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The Blue Ridge Parkway, Tennessee and Deals Gap were mentioned, I think. Check out the link below. Is this the place that was being talked about? (and check out the insane number of twists and turns on this map! yikes!!)
http://www.tailofthedragon.com/maps/DRAGONmap.gif
Check out the videoes:
http://www.tailofthedragon.com/video/video.html
Great places to take the 6!
It was one of the 10 Best American Roads in an issue of C&D a while back.
On my 6s anyway, the front rims are black with Brake Dust after the run.
Mark. : )
As far as seat comfort, the Mazda6 seats are more comfortable IMO than the Protege's. Whether or not the seats are covered in leather makes no difference to me as far as comfort is concerned. I think the seat shape has more to do with comfort than what it's covered in.
I wanna take the PRO out, since the Maxima is almost inducing me in a comma
Dinu
BTW, your M6 is blue? What colour is Ashu's?
Dinu
PS: I like that Lapis Blue!! And the Redfire Stretchsje has!!
Then on the highway on the wy home a white M6 flew by - I was doing 70-75-ish... A clean M6 looks really good!!!
Another question: Does the silver M6 come with black/grey/tan cloth? On the Mazda Canada site it says all silver M6es come with black cloth, regardless of packages or engine choice.
Dinu
I want to buy some sport package wheels if anyone is selling theirs.......
well, this is what I would have thought too, but I test drove with cloth for 25 minutes. Sore as hell when I got out, and I immediately sat in an aftermarket leather seat and my rear-end fatigue disappeared over the course of 15 minutes I sat in it. (and yes, I adjusted the cloth seats several times during my test drive, trying to get comfortable.) *shrugs shoulders*
John - no changes other than the possible addition of two new colors, gold and.. I forget the other one (and no.. it's not the Europeans titanium grey, my fave!).
this info came a few weeks ago courtesy of audia8q, who works at a dealer.
Perhaps a tech could do it for you after work?
Or a good local body shop?
Also, be aware that labour rates vary wildly!
Yes, I have seen two MZ6s with aftermarket leather.
*Was it the same leather as from the factory or lower or higher quality compared to it?*
It was better quality leather than factory. Much better quality!
*How much is put on? On the seats and on the doors? And finally does it look like it would hold up as well as the factory installed leather?*
On the seats, the door panels, the head rests, the center armrest. That is: front seat cushions and the backs of the front seats, the back seats, the center front armrest and the rear center armrest. How much is REAL leather I can't say. Many car companies use leather only on the seat inserts, the rest is color-matched vinyl.
*Does it look like it's put on well and would hold up 5-10 years?*
Yes, definately.
I didn't get to sit in them, but they looked of much higher quality leather than any factory leather I have seen. The fit and finish was excellent.
The factory leather looks too tight on the cushions. It "feels soft" when you press on it, although I expected it to feel firmer than the cloth. The stitching is small, not a part of the "look". No grain pattern visible.
The aftermarket leather looks soft, has a more custom look to it where it wraps around the seat surfaces (NOT the tight, stretched factory look.) As if there is more leather than actually needed.
The stitching is bold, definately part of the "look", like hand tailored stitching. If I got leather I would want that beautiful stitching. Stronger thread for one thing.
The leather grain shows and gives it a high-quality appearance. Cheaper hides are smooth, like what you see on sofas. The back seat tailoring is perfect considering the center pull-down armrest and 60/40 folding seats. Nothing out of alignment.
One MZ6i had Beige/Taupe leather that was quite striking: The seat bolsters, center armrest, and door panels were Beige, the seat cushion inserts were Taupe, the color of the dash and steering wheel. The car was Redfire. Above the front seat inserts and just below the headrests, *Mazda6*, was stitched in a rich, chocolatey brown thread, looked like silk.
The other MZ6 with leather was Steel Grey with medium grey leather, all one color, which matched the lower dash area. Below its head rests, *Mazda6*, was stitched in light grey thread.
I think the name stitching is optional and ran the price up. Buyers can also have their initials stitched on the seats.
As far as perforated seats go, they let the cushions breathe a little, but don't expect heat, nor A/C, to be felt to a greater degree. Mainly, perforation breaks a monochromatic color by adding a contrasting pattern.
Seat comfort depends on the sitter's confirmation and size. Seats in the Protegé ES and Pro5 have raised side-bolsters like the MZ6. Seats in Protegé LXs have flat side bolsters, which can accommodate wider posteriors. The MZ6 and Pro ES seats are what I use to call butt-pinchers because of the high bolsters. Either you fit or you don't.
