Mazda6 Sedan

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Comments

  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    WAV on Windows, AIFF on Macs. Same to any player out there with lasers and pick-ups sensitive enough to read the lower-contrast pits on CD-R and CD-RW discs (compared to factory CDs).

    However, keep those reflective surfaces clean. I had some CD-Rs that got cloudy (I think from the mold-release used on some polypropylene cases) and I think they led to the early demise of my head unit (I think the laser diode died from trying to read through that mess...just a theory, but LEDs do decline in output with use).
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    on the rear bumper kinda makes it look like the car is running in underwear!!!
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    everyday, please email me when you see this - pat@edmunds.com - thanks!
  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
    lol! you are right! lol!
  • caligirl94caligirl94 Member Posts: 24
    Hello all!

    I will pick up my steel gray beauty tomorrow afternoon. :) Just looking for a little advice on a couple things.

    I know I can go online and research this, but I figured actual owners might have a few tips.

    First, I've heard leather seats need to be treated. What exactly does this entail and do you recommend I do it myself (I can follow instructions well) or have someone else do it? How often does it need to be done?

    Also, I'm going to want to wax it and am not sure what a good wax would be. I've used Turtle's carnuba on my old car, but it seems to wear off rather quickly and I won't be able to wax my new girl that often so I'd prefer a longer-lasting yet reasonably priced wax. Suggestions please?

    One last thing. Someone mentioned waxing the rims to help with brake dust. Is this actually safe to do to the metal? Once again, what type of wax would work best?

    Thanks in advance :)
  • taddisontaddison Member Posts: 99
    Most CD players (even my 17 year-old Technics portable!) will play CD-R's in WAV format, however unless a player is specifically designed for CD-R's you will probably need to make sure you copy your CD's at a relatively low speed.

    I experimented a while back and found that all my CD players will play discs recorded at 8X or less; above that speed there was noticeable distortion on a couple of players. I now record at 4X to give a margin of safety.

    I also tried two different brands of blank CD and had better results with Memorex than with Fuji.

    My tests did not include a Mazda6 player but did include a Miata.

    Hope this helps.
  • ambullambull Member Posts: 255
    I found a link which gives concise information on what to do about brake dust on alloy wheels:
    http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/pw/brakedust.htm
  • pyranhamdpyranhamd Member Posts: 15
    Driving home today I found myself behind a PennDOT dump truck at highway speeds. Truck hits a crappy joint in the pavement (LOTS of those in PA) and guess what comes raining out onto the highway. Of course......large chunks of GRAVEL!!!! So after one month of ownership (and 2000 miles) my 6 now has some very nice chips in the paint on the front fender and hood courtesy of the great state of PA. And here I was all ready to throw on her first coat of Klasse this evening. So my question is.....what to do about the chips in the paint? None of them are huge, but I'd really like to get them smoothed out. Thanks for the help!

    Chris
  • magefiremagefire Member Posts: 6
    While I'm sure most of you have read every review of the 6, I noticed http://www.cars.com has put up a pretty comprehensive vehicle profile. I would say it fared quite favorably to this reviewer. Good pictures included too, especially nice to see the sport and standard guages back 2 back.

    -Mage
  • aromasaromas Member Posts: 314
    caligirl94: Try Meguirs, Mothers or Nufunish. Any store bought wax won't usually last more than 6 or 8 weeks regardless. I have a friend who's a detailer and he says he can put on a carnuba based wax after a clay bar treatment and a polish(which isn't necessary for a new car) and says it will last 6 months. He charges $80(CDN)and I plan to do that for the winter.So you might want to try a detailer to save yourself the time and effort. I waxed my rims with Meguiars Gold Class and the brake dust is much less evident than before and only gets slightly more dirty than the rear rims.

