Mazda6 Sedan

carguy58

I usually see the commercial at least 3 times a weekend for the last couple weeks.

chikoo

the "mastercard priceless ad" that said something about passing on the inside of ramp...priceless?

vocus

That would be "stretch" who wrote that... It was pretty funny.

stretchsje

I deleted that because Accord owners started chiming in, and I didn't feel like dealing with them. I didn't save it, so feel free to write your own version! (and post it, of course)

the_big_h

Motorweek has just announced their Driver's Choice Award for 2003, and guess who won the 'Best Sports Sedan' category? Mazda6 of course!

http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/dcrelease03.shtml

the Driver's Choice Award show will air THIS WEEK! check your local listings!

chikoo

please do make it up and post it in "our" protege posse discussion.

seriously, I can't think like a "poet".

chikoo

>>> I deleted that because Accord owners started chiming in, and I didn't feel like dealing with them <<<

there was nothing wrong in that.
In fact you could very well have gone over to the comparo discussion and posted it there.

If they complain, wimps...is all I can say for them.

ruefus

I agree with Stretchse - yellow is the color. I originally wanted the green, but didn't want to wait the time it was going to take, nor order sight-unseen.

Before I let myself think about it - I ordered yellow and while I'm still waiting, so far I'm glad. I have yet to see a yellow sport on the road.

dbozman

Are so subjective. Personally, I don't like white or silver. Here in Arizona, the majority of cars are those colors. I didn't like the 6 in red, mostly because of the tan interior (gray would be better IMO). Didn't like the lapis blue; well, I did like the color but couldn't see myself driving it (grin). Actually, I like the yellow quite a bit. The steel gray w/ sport package would likely be my choice.

Buying something this weekend as I just sold my truck and only have my Ducati to get back and forth.

Still seriously considering the 6, but the Passat, Saab 9-3 and -- depending on price -- the A4 are still in the running.
Dion
BTW, still haven't seen a 6 on the street in the Phoenix metro area ... and I've been looking.

mpiatek

I've seen a couple of them on the road here in Tucson. I saw a gray one awhile back without the sport package, and a few days ago I saw a yellow one with the sport package.

Mike

vocus

Only have seen black, lapis blue, and silver here in MD. All with Sport Pkg.

I have yet to see any yellows, even in the dealer inventories.

cookie01

I love the grey and red, the yellow is very cool, but too young for me.
I've had white cars, don't want another. The Lapis blue is around here (I saw one on the lot with sports package) And I like it okay... but I don't think my husband does.
I wish there were more sports packages on the lots... I just don't see them anywhere, and i've not seen ONE Mazda6 on the road, I or S.... sigh..

capitano

the red can be had with a black interior with the sport package. Red is back on my list...duh

maltb

The 6 is still as tight as it was 5000 miles ago with the exception of the engine as Steve noted. I thought I had an exhaust leak, but it seems that all the 4cyls have an inherent gurgle when starting off. It must be something with the dual exhaust.

Anyway, I'm just putting on the miles and loving the fun of this car.

stretchsje

Got my tiny 6 1/2" subwoofer and 6x8" kenwood components installed in the rear. I'm still waiting for the 5 1/4" brackets to install my front speakers.

Two points of interest:

1) Get DYNOMAT for the doors. With too much volume, they vibrate. The doors could also use some acoustic insulation behind the woofer to clean up the midrange.

2) Get a powerful line-out converter that attenuates (quiets) the signal a lot. My line-out converter is only rated up to 15 watts, meaning it doesn't attenuate the signal very much. That's fine, because the rears don't get much power, right? Wrong! The "beep" from the head unit is VERY loud now (it goes through the rear) and when I advance a track on the CD player the speakers actually amplify the noise of the CD seeking!!!

So, dynomat and better line-out converters, here I come. No pictures today- battery died in the camera. Sounds good though!

azstan

Has anyone seen the Sepang Green color? Is it available and is it a dark, medium, light, metallic green?

vocus

I heard on this board that the seapang will have delayed introduction. I would think it would be a little darker than the seabreeze green available on the Protege. I have never seen one in person though, so I don't know for sure.

chikoo

you should have gotten this.....

http://pix.crutchfield.com/graphics/roadtest/xterra/xterra_trunk.- - jpg

now this is a real pair of subwoofers

capitano

How does it compare to the green MPVs that I've seen running around?

redkey1

I have a steep driveway and need to use 4wd (I have a Jeep) to get up it sometimes (like today - it is about 5 degrees in Boston). Considering a used a4 or subaru legacy for awd. Would the 6 with good tires handle the snow almost as well as an awd?

vocus

With traction control, you might have a chance. Ever tried getting up the driveway with front drive and traction control?

mazda6s

On www.mazdausa.com I have seen cars in Sepang Green listed in dealer inventory, so I would say it's available.

jhtlag

I've been ready to pull the trigger, but 6's are either loaded 6s' or stripper i's. I want a loaded 6i manual. i.e., hard enough getting a manual, let alone an i manual and impossible to get a loaded one. (and the right color...)

