Mazda6 Sedan

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Comments

  • talking_headtalking_head Member Posts: 9
    My Silver M6 GT finally came, and was wondering about Zaino Polishes. Has anyone used them on their 6? I'm a sales manager for a chain of detail places so I have access to waxes like diamond kote and meguiars for free. But I've read that the Zaino line is the best out there. Any suggestions?
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Let's see what folks here have to say, but you ought to do a keyword search on Zaino and find the VERY active discussion on our Maintenance & Repair board. ;-)
  • dantodanto Member Posts: 24
    Anyone know where I can go to see monthly auto sales figures besides AutoSite?
  • alcjewalcjew Member Posts: 173
    accord7: Good choice if you get a 6! You won't regret it, but then again I too converted from Hondas to Mazdas (my 3rd Mazda)many years ago. Besides my 6s I still own a '92 Mazda B2600i Cab+ (RX-8 to be added to my collection in 4-5yrs) and it has gone through 4 New England winters (road salt & sand) and the bottom has a metal seal with factory undercoat and has no signs of rust. Still has the original black paint, everything is still the original parts with over 150K miles and I really punished this truck and it still runs great and doesn't burn oil, this Mazda was built to last. Here's another website for parts/accessories: http://www.corksport.com
    There are others that miat10ae & I listed, will post them later.

    Good luck and hope you Zoom-zoom soon!
  • tiredofmanualtiredofmanual Member Posts: 338
    You guys post too often, I skip the internet for a day and all of the sudden I'm pages behind!

    You should have no fear that computer "assistance" is going to lead us to one single design. Or at least unless you've recently watched your copy of Terminator 2 and noticed that SkyNet became self-aware back in 1997 (but is it designing our cars???). The software had many, many more inputs than just "build me an engine with 1000HP" and even if it were that simple, you would get something different every time. The software is constantly changing, because our understanding of the world is constantly changing and the simulations have to be updated with this new knowledge, which becomes knowledge to different people at different times and in different orders.

    Seriously, go read the article. As an added bonus, this issue is perhaps the most important in Car & Driver history. you may want to get this for your collections and show it to your grandchildren. Car & Driver had both the BMW M5 and the M3 in separate comparisons - and they both lost. I hope you all have made peace with yourselves, because the universe is about to explode.
  • davefreddavefred Member Posts: 3
    I have been using Zaino Bros polishes for a couple of years and love the stuff. Some say it takes to long to apply, but I find the application and removal when dry to be very simple. The part that takes so long is you need to wait 24 hours between applications. The thing I like the best about these products is that you don't need to worry about wax in the seams and on plastic trim pieces. The end results are wonderful and have lasted a very long time on both my 2001 Protege (Black Mica) and the new 6, you guessed it also black.

    Hope this helps
  • whiteatenzawhiteatenza Member Posts: 11
    I wanted to know what type the bulbs are for the backup lights, the rear turn signals, and the liscense plate lights. Also, is the light in the spoiler owner replaceable and if so, what is the light bulb type?
  • carguy58carguy58 Member Posts: 2,303
    Probably be released in 3 weeks for the monthly period of April(Early next month to be exact.)
  • mazda6sammazda6sam Member Posts: 20
    www.mazdastuff.com
  • combustible1combustible1 Member Posts: 264
    someone mentioned that the installation of the mirror upgrade (automdim, etc.) looks nicer when done by the factory.

    I recall someone posting pictures a while ago, and they admitted that the self-install didn't look all that great, but they would probable get used to it.

    is it not possible to do a clean looking install at the dealer or at home? are there extra parts available only at the factory, which serve to hide the wiring or something?
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    But I am extremely pleased by Klasse.
    see this site
    http://www.autogeek.net/klasse.html for more information

    I drive a Emerald Green Protege and the day after I applied Klasse polish, I got a parking ticket which described my car as a "Black BMW".