    Whatever you decide do not get scammed by the dealer for that paint protection thing. It's a total ripoff and you get it done somewhere else for a third of the price.

    pyranhamd: I would definately go to a professional to take care of the stone chips as they will do a much better job than any of us. Nothing looks worse than blotty touch up paint on your hood from doing it yourself. It may cost you but it's well worth it. I know everytime I get behind those #%@#%$ trucks I pray and try to get out of the way as fast as I can. It's a helpless feeling.
  • miata10aemiata10ae Member Posts: 90
    caligirl94: Gongratulations in advance for your purchase. Now it is time for you to give something back to us as a real owner. Share your experience with us.

    I waxed my alloys with Mequiars carnauba wax over the weekend. I found it really funny doing that on the wheels. I didn't do the back wheels on purpose so as to compare the brake dust that accumulates on both sets of wheels. It is harmless to do that on the alloys. I will report in a week or so whether this alleviates the brake dust problem.
  • gearhead10gearhead10 Member Posts: 84
    There is a lot of good info on the Maintenance & Repair/Autobody/Store bought waxes part II board. For leather seats I use Lexol cleaner & conditioner (two different bottles) every 3-4 months and they do a good job keeping beige leather soft and looking good. Others have recommended Eagle One which is a bit less expensive.

    For the exterior try a polymer sealant like Klasse or Liquid Glass--more $$ but will last much longer. Easy to use as they're one-step products, no polish first and then wax. The shine is outstanding and can last 3-6 months while the Meguiar's #26 wax I used to use lasted a max of 2 on a black car.

    I would avoid NuFinish as have heard it contains solvents and abrasives--not what you want on a new car. The Zymol cleaner wax available in stores gives a nice shine but white powdery residue gets everywhere and is tough to get out of dark colored trim and panel joints.
  • gearhead10gearhead10 Member Posts: 84
    That really $ucks man--I'd probably cry. My wife's three year old Lexus has some paint chips from the rocks and debris on LA freeways and it's bad enough that I'm considering professional treatment also. I've tried touch up paint before on another car and it never comes out right (maybe just me).
  • gearhead10gearhead10 Member Posts: 84
    Anyone know if Hertz is renting 6i's in the LA area? Be a great test drive for a buddy of mine who's considering one. Actually, if I can get one at weekend rates, it's time to go to Vegas!
  • boxfanboxfan Member Posts: 180
    Magefire-thanks for pointing out that review. Very favorable overall, but I thought the most interesting part was that he thought the rear seat room was a plus. This car has quickly gotten the reputation of being smaller than the midsized competition; this reviewer must not have read all the other reviews, but judged the car for himself. I directly compared the rear seat of the 6 to the Altima in a showroom, and found a little more legroom in the Altima, but the 6's rear seat was wider and more comfortable, and I thought the legroom was fine (I'm 5'10").

    Has Mazda started catching up with the 30% demand for V6s and 15% demand for manual transmissions yet?
  • mrblonde49mrblonde49 Member Posts: 626
    If you happened to get the plate number, you should be able to go to the state and make a claim. Even if you didn't, you can document where you were, at what time, and describe the truck. You should contact them, and your insurance company as well. Maybe even a lawyer. They damaged your car.

    I was driving my Corvette about 10 years ago, and a similar thing happened. I was behind a big sanitation truck, and I see this big chunk of metal pop out from under it, I didn't have time to stop, and then I feel it rumbling against the front of my car, and then it bounced up and landed on the hood and cracked the fiberglass, right as I’m stopping. All happened in a matter of 2-3 seconds. So I got the license plate & went right to the police station to file a report. The cop there told me since there was no way to prove it fell off the truck (it probably was on the road and got kicked up) – that there was nothing I could do. But if it fell off the vehicle, that vehicle is liable for damage to another vehicle. I remember it clearly.

    Try to get reimbursed. May not work out, but it’s definitely worth a shot
  • pgmrpgmr Member Posts: 6
    A better test might have been to wax the wheels on one side and not the other. Since the fronts do most of the braking and shed the most dust you'll be comparing apples and oranges.
  • cookie01cookie01 Member Posts: 369
    Hey what happened??? We dropped out of the 10 Hot Topics list...