Agree with earlier posters that yellow is the color, if... I were a lot younger. I have seen one on the road, I 95 north of Washington DC. Seen two total, the other a black one that cruised by pretty quickly. (At least I think it was a 6) To those who have never seen one Rosenthal's in Arlington have two, one up on a ramp (but that's been a couple weeks- it hasn't sold.) I like the silver but appreciate the comments that there are a lot of silver cars out there.

So, do I break down and get a 6s? I do care about getting good gas mileage as an ethical point, and a purist tendency says that you shouldn't push for the biggest engine.

Incidentally, my screen saver is a shot of the Mazda6 and it gets lots of comments.

jht

markjenn

If you need a rationale for getting the yellow, you could go with safety. Color does really make a difference in other cars seeing you and yellow is about the best.

- Mark

badtranny999

Quite true, yellow is exceptionally visible.....that's why many local fire deptmts are switching to yellow firetrucks (which they've had in Europe for decades)........Thing is, i'm not sure yellow is the right color for a car. Let's face it--yellow is the color one LEAST sees on cars, and esp. not the screaming yellow of the 6. Even the Beetle downplays yellow--and that's a car made for wacky colors. Most Beetles I've seen are in black or silver lately.

fowler3

I have never liked red cars, any of them, until...I test drove a Redfire 6s. I have been back to the dealer three times (closed on Sundays) to take photos of that car. It is very close to Candy Apple Red IMHO, not Burgendy. In shade it does look darker, which is fine with me. Up close you can see the mica in the paint, as well as on the Steel Grey; the Glacier Silver is metallic but you can't see the mica, it looks mostly flat or bland.

The color choices are limited for such a new car, but maybe Mazda will offer more in 2 years. The yellow is not like the Yellow on the Protegé5, it's lighter in hue, doesn't have the Pro5's depth.

Lapis Blue is a nice color but doesn't come across as "sporty". Not many blue cars out there, people see blue as neutral, a quiet color for the shy. Frankly, I see it as Cobalt Blue and it comes on strong -- either you like it or you don't. I've had too many blue cars - 10 - to buy another one.

When cars had a lot of chrome on them the bright trim went well with blue, since real chrome had a bluish cast. Plastic "chrome" looks like what it is, aluminum foil bonded to clear plastic.

All the dark colors will be hard to keep clean.

In stretche's photo you can't see the 3-tone effect in the beige upholstery. The seat inserts and door panels have a fine-line pattern; the bolsters have a gaberdine type fabric. Very nice looking.

Stretchjse, why didn't you straighten out your steering wheel before shooting the pix? Turn it right-side up? And to get closer to the true red color set your camera to underexpose a little, if it has that capability.

I don't think I have ever seen a new model car that has so many difficult decisions for buyers to make.

1) Not enough good colors
2) Colors in the wrong shades
3) Messed up option packages
4) Factory-equiped wrong for most buyers
5) Bad audio in two versions
6) ABS not standard

Folks, take your time. E-mail Mazda and eventually they will get it right.

fowler3

fowler3

now comes in a very nice medium steel grey that makes the classic silver look old-fashioned.

I really wish Mazda's Steel Grey was close to it.

fowler3

maltb

IMO, the steel gray looks better than any beetle color.

ruefus

To each his own, but I think a lot of that is in people's heads. Due to its cost, the IS300 isn't a young persons car. It comes in a very similar yellow, and I never once thought the person in that car was pretending to be too young. I just thought the car looked really good.

I truly mean no offense to anyone here - but the day I pick the color of my car based on my age is the day I become the proverbial 'old man'. Get whatcha like and screw everyone else.

bluong1

because it's sporty and fun to drive. Why so shy of displaying your life philosophy by not getting a yellow if you like the look? A not-so-young man in a bright yellow Ferrari does not call necessary for bad taste, Is it?

