Mazda6 Sedan

heyjoe11

Good question Marla. I went to revitup 3 months ago, got my car 3 weeks ago, and received the coupon yesterday. I also received the dealer survey at the same time. I wonder if my dealer could help me get the rebate. Would any of our on line dealer friends care to comment?

newcar31

you could redeem that coupon after the sale.

ian2

I just picked up my car last Wednesday. Do you think the coupon will still work? If so, send it my way

himiler

I'll bet you could swap the $250 coupon for some sceduled maintenance.

Sure beats $250-worth of Mazda hats, T-shirts and keychains.

fowler3

If the air is too cold, dial in some heat using the Temperature control. Heat is *free* in a car since the fan is already On and there is no additional power-drain. Adding heat warms the footwells while defogging (eqaulizing) the windshield with cold air.

fowler3

fowler3

I wondered about the mast antenna used on European MZ6es. In most cases a mast antenna is superior to the in-glass type. It pulls in more distant stations if the radio is sensative enough and prevents overlapping AM station interference.

In Europe, many cars have FM/MW/SW radios that demand a mast antenna. Medium Wave is our AM. A steel rod is better than the aluminum antennas America cars use to have. The ones you see on SUVs, black with a wire wrapped around it: is steel for FM and the wire for AM reception. Radio signals are in "waves" and require a mast or wire a certain "wave length" for best reception. Remember CB radio antennas had to be a "quarter" (1/4th) wave length?

Depending on where you live and the stations you listen to, for many, an in-glass antenna may be fine, but for others far from stations an external mast antenna is best. The vast majority of drivers in the U.S. rely on cassettes, not CDs, and FM for on-road entertainment. Mazda probably had many requests to change the antenna.

There is an NPR radio station in Chapel Hill, NC I pick up on my Protegé's radio, but couldn't pull in on my home AIWA stereo until I attached a long copper wire and tried several arrangements to find the best reception. If the antenna had been built-in I would have had to move the stereo system around. Not a good idea.

fowler3

bostongio

Here are the option packages you can get for Mazda6 2004 models:

---------------------------
Mazda 6i - Automatic transmission
---------------------------
- ABS/traction control
- 16" alloy wheels
- 16" alloy wheels, 8-way power seat
- 16" alloy wheels, 8-way power seat, power moonrood, Bose audio
- 16" alloy wheels, luxury package, power moonroof, Bose audio
- 17" alloy wheels, Sport package
- 17" alloy wheels, Sport package, Security package
- 17" alloy wheels, Sport package, Bose audio
- 17" alloy wheels, Sport package, Luxury package
- 17" alloy wheels, Sport package, Luxury package, Bose audio
- 17" alloy wheels, Sport package, Security package, power moonroof, Bose audio
- 17" alloy wheels, Sport package, Security package, Luxury package, power moonroof, Bose audio
- 17" alloy wheels, Sport package #2 (?), Security package, Luxury package, power moonrood, Bose audio

------------------------------
Mazda 6i - Manual transmission
------------------------------
- 16" alloy wheels
- 17" alloy wheels, Sport package
- 17" alloy wheels, Sport package, Security package
- 17" alloy wheels, Sport package, Bose audio
- 17" alloy wheels, Sport package, Luxury package
- 17" alloy wheels, Sport package, Luxury package, Bose audio
- 17" alloy wheels, Sport package, Security package, power moonroof, Bose audio
- 17" alloy wheels, Sport package, Security package, Luxury package, power moonroof, Bose audio
- 17" alloy wheels, Sport package #2 (?), Security package, Luxury package, power moonroof, Bose audio

--------------------------------
Mazda 6s - Automatic transmission
--------------------------------
- 8-way power seat
- Sport package
- Sport package, Bose audio
- Sport package, Luxury package
- Sport package, Luxury package, Bose audio
- Sport package, Luxury package, power moonroof, Bose audio
- Sport package, power moonroof, side air bags/side air curtains, Bose audio
- Sport package, Luxury package, power moonroof, side air bags/side air curtains, Bose audio
- Sport package #2 (?), Luxury package, power moonroof, side air bags/side air curtains, Bose audio

----------------------------
Mazda 6s - Manual transmission
----------------------------
- Sport package
- Sport package, Bose audio
- Sport package, Luxury package
- Sport package, Luxury package, Bose audio
- Sport package, Luxury package, Bose audio, power moonroof
- Sport package, Luxury package, Bose audio, side air bags/side air curtains
- Sport package, Luxury package, Bose audio, power moonroof, side air bags/side air curtains
- Sport package #2 (?), Luxury package, power moonroof, side air bags/side air curtains, Bose audio

mazdamarla

Do you know what the "Luxury Package" and the "Security Package" consist of? And I don't see SAB/SCA anywhere for the i models, whereas they are spelled out plain for the s models.

akumaz

My fault on the Pebble Ash. I assumed it was a grey color, but it looks beige/peach in color.