    Dang!!!

    Being on the list saves me a few clicks every day and that's time I'd rather waste reading this board!!

    Get active folks.
  • ashboogs1ashboogs1 Member Posts: 3
    I found out about this great product called Paint Protection Film. 3M makes this prooduct. It is the real deal. It is a thin sheet of clear plastic that you can put over parts of your car that are prone to minor damage. (i.e. Scratches on door handles, chips fender & hood, scuffs on bumpers)
    It is so clear you barely see it. Only problem is that not many detailers out there are trained on installion. It is great business opportunity if you are an auto detailer. When I get my Mazda 6s I will definitely get this since I live in cramped NYC .
    www.3m.com/paintprotectionfilm
  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
    this totally baffles me, the Mazda6 has won a total of 50 2002-2003 car awards world-wide, yet most of the US buyers still flock to Accords and Camrys when it's time to buy a new mid-size sedan, without really giving the 6 a closer look (or a fair chance for evaluation).

    will this concept of a 'world car' (which the Mazda6/Atenza is) ever work in the US???
  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    Did you see the most recent sales numbers for the MZ6 in Europe? The MZ6 is the hottest car sold in Europe right now!!

    At our store the MZ6 is doing fine. We are selling more MZ6's than any other Mazda's products.

    Rich
  • mikef208mikef208 Member Posts: 69
    Where exactly is the pic of the standard and optiron guages back to back. I have been looking for a pic of them side by side, but i did not see it in that review.
  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
    yes I heard about the Mazda6 Euro sales number, something like 34,000 from Jan-Apr??

    you think US market will eventually catch up to that number?
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    Maybe the 6 is having problems in the US because most midsize sedan buyers will be buying a 6i automatic with very few options. In that form the 6 offers nothing special unless you just like Mazda.
  • ruefusruefus Member Posts: 254
    Sorry to hear about your luck.

    Perhaps you'll take solace in knowing that not only aren't you alone - you got off easy.

    Yesterday, I'm cruising up i-75 in Detroit to head to the local office. As I'm passing a van, I see dark object fly up and hear a loud "THUNK".

    I didn't worry much - I'd had some stoneguard on from www.xpel.com . I get to where I'm going and go take a look. My GOD!!! The rock missed the stoneguard (which is really, REALLY saying something about my luck) and hit the leading edge of the hood, denting and chipping it. It also caught the front fascia and the right headlight housing all at the same time. Roger Clemens couldn't have placed a shot better on a bet.

    My first estimate says it'll take over $700 to make it go away. Needless to say, I was and still am rather horrified. You work so hard to take care of your car, and then chance steps in to wake you up.
  • friedbaconfriedbacon Member Posts: 7
    opps.. double post.. sorry
  • groovypippingroovypippin Member Posts: 264
    I don't freak out about the idea of the odd recall. In fact, I would much rather a manufacturer own up to a potential problem than cover it up and hope no one notices.

    I'm actually quite impressed that a serious problem in a single vehicle would provoke Mazda to recall that number of vehicles.

    I think most people get things like that taken care of when the vehicle is in for its next oil change.
  • mazda6smazda6s Member Posts: 1,901
    "Maybe the 6 is having problems in the US because most midsize sedan buyers will be buying a 6i automatic with very few options. In that form the 6 offers nothing special unless you just like Mazda."

    Sorry anon, nobody is going to take the bait on that one. We've already beat it to death. Nice try, anyway.
  • thegreatvudinithegreatvudini Member Posts: 103
    Just bookmark the last message as you read it. Next time around, go to your "message center" and click it again.
  • akumazakumaz Member Posts: 65
    On my way to work this morning, I spotted 3 6's within a 20 minute-span. I work near Chicago, and I often see a majority of Accords, Camrys, and Altimas. 6's are rather rare, but they are slowly popping up. One was in Lapis Blue, which looks great during overcast skies. Another was a fully-loaded Steel Grey with sport package. The color looked wonderful (I'm definitely getting it) but the overall look wasn't quite for me. I also spotted a silver 6 in sport package, and it had a elegant touch to it I couldn't describe.

