The 3M film (Stongard uses it) is non-yellowing. I've had it on my Protege's headlamps since early '99 and no problems yet (OK, some dirt has accumulated around the edges, but no chips in my headlamps). My wife and I put a full kit on her '03 P5 (those compound curves are a pain, especially on the side mirrors and the door handle cups). Too bad you can't protect the windshield (she got a stone chip in hers, right in front of her face where it's nice and annoying).
Mazda must be getting more brand image. I've recently noticed a couple Mazda 626 with their front badge missing.
It's just a simple question, really: is there a hole behing the rear badge/logo? I don't like stuck-on badges if I can help it. Most of them destroy the lines of the car; they look cheap (even on expensive cars). It's difficult to clean around/inside of them, and I feel the car stands alone without the advertising. Anyway, bottom line is it's my car, and I don't care what someone else thinks about it (not now, not at resale time). Now, can someone help me out with this question?
Did anyone get the factory alarm? What other features does this have over the standard immoilizer? I am debating whether to get the factory alarm, or an aftermarket one.
I have now had my Silver 6S MT leather, comfort, sport, bose for a week and realy enjoy it. The car sounds awesome through the whole RPM range and is very quick off the line and at 3500 and above. The the throttle response below 2000 is a little slow. The car gets looks of looks and I have been asked a couple of times "what kinda car is that." Since there are only two local dealers, I am probably on of the only guys with a Sport 6S MT in town. Sweet ride.
I read on another forum once that to remove badges that are held on with adhesive, you need a hair dryer and floss. Heat up the badge, then slide the floss under the badge and slowly wiggle it back and forth to cut through the adhesive. It takes a while because you have to constantly reheat the badge to soften the adhesive.
"I thought people used heat guns to melt the adhesive and pull off the badge before using goo gone to get the adhesive off the car itself. "
That's another good way to go - and what I'd probably use. Some people are using the goo-gone gel and soaking the adhesive so they can cut through it.
3M Wax & adhesive remover is really aggressive, but safe on paint. I've even used it on a plastic dashboard with NO ill effects. The stuff is rather amazing.
I used this to remove badges from my VW, and it worked fine with no adverse affects on the paint or trim. Take plain, non-wax dental floss (waxed will work, but it will be a PITA to deal with), and work the floss under the badge until you work it off. Clean the sticky stuff away with Goo Gone, and you're all set.
BTW, most auto badges are held on with adhesive. Very few are screwed on. I am surprised that more of them don't fall off in car washes and the like.
To all proud owners of the 6: I am considering getting a 6s, but need to know what is the maintenance intervals for these machines. The Accord is either 105,000 or 110,000 miles. Is it similar for the 6?
"maintenance intervals"? I assume they're talking about spark plugs. Maybe coolant too, I don't know what Honda is using now. I'm not sure what Mazda's maintenance intervals are, but I hope it doesn't come down to maintenance intervals when you are choosing between the Mazda6 and Honda Accord. I wouldn't leave original spark plugs or coolant in until 100K no matter what the intervals are. I know that the Mazda6 uses timing chains for both engines, not sure about the Honda.
Forget maintenance "intervals"... Read the Accord problem board, then read the Mazda 6 problem board, and then take a guess at how often you'll have to take each one to the shop... :-)
The new Accord seems... quirkier... than the typical Honda.
The only chronic problems I've heard of with the 6 were two check engine light problems (both fixed now, and new cars come out of the factory with the fixes in place) and rattling sunglass holders. (Haven't had that problem myself.)
That Honda sells a whole lot more Accords, that Mazda sells 6s, so you can expect to see more probelms with the Accord. Especially on a forum like Edmunds.com
Will pick up my new Redfire 6i AT sport pkg premium pkg, bose on Saturday 4/12. Really wanted to go MT but 2 back surgeries make it impractical. But damn it was fun to test drive. Oh to be young again! The i AT shifted much more realistically than the S, no lag and I intend to "row the gears". Paid 2% over invoice, live in Houston and had to make the deal with a Dallas dealer. Had what I wanted and we made the deal on the phone in 10 minutes. Can;t wait to make the drive back, 250 mi. break in.