I have wondered if the MZ6 standard seats have similar problems like the Protegés. The bottom of the seat backs turn under too soon and give some drivers lower back pain. The seats that come with the Premium Package have lumbar support, which may help.
One other point, or question, to those who have had leather seating, would the tight factory leather go longer without wrinkles, as opposed to the more generous aftermarket leather?
fowler3
The plant is closed for its annual shut down and won't re-open until July 21st. I may not be able to find out anything more until then. My rep tried to find out some more info but her other contacts were unavailable due to the holiday. She did seem baffled and embarrassed that she couldn't tell me better news. I'm thinking that my car is at "port" for the additional accessories and would be arriving at the dealer soon, but I guess that's not the case. I am so bummed!!!!!! :-(
Perhaps this is due to the Sports Grille shortage, but more likely it's the Sports Package shortage. It may be August before I get my car, the way this is going. I know that others have had the same delay in getting their ordered M6's in the past, but I hoped that I would have better luck.
I'm really disappointed. It really bothers me that they don't know where my car is. I don't think that I will ever special order another car. I'll have to find something on the dealer lot next time around. Years from now, but nevertheless ....
Keep your fingers crossed for me, please. Hopefully, my next post will be to proudly announce that I've finally taken delivery of my 6. Soon and very soon.
Mazdamarla, how's thing with your 6? I know our build dates were the same week. I hope you are having better luck than I.
I did purchase a sunshade to reduce the heat generated by the black leather that my car will have. It is perforated, so maybe that will help, if it makes any difference at all.
As far as the factory leather, many 6 owners are very happy with it, so take some solace from that too.
The best advice for the heat of black leather?: window tinting, my friend, window tinting.
I took the car on the highway for most of my test drive. My passenger (a good friend) commented how the ride let you feel every little pebble (and this was without the Sport Pkg.). The engine ran very smoothly, to the point where I didn't know it was on during idle. The power felt a little flat until the engine was above about 2000rpm, then it was pretty nice. The seats were VW firm, but I still couldn't find my 'sweet spot' despite fideling with the 8-way power control through my entire 20-minute drive. My passenger said the seats were uncomfortable, and he liked my VW better (pretty harsh, but that was his opinion - and he doesn't own a VW either).
All in all, it was a pretty nice car. I just wish it had a little more low-speed power, and the 0% was available on the Sport Pkg. models.
I was curious to see how the two compare, so I checked them out too.
Here's the Honda 2.3 dyno (click the graph symbol under "cold air" next to "2003 4 cyl"):
http://www.aempower.com/product_intake_app.asp
Here's the Mazda 6i that you referenced (scroll down to the 2nd chart for the baseline 6i):
http://www.duratecperformance.com/yabbse/index.php?board=4;action- =display;threadid=287;start=0
Here's the HP breakdown:
RPM......6i....Acc
2000.....?......50
2500.....?......64
3000.....?......85
3500.....82.....95
4000.....99....114
4500....110....128
5000....122....138
5500....128....144
6000....130....139
6500....126....131
Here's the TQ:
RPM......6i....Acc
2000.....?.....132
2500.....?.....143
3000.....?.....148
3500....123....144
4000....130....148
4500....128....149
5000....127....145
5500....122....137
6000....113....124
6500....102....107
Of course, since these charts were obtained on different machines and on different days, they cannot truly be relied upon.
Testing conditions notwithstanding, the 6i's "whopping 20hp more than the K24 at 6600rpm" does seem highly unlikely.
Also, a car is not just its engine. It's the whole package (just ask Toyota), and I like the Mazda6 over the accord for its value, safety, styling, and on par with accord in terms of reliability and performance.
No company can, so I don't see how you can fault Mazda for that. As far as competing, I'm talking about making reliable, efficient, and refined engines at a REASONABLE cost. No company can beat Honda at that game.
http://www.funnyfort.com/images/mazda6/dyno.gif
At 6600-6700rpm, the Mazda6i engine is ahead by 20hp. This was a design decesion- it has no torque peak early on as the Honda engine does. With i-Vtec, an engine can be optimized for both low and high rev ranges, but the Mazda6i does not have that flexibility. Nonetheless, even with the technology advantage, Honda chose not to extend the rev range of the K24 in the Accord. Aftermarket cams and an engine chip would do wonders for the engine (essentially making it a TSX engine), but from the factory, Mazda's engine pulls ahead as the revs climb. This is probably from having non-adjustable, yet higher valve lift.