Quick question about options: so if I were to want the 17" alloys on their own, I would have to get the sports package? I assumed from the other post on the 2004 oprions that they would be separate.

miata10ae

The $250 coupon is taken already.

mazda6s

Where did you get your info?

What, SAB/SCA not available on the 6i models???
I don't see Leather listed anywhere, unless it's part of the Luxury package. The 6s-MT is only available with Sport Package??? On the 6s You can only get SAB/SCA with the Luxury package???

What's in the Luxury package?

chikoo

go down, stay the same or go up for the 2004?

cookie01

Boy, I'm gone for a little over a week (vacation) and you guys post 5 pages worth of stuff!! I'll never be able to read it all.

Turned over 5000 miles on this trip. Had to cross a mountain pass (6000 ft elevation) with two teenage girls and all their crap! ha!
The M6s (auto) ran like a dream. Corners are GREAT and I find I take them at a higher speed than what I used to in the Impala. The tightness on the road is very nice. I used the Manu-Matic mode for passing on hills. The auto transmission takes too long to shift down, so if you want power NOW, you need to shift down yourself. It was a very hot trip and the AC was on at all times. Still got about 22 mph. Not bad. In the city I hardly get 19... so highway driving must help a lot, I tend to jackrabbit start.. sigh.

Breaks, great. Stereo, great. Handling, Super Great. Sure glad I bought this car.

cookie01

Also, before this trip I washed up the car and put the front mask on. THANK GOD!!

I hit a large bird on the way down and saved my self a huge gash in the hood. The bird's wing was lodged in the mask when I pulled over for gas.

Also, something big (rock?) hit the lower portion of the mask and took a huge chunk out of it. The car's paint is perfect. Again... thank God (and my husband who bought the mask for a present.)
If you drive long distances through rural areas, a mask is an amazing thing.

Today on the street I saw a cream colored Lexus SUV (the smaller one) with the Shield covering stuff on it (that looks like clear tape). The car looks to be about 2 1/2 years old. No telling how old the shield stuff is, or if it was a good brand, but it has yellowed! and looks terrible. Very noticeable. I'd rather have a mask that you can replace when it get's worn, than have to worry about a yellow piece of tape on the front of my car.

bostongio

The option configuration information came from a dealer, so I don't know anything other than what he faxed over to me... The option packages are transcribed pretty much verbatim from the fax sheets, so if it's not listed, it wasn't faxed to me. I don't know what's in any specific package, nor do I have any further information. (You can probably pretty safely assume that there will be tweaks to these option configurations over time.)

seaf

Has anyone tried adding DRLs to the US version of the mazda6? Is it a module that just plugs in somewhere? I can't imagine it being too different than the canadian model that has it on all cars. Wonder if I can ask a canadian dealer to send it cross border...

brozhnik

Anybody know how this NHTSA recall for the Mazda6 worked out? Anything I should note if I go to buy one?
Thanks!

Make: MAZDA
Model: MAZDA6
Year: 2003
Recall Number: 03V207000
Summary:
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, “PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.” DURING PRODUCTION, THE FLOAT IN THE FLUID LEVEL SENSOR IN THE BRAKE RESERVOIR CAN BE FORCED OFF OF THE GUIDE RAIL DURING THE FILLING OF THE MASTER CYLINDER.
Consequence:
SHOULD THIS OCCUR, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE FLOAT WILL NOT RETURN TO THE GUIDE RAIL AND THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL WARNING INDICATOR MAY NOT FUNCTION.
Remedy:
MAZDA HAS NOT YET PROVIDED A REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
Notes:
MAZDA RECALL NO. 1203F. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

dinu01

It's cheaper to turn your lights on than spending $$$ to get a new set of wires/switches/lights from Canada

Dinu

ashutoshsm

People whose cars are affected have received the notice and had the recall work done - 5-10 minutes max.

Mine was in for upgrades (MP3 etc) and they checked it - upgrade/change/whatever had been applied at the factory. I haven't received a recall notice either. Most cars you buy now off dealer lots should have been taken care of already as well - unless they've been sitting there forever!

dinu01

I like the Euro look of the roof-mounted ones but I'm not too sure how well it holds when spun and hit by car wash brushes.

Dinu

cookie01

I'm taking the car in on Wed for new sensors. Seriously it's doubtful you'd get low on brake fluid within the first year of owning the car. The sensor only tells you if you're low on fluid. Of course you want that to work, as of now cars already on the street need new senors. I'd hope Mazda replaced sensors on 6s that have not sold yet.

ashutoshsm

Ugh - Dinu! Do NOT use car washes with brushes.

