Rental Car and waiting for them to tell
me what they are going to do!
Hey, but I do get to drive a nice 2003 Camry LE!!!
My 34 y.o. self thinks the ground effects is sharp without going over the top and my 32 y.o. wife likes the GFX car too, especially in blue.
"Women traditionally like smaller and more nimble cars and the 6 would seem to fit that to a tee."
Hell, that doesn't explain the fatt pig SUV phenomenon and the minivan phenomenon as well. For 15 years now women have been telling their husbands they better buy big clumsy minivans and fat porky SUV's.......men would not buy those vehicles as a majority themselves if it wasn't for their wives prodding them to buy them.
I think "women" often means "mom" which means safety is what sells. Bigger is unfortunately thought to be safer. Non-moms probably still like smaller, easier to drive cars. These are just generalizations (from a man even), I know.
Just got a call and they indicate the bolts were not torque'd correctly, and are now going for a test run and then re-check if it is leaking.
Hope that is it!
Uhm, ok... maybe you, but not everyone.
This 32 y/o ordered a loaded, S with the GFX and never considered the non-GFX car (should be here this week - pics to follow). My 32 y/o girlfriend LOVES the car. My 65 y/o mother LOVES the car.
If the car could be had with or without GFX for the same price (or for a very small fee - say $250 for adding the GFX), then it would be a tough call if I want it or not, but as it stands now, the base car w/the Sport Package and raised spoiler is all I need/absolutely want.
Yes, separate fog lights would be nice. SAB would also be nice. And so would a sunroof. But when you start adding one, two, three options and so on, you find yourself with higher payments and need to ask yourself this:
What would I rather have: a decently-equipped 6 or a fully-loaded Protege?
Right now, because of the monthly payments I am leaning towards the new Mazda3 HB/wagon (if it looks like what pics we have on the Mazda3 board, the wagon is nice-looking, the sedan is too raised off the ground). There's still a long way to go until this purchase, just like there's still a need for Mazda to alter their packages (and hopefully their financing rates too).
Dinu
I personally am going to get 17" wheels myself- perhaps the OEM ones.
By the way I am not 74!
The 6 is now tied with sightings of the Element.
BTW, FitzMall.com is down to $250 over invoice. A few manuals in stock (both engines), too.