maxamillion1: Get with it and get real! There are a lot more problem posts (about 4800) on the Accord side vs the 6 problem post (stuck at 105)no matter how many are sold. Have you checked the Accord board lately, steering pulling problem, grinding, needing to use premium to settle an upset Honda motor and on & on. The 6 annoyances that were easily fixed, such as sunglass holder door rattles (fixed), CEL (fixed) and other minor fixable things. The consensus is that the majority of the 6 owners on this board (and the other Mazda6 club/forums)are extremely happy with their 6. I have over 3600 mi and it feels as solid as the first day I picked it up, no rattles, a very smooth and exhilarating driving machine! I'm averaging about 25 mpg on a V6 and drive like a maniac! Just yesterday at the minimart (getting PowerBall tickets to someday add a RX-8 to my collection) parking lot a guy in a new Honda glanced my way said, "Wow, what a nice looking car! What is it?" It's a Mazda6, see ya!
rgros: I guarantee you that those 250mi would be the shortest 250mi ever driven. I know what I just said does not make sense but trust me you would want to make any excuse to drive the 6 because is sooo much fun to drive it.
miata10ae: I second that "sooo much fun to drive it" mood too! I can't wait till tomorrow morning (TGIF), because I'm off from work and have all day driving the 6. Well, I'm going to visit the other M6 owners club/forum sites to see what new and exciting things are happening! See ya and Zoom-Zoom!
The number of new Accords on the road is WAY past that of the 6. They've sold like 66,000 year to date. Mazda hopes to sell 80,000 for the entire year.
Their board most certainly SHOULD have a lot more posts in it. More cars, more people, more problems.
I had a 150-mile drive home and was just amazed at what a smooth cruiser the 6 was. My test-drives were all on twisty back roads, and the "highway luxury" quiet and smooth ride was an unexpected bonus. Made our "cost the same as the 6" 2001 Saab 9-3 look sad in comparison.
As for the Accord problems, certainly, you'd expect more posts because more cars sold. But look at the sheer VARIETY of problems. Divide the posts by 10 and you still have lots of different things going wrong. Compared to annoying dashboard lights and speaker/sunglass holder rattles on the 6...
Since they have been out since around Oct. and each month they sell near 30,000 the total on the road is well over 100,000. Even with a very low per car average there is a lot of room for error in any mass produced product. The Camry had the same niggles in it's first few months. It's hard to build 30,000 perfect copies right of the bat.
gee: Admit it! The Mazda6 is a better quality and more reliable car so far with fewer problems per cars built. Let's go over the rough statistical numbers again. ruefus said that Mazda hopes to build 80k this year, first bring Mazda6 to date: 80,000cars/12mon x 4.5mon/105prob= 6666cars/mon x .043mon/prob = 287cars / prob, where 4.5mon = midApril. Accord has 66,000 cars to date: 66,000cars / 4800prob = 13.75cars / prob. Therefore, roughly statistically there is one problem for every 287 Mazda6 built and there is one problem for every 13.75 Accords built. Conclusion, the Mazda6 is a winner by 21/1 for having fewer problems per cars built. End of story! There are about 20 '03 Accord owner complaints reported to nhtsa and 1 for the '03 6.
On the road than 66,000 as I said before. And that post goes downhill from there. Especially when Mazda has yet to hit 20,000 units. So that theoretical 6666 cars a month for Mazda is so far a pipe dream.
That post is so dripping in BS it's stinking up the room.
4800:105 is roughly 48:1, or 48 times as many complaints on Edmunds' board about the '03 Accord as the Mazda6.
Taking your 66000x2 (optimistic) :9000 (quite conservative) is roughly 14.7:1 or about 14.7 as many '03 Accords as Mazda6, or roughly 3X the complaint rate. Though not as extreme as previously stated, it's still markedly in favor of the Mazda.
Plus, many of the complaints are of a more serious nature (though none potentially life-threatening, like the BMWs that suddenly shut off while in motion...bad computer <slap, slap>). I think the only complaints I've heard of the 6 that might be serious are 2 individuals complaining of leaking transmissions (fixed right away) and maybe one rough clutch mechanism. The rest were rattling sunglass holders and some CEL that were usually tracked to insufficiently tightened gas caps.