One more plus for a yellow car: those who like to stay forever on the left lane at 60mph seem to be more reasonable and willing to pull off this lane when a yellow car is approaching.

audia8q

I'm driving a yellow 'S' with the sport pkg and all the goodies....If you like alot of people looking at you and your car then the yellow is the way to go.

johnclineii

I still have visions of people standing by the side of the road trying to hail what they think is the coming taxi!

stretchsje

That'd be a rocket taxi.

jhtlag

I just have a lot of strange rules in my head. For example, I would only buy a black car if it were a large Mercedes Benz or Lincoln Continental - some sort of authoritarian car - goes with white shirt, business suit, that sort of thing. BMW? maybe dark grey, but not black. Anyway, this is a discussion that is more intended for having while drinking a few beers with your buddies; so call me an "ole man" and I'd laugh (partly because it's true!)

Having said that, beware, your tastes will change too! This is more of a question of your practical side starting to balance out your "What the heck, go for it!" side. I would have no problem driving a yellow car for the next couple of years, but I tend to keep cars a loooong time, the longer you keep one the larger the conservative factor plays. Also, this car is intended to get away a little bit from the "boy racer" image while still providing serious performance, sooo, we have a little OM in all of us ;^) At least give me a some credit for (still) considering this color. (Incidentally, I just bought a nice, bright yellow mountain bike, XTR rear derailler, Hutchinson tubeless tires, 22 pound frame - oops, sorry Pat; I'll take it to the Mazda6 vs. Giant XTC board)

Stray thoughts: I like the mention of a yellow Ferrari above, that is part of the reason I like this car. Some of the early reviews mentioned "Italian flair" and, in fact, the first reviews were from test rides that took place in Italy, underscoring the point. That is exactly the image I would love to have.

Stray thoughts II: Hmmmm, I wonder where I could get some checkerboard decals to put on this car: the taxi look - I like it! (not).

Stray thoughts III: 3 inches of snow here in central MD, we're supposed to get a foot of snow.

Cheers!

jht

mpiatek

jhtlag: I agree. I love the yellow right now, but I think I would probably grow out of it in a couple of years and I plan to keep this car for awhile. That's why the red is the next best thing for me. Red will still get you noticed (not quite as much as yellow), it's sporty, and I know I will like having a red car for a long time.

Mike

markjenn

Red cars look great, but I read somewhere that red is one of the worst cars from the standpoint of sun fading, right after black. Something about it absorbing more of the radiation that causes fading. And although my experience is anecdotal, but I've owned two red cars in my life and the Honda faded badly within a year of ownership, while the BWM was looking pretty good after three, but definitely didn't have the gloss it had when new. OTOH, the few silver cars I've owned have looked as good after five years as they did when new. But, of course, silver is the most common color choice these days, so it is not the color to get if you want to stand out. White and silver are definitely the top choices for wear and not requiring frequent washing to look good.

But I'm just trying to present some further considerations in paint selection. Of course, one should just get what they want. This is one where the only opinion that matters is your own.

I have no issue with the Mazda's color options. Seems like a nice range of choices to me.

- Mark

ruefus

I don't get all the references to the 'boy racer' look of yellow or the car overall. It doesn't have a wing any bigger than the next car, nor overdone bumpers and side-skirts.

It IS aggressive, but to lump it in with the 17 year old down the street and his slammed, neoned, 40,000 watt system-ed, wing-that-belongs-on-an-Indy-car Civic is ridiculous.

This car is done right.

capitano

I'd buy the boy racer notion if the sport package came with stickers.

jhtlag

it would be easier to correct you or change my mind or figure out what the heck I was saying about what I said. I was saying that the Mazda6 in general was "getting away" (OK, I said attempt)I guess what I meant to say was that it succeeded in providing serious performance in a more grown up (OM for the sake of humor) car e.g., four doors, plenty of trunk space, practical stuff. I think most of the reviews I've read say the same sort of thing, that the car is targeted at the mid 30's crowd. (The usual trade off at lower priced cars being between sport and other stuff) So I do not consider the Mazda6 a boy racer car, I wouldn't be interested in it if it were. The same with the color yellow (albeit a flashy color.)

Incidentally, I was not the one to bring OM up; that was in reference to "the day I pick the color of my car based on my age is the day I become the proverbial 'old man'" I was simply pointing out that by liking the Mazda6 one had developed a more mature taste and hence was already on the path to becoming OM (a failed attempt at truth/humor, I guess.) So, I'm not going to proffer a date for OMism. (Good on 'ya Fowler for getting a Pro 5; a a potential BR car that definitely looks good in red or yellow)

Am I out of trouble yet? Next subject: chick cars! (just kidding)

Interesting about the colors: makes sense that black would fade the most. From a physics standpoint that is the color (lack of color actually) that is absorbing most/all the energy while white, of course, is reflecting most/all the energy so it stands to reason that black would more likely undergo physical processes.

My first car was a red Triumph 250, ah, the good old days in my BR with fading paint.

