Mazda6 Sedan

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Comments

  • toolman02toolman02 Member Posts: 59
    There's a guy on cardomain has a black 6 with just the wing and grille, no ground package. He's got a side picture too. Hope they are what you are looking for.

    The pictures are here.
  • mazdamarlamazdamarla Member Posts: 350
    Thanks for adding to my confusion toolman. ;-)
    LOL.

    Seriously - thanks. I don't know if I like that or not. Sort of reminds me of an Intrepid. Kinda-sorta. I like the look of the Sport Package lots better methinks now.

    Now - if only I could get the Sport Package without Black leather, without 17" wheels, and decide on a darn exterior color!
  • ruefusruefus Member Posts: 254
    The loss of mud-guards on the back of a sport package car is really a non issue.

    The fascia hangs down more than far enough (and out) to act as its own mud-guard. It'd look ridiculous (IMHO - of course) if mud-guards were added to the low-slung fascia.

    As an aside - I just ordered the class 1 hitch built specifically for the 6. I'll post once I get it installed.
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    Who makes the hitch and how much did it cost?

    Thanks
  • fowler3fowler3 Member Posts: 1,919
    post your email in your Edmunds profile or email me and I will send pics of Sepang Green.

    I have a profile view of a Glacier Silver 6 with Sport Package also. Will email it to Marla and anyone who wants to see it. You may not like the silver but it will show you what the wing looks like. On Sports equiped 6's there is a V6 logo under the door guard trim.

    fowler3
  • fowler3fowler3 Member Posts: 1,919
    was used on the 2002 Miata Special Edition. It's a beautiful shade of medium grey with a slight blueish tint.

    fowler3
  • ruefusruefus Member Posts: 254
    The hitch is made by Da' Lan out of the Boston area and they have them in stock. $126 with shipping is what I paid.

    Similar to other custom designs I've seen, you're required to drill two or three small holes into the bottom of the trunk. Once the holes are creted, it simply bolts right on according to Da' Lan.
  • bostongiobostongio Member Posts: 52
    Well, someone just posted yesterday the guy at the Mazda booth at the auto show said November for the station wagon. It's likely that the station wagon and hatchback would be released at the same time, as 2004 model year cars. So if the November date has any truth to it, the wait is only 8 months.

    My car is literally on its last legs, I doubt it could make it through a whole 'nother winter. I really want the Mazda6 hatch, and the minute they release it, I will definitely be one of the first buyers of it in the US. 6s, manual, load it up for all I care, titanium gray please, and I'm set. I want this car to be my car for the next decade, so I can wait the extra few months for the exact version I want.
  • skyrayskyray Member Posts: 156
    Multiple automobile publications have recently stated that the hatch and wagon will go into production in February, 2004 in the USA. This is from interviews with people at the Mazda/Ford factory that makes the car, which I'd take as a more reputable source than some guy at an auto show.
  • mazdamarlamazdamarla Member Posts: 350
    We currently have a couple 6's with the appearance package on them. I haven't looked real close, but I haven't noticed any differences between the appearance pkg and the sport pkg pieces.

    Switching out wheels and tires is not an option because the car is specifically set up for whichever size wheels and tires it is built with. When you switch sizes, you create a discrepancy with the speedometer and odometer readings.

    If your only concern is the handling in the winter, I can assure you that the vehicles we have driven, handle very well. There is not a very noticeable difference in the driving, especially if you have the traction control on the vehicle. They are not like a sports car, and if you do end up really wanting better winter traction, you could opt for special snow tires in the 17" size which would probably make the vehicle even better than the 16".


    :-( Doesn't really help me, does it? She admits she hasn't actually LOOKED at the differences b/t the Appearance bumpers and the Sport bumpers. And the tire store guy (who I've gone to for years) told me that I'd definitely want to get smaller wheels/tires for winter due to the 17's not having as much traction for snow and ice. Not to mention that I'd have to replace my tires more frequently on the 17's, too. More $$$ all the way around. ARGH.
  • accord7accord7 Member Posts: 96
    Can anyone tell me what the substance is that is applied to the bottom of the doors and on the side sills? I'm sure it is a rustproofing coating of some sort, but I'm concerned about the long-term effectiveness of it. If surface rust develops down the road, can this substance be reapplied and repainted? Living where there is a lot of road salt, it's a big issue.
  • psuf4ipsuf4i Member Posts: 16
    Combustible,
    The leather is black. I think you're right, you can only get black with the sport package. That's the color I wanted, so I never asked.