Of course, this is data based upon the traffic in Edmund's boards. We'll see how they come out in CR's data (which is based upon the surveys they get back from their subscribers...so you can argue that too, but their sample is larger and they are answering the same set of questions...the questionnaires are pretty thorough).
seems to have thorough understanding of statistics. When it comes to reliability I think how the accord and the 6 compare is something we will have to wait 2+ years to get a real idea.
I'm totally with Gee on this one. For once and Accord and 6 owner are on the same page.
This 'problems per car' post is full of SO much conjecture that not even the Iraqi Information Minister would buy it. Dividing 80,000 by 12 ain't gonna get it. Mazda hasn't sold 20,000 cars. Heck - as of 4/5, they'd only BUILT 25,451 since 1/1. And per Auto News - Mazda is carrying 105 days of inventory (normal is 60 and the industry is up around 80 or so right now). What it means is that good bit of production has yet to find a buyer.
So there are 48 times the number of posts. There are so many dynamics that go into that number it's pathetic. The Accord has been in existence for a VERY long time is the most obvious.
The number of people that know Edmunds has a message board for the Accord - and who go looking for it - is no doubt much larger than the current knowledge base for the 6. How many million Accords have they built to create awareness? People still think the 6 is the MX-6. The more people that know the Accord, the more they'll look....the more posts that show up. Not withstanding the fact that there are more '03 Accords on the road (many with repeat buyers behind the wheel) right now than Mazda's entire first year forecast.
Look, I'm the one who brought it up in the first place, but I'll be the first to say that you can't extrapolate reliability rates from the number of bulletin board posts, no matter HOW many cars were sold.
After all, it could very well be that Accord owners are more likely demographically to be whiners, and that skews the sample. <grin>
But seriously... My original post was more about the wide variety of different *kinds* of problems seen with the Accords, as opposed to just a couple of kinds of problems reported with the 6. Even if you figure there are 10 times as many Accords, that doesn't alter the fact that there are many *different* problem systems being reported.
Note that the article takes is a bit out of context - Honda doesn't need incentives to move cars, comparisons to Nissan or Mitsubishi might be better. Plus, the entire industry is running well above the 60 day 'norm',not just Mazda.
Gotta tell ya, just bought the 6s in silver. Previous religious Toyota owner. I was shopping for the 6i but am I glad i got the 6s. We looked and compared and then compared some more with camry, nissan, and honda. Mazdas 6 sharp looks and sporty handling won my bid in the end,. Simply , I cant wait to wake up and drive it to work each morning... that is if i can get up before my wife does, otherwise shell want to take it. I was a bit concerened with the feel of the inside however, the plastic dash and some of the door parts seemed to be a little substandard for the rest of the car. but was assured by the dealer that if anything breaks due to poor design etc.. it would be replaced by the warrantee. Im looking to add in the mp3 player but havnt heard anything or seen any car with one istalled. anyone out there have a 6 with the mp3 player option?
The thing that seems odd in the Accord complaint board it the number of folks who owned 1995s or 1998s or even 2000 Accord who traded for the 03 and now are sorry.
my sister currently owns a new 03 and loves it. No problems (bought in Jan)
I didn't consider the Accord while shopping. But they wouldn't have considered anything else.
When I see my M6 and her Accord together at family gatherings I can't see past how much better looking my car is...
but that's just me. Maybe, inside, she's thinking the same thing! ha!
Great link, ruefus........Mazda really dropped the ball by not offering decent leasing from day one on the 6. Mazda has clearly rectified the problem now. It'll sell great this Spring.
I'm actually surprised no one ever credits Honda for their ability to design a vehicle to age with the population. The Accord has clearly changed over the last 3 generations in a manner consistent with an aging population. Consumers who once looked for sport, acceleration, cutting edge styling are now content with mass produced, highly reliable, cost effective transportation with suburban appeal.
The new Accord is clearly designed for the over 40 crowd. That fine. That's why they sell the numbers they do. Repeat purchases and new.
The automobile ages with them. Mazda is not going for the same consumer.
It's actually superb corporate strategy. Honda should receive more credit for this.