    I'm definitely planning to go out looking this weekend, and I could be driving one by this time next week. I would like to get the 16" alloy wheels, but I don't want the premium package. Could I get the wheels as part of an aftermarket buy? Also, to take advantage of PIO's, I would have to order the car from factory, right? If that's the case, I don't think I could wait at least 2 months (or more) for it to arrive. Another thing- for anyone that has upgraded the base steros on their own, was it a hassle to upgrade the speakers and/or add tweeters/subwoofers?
  • glideslopesglideslopes Member Posts: 431
    What the heck is a Brake Oil Tank? I assume it's the Master Cylinder? A first for me.
  • ambullambull Member Posts: 255
    are option AW6 for $400 retail, $320 invoice:
    http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/mazda/6/100195194/options.html?
  • buggywhipbuggywhip Member Posts: 188
    anon is correct--most sedan buyers opt for the base 4cyl/automatic config. In that regard, the MZ6 offers NO benefit over Accord/Camry, except perhaps somewhat sportier handling. But even then, Acc/Cam have similar lease deals to the 6, so why buy the 6 over them?? Even in stick config, the Acc has a superior gearbox. But this issue has been beaten to death, it's true............"high sales" in Europe doesn't mean the same thing as "high sales" in the US. In Europe, selling 4000 units/mo. is a breakaway hit; here, that'd be a failure.
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    "But even then, Acc/Cam have similar lease deals to the 6, so why buy the 6 over them??"

    Because it looks much better than both of them, it is more fun to drive, you don't see them on every corner, and because I like Mazda.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    ...and subscriptions.

    "Subscribing" to a discussion makes it a whole lot easier to find new posts than bookmarking.

    Just a thought...

    Check the "Town Hall Help" link for more details (left side under the Logout button).

    :)
  • fowler3fowler3 Member Posts: 1,919
    "Maybe the 6 is having problems in the US because most midsize sedan buyers will be buying a 6i automatic with very few options. In that form the 6 offers nothing special unless you just like Mazda."

    I agree, buying a lot of options, especially GFX, isn't for everyone. It isn't a *family* hauler with GFX, Neither do older buyers want to attract the attention of black uniforms.

    It's the same sleek car either way. What's to like for the less sporty driver? Roomier than a Protegé, more power than the Pro, less bulk than the Acc/Cams, up-to-the-minute styling inside, superior handling, more comfortable seats front and rear, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter handle, etc., etc. It's a super car whether 6i or 6s and one of few makes that observers can't tell the difference; as you can with entry level and top-of-the-line with others.

    And for this line:"Whatever you decide do not get scammed by the dealer for that paint protection thing. It's a total ripoff and you get it done somewhere else for a third of the price."

    I did a brochure for a company selling that stuff and they admitted there wasn't anything to it. All it does is make the car shinny for a few days. There is NO protection on the surface, in fact, it is so thin it is impossible to measure it. And the companies sell the packages to dealers for $39.95 each. Look what they charge!

    Dishonest dealers offer this scam and do not apply anything to your car! It's their way of getting back some of the discount. Just like the $400 *processing* fee. You KNOW they don't pay the *girl upstairs*, who types up the bill of sale, that much. ;)

    fowler3
  • mazfan1mazfan1 Member Posts: 26
    MIKEF208? CLICK ON VEHICLE PROFILE AT THE TOP OF CARS.COM HOMEPAGE. THEN U WILL SEE THE MAZDA6 REVIEW, LOOK ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE PAGE U WILL SEE PICTURES OF THE CAR, THEN CLICK DOWN THE PAGE U WILL SEE A PICTURE OF A GUAGE CLUSTER UNDERNEATH THE PICTURE IT WILL BE LABELED ENLARGE INSTRUMENTS CLICK ON THAT. A SMALL BOX ON THE LEFT WILL APPEAR AND THEIR U HAVE IT THE GAUGES. THAT WAS THE ONLY GUAGES SIDE BY SIDE I SEEN.
  • rgb2rgb2 Member Posts: 31
    Could someone post pictures or link to them of a Sepang Green M6? I stopped by a local dealer yesterday but they didn't have any of that color in stock.
  • lmp180psulmp180psu Member Posts: 399
    It is nice that you provided directions to find the pictures BUT, turn off the CAPS because in internet speak, you are yelling at someone by using the caps, plus it is irritating to read.

