Mazda6 Sedan

chikoo

courtesy of photography under a sodium lamp and no flash

chikoo

when my daughther stood in front of my Mz6s, her words were "Daddy, I am afraid"

i asked why?

she replied "the car has snake eyes" referring to the headlights and the wide open mouth.

I simply stood in amazement, amazed at her imagination and amazed at the Mazda styling team

carguy58

Yeah that is a good descreption of the front end of the 6. I never though of it. I saw 2 6's today too.

audia8q

The MZ6 earned 5 star driver and passenger crash rating (highest rating) from the National Highway Trafic Safety Admin....

pzev

http://www.nhtsa.com/NCAP/Cars/2455.html

http://www.osa.go.jp/anzen/html2003e/15.html

ashutoshsm

after u roll down the windows and Revvvvvv the engine. In fact i got so carried away in revving my mz6s in the 1st gear itself that the rev limiter had to kick in......hmmmmm

Hope you've crossed the break-in period! I only hit 6K rpm for the first time this weekend (2800 miles) - and obviously never went to redline

The car is already so much fun from 3000 rpm to 5500 rpm, I can't imagine needing to go much higher too often

chikoo

but how can u resist this beauty.....

I mean u r dating this beauty and u cant even kiss her???

nahhhhhhhh!!!

ian2

Better not let her see the 04 Grand Prix!

glideslopes

I hit it once in Manumatic Mode in first gear. I was accelerating into traffic from a stop and forgot it was not in D. Seemed to be around an indicated 7,200 to me. It was surprising how fast the engine pulled to the limiter. It really caught me off guard.

I've hit the Speed Governor twice. It's a lot less abrupt. This car screams to keep going. When you bump off it, the car is still pulling very hard. At least in the 6s anyway. I can't speak to the 6i.

Mark.

justin

i asked this question awhile back - no one answered.

i actually test drove a 6s with auto and leather this weekend. no sport package for me thanks. don't like the aftermarket appearance of it. however, the base 6s drove like it was on rails compared to the EX-V6 Accord i drove the same day. the Accord wins my "brain" vote because of the interior. the 6 has that painted silver console - anyone have any concerns with long-term durability of the 6 interior?

thanks!

ashutoshsm

... is, unfortunately, rather easy to scratch. My dealer mechanic scrathed mine when they had it in to install the MP3 player.
edit: Of course, I made them replace it for free! Not like they argued the issue, anyway. Just thought I'd add that.

However, if you're careful, that can be avoided.

That said, there is an interesting discussion underway "elsewhere" (nothing concrete - or epoxy - yet) about possible ways to protect the finish and surface of the excellent interior (IMO, much better to live with day-to-day than the boring interior in some competitors!).

justin

any word on if, for the 04 models, will Mazda offer a real metal console, or something plain black?

thanks!

cookie01

I'm not sure how you'd scratch it... Other than dragging a key over it, what touches it other than your fingers? I've got over 5000 miles and not a scratch on anything except maybe low on the passenger side dash where feet might scrape when you cross your legs.

I think I must be very easy on interiors. My 2000 Impala ONLY had wear on the armrest. The entire inside was flawless other than that.

newcar31

I don't like the silver trim on the center stack either, but I bought one anyway. IMO, the Mazda6's center stack is far less offensive than the exterior styling of the new Accord. I didn't even test drive the Accord despite being somewhat of a Honda fan and despite all of the comparos and awards it has won. I dislike the styling THAT much.

chikoo

http://www.carsdirect.com/used_cars/listings/vehicle_detail_prem?- - zipcode=19018&listing_id=5869084&search=b93f673a37c027615- - 5dd90ee866a8aa4-50202455-5869084-dealer_referral_vehicle

real cheap!! only 4500 miles

chikoo

my friends own Toyota and honda vehicles and they really liked the interior of my mz6s, so much so that one wants a test ride once more and show his wife how good a car "his friend" has got....

justin

the Accord styling is growing on me. i really like the side view - front is okay - rear is borderline strange.

i really wish the 6 would offer the 17" wheel package withOUT the tail and underbody spoilers. in maroon with beige leather. that would be a beauty.

like i said, the functionality and comfort of the interior was fine - just that silver look was so-so. the steering on the car was outrageous - seriously, the 2002 BMW 325Ci with sport package that sits in my garage at night has NOTHING on the steering in the 6...

you can tell they took the steering from the Miata and put it right in the 6 somehow. nice.

bluong1

you can tell they took the steering from the Miata and put it right in the 6 somehow.

Ehhh, No! actually they put it right in the Protegé(5).

chikoo

are u growing old...like somewhere in the 43+ ???
otherwise no way u can like the styling of the new accord.

j/k

but honestly, that is what Honda is targeting with their new whale front + rear buick style.

actually somebody mentioned that the rear looks like a sagging pair of baggy pants.

enough of that.

We are here to talk about the mz6.

Justin, I find it increduluous that the steering of the mz6 is on par or better than the BMW.