Again, it's a design decision. Honda must've figured that Accord owners don't like the excitement of driving an engine hard. The Mazda6i has less peak torque, but it still acheives 90% of it from less than 2000rpm, and it feels liks a rocket once it gets going. The Accord is faster, but does not feels so.
Also note that given the AEM link you sent, the Accord saw minimal gains from the new intake. The Mazda6i has been dyno'd to add 12hp by simply modifying the airbox, which is only a partial cold-air intake.
That storm was wicked! I took pictures since I almost lost my car. A tree fell where I usually park! Five other cars were not so lucky.
You got really lucky there. Yikes! I'm glad you and your car are OK. Was your wife's Camry safe?
Good reason to park out of the falling range of tall trees.
Dinu
glad to see your car was spared from the wrath of the tree!
Parked at work at lunch time, with 950+ on the odo. Yeah!
Do you know if the TOV curve is for an MT or auto?
I'd be wary of aftermarket leather that doesn't come with a written warranty. My concerns would reflect Jim's (fowler's) - would the looser stitching and fit/finish imply quicker saggng, creasing, folding etc? I would, however love to get the personalized (or Mazda 6) sticthing
FYI - invoice on leather is $688. Considering the price point the remaining 2003 6 is seling for, bear that in mind - 1000+ better imply MUCH better leather
Dinu, mine is a gorgeous Lapis Blue Metallic.I have a photo album - let me know if you want a link
Comfort - I think its plenty comfy! Some of us can't differentiate true comfort and firm supprt from cushy plushness that rolls and gives at the first sign of lateral force - the (leather seats in the) 6 has (have) plenty of the former, little of the second quality! I haven't looked too carefully yet, but can the power seats' lumbar support be adjusted? I'd like to play with it! I have no fatigue from putting 600+ miles on the car since Friday
Storms - Stretch! Whew
Just my $.02.
On my weekend road trip, even my cousins spotted one before I did! I ws concentrating a little more than usual (5-speed!) so I didn't really keep my usual sharp lookout for more
The AEM dyno was surely done in California, while the TOV was in Georgia or something. If Honda offers any special emissions packages (as Mazda does), then the Cali model would have it.
(Both vehicles are ULEV, but different catalytic converters are needed for ultra-low sulfur fuel in California and some of the Northeast- that's what the Mazda package is. The cat's aren't better or worse- just different.)
2. What is the bottomline on the clutch? I hear it is a long throw and kind of unwieldy??
Thanks!
Please email me the link or post it here if you want to.
Dinu
PS : My email's in my profile
PS2: Update your profile. It still shows the PRO as your car
I would be more than comfortable buying a new M6 without any relibility worries. The Mazda6 is on par with the Accord/Camry, just like the Protege is when compared to the Civic - I actually think it's better.
As for your 2nd question I only drove a V6 AT one (:
Dinu
If it were, the MZ6 would be the best selling vehicle in north america. :-)
Dinu
My impression of the MZ6 seats is they are comfortable, but could be even more so if the seat was wider between the side bolsters. I sort of dislike being pinched, no wiggle room.
I read a Motor Trend article about a custom coach company in Pennsylvania which does interior trim. MT said if buyers want seats as comfortable as in First Class on airliners they won't find them in any production car at any price, they have to have them built. Could cost up to $100K.
fowler3
Getting set for the Rev It Up this weekend (Sat morning) at Gillette stadium in Foxborough, MA. I also received my VIP invitation (thanks Audia8q) on Friday. Hope to see/meet some of you there.
One of these days I'll have to catch up on the previous posts were I last left off.
cubfan2: 1. No, the MZ6 being a first year car doesn't worry/concern me, because after 6 months and 10k miles of trouble-free ownership of this car, it's still as solid as the day I drove it off the dealers show floor. Being an engineer myself, Mazda's engineers built the MZ6 right IMHO.
2. The clutch is just the right travel and pressure for easy stabs for quick acceleration shifts.
I hate when dealers know nothing about the product they're trying to sell.
Mark. : )
And I am sure hoping Sirius will be available as a factory or dealer option by then!
Well, I'm glad your willing to trade in the looks of a car for a couple tenths of second to 60. Me? I happy with my car and I wouldn't trade the excellent looks of my car for a couple tenths of a second and a hideous rear end just so I could lurk in a Mazda forum and brag about how fast my 4 cyl Accord is. Different strokes for different folks.
Forgot to mention that I have a 6s MT.
http://www.cardomain.com/member_pages/view_page.pl?page_id=384232- &page=2
My salesman/neighbor was nice enuf to take some pics as it was being delivered from the car carrier this morning. Have to call him to find out when I can pick it up.