Mazda6 Sedan

meesr

AT THE COSTA MESA FAIRGROUNDS TODAY MAZDA HAS SET UP A Road course for the Mazda 6. Comparing against Nissan Altima and the new Accord. Lots of cones in the parking lot. Saw tents and vans transporting cars.

These are usually for dealers employees, or magazine guys, or for private marketing surveys. If you are around Costa Mesa today, check it out.

maltb

It is a private event set up for local dealers.

stretchsje

That they're testing against some good competition, and not the softer Camry or domestics. I'd be even more impressed if they pitted the 6 up against an A4 or 3 series, just for fun. I suspect we'll see some fun articles written in the next few upcoming days...

maltb

The purpose is to show dealer sales staff what makes the 6 better than the competition. The 6 is no 330i so that would be a waste of time.

tugboat1

Fairly positive review in December's Car and Driver. Test car was a tricked out V6 Man with oodles of body clading. Other than the bad plastic and eye damaging yellow paint job, a very nice package for the buck. This car is being billed as the enthusiast alternative mid size sedan at the 25K price point.

vocus

I saw my first one on the road when I was out during lunch time. It was a blue LX model. The front looks like a larger scale model of the Civic's, which I think is ugly. The back looks kinda like the restyled last-generation Camry. I saw these 2 cars next to each other, and the similarity was eerie. From the side, it looks alot like the last-generation Accord did, to me anyway.

ickes_mobile

I also thought the comparision between the Accord and Mazda6 performance #'s was interesting. Despite having a 20hp advantage, the Accord was slower in most (if not all - I can't remember) of the accelleration categories.

I still want to actually sit in one, because the interior looks narrow to me. C/D says there's one less cubic foot in the passenger area front and back.

The sport package doesn't look good from a front 3/4 view. The side sills make the wheels look to narrow.

While the Mazda6 is 5dB quieter at idle and comparable at cruise, its louder at full trottle. I don't know if this is good.

I thought their summary of the Accord, Altima, and Camry characteristics at the front of the coloumn was good.

For those here in MN, I checked Morries Mazda today at noon and no Mazda6's to be found...

newcar31

Supposedly, the 6 will be at Morries on the 15th. My Dad has been talking with one of the salesmen and that's what he said. As soon as they get one, me and my Dad are going to head over there and drive it. I can't wait.

ickes_mobile

on payday, uh? Also, You must not be the person here infatuated with the attractive female sales manager. I can't remember who that was...

riopelle

Sounds right...thanks. I always thought that car got shorted - 210hp from the little Miller cycle was another pretty impressive Mazda engineering trick, if I have those numbers right!

I'm off to see the 6 at the NE Auto show...

afty

I went to the NE Auto Show last weekend. Unfortunately the Mazda6 was up on a platform and they won't let people inside it, so don't expect too much. Same with several other interesting cars.

newcar31

I don't know who that was either, but I remember that. I'll have to remember to ask for the hot female sales manager when me and my Dad go there. I'll tell em' I've heard about her on Edmunds....

diploid

I don't know if Edmunds is driving the Mazda6 "correctly," but they tested a V-6 auto Accord at 7 seconds flat for 0-60 (and no brake torquing), while the new road test of the V-6 auto Mazda6 did it 0-60 in 8 seconds.

Or perhaps C/D wasn't driving the Accord correctly...

newcar31

"the new road test of the V-6 auto Mazda6 did it 0-60 in 8 seconds."

Which new road test is that?

diploid

This one:

http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadtests/roadtest/77843/article.html

Overall, they liked it. They seem agree that a light 4-cylinder with manual is the better combo, though they never really say it.

newcar31

I bet C&D and MT get better times than that. C&D tested a 5sp V6 and it did it in 6.8 seconds. I can't believe that a 5sp automatic could add 1.2 seconds to that. Who knows though....

csuftitans

First thing I'll do when I get my new 6s would be the tires. They're putting Michelin HX MXM4 215/50/17, which not only looks bland, it also got a lot of mediocre to bad reviews on tirerack.com. I would put Michelins Pilot Sport 225/50/17 which not only looks and performs much better, but also will give you a slightly better rides with a thicker overall diameter; more rubber.

the_big_h

basically described the target buyer: enthusiast drivers that takes precedence on fun-to-drive over BIG passenger space....

I will HAVE to test one out when it shows up at the dealership...

and pat, please add the review to the Helpful Links section for this board :-)

yugoboy

Edmunds review:
"Acceleration Comments: After noticing that the 6's engine is a bit soft at low rpm, we tried brake-torquing the engine to 2,000 and instantly shaved almost seven-tenths off the zero-to-60 time."

By my calculations that would add up to 7.3 seconds, if you brake-tourque, i am very interested to see what the time would be with a manual, maybe even a mid 6 second run is possible!!!

chikoo

After smoking the first joint, they found that the engine in the 6 is:-
Displacement (liters): 2.3
Engine Type:V6
?????????