Can u confirm that again? tnx

newcar31

"i really wish the 6 would offer the 17" wheel package withOUT the tail and underbody spoilers. in maroon with beige leather. that would be a beauty.'

You can. 2004.

justin

from my test drive yesterday, the STEERING is totally as responsive as the 325Ci. now, the Mazda leans more in corners, especially with the base 16" alloys, but the feedback and immediacy of the steering is 100% equal to the BMW.

and for the record, i am not 43! thank you! haha. the Accord looks more like a car now than it ever has, you have to admit that. the 98-02 Accord was basically a piece of metal that happened to have wheels. the Chevy Malibu had more style. the new one, outside of the rear, isn't bad to me. the 6 is a little younger looking than the Accord. i don't want "Civic" looks though, that is why my 6 would have beige leather, no spoilers or any added plastic junk, and be a nice classy color instead of yellow or blue! just my opinion, since you asked

justin

really? excellent! i might wait, because the Honda is nice, but i have yet to find a dealer that sells Hondas that doesn't make me want to vomit.

so, for 2004 the Mazda 6 will get a few changes....what else, do you know? when are they out?

thanks!

ashutoshsm

... back a couple of weeks on THIS forum. Someone posted the additional packaging and options available next year. The 17" wheels WILL be available as a standalone option.

Or you could buy a 2003 with the discounts NOW and
1. Buy 17" wheels from someone upgrading from their Sport Package to Chrome, or 18, or 19 wheels
2. Buy them online from dealers' online stores for as low s $120 each, and keep the 16s as a winter wheel, or sell the 16s unused (pristine) on ebay - as they'd fit a P5, Protege, Miata, MPV etc. The nett out-of-pocket differential would be negligible!

dinu01

you cannot get (yet) 17" alloys as part of a normal package. By normal I mean w/out the body add-ons (skirts, spoilers).

In Canada the 6 was introduced as a 2004 model and I really doubt we'll get any changes for 2004. The car came standard w/16" hubcaps but on the base version you could get 17" alloys with leather-wrapped shifter, handbrake and steering wheel, along with a pwr diver's seat for $900 CAD - great value! On ALL other trims 17" alloys were/are standard.

Anyone know of any changes to Canadian-spec M6s?

Dinu

pat

try the "search this discussion" feature on the page bar - it works great!

ian2

It may be just me, but I like the look of the sport package. The car just doesn't look quite right without the skirt, spoiler and 17" wheels.

As for Malibu has more style, I don't know what you're smoking. It's about as bland as a 89 Taurus. The Accord's look has grown on me, especially from the side, but there are too many of those on the road. Obviously, Honda's not having much problem selling that car. Not as much as Mazda anyway. That is good though, because that makes my 6 more distinct.

chikoo

I love u for comparing the Mz6 hanling to a BMW.

But as far the H.A. is concerned, to me the 99-02 model was the best. Before that it was too small and now it is like a bluewhale.

Ian2, I agree with u 100% The MZ6 looks in ful bloom with the sports pkg / app pkg and the wing spoiler.

the only color that looks good to me in real life w/o the cladding is the OnyxBlack.

Check out my silver Mz6s on cardomain

http://members.cardomain.com/chikoo

livaudais

I'm with you on the non-sports look, but I suspect we're in the minority. I've been thinking about adding the 17" wheels to my 6s, but the more I drive with the 16" wheels the less inclined I am to replace them. If I do, I think I'll look for an aftermarket wheel that will save some weight.

The "titanium" console is not my favorite part of the car, but I haven't scratched it yet. Its appearance is growing on me -- it has a quirky retro appearance to it, kinda reminds me of the controls on an old outboard motor. The Accord's dash seems more refined at first, but to my eye it has a disconcerting number of seams running through it. And I won't even start on the Accord's exterior...

Get a 6 w/ beige leather, you'll be a happy man!

CL

chikoo

u r right about the titanium console.

in fact my sanyo cell phone and my Sony cordless phone also have a similar(if not the same) finish.

so this was the third one for me.

The only change that i might do with my 6s is get wider tires 215-55-16 inlieu of 205-60-16

justin

you guys will probably laugh, but i kind of dig that Sepang Green color. the local dealer has one (6s of course) with beige leather, auto, moonroof, and comfort package. $21700 after rebates.

going to see it Thursday.

chikoo

I like the sepang with the beige myself too.
But wifey did not want another green shade in the garage. On top of it, I could not find one with all that I wanted i.e 6-cd changer and fog lamps.
Dealer installation charges are more than the cost of the parts itself. so much so that I ended up buying one with 6-cd and fog lamps + app pkg (all facotry installed) for a little over that price.

Regarding the spoiler and app pkg. I never liked that on any car till now.

The first car that i liked the spoiler on was the Mazda protege.