Yes, I know brushless car washes are less effective - but at least you aren't getting the finish of your vehicle rubbed/scrubbed/scratched by brushes with crud/dirt/crap from other cars!

Ideally - hand wash, and occasionally drive through a brushless car wash - epsecially in winter to get road salt off the underside of the vehicle.

seaf

I thought about just turning it on all the time, since it has auto-off feature. But I think it would be even more hassle when individual light bulbs burn out at different times. Since turning on the low-beams also turns on front, side, and rear parking lights, license plate lights, instrument cluster lights... Imagine having to replace a different burnt out one every other week if I keep them on all the time.

Also, a module only turns on the low-beam or high-beam at a fraction of the brightness so the bulbs last longer and aren't too glaring. I might just have use a generic DRL module and wire it up myself. I thought the Canadian Mazda6 DRL modules would be a simple plug-in device that is just omitted in the U.S. version.

dinu01

Thaks for the tip Kaptain Kleen Just kidding! I know not to use a car wash with brushes, but I wonder what type of pressure would be put on the antenna from all that spinning and the hits it would take at a regular car wash...

Seaf: Why do you want/need DRLs? If I was in the US and faced with this situation I would leave my lights off unless it's raining/dark and not "risk" burning a bulb.

BTW, how easy is it to replace a bulb in the M6?

Dinu

newcar31

I would imagine that most of the bulbs are easy to replace. Don't know about the projector beam headlights though.

stretchsje

Yes, the front and back speakers are identical. The fronts have a tweeter in additional to the dual cone, full-range woofer in the door. Both are 6x8" speakers. Most 5x7" speakers come with an adapter to fit 6x8" holes, so those are usually ok too.

dinu01

How are the rear lights? Easy like the Maxima or a PITA like the PRO where you have to remove the whole tail light to change a bulb?

Just out of curiosity.

Dinu

jhtlag

Also, (at least) my insurance company has a discount for cars with DRL: $20/6 months. I was kinda expecting them with my 6i. I sent an email to Mazda asking if one could get them, they replied something about cost, etc. That seemed strange to me as as I envisioned a 69 cent switch making the difference (OK, humorous exageration, but why would it cost that much more?) Anyway, if I could get the Canadian DRL installed for, say, $100 it would be cost effective.

Next topic: yes you can get SAB/SAC on the 6i. I have them.

Most Mazda6's I've seen in one day, today: 3. Twice, I pulled into a parking space, in MD and Suffolk, VA right behind/next to one not knowing it was there, saw the third on the 200 mile drive between MD and the Norfolk area, guess I should have seen more though in that distance.

lag

newcar31

To be honest, I'm not sure. I can't imagine that they would be too difficult though. You'll either be able to pull back the trunk lining and just replace them, or you might have to take the housing out. I used to do tons of light changes when I worked at J-lube and having to remove the housing isn't that big of a deal compared to some of the other things that need to be removed to replace bulbs on PITA cars like Audis and VWs.....which always seem to have a bulb burnt out, even new ones.

glideslopes

Had mine completed today. Took 10 min. Tech looked at fluid reservoir, and placed a sticker on it saying all is well. 5,889 flawless miles and rolling. : )

Mark.

dinu01

"Audis and VWs.....which always seem to have a bulb burnt out, even new ones."

See them pretty frequently on VAG cars. Why is that? Does it have to do with the superior "European" craftmaship from Mexico or cost-cutting for the electrical components which we all know are oh sooo great on VWs

jcat707

My 99 Passat always seems to have a headlight, taillight, or turn signal out every couple of months. But that's just a minor problem for a car that I love. By the way, what does PITA mean?

aromas

PITA-a nagging discomfort in the general area of the gluteous maximus.This conditions arises often when trying to keep one's rims clean.

Like a idiot today I hit a curb today trying to parallel park(still don't know how I passed my driver's test many moons ago, the only time I ever did it perfectly) and put a nice scrape about an inch long on my back rim. It's pretty deep but at least it's on the edge of the rim but it's noticeable enough for me. Any suggestions on how to fix it up so I don't feel like vomiting and swearing like a sailor everytime I look at it? I'm anal about my car looking pristine so it's very traumatizing for me.

nicdmx

Could anyone tell me when the 2004's will start to be produced/released?

timadams

I test drove a 6i 4cyl automatic yesterday. What I wanted to test drive was a 6s V6 manual, but the dealer didn't have any in stock. He didn't have any stick shifts in stock at all. Without intending to offend anyone who has a 4cyl automatic, I have to say I was distinctly underwhelmed after reading all sorts of reviews of the Mazda6.