    The hosts will tell you the same thing.
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    Anyone read that post, since it said that the Mazda6 was also being recalled for the faulty brake light switch did i read it correctly that they have only built 38,000 Mazda6's in Japan? Where else are they made?

    By the way, all American cars have been getting larger. So one mans "bulk" is another mans "spaciousness". So far the marketplace seems to be voting spacious since the Civic is now as large as the 94-97 Accord. Kinda kills the notion of a "world-car" making it here.
  • mazda6smazda6s Member Posts: 1,901
    "By the way, all American cars have been getting larger. So one mans "bulk" is another mans "spaciousness". So far the marketplace seems to be voting spacious since the Civic is now as large as the 94-97 Accord. Kinda kills the notion of a "world-car" making it here."

    By "world-car", you must mean the Ford Focus, right?
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    Pssst ... I wouldn't compare the 6 to the Ford Focus with it's renowned quality issues. That would be inviting a whole new barrage of inflammatory posts. Besides it's hard to measure the Focus' success in the US market when Ford dumps such a high percentage of it's cars off to fleets.
  • shankmshankm Member Posts: 10
    I have M6 V6 MT., the car is very quite except an annoying hum from the fuel pump. Anyone else notice this problem.
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    Ford dumps such a high percentage of it's cars off to fleets.

    don't even start that crap here Lucy. Do you know what the mix of retail to fleet is for the focus? neither do I so I won't make any stupid assumptions about it.
  • mazda6smazda6s Member Posts: 1,901
    Currently for sale at Hertz Car Sales nationwide:
    02 Ford Focus SE - 52 units
    02 Ford Taurus SES - 56 units
    02 Honda Civic LX - 24 units
    02 Honda Accord LX&SE - 39 units
    Incidently, the model with the most cars for sale at Hertz is the 02 Toyota LE with 250 units available (actually a few more than the Mazda 626). What's my point? Comparing fleet sales doesn't have much value.
  • miata10aemiata10ae Member Posts: 90
    Finally, the awards that the 6 won are listed on Mazda's corporate web site:
    http://www.mazda.com/publicity/public/200305/0529e.html
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    "By the way, all American cars have been getting larger. So one mans "bulk" is another mans "spaciousness". So far the marketplace seems to be voting spacious since the Civic is now as large as the 94-97 Accord. Kinda kills the notion of a "world-car" making it here."

    Don't anybody tell them about the Mini Cooper!

    There is also something coming called a Mazda3.

    Anyway, I, like Cookie did, drive a Chevy Impala. As soon as a hatch/wagon [not sure which til I see/drive them] and Sirius (probably either one) becomes available, I intend to own a Mazda6! I find the size quite acceptable. As large as my Impala? No. Large enough? For me, yes.
  • mjvchicagomjvchicago Member Posts: 149
    This recall business has me spooked. I have my Mazda and VIN on the MazdaUSa site. There's a recall area there that I'm assuming will notify me if my car has to be brought in. Anyone else have their MZ6 on the site too and have seen the recall notice appear?
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    Read that recall news post in more detail:

    http://www.autonews.com/news.cms?newsId=5450

    Those 38k are ONLY amongst the RECALLED ONES made in Japan, not the GRAND TOTAL of those made during that period in Japan.

    Sheesh.

    Apparently, between domestic sales and exports, I think Mazda's own site cites 139k made in Japan from March 2002 through April 2003. For those counting, 101k of them are NOT affected by the recall.
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