    I was only too happy to pay my $15 fine :)
  • dantodanto Member Posts: 24
    carguy58,
    I want March's sales figures. Anyone seen'em yet?
  • dantodanto Member Posts: 24
    accord7,
    Still own a 1993 Mazda 626 (155,000 Miles) with no rust what so ever! I live just outside Detroit, which has the saltiest roads on the planet. Mazda knows how to rust proof their vehicles so have no fear of metal's worst enemy.
  • skyrayskyray Member Posts: 156
    FYI, for those who were asking me about Mazda's MP3 player, Mazdastuff.com has it in-stock for $276, a heck of a deal off the $384 retail, and more in-line with third-party units. So if you feel up to removing your dash... :-)

    As for rust, Mazda really does know their stuff there. Galvanized panels, and they use that coating along the bottom edges of the car. FWIW, Miatas have been around for over 13 years, and I've never seen a speck of rust on one here in Vermont, where there are plenty of early 90s Miatae still running around.
  • kyler13kyler13 Member Posts: 9
    It's a shame you can't *add* the MP3 module. I have the factory Bose system with the changer and I rather like having that for my regular CD's. Now if I could only "have my cake and eat it too" with the MP3 player, life would be great. :-)

    My lapis blue 6 is currently suffering from my biggest environmental nemesis....POLLEN! How about we bulldoze all the trees and pave over the country? Anyone, anyone?
  • accord7accord7 Member Posts: 96
    Thanks to all who responded with parts web sites and your experiences with your Mazda. I should have the financial resources to buy the M6 mid to late summer. I guess I'll just follow the boards and dream until I make the buy. I told my wife yesterday, "The 6 will haul the family, luggage and golf clubs, and when I'm driving alone I can zoom-zoom like when I was 25." She just rolled her eyes.
  • buggywhipbuggywhip Member Posts: 188
    I, too, am curious about the March sales figures. Based on Autosite stats, I know that Feb sales for the 6 were not great--but that was due to various factors that have been corrected now..............I do know that Mazda has ordered the supply of 6's tightened recently, b/c of a glut of cars on the lots. But perhaps that's due to dealers ordering too many AT cars, esp. 4-cyls. But I also read that Mitsubishi is now outselling Mazda, a new and disturbing development that sent shock waves through Mazda HQ. Mitsu has an exciting product line--its mini suv is far more stylish and sporty than the Mazda Tribute. And the Lancer is much roomier than the Protege. (I sat in a Lancer at the autoshow--it was cavernous inside.) Both mitsu prods are underpowered but consumers don't seem to care much. Once the new Galant comes out, where will the 6 be??
  • duskduskduskdusk Member Posts: 10
    Mitsu has a much better reputation when it comes to young car buyers. They have very "hip" commercials that infuse a certain outgoing flair into their vehicles.(Did I say hip?) The Eclipse while not being that great a car was on the top of many 20 somethings lists when they were teenagers. If Mazda or its enthusiasts think that a couple decent car releases are going to suddenly bump sales to the "idiots" that buy what everyone else has then the company will go into the toilet.

    The problem is that none of their vehicles offer anything in terms of differentiation. The Mazda 6 is a great car. It's almost beyond great when it comes to how far away from the 626 it is and how well it stacks up tot the competition. Yet their marketing is just like all the other companies and they produce cars exactly like everyone else which is why they have poor sales. (Not many 5MT's around, packages etc). When it comes to astute buyers the 6 is just not that great of a deal right now. I can walk out the door right now and go buy a 2004 WRX at invoice or below with all the trimmings let alone all wheel drive which isn't available on any other vehicles below 25K(Differentiation hence the sales spike here in the US). I can probably go get a 6i slightly above invoice but I can't get a 5MT because dealers think that by raising the price that means they get more money. Not if you don't sell them which is what we are seeing right now. The 5MT's dealers are getting in stock aren't jumping off the lots the way a "hot" car does. Give it to me at invoice and I'm there otherwise I'll go get a week old WRX which is less refined but more fun to drive by a wee bit.