And now the MZ6s looks awesome with the spoiler and app pkg, if u see it zooming down the highway. I saw two and I was impressed. I saw one w/o any spoiler or app pkg and they kind of looked docile on the highway.

to re-iterate, I have never been a fan of the spoilers, but the Mz6 style yearns for it.

dinu01

That's a classic combo - like British Racing Green w/beige interior, but with a more modern shade of metallic green all on a really good looking car (IMO).

Dinu

justin

i tend to agree with Edmunds, that the spoiler and stuff actually takes away from the nice lines of the car. i like my cars to look as...."elegant" as possible.

to each his/her own!

newcar31

The best looking cars usually don't have a bunch of ground effects and spoilers. You usually don't see that kind of stuff on BMWs, Audis, and MBs, and they make the best looking sedans, IMO.

chikoo

I totally and whole-heartedly agree with you on the BMW/AUDI angle.

But to me the MZ6 looks more aggressive without bieng flamboyant with the app pkg.

w/o the app pkg, it looks way too conservative and not anywhere close to the elegance of the BMW and AUDI.

To me it was:

you want to be King of a small kingdom OR do u want to be a mere citizen of a larger kingdom.

I chose the first one, where the MZ6 looks best all dressed up and there are too few cars which look good dressed up.

chikoo

skidpad g-numbers

1. Toyota Camry: 0.80
2. Honda Accord: 0.77
3. BMW 330i: 0.78
4. Mazda6i: 0.86

these are as tested by Car and Driver and printed behind each issue of C&D

newcar31

are with the 17s. I've never seen a skidpad # for the Mazda6i with the 16s.

ashutoshsm

- it doesn't really mean much, because in the real world, you don't go around in a continuous tight circle at ever increasing speeds.

Also, just that fact that the BMW scored less than the Camry and the same as the Accord screams "Ignore this rating" or implies the conditions varied widely enough for that to happen.

As far as I could tell, the overall driving feel of BMW 3-series (except the 2001 with softened steering) was at least on par, if not a notch better than the MZ6. The Accord and Camry are not even in the same class.

justin

made the steering mistake on 01 cars only. for 02 they put the steering calibration back to 2000 settings.

chikoo

means couple of things:

That BMW does not aim for performance numbers. it goes for "feel". I have consistently observed the BMW numbers each year and they are always near about the same.

Secondly, it means that Toyota and Honda are getting better without letting the driver know about it.

newcar31

THE best looking Mazda6 is the European hatchback version minus the clear taillights. They have a slightly different style 17 inch wheel that looks a little better, no ground effects but a different front air dam, and they have the rear headrests. I saw a sedan version parked in the MNAO parking lot a couple months ago when I was visiting a friend in LA.

midwesttrader

See the Mazda Canada website regarding the new 6. Not sure if all the info there will apply to the U.S. models, but it's food for thought.

http://www.mazda.ca

carguy58

With the Accord I am in my early 20's and the 1998-2000 Accord was a good looking car to me before the 01 revisions. The 96-97 Accord was the best looking Accord in my opinion. The new Accord seems to cater to the Ford or Chevy with its American like back end to gain more domestic buyers. I find it extermely bland the new Accord that is.

Lets get back to the 6 does where anybody can find on an a site on the internet what regions or Us in the Us the 6 is actually selling good and what regions its not selling good. An answer where I can find these facts would be highly appreciated. Thank You.

justin

will be selling better in urban areas, west and east coast. that i am 100% sure of. mazda doesn't really have dealers out past suburbs...

dinu01

It was introduced as a 2004 model in Feb 2003, so I don't think there will be any changes this year in Canada.

Dinu

midwesttrader

See the Mazda Canada website regarding the new 6. Not sure if all the info there will apply to the U.S. models, but it's food for thought.

http://www.mazda.ca

newcar31

"mazda doesn't really have dealers out past suburbs"

No company besides Daimler Chrysler, Ford, or GM, really has any dealerships in rural areas. At least here in MN/WI. When I went to college in Menomonie, WI., they had Chrysler, Ford, and GM dealerships, and that's it. Sure, there might be the odd non-big 3 dealership in the sticks, but for the most part, it's all domestic.

ian2

A good skidpad performance is handly when going around the ramps onto a freeway, not to mention fun! I wonder if they tested the BMW without the sport package. I remember seeing similar number as the 6 from the 3-series.

To me, the car just doesn't look good without the spoiler. You might as well be driving a Cavalier or a Corolla :P

jhtlag

I bought a sepang green with beige interior love the color(s). I like clean lines also, I don't have the skirts but do have the spoiler 'cuz it came that way off the lot. I didn't want the spoiler at first and suppose I'd rather have the $250 it costs, but it looks OK, fills out the rear of the car.

Also, the silver console doesn't match with the beige as well as it would with grey but it is innocuous.

Everyone has their own tastes, of course, the full sports package has that street racer look while the less adorned car has more of a touring sedan look. I suspect they appeal to two different groups of people.

Will definitely consider 17" wheels if they become available separately, don't have leather, would like to upgrade to that one day also.

lag

ian2

I saw a 6 in sepang green with appearance package parked in my hood the other day. It actually looked pretty good.