So a month ago I sat down an ordered a mz6s for my demo and it came in today...I must confess that I don't like the big spoiler on the sports package and I also have found the ride to be a bit more accommodating without the lower profile tires on the sport pkg....so its an S with auto in Sepang green, tan leather, sport grill, appearance pkg, lip spoiler, etc.... Out of the 100 or so mz6's I have seen I really think this is the best looking mz6 I have seen....btw: I love the lip spoiler!!
I'm not with you on that one, bud. I hate the 16" wheel/tire combination- the ride isn't as good (though quieter), and I certainly don't think it looks as sharp. The 17" wheels define this car no matter how else you order it. The tacked-on appearance package looks so tacky- the sport package is definately the way to go if you want the ground effects.
I'm with you on the sport grill and lip spoiler, however. Give me them to me along with the 17" wheels and with our without the sport package body kit- either way, that's the winner I'd pick.
Working at a dealership... could you answer this question? What do dealers do with new vehicles in the inventory that stay on the lot for LONG periods of time. I know after the holdback period expires that the dealer ends up having to pay for cars that just sit on the lot.
So, for example. Let's say your Mazada dealer has 15 Tributes on the lot. Most are 2003. But two or three are "new" 2002... When and how do you dump the 2002 cars before 2004 comes around? Do they get sent out for rentals? Can a buyer make a better deal on a old "new" car? Where do these cars go? Do they ever get sent back to the factory?
That happend to a friend of mine who was looking for a Jetta. He happend to stumble upon a 2002 model that was built September 2001. This was in December of 2002, mind you. He got the car for $3000 off MSRP too. I was surprised it sat around for a year, but it surely did.
You would think the car would have been put in the loaner fleet or something, or else traded with another dealer for a car they wanted.
Since someone mentioned it above, the Accord for this generation was suppose to be sportier than previous ones, not more conservative. I don't think your statement would apply in that case.
Well, thanks to good news at work today, in am now the market for a new car, effective immediately. I still am targeting the 6, but I have noticed the last week that I can currently get a Saab 9-3 for about the same price as a loaded 6s after incentives. My friend bought a 9-5 last year and loves it. I don't see any other possible car that I am interested in cross shopping at this point. It's a bit different (less hp 4 cyl turbo, premium fuel, though better mileage to offset that). But from what I see and read it delivers enough power and is also very nice handler. From what I can tell, the backseat space is the only major difference, size wise, from the 6, and that's not an issue for me. I'm gonna take a look at it after work. I may see it and sit in it and say forget it (only have seen pictures) - but if I like it - I guess it will be a very tough choice. My wife seems to like the Saab name better than Mazda - I guess it's a prestige thing, but I'll be driving it and it will be my choice. One cool thing I see they offer is all maintenance for 3 yrs, or 36K miles
I just wanted to see if anyone had any thoughts on Saabs, since I don't know a whole lot about them? Should I even be looking at it (if you could have had the Saab at the same price when buying, would you have looked at it)? I know many will say "forget the Saab, buy the Mazda" (why may indeed be the case), but I'm looking for honest opinions, so I cover all the bases. Thanks
I drove the 6i (MT) back-to-back with an Accord EX-4 (MT) yesterday. Wanted to drive the 6s too, but dealer was closing. The Accord feels smoother and more refined. The engine and trans are sweet. But, the steering feeling makes me want to stop at the nearest Starbuck's for a triple latte (maybe even a quad). I still like the 6 better.
However, I'm "wobbling" on the 6i vs. 6s decision. After my first back-to-back of the two, I liked the 6i. The second time, I wasn't so sure (the 6s kind of grows on you). I was still leaning towards the 6i, and a local dealer had one with the options I wanted and offered it to me for $60 over invoice!. Now (after more test drives) I think I might give up the better handling 6i for the extra power of the 6s. Has anybody had the same experience? I'm sure if I was at sea level the 6i would be fine, but at 5000ft the altitude really reduces the power (especially when it's hot out and the AC kicks in).
Comments
I don't see where removing the badges makes a "personnal statement" that's worth saying.
fowler3
Mazda must be getting more brand image. I've recently noticed a couple Mazda 626 with their front badge missing.