    Filod,
    I guess I can't really give a good account of driving impressions yet. I've been taking it pretty easy while I break in the engine. So far, the car drives well. I can't believe how well it handles....very little body lean.

    The car is going into the shop Monday morning for a check engine light. It's not a loose gas cap, and it's not the EGR hose. Hopefully it's something that can be fixed quickly and easily.
  • mazda6smazda6s Member Posts: 1,901
    It's refreshing to encounter somebody more indecisive than me, so I like mazdamarla's posts, too.

    6i, 6s, 6i, 6s ...
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    Talk to a technician at a dealer and see if they can re-program the wheel size in the car's computer. I know this is possible in the Tribute and I believe the 6 has similar architecture.

    Is Rotarykid around? he would know.
  • aromasaromas Member Posts: 314
    Why don't you want the 17" rims? It makes the car looks so much better(especially the sports package) and fills up the wheel wells very nicely and the car will grip the road better as well. I find that the 16" look too small for the car.

    I have 17" and I had no problems in the snow at all last week, there was a little tire slip when accelerating from a stop but the car performed beautifully around turns. Totally held the road and it was very slippery at the time so I don't think winter driving is an issue.

    The tires won't last as long but when you spend that much for the car what's a little more for tires.There are alot of tires you can get in that size that are 1/2 the price of the Michelins(way overpriced) like Dunlops or Sumatuomo that according to tirerack perform just as well. You can always put winters on if you want to feel safer and the originals will last that much longer.
  • mazdamarlamazdamarla Member Posts: 350
    Well, I saw both sizes at the dealership - 16's with a Premium package and 17's with the Sport Package. I actually liked the look of the 16's better. Those lower-profiles don't look all that great to me. To each his/her own I guess. :)

    Plus I was thinking of the cost factor, especially long-term. 17" tires would have to be replaced more frequently, and I talked to the guy at the tire store where I've gone for years, and he suggested that I definitely get a smaller 16" wheel/tire for winter driving (in Michigan) due to better traction than the 17's. And the 17's will definitely cost more than the 16's of the same tire, obviously. Which means I'd have to keep the 17's for summer, and buy a whole 'nother set of rims/tires in 16" size for winter, and then have TWO sets of tires I'll have to replace over the years, not just one.

    Not to mention that I'll always be storing a set of 4 tires, which we just don't have room for. I swear my husband collects tires - we have a stack of them in the corner of the garage taller than he is. One set from his old '71 Cougar, with chrome rims (yes he still has that car - I wish he'd let me sell it on eBay). Another set from an old car I used to have. Have tried selling them time and again (the tires themselves aren't worth much, but the rims are), but they're such a weird metric size that no one can use them. Another set from his Nissan truck that we sold a year ago - he forgot to give the buyer the extra tires....you get my point. My husband is a major packrat. BELIEVE me - I have tried to reform him or convince him to get rid of stuff like that, but he doesn't. And he'll get p.o.'d if I just take it upon myself to do it without telling him - especially on the ones that were for HIS vehicles and not mine. <sigh>
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    You were waffling on the sports package anyway, so why not just get a non sport package 6 with the 16 inch wheels, then buy a seperate set of snow tires for the winter.

    Or you could get the sport package with the 17's sell the 17's for a fair price, and use the money to buy a nice set of 16's - I think you can get some 16's that will match the diameter of the Mazda 17's (although they may not be the exact same size as the Mazda 16's) Different brands have slightly different measurements for the same size - check tire rack. If you get within a couple of tenths you are fine - after all the tires has about 1/2" difference in diameter from when it is new to when it is worn.
  • stretchsjestretchsje Member Posts: 700
    there is ZERO doubt on my mind someone on this or another forum would trade you 16's for 17's. In fact, I bet you could even make money on the deal.

    You know where to post- on the M6 club forum. Lots of people requesting 17's there. That's how I got my 17's.