    Exciting product line? The Lancer in vanilla form is slower than a plain Protege. Nobody wants an EVO. Why get that when you can get an SRT4 for a full 10K less? Or why don't you grab the original rally STI while you're up there around 30? Sorry but the Galant does not look exciting at all. It looks like an Altima 100%. And of course we come to Mazda's reliability(Sans the Ford tainted Tribute) which is damned good.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    "only too happy to pay my $15 fine" - LOL!!
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    for $30 bucks polish and $15 bucks fine, I offcially was the owner of a Black BMW for one evening :)
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    Anony works at a Mitsu dealer. The first allotment was spoken for months in advance. One guy saw the delivery truck and followed it in to try and buy one. I don't know about that "nobody wants an EVO". Somebody does. Believe me.
  • duskduskduskdusk Member Posts: 10
    I won't see any STI's
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    I mean if they jack the prices $5000 as I've heard of, they won't sell. But then there aren't many cars that can support that these days. Even SR-T's.
  • skyrayskyray Member Posts: 156
    And thus begins the latest installment of our weekly "Mazda 6 vs..." threads. :)

    When I found out we had a baby on the way and I'd need a four-seater to replace my Miata, my initial plan was to get an Eclipse Spyder. Pretty good size, looks really good except for those stupid recessions on the sides...

    But man, after reading the complaints about the car's problems on the *Eclipse enthusiasts* boards, there was no way I'd consider it. Looks like the Chrysler/Mitsu marriage has forced classic Chrysler reliability on Mitsubishi.

    Of course, anyone who'd buy a car based on a commercial featuring a skinny girl in a dorky hat having seizures in tune with music deserves what they get. :-)
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    Telepopmusic CD. It's very nice.

    By the way her "seizures" were relatively mild compared to what I've seen at raves. I love raves. I just feel like "that old guy" when I go.
  • rajkrishnarajkrishna Member Posts: 11
    MAzda 6 is regarded as a sport sedan, while Accord,Passat,Camry are regarded as Family Sedans.
    Is there any specific standard applied to categorize a car as a sport car?
    Hows Mazda6 different from others?
  • stretchsjestretchsje Member Posts: 700
    Mazda (Mazda Tuning Magazine?) Meet tomorrow, April 19th, at noon. Details can... be sent to someone else, cause I don't know much about it other than I'll be there!

    Sherwood High School:

    300 Olney Sandy Spring Rd
    Sandy Spring, MD
    20860-1005 US
  • stretchsjestretchsje Member Posts: 700
    Is there any specific standard applied to categorize a car as a sport car?

    I argue that the difference is in the designer's intent. Some designers aspire to build big engines, some aspire to build quiet, cozy cabins. Then there's Mazda, who settles for none less than best-in-class handling.

    Look at the Mazda6 next to an Acura TSX. They are both marketed to be sporty cars, but which one was designed as such?

    The Mazda6 has all its weight in the engine compartment mounted near its center for minimal weight shifts. Its rear suspension is completely underneath the car for a low center of gravity. The weight of the Mazda6 was spent on making a stiff chassis rather than on sound deadening (which turned out isn't needed since the chassis is so stiff).

    Building a car is all about compromise. Figure out which a designer chose, and you'll figure out if your car is a family sedan or a sports sedan.

    A true sports sedan is rear-wheel drive or AWD, such as the RX-8 or WRX. The Mazda6, with its high ride height and front-wheel drive, is somewhat of a gray area.
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
  • voochvooch Member Posts: 92
    I'd like to know how those rims rolled *up* a ramp.
  • toolman02toolman02 Member Posts: 59
    I saw that Accord ad last week. It took 606 takes, and it was all real except for the exhaust, which was done in CGI. It was filmed in two stages, which the exhaust joins together.

    The rims were weighted so that they would roll uphill.

    I'm not a huge fan of the Accord, but I'll have to give it to them and say that's one of the best car ads I've ever seen. Very unconventional, and it really grabs your attention.

    You can read more about the ad here.
  • stretchsjestretchsje Member Posts: 700
    I'd like to know how those rims rolled *up* a ramp

    The wheels are unbalanced, with their heaviest side being at the top. That's why the seemingly roll uphill.
  • miata10aemiata10ae Member Posts: 90
    Is there any specific standard applied to categorize a car as a sport car? Hows Mazda6 different from others?