It's difficult to clean around/inside of them, and I feel the car stands alone without the advertising.
Anyway, bottom line is it's my car, and I don't care what someone else thinks about it (not now, not at resale time).
Now, can someone help me out with this question?
A number of people have taken the Mazda6 badging off. Goo Gone, some wire and patience is all.
Rich
A number of people have taken the Mazda6 badging off. Goo Gone, some wire and patience is all.
Did anyone go to the LA event last weekend? I haven't seen a single report on here.
I don't know about the "Goo Gone" brand specifically, but I know for a fact that "Goof Off" will remove automobile paint in no time flat.
Test it in an inconspicuous area first.
That's another good way to go - and what I'd probably use. Some people are using the goo-gone gel and soaking the adhesive so they can cut through it.
3M Wax & adhesive remover is really aggressive, but safe on paint. I've even used it on a plastic dashboard with NO ill effects. The stuff is rather amazing.
BTW, most auto badges are held on with adhesive. Very few are screwed on. I am surprised that more of them don't fall off in car washes and the like.
I am considering getting a 6s, but need to know what is the maintenance intervals for these machines. The Accord is either 105,000 or 110,000 miles. Is it similar for the 6?
Thanks.
The new Accord seems... quirkier... than the typical Honda.
The only chronic problems I've heard of with the 6 were two check engine light problems (both fixed now, and new cars come out of the factory with the fixes in place) and rattling sunglass holders. (Haven't had that problem myself.)
Their board most certainly SHOULD have a lot more posts in it. More cars, more people, more problems.
As for the Accord problems, certainly, you'd expect more posts because more cars sold. But look at the sheer VARIETY of problems. Divide the posts by 10 and you still have lots of different things going wrong. Compared to annoying dashboard lights and speaker/sunglass holder rattles on the 6...
Let's go over the rough statistical numbers again. ruefus said that Mazda hopes to build 80k this year, first bring Mazda6 to date:
80,000cars/12mon x 4.5mon/105prob= 6666cars/mon x .043mon/prob = 287cars / prob, where 4.5mon = midApril.
Accord has 66,000 cars to date:
66,000cars / 4800prob = 13.75cars / prob.
Therefore, roughly statistically there is one problem for every 287 Mazda6 built and there is one problem for every 13.75 Accords built. Conclusion, the Mazda6 is a winner by 21/1 for having fewer problems per cars built. End of story!
There are about 20 '03 Accord owner complaints reported to nhtsa and 1 for the '03 6.
That post is so dripping in BS it's stinking up the room.
Taking your 66000x2 (optimistic) :9000 (quite conservative) is roughly 14.7:1 or about 14.7 as many '03 Accords as Mazda6, or roughly 3X the complaint rate. Though not as extreme as previously stated, it's still markedly in favor of the Mazda.
Plus, many of the complaints are of a more serious nature (though none potentially life-threatening, like the BMWs that suddenly shut off while in motion...bad computer <slap, slap>). I think the only complaints I've heard of the 6 that might be serious are 2 individuals complaining of leaking transmissions (fixed right away) and maybe one rough clutch mechanism. The rest were rattling sunglass holders and some CEL that were usually tracked to insufficiently tightened gas caps.
Of course, this is data based upon the traffic in Edmund's boards. We'll see how they come out in CR's data (which is based upon the surveys they get back from their subscribers...so you can argue that too, but their sample is larger and they are answering the same set of questions...the questionnaires are pretty thorough).
This 'problems per car' post is full of SO much conjecture that not even the Iraqi Information Minister would buy it. Dividing 80,000 by 12 ain't gonna get it. Mazda hasn't sold 20,000 cars. Heck - as of 4/5, they'd only BUILT 25,451 since 1/1. And per Auto News - Mazda is carrying 105 days of inventory (normal is 60 and the industry is up around 80 or so right now). What it means is that good bit of production has yet to find a buyer.
So there are 48 times the number of posts. There are so many dynamics that go into that number it's pathetic. The Accord has been in existence for a VERY long time is the most obvious.