How much difference is there in handling, power and refinement with the 6s MT? I'm also curious as to when the 2004 cars will be out, as I doubt I'd be able to find a 2003 equipped the way I want it, even if I find one similar to test drive.

dinu01

There is a repair shop that fixes wheels (steel, alloy) in Thornhill that I read about in Wheels a while ago, but I don't remember the name or even when I found this info. It was recommended but unfortunately I can't remember a think about it - not really helping I guess.

I found this place though:

Precision Rim Repair
Phone: (416)665-3038

Should be in the west end around Keele/Finch going by the tel #. Give them a call and see what they say. Let me know how it goes - you never know when you'll jump a curb

Dinu

mjvchicago

I have the 6s w/ MT and it rocks! I too drove the automatic and manual versions of the 6i and 6s and was pretty set on the 6s with manual after that. The manual tranny, like all of them helps you keep the car "on boil" more readily and take advantage of its power band. You'll still feel the engine wind up slow at low RPMs, but once you're past 3000 or so, you can keep it there longer versus the automatic controlling the engine.

chikoo

u made the most horrifying mistake of your life....test driving a MZ6i with automatic. If u want an appliance, fine. But if u want even a hint of driving pleasure, stay away from the Auto on the MZ6i.

And make sure u drive a MZ6i or a MZ6s with 5MT.
After that, u will have a different view of the car. Honest.

seaf

Ah, think of it this way, after the first one...the rest will come a lot easier

seaf

even though I got the 6i AT, I admit you're comparing two different world cars in terms of acceleration. Handling wise they are pretty much the same, maybe the edge going towards the 6i. There's at least a 2 second difference in 0-60 times between the two, 1 second accounts for the V6, and another second for the MT. I personally don't feel the need to drive like I'm trying out for the next 2fast2furious movie. The 6i is on par with the rest of the 4cylinder cars in its class, camry, altima, accord, give or take a few fractions of a second. Also the new Mazda engine needs some break-in time to truly unlease its potential. If straight-line acceleration is what you value, maybe a big-block camaro or mustang is what you're looking for instead of a 4-door sedan? I would at least test drive the 6s MT to make sure if it's enough for your needs before forming any impressions of the Mazda6 car as a whole.

Oh and one more note, as anyone who's tried racing at the mazda rev-it-up event knows, straightline acceleration doesn't get you the good times, it's taking the corners smoothly without loosing much speed, and handling is more important in this respect, just something for those racing purists out there.

bob08857

Ipassed a car hauler today with 4 M6's which must have been 2004s. The most noticible change was a 6s with sport package and alloys, but the alloys looked like the 18" wheels from the Euro/Japan version. The wheels didn't look big enough to be 18"s, but it was a quick look. The good news is that the 2004 are being shipped, somewhere!

mazdamarla

They might still be 2003 models that were ordered prior to the May cut-off date. It took 3-1/2 months for mine to be delivered from when I ordered it. I doubt they were 2004's.

joe2617

Dealers will be able to order 2004 models next week. They SHOULD arrive at dealerships in late September. Bob, Mazda is still shipping 2003 models. You probably saw Mazda6s with the Value Sport pkgs.(2ap).

mazdamarla

Does anyone know when Mazda's website is going to be updated for building 2004 models? I'd like to see what the colors are, and the different option configurations that will be available for '04. You'd think if dealers can order '04s next week, Mazda would have their website updated so potential customers can see what they can get.

chikoo

is the tax calculated on the price after ALL rebates or before?

chikoo

my dealer is charging me $129 docu fee.
is that ok?

mazdafun

If it's S-Plan, they're not allowed to charge a document fee.

I paid like $35 as a document & titling fee for my non-S-Plan Protege purchase (I didn't know I was eligible at the time through my employer).

mazda6s

Doc fees are just a way some dealers jack up the actual selling price after quoting you a great price to take the deal. Then you go to sign the papers and they hit you with the extra fees. Some people say the price should always include the doc fee. Personally I don't care as long as they're up front and honest about it, and I just figure it into the price anyway. Sometimes you gotta ask like 3 or 4 times before they'll tell you about the extra fees (like maybe they have a hearing impairment or something?). And don't get me started on the fees I've seen added on for lot insurance, storage, and dealer prep.

Personally I don't mind the doc fee as long as they're honest and up front about it, but I think anything over 100 bucks just means they're playing games with the pricing.

mazdamarla

The normal doc fee at my dealer was $120 when I ordered my car. By the time my car arrived 101 days later the doc fee had been increased to $160. Luckily, because I had S-Plan (supplier discount), I did not have to pay the fee. They made it sound like they were doing me a favor by not charging me for it, but the S-Plan rules clearly state that no document preparation fees, etc. can be charged to S-Plan customers.

mazda6s

This varies by state law, but plan on paying taxes on the full negotiated price before discounts and rebates.