    Since your dealer sounded pretty dumb to the idea, you might as well do this "charity" for us at the M6 club!
  • aromasaromas Member Posts: 314
    marla: If you do decide to get the sports package with the 16's, try and find a picture or something because I'm thinking the wheels would look a little out of proportion with all the GFX. The base models seem to look a lot better with them because it's a cleaner look. I just see those Camry's with the 15" wheels and it looks kinda weird.The GFX IMO gives the car a fuller look and the 16's would look more like 15's on it. Just want you to be satisfied in the long run.
  • kenokakenoka Member Posts: 218
    I'm not sure I understand your question. Are you asking why Mazda would hold off on production of the hatchback? Or are you asking why a consumer would hold out for the hatchback?

    For question one: they were leery of bringing the hatchback and wagon at all. Adding them was a late decision, so they had to wait. In other markets, they had already decided to bring all three to market, so no wait. It's not a matter of what the production line can or can't do, it's a matter of lining up suppliers and parts. At least that's how I understood it.

    For question two: Personally I am waiting for the hatch. I think it both looks better and functions better. I need the space/utility for my job, so the sedan isn't really a good option. But even if I didn't I'd likely hold out for the hatch. The combination of looks and utility is just irresistable.
  • metenuzerometenuzero Member Posts: 32
    http://www.atenza-online.net/off/02_image/018.jpg

    Definatley getting this. Kenoka, I was asking why people would hold off purchase if there were essentially only little things being changed. Thanks for responding.
  • fowler3fowler3 Member Posts: 1,919
    The rough paint along the bottom of the doors and on the rocker panels is to protect them from gravel and small rock damage thrown up by the front wheels. Mazda has used this finish for a long time.

    fowler3

    Awe shucks! No Shock and Awe. ;)
  • toolman02toolman02 Member Posts: 59
    A few pics on the site posted by metenuzero caught my eye. One of the red ones had some sort of red headlight kit . (close up pic #1 #2)

    I've never seen anything like that in any picture, although I've seen blacked out lamps to replace the clear ones. Anyone else seen these?
  • mazda6smazda6s Member Posts: 1,901
    I have done the math on the factory 16 and 17 inch wheels/tires on the Mazda6, and there is less than 1mph difference at 75mph due to the slight difference in diameter, so I doubt very much if the car has to be reprogrammed. This is not true for all cars, though.
  • metenuzerometenuzero Member Posts: 32
    Those pics are off a japanese site, so most likely they are with the nav system on the list of options/accessories not available on the US models.
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    It's an elastic material. It may be PVC, but am not sure. It's supposed to offer more chip and rust resistance. It's on my Protege sedan, but not on my wife's P5 (probably due to the sport lower-body add-ons); I notice the paint on the lower parts of her doors is as smooth as the rest of the car.
  • ruefusruefus Member Posts: 254
    You don't HAVE to have the 16's for Winter. I've driven my 17" shod car in Detroit's wicked weather (and on the pothole infested roads). I can report that the car does exceptionally well.

    Yes - the 16's may be better in snow. But, better by how much, and are the 17's better or worse than what you're used to? Again - the 17's, to me, are impressive in snow. And I drive for a living in both Cleveland & Detroit.

    It might be like commuting 2 miles to work in a Cavalier or a Corvette. No doubt, the Corvette is a better car. But who cares? You're driving it 4 miles a day. Is the extra effort and cost worth the bother? Of course not - and you likely won't notice the difference 16 vs. 17.

    Plus - I think the 16's will look funky on a GFX car. Go to www.tirerack.com and use their wheel/tire selector to get some idea of what it'd look like.
  • gerstlgerstl Member Posts: 5
    we were waiting to see the seepang and saw the 1st one on sunday. we wanted a 6s a/t nothing else. the entire area had 3 and only close to us dc suburbs. this car had a delivery date of 4/1-7 but had a vin no. we getting it from the dealer who ordered it, although he wanted to sell us what was already on the lot(a 4i at invoice).mazda customer service was amazing in treacking down any 'future car' that was coming .
  • combustible1combustible1 Member Posts: 264
    I reeeally wish you didn't say anything. I LOVE that color, so this could be agonizing. to wait or not to wait? ..

    ok, when do the '04s come out?!? I need to find out if this is a legit possiblity for Fall. If it was August and they did bring out the titanium color.. oh man, it would be sooo tempting to wait.. I adore that color, and all my indecision over choosing which color would end!

    unfortunately, my '92 Camry transmission may demand otherwise. :(
  • mazdamarlamazdamarla Member Posts: 350
    How does Titanium Gray differ from the Steel Gray? Are you sure the Titanium would be a "U.S. color"? There's different shades of some of the colors in other countries (such as Australia, etc.) that we don't get in the U.S.
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    It's a lighter color, like they took one bucket of silver and mixed it with a bucket of steel gray. I think it looks fantastic.
  • combustible1combustible1 Member Posts: 264
    aromas didn't give a source for the possiblity of this color coming to US shores. Only that is was a possibility. I'd like to find out for sure.