The funniest thing is when I read badtrannies message above I thought he was refering to the "Beatles" and "even the Beetles downplay yellow" (by making the submarine yellow, of course!) I'm messed up.

jhtlag

mazda6s

"Interesting about the colors: makes sense that black would fade the most. From a physics standpoint that is the color (lack of color actually) that is absorbing most/all the energy while white, of course, is reflecting most/all the energy so it stands to reason that black would more likely undergo physical processes."
Actually that's just true for light in the visible portion of the spectrum. Absorbtion of infrared and untraviolet is different, and ultraviolet is probably more damaging to the paint. And, fading probably has more to do with the paint pigments than anything else anyway.
But getting back on topic, I like the Lapis Blue color myself.

r2s2

Is anyone besides Stretch and a few others here buying the car? I've driven three (2 auto, 1 manual), but dealer doesn't (and apparently won't for months if ever) have the M6s w/ MT in red or white w/ Sport Package with decent pricing/financing. I think the company's drought is likely to continue at this rate -- a good car that no one can/will buy is worth nothing to them. The Jetta is looking good.

capitano

but in august/september is when I'll buy.

Might get a P5, though. Would like to get a 6 wagon, but I don't want to wait until dec.

the_big_h

I was driving on my way to the mall, and as I was passing an intersection, I noticed this dark blue sedan w/ a SLEEK profile stopped at the redlight at the intersection. I was like, "it couldn't be," so I slowed down and looked in the rear view mirror. Fortunately the light in front of me just turned red, so I stopped and what do you know, the blue car in question turned at the intersection and was coming up to me on my left. and as it got closer, there it was, the all-too-familiar grill of the new 6 in lapis blue, loaded with the sports package. This car is so sleek looking on the street that it JUMPS out among all the other cars next to it. None of the newly designed midsize cars have EVER done this to me.

I don't know, given a test drive in the powerful 6s 5-speed, it may be really hard for me to save up and wait for the RX-8...

johnclineii

I would buy one TOMORROW if and only if I could get Sirius as a factory option. Today is Sunday, or it would be today. It would STILL be tomorrow if Mazda itself had not advised me NOT to remove the factory radio as doing so may cause extreme damage to the dash (besides, the silly thing is proprietary and there is no way to put in anything else without extreme aggravation and expense).

This may result in me buying a 2004 GTP. The 2000 Impala LS with the 112,000 miles, as faithful as it has been, can't soldier on forever as my reliable road car.

plaankton

Got license to drive on the 14th, of Jan. I know..I know..Kooool..Thanks!! I feel like I have wings!!After riding a bicycle for soooo damn long.Knowing I was going to get license back,studied...studious..cars, trucks, SUV's,..LOVE the ~6~Bought a Proteg'e for the (valentine)IE wife.Bought the Pro in Oct. No payments till Jan. Got license ON JAN.14/03..Never test drove a ~6~!! YET!!! I had to buy a car for myself WHAT DID I BUY?? AFTER 23 Years..J30t ~93~

jhtlag

the right combinations were available. I think that was the point of my original post that I want a well loaded 6i manual which are non-existent. (The whole color yellow thing was a tertiary comment that seemed to grab everone's attention)

I also think people are more likely to buy a car in the springtime, would expect sales to jump in March and April, plus people are probably skittish due to the possiblity of war with Iraq, etc.

I'll have to disagree with comments on infrared and ultraviolet; it's all EM and at the frequencies just beyond human visibility the characteristics probably don't change that much, white probably reflects infrared pretty well and black absorbs and reradiates infrared (heat) well.
But, point taken there are other factors; different pigments expand at different rates causing the paint to weaken... etc. Sorry if I'm trying to get the last word in.

6 inches of snow here this morning in central MD and snowing heavily

jht

stretchsje

6 inches of snow here this morning in central MD and snowing heavily

I got off of work today! Woohoo! Snow day! Anyone wanna go do donuts in the '6?

r2s2 and jhtlag- hang in there, Mazda's redoing the packages. There's a few manuals in stock near me, and many if I'm willing to drive fifty miles or so. In the next two months, this allocation/packaging problem hopefully won't exist anymore. Or, you could just order the car.

johnclineii

Ha Ha.

I have done doughnuts in a front wheel drive car. Perhaps you meant you can't do doughnuts by accident in a front wheel drive car.

ruefus

How would you do donuts with FWD? If you're talking about in reverse, that's cool. But I'm not aware of any way to do them travelling forward.

If you know something the rest of us don't, please share!

johnclineii

I probably need to run and hide in my room.

How do I do donuts in my FWD car?

Krispie Kreme.

(I'll be leaving for a little while. Siriusly. Time-out!)