    Apart from the car's specs, it is sometimes hard to describe in words the things that make the Mazda6 a sport sedan. It is everything working in harmony that give you that sporty feeling. Everything from the sport tuned suspension, the sporty noise that comes from the engine when it revs up, the feedback from the steering wheel as you drive around the curves etc.
    As Mazda's ad say: Drive it. You 'll know.
    But since you are an owner already maybe you should drive the other cars so you can compare.
  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
    I shall show up with an entourage of RX-7s and a Protege for kicks :-)

    I'll be in my blue RX-7, say hi please!
  • aromasaromas Member Posts: 314
    Came back from a birthday party at a friend's bar tonight. My 6 was parked by the front door. Spent alot of time by the front getting fresh air with some buddies. My car got alot of long "wow" looks as there are still not too many out there in Toronto. Made me feel like a proud papa.

    Anyways this doofus comes out with his buddies and walks by the car and says "that car has a Taurus engine", not sure if he meant it in a derogatory way but I piped in and said "Actually that's my car and it is a Ford block, everything else is Mazda engineered". He just looks at me with a dumb stare and says "Yeah but it's a Taurus engine, man". He keeps walking, still muttering to his buddies "Yeah it's a Taurus engine". For some reason it really annoyed me probably because he sounded like a know-it-all and he knew squat.
  • carguy58carguy58 Member Posts: 2,303
    Mitsu has been outselling Mazda for 2 years so its not that big of a shockwave. The new Galant looks like a Pontiac. I wouldn't pick a Protege over a lancer anyday of the week. The Protege is better styled and has a better interior. The EVO is selling for 30K. No way would I spend that kind of money on an EVO. I know the young people like the Lancer but I'm not most young people and follow the crowd on what they are buying. Mazda has been getting youth buyers of late with the Protege 5. The only car Mitsu made that was a benchmark car was the 2nd generation Eclipse. As far as Mitsu's reliability its better than it was in 1996. Mitu has come far in that area I think. I just don't care for cheap interior materials and their styling is not very good of late.
  • glideslopesglideslopes Member Posts: 431
    Unfortunately this is still a big issue for Mazda.
     
    The sad part is the ignorance of those making the claims. Uninformed people seem to take the problems with the 626 (Ford) transmissions and apply them to the entire Mazda line at times. Be it engines, transmissions, brakes, windshields, cup holders, or tire air pressure. Anyone who takes a minute or two clearly will see the Mazda, and JATCO transmissions to be among the most reliable in any vehicles anywhere.
     

    Anyone with half a desire to be informed can easily see that Mazda's current reliability is second to none. Although the Tribute is somewhat below the norm. The Tribute however is manufactured in a facility quite different than in Flat Rock. The 6 's production is much closer to an assembly line in Alabama making Honda's.
     

    Finally, so what if it's a Duratec block? The Vulcan 3.0 is the Ford V6 that had issues. The Duratec has always been a strong very reliable engine. If it's in the Taurus, hurray for the Taurus!
     

    I absolutely love the 3.0 in our MPV.
     

    Anyway, I can relate to your experience, and It does irritate the bananas out of you!! Just remember that you are the informed person making the informed purchase. Let "The Dude" go on being "The Dude." Maybe you will see him working in the McDonalds drive through some day.
     

    Mark.
  • barrysobarryso Member Posts: 66
    "Yeah it's a Taurus engine"

    Good. "Mr. Dude" isn't going to buy one of the best new cars on the market. His loss. He's probably saving his shackles up for a Hummer.

    You can't change somebodys mind when they don't want to change. "Dude" has made up his mind without knowing the facts. Since he is obviously close minded and ignorant the best he can hope for is a career in politics.
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    "Honda transmission" people there will be the "Taurus engine" people. It;s just that Ford has had longer to build the "crap" reputation.
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    >>> Let "The Dude" go on being "The Dude." Maybe you will see him working in the McDonalds drive through some day.<<<
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    Just remember, that drive-through has two sides. You, too, can see him while YOU are working in the McDonald's drive through some day. And this is not to imply in any way there is something inherently slimey about working the McDonald's drive through!

    Besides, if you are so super-classy as to be driving a Mazda6, what ever are you doing at McDonald's anyway! :)

    Enough looking down some of our collective noses at people, don't you think?
  • glideslopesglideslopes Member Posts: 431
    This is the first time I'm going to disagree with one of your posts.

    I believe I hit the nail right on the head. Next time I'll use a fictitious food chain.