    It would also be easier to keep looking clean, but it wouldn't have that "everyone with the same light silver shade" look.
  • aromasaromas Member Posts: 314
    Yikes, I didn't mean to get everybody's hopes up, I really have no idea if the titanium is coming for sure just thought I heard it on some site. Common practice with carmakers is usually to expand the color line in 2nd and 3rd year of production. Since the hatchback and wagon will be coming for 2004 it would be logical for Mazda to at least expand the color choices especially for the hatch at it would tend to attract younger buyers than the sedan.

    If 3 models of the 6 is available then I'm sure they will not have the same basic colors for all 3.
    I've only seen the titanium gray on a hatchback so I'm not sure if that color is even offered for the sedan and wagon in Europe. This color is very popular over there(the color IMO is cool but not trendy so it would have lasting appeal) so common sense would dictate that they offer it here but whoever said Mazda has alot of common sense.

    I guess the only way to find out is to e-mail Mazda and get it from the horse's mouth.
  • metenuzerometenuzero Member Posts: 32
    Any idea if clear tail-lights are available as an accesory kit from dealers or are they just aftermarket? thanks.
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    Mazda is putting a kit out in the very near future. Bug your dealer to order P/N 0000-8Z-H15. It should be about $300 for all four lenses.
  • doying5doying5 Member Posts: 83
    Hey everyone. I just had my first customer call me to buy a Mazda6 to replace the one he totalled.

    He T.-boned an Explorer (she was talking on a cell phone while rolling through a stop sign).
    He was thrilled with the performance of the safety features. The pedals folded, the crumple Zones crumpled, The engine dropped out of the way, the air bags deployed and he and his 3 daughters are safe and sound. He injured is hand because he was laying on the horn when the air bag deployed (not a good idea).

    I wish I could get pics.

    "Give me another please", he said.
  • metenuzerometenuzero Member Posts: 32
    Thanks Maltb, Doying5 I can't decide whether that story is funny or sad. It's definatley something.
  • sjg35sjg35 Member Posts: 18
    Does anyone know if the seats in the hatch will fold flat?
  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
    another lesson for you cell phone chatting drivers (which I'm guilty of as well :-( )
  • fowler3fowler3 Member Posts: 1,919
    is a medium blue-grey with a lot of silver flake or mica powder. Mazda used it on the 2001 Miata SE with a "Saddle Brown" leather interior and special 17" wheels.

    On a sedan Mazda may change the color slightly, lighter or darker. It is not close to Steel Grey, which is close to black, a dark charcoal.

    I may have photos in my files, will check.

    fowler3
  • fowler3fowler3 Member Posts: 1,919
    while driving, can't get the booth in the car. ;)

    fowler3
  • aromasaromas Member Posts: 314
    Not talking about the rotten egg smell which is slowly going away. Twice today after driving from point A to point B, turning off the car than coming back to the car after an hour or so I noticed a faint smell almost like burning wires inside the car after I entered and before I started it up again. It went away after a few minutes of driving and it wasn't apparent after starting the car. No malfunction lights have gone on nor does the car perform any diffrently. Anybody get the same smell? Is it part of the break-in? I have 700 miles on the car. It has been raining the last few days if that means anything.
  • alcjewalcjew Member Posts: 173
    ruefus: I feel the same way the 6 handled in the snow with the 17". I had no problem staying on the road. It didn't feel skittish and it tracked true on the highway. This could also be attributed to the traction control system. I was able to drive at the 65 mph speed limit passing other vehicles. I was fortunate that I didn't get caught by a state trooper. From the last 2 snow storms we had here in New England, I felt very confident & safe driving in the slush, powder and icy conditions with this great car.
    maltb: The rear clear lens, P/N MAZ6-8Z-H15, will be available next month for about $220 from the Mazda performance shop, Finish Line Performance.
  • alcjewalcjew Member Posts: 173
    aromas: You'll still get that smell with the mileage you have. The protective coating on the engine will slowly dissipates. Probably by 1K mi there will just be a slight burning smell.

    ruefus: You mentioned on a previous post that you're installing a hitch. How low will the receiver be relative to the ground? What do you intend to hitch?
  • aromasaromas Member Posts: 314
    alcjew: Thanks for the info. When you say the car opened up after 1K do you mean the accelaration improved throughout and felt more loose so to speak.