The number of people that know Edmunds has a message board for the Accord - and who go looking for it - is no doubt much larger than the current knowledge base for the 6. How many million Accords have they built to create awareness? People still think the 6 is the MX-6. The more people that know the Accord, the more they'll look....the more posts that show up. Not withstanding the fact that there are more '03 Accords on the road (many with repeat buyers behind the wheel) right now than Mazda's entire first year forecast.
Fact is - nobody knows what's actually going on.
After all, it could very well be that Accord owners are more likely demographically to be whiners, and that skews the sample. <grin>
But seriously... My original post was more about the wide variety of different *kinds* of problems seen with the Accords, as opposed to just a couple of kinds of problems reported with the 6. Even if you figure there are 10 times as many Accords, that doesn't alter the fact that there are many *different* problem systems being reported.
Here's a link...
http://www.detnews.com/2003/autosinsider/0304/10/autos-133550.htm
Note that the article takes is a bit out of context - Honda doesn't need incentives to move cars, comparisons to Nissan or Mitsubishi might be better. Plus, the entire industry is running well above the 60 day 'norm',not just Mazda.
Previous religious Toyota owner.
I was shopping for the 6i but am I glad i got the 6s. We looked and compared and then compared some more with camry, nissan, and honda. Mazdas 6 sharp looks and sporty handling won my bid in the end,.
Simply , I cant wait to wake up and drive it to work each morning... that is if i can get up before my wife does, otherwise shell want to take it. I was a bit concerened with the feel of the inside however, the plastic dash and some of the door parts seemed to be a little substandard for the rest of the car. but was assured by the dealer that if anything breaks due to poor design etc.. it would be replaced by the warrantee. Im looking to add in the mp3 player but havnt heard anything or seen any car with one istalled. anyone out there have a 6 with the mp3 player option?
my sister currently owns a new 03 and loves it. No problems (bought in Jan)
I didn't consider the Accord while shopping. But they wouldn't have considered anything else.
When I see my M6 and her Accord together at family gatherings I can't see past how much better looking my car is...
but that's just me.
Maybe, inside, she's thinking the same thing! ha!
The new Accord is clearly designed for the over 40 crowd. That fine. That's why they sell the numbers they do. Repeat purchases and new.
The automobile ages with them. Mazda is not going for the same consumer.
It's actually superb corporate strategy. Honda should receive more credit for this.
However, I'm still buying a 6.
Mark.
I'm getting it put in on Tuesday; I'll report on it after the install.
It's a replacement for the in-dash CD player that plays both CDs and MP3 CDs.
anyone else seen this combo???
I'm with you on the sport grill and lip spoiler, however. Give me them to me along with the 17" wheels and with our without the sport package body kit- either way, that's the winner I'd pick.
What do dealers do with new vehicles in the inventory that stay on the lot for LONG periods of time.
I know after the holdback period expires that the dealer ends up having to pay for cars that just sit on the lot.
So, for example. Let's say your Mazada dealer has 15 Tributes on the lot. Most are 2003. But two or three are "new" 2002... When and how do you dump the 2002 cars before 2004 comes around?
Do they get sent out for rentals? Can a buyer make a better deal on a old "new" car?
Where do these cars go? Do they ever get sent back to the factory?
Just wondering.
You would think the car would have been put in the loaner fleet or something, or else traded with another dealer for a car they wanted.
I just wanted to see if anyone had any thoughts on Saabs, since I don't know a whole lot about them? Should I even be looking at it (if you could have had the Saab at the same price when buying, would you have looked at it)? I know many will say "forget the Saab, buy the Mazda" (why may indeed be the case), but I'm looking for honest opinions, so I cover all the bases. Thanks
However, I'm "wobbling" on the 6i vs. 6s decision. After my first back-to-back of the two, I liked the 6i. The second time, I wasn't so sure (the 6s kind of grows on you). I was still leaning towards the 6i, and a local dealer had one with the options I wanted and offered it to me for $60 over invoice!. Now (after more test drives) I think I might give up the better handling 6i for the extra power of the 6s. Has anybody had the same experience?
I'm sure if I was at sea level the 6i would be fine, but at 5000ft the altitude really reduces the power (especially when it's hot out and the AC kicks in).