    As for gee, there is absolutely not correlation between the Honda V6 Automatic fiasco, and a Duratec. A Duratec has no problems. Period. Don't try and cloud the water with a poison from another vine. Ford has many issues, the Duratec is not one of them.

    Mark.
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    I'm not trying to cloud anything. AS you have seen here it doesn't matter whether it's relevant or not. People will still make the connection. And the Ford correlation is gonna hurt Mazda MUCH more than the tranny issue will hurt Honda.

    aa717driver "Acura TSX" Apr 19, 2003 3:54pm

    See what I mean.
  • buggywhipbuggywhip Member Posts: 188
    gee35 has a point--the Duratec label is a nasty albatross to hang on Mazda's neck. Although Ford sixes have been decent in the past, the competition sixes in the Mazda6 class are (perceived) far, far superior to the Duratec.
  • glideslopesglideslopes Member Posts: 431
    Do they, or do they not use a Duratec Block with Mazda heads, VVT, and EMC?
  • glideslopesglideslopes Member Posts: 431
    Sorry to hear about your problems. I'd find another dealer. Your experience certainly seems to be very rare among new owners of 6's. I'd also suggest placing this type of thread under "Problems and Solutions."

    Mark.
  • davefreddavefred Member Posts: 3
    Here are some pics of my 6 I took today. Some were wondering what some of the different tint % would look like. I had 22% on the rear and 85% on the front driver and passenger windows. The 85% cuts down on the heat quite a bit.

    http://members.cardomain.com/davefred
  • ncjudgencjudge Member Posts: 30
    I usually just sit back and read all the debates here, but I'm going to address some points made.

    "And the Ford correlation is gonna hurt Mazda MUCH more than the tranny issue will hurt Honda."

    We can all make links to certain posts on the Acura/Honda boards where complaints are made about the auto trannys. There is no empirical evidence whatsoever that the Ford connection is going to hurt Mazda more than the tranny issue will hurt Honda.

    And, if you look at the next two posts after the post cited by gee, you see a very valid counterpoint--that it is ridiculous to throw out a potential vehicle make just because a particular company has an ownership interest in it. Two of the vehicles mentioned in the post cited by gee, the Mazda6 and the Saab 9-3, are makes that are in the top seven in reliability since 2000, as listed by CR. It doesn't look like the Ford or GM connections have hurt them very much. I'm not a GM fan, either, and thought I'd never buy a car that had a GM connection, but it would be ridiculous to throw the 9-3 out on that basis, particularly with a good reliability record in the last few years.

    I understand that some people have unjustifiable perceptions and there's little that can be done about that. I understand the Tribute/Escape situation. But one bad Ford/Mazda effort doesn't make all Ford/Mazda collaborations unreliable, just as a small percentage of auto tranny problems in Acuras doesn't make the Acura make as a whole unreliable.

    And, as far as the Duratec label being a "nasty albatross" to hang around Mazda's neck, well, if there are those who have the perception that the Duratec falls behind the competition, what can Mazda do about that anyway? Reject the Duratec block altogether? I think most people who've researched it know that the Duratec is a sweet engine. I know it has been great in my SVT Contour. Reliable, too, except for a well-known problem with a plastic impeller in the water pump. The Mazda6s engine is mainly Mazda at any rate, as has been written over and over.

    Thanks to these message boards, we can help correct some misconceptions and not contribute to them.
  • aromasaromas Member Posts: 314
    I think what annoyed me was this moron telling me what MY car has under MY hood. I think the Duratec is one of the better V6's out there and hardly an albatross. The fact that it is only the block and the rest is Mazda is the best of both worlds.

    I visited my wife's uncle today who happens to have a Taurus. His transmission went at 40K.The Taurus transmission may actually be worse than the Accord.(before you reply Gee, I said the Accord not the Element so don't get mad.)

    This was the first time he saw my 6. He was somewhat amazed when he read that future Fords are being built on the 6 platform as he didn't know the 6 even existed(Attention Mazda Marketing Dept). So of course I let him take it for a drive. When he came back I think he "got it". He said that's the smartest decision Ford has ever made. Needless to say he was starry-eyed!
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