    I had no problems with the snow as well but let's hope it's the car and not because the tires are new. I guess we'll all find out next winter. I drove out in a storm with no loss of traction and the TCS didn't go on even once so I think the design of the car can be attributed to it's superior bad weather traction. Jusy another plus for this great car.
  • alcjewalcjew Member Posts: 173
    aromas: I currently have about 2500 mi. The engine doesn't feel as tight as when it had less than 1K mi. The throttle response & acceleration is more immediate, kind of floors you to the seat. Overall it seems to get better as you put on more mileage. This car is such a joy & fun to drive and I'm glad that Mazda didn't go to radical/overboard in its design, like some of the other new cars that are out or about to be come out. You probably notice, at least I have, that you get the look from other drivers and that try to catch up to you to see what kind of car it is or try to have a look at the front. Well, happy motoring!
  • aromasaromas Member Posts: 314
    Yeah I love the look. I'm 35 and I get most of the ooh and ahh looks from teenagers on the street. I feel so cool after that. Let's enjoy it while we can before too many get out on the road. When I hear about the lousy sales figures I feel good and bad. Bad because Mazda deserves better for making such a great car but good because it would be a shame if this car was vanillaized like the Camry and Accord and you would see one at every corner. Only people who enjoy driving deserve this car and it should be a restricted club, not just for grocery getters. Hopefully Mazda just sells enough to keep it exclusive and sell a ton of Proteges, Tributes and MPV's to turn a good profit. That would be the perfect scenario for me.
  • alcjewalcjew Member Posts: 173
    aromas: Hey, I'm in my 40's (mid-life crisis my wife says) and proud of it. Like you said, "..Mazda deserves better for making such a great car ...", which I totally agree because they've been hurt by people following the crowd, that is, buying the other top selling auto manufacturers. Even though its nice to be the only show in town, I really want to see Mazda do well in the 6's sales. Not only to help keep Mazda afloat, but keep OEM parts readily available for 5 or more years later and give to them more exposure & the recognition they deserve. More sales also helps support & generate more interest from the aftermarket manufacturers. We 6 owners are providing Mazda a big favor by giving them free advertising by driving our cars around town. Now it's up to them to step if they and their dealers want to survive to start paying more attention to the buyers and be more pricing/option friendlier! Just my 2 cents.
    I also hope Mazda does with their RX-8 sales, because that will hopefully be my next car after my son graduates from college in 4 years. I'll still probably keep the 6 for the winters.
  • aromasaromas Member Posts: 314
    If they meet their sales target of 80K then everybody will be happy. Mazda and the owners because it will only number 1\5 of the Camcords out there. I want a RX-8 too but I have to wait until my son outgrows the car seat. The problem is he's only 3 so I'll be waiting awhile.

    The packaging will improve although in Canada there are alot more safety features that are standard so I think the U.S. got the short end of the stick in that regard. That's nothing new with car manufacturers, the Altima has terrible packages as well. Propective 6 owners tend to be driving enthusiasts so Mazda would get more flak for this as opposed to Camcord owners who really don't care what features they have as long as they see everybody else driving one that justifies their purchase.
  • carguy58carguy58 Member Posts: 2,303
    You have to look at it like this: Mazda hasn't really been in the spotlight since 93. They don't have the following they once used to have. Mazda did some terrible things decision wise in the 94-97 period. I look at 98-02 as a little rebuilding period at Mazda. If Mazda can sell 270,000 cars this year it will be a good year for them. I was thinking about this the other day but the war will put the Mazda 6 in an even worse position now as if the option package fiasco and the bad economy weren't hindering 6 sales enough already. Some Nissan, Mazda, and Toyota loyalists don't take Mazda serious at all. I have seen it on these boards first hand and thats sad. I don't get why Mazda has such a bad reputation with the bying public.
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