After the second joint, they realized the fuel required is:-
Recommended Fuel: Premium unleaded
?????????

And after going bust, they found that the noise levels in the 6 are :-
Db @ Idle: 67
Db @ Full Throttle: 89
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 92
???????

Man, they must have emptied their whole yearly stash in just one week!!!!

source: http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadtests/roadtest/77843/page001.html

diploid

"Our 3,311-pound test vehicle was inspired to move by a 3.0-liter V6 that uses variable intake valve timing to produce 220 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 192 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm."

Nope, they know what they were driving. The displacement listed in the spec is clearly a typo.

the_big_h

Car and Driver's test of a MANUAL v6 got a 0-60mph in 6.8 sec......

mazda6s

"An object going in a circle at certain speed is subject to an lateral acceleration. For instant a car going 40mph on a circle with radius = 50 meters (~ 50 yards) is subject to 0.65G."

But what if you're driving a Mazda 6 on a frozen lake in northern Minnesota in January?

dudleyr

You probably would not be able to do 40 mph on a 50 meter radius circle. ; ^ )

venus537

in fairness to the accord, the tested mazda had a manual tranny compared to the auto accord. automatic to automatic, the 6 falls short. but it apparently handles a lot better though. it'll be interesting to see what kind of numbers the accord v6 coupe w/six speed can get.

the mazda6 looks like it's going to be more a competitor to the NA accord (acura tsx).

dinu01

That's:

40mph in a circle where d=166 ft or
64kmh in a circle where d=50m...

Seems possible with 16"/17" on low profiles and a firm front susp. w/read stabilizer bar.

Reminds me of the 6.

Dinu

btrost

Detroit Auto just did a review of the Mazda 6s. They too found it right on the mark for 'zoom-zoom' factor. Here's the link. http://www.auto.com/reviews/ulrich7_20021107.htm

chikoo

but so many typos??? read my whole post.

vocus

I went to the NY auto show way back in April 2002, and they had Mazda6s on the floor that you could get into. I got into one, and it was pretty nice actually. I can't wait to drive one.

ashutoshsm

These errors mar an otherwise upbeat and honest review of the 6s.

Among various little flaws, some major ones -
- it uses regular unleaded, not premium (this can be a deal-breaker to some, change it quick!)
- How can noise levels at 70mph cruise be higher than full throttle?
- Isn't ABS and/or Traction Control standard on the tested 6 cylinder car? Both are listed as options!

Hopefully, these'll be corrected soon.

I agree - I am surprised at the lack of one-touch windows and rear adjustable headrests, but these are really minor issues. And the rear seat seemed plenty roomy for 3 average-sized persons.

ashutoshsm

From the edmunds video, linked off the review page, released after the Tokyo Auto Show. So, instead of getting what we thought was the same HP as Europe/Japan (160), it seems the more stringent emissions requirements here have dropped hp from a possible NA 178, to 160.

The voiceover in the video also mentions that only the sedan is planned to be introduced in the US - mistake! And misleading - judging from insiders' info, as well as the fact that they've dislayed all 3 avataars at all auto shows!

novicecarguy

Dealer sent out the brochure for the 6. Looks
good so far. Any idea when it hits the show room?
Couple little interesting items: there is an
optional "lip" spoiler being listed. (looks nice
but not available with the sport package, figures)
optional sport grill makes it look a little angrier.

ashutoshsm

At this time, the MAZDA6 combinations listed on the website are correct. However, please understand consumer feedback is very important to Mazda. I will definitely document your comments for the corporate record. These records are continuously reviewed by the Product Planning department in an effort to provide only the highest quality products to our customers.


The MAZDA6 is a fabulous car! We've put our heart and soul into this all-new sports sedan. It really is Mazda's DNA inside and out. You can probably tell we're passionate about the Mazda6. We hope you are too!


Again, thank you for contacting Mazda. It has been my pleasure to assist you. If for any reason this response has not completely satisfied you, please feel free to reply to this message. You may also contact our Customer Assistance Center toll-free at 1-800-222-5500.

Reminder - if you haven't written to them yet, and have an opinion - the email is
musa@mazdausa.com (correct me if I'm wrong!)
OR
CustomerAssistance@mazdausa.com

They seem to be ready to listen - which is a start, and portends good things to come.

ickes_mobile

They didn't have any Mazda6's but they did have a bunch of new SAAB 9/3 sedans. I didn't get up close or get in one, but they look pretty sharp. Nice wheels. I can get a GM Employee discount, so I may need to add it to the list.

venus537

hopefully someone at edmunds is reading your post. they definitely need to pay much more attention to detail!

ashutoshsm

I'd be interested in one. Especially considering Saab likes to insist they make the best handling FWD cars in the class (luxury sport). Would be really interesting to have a comparison (unbiased by interior appointments -handling only!) between -
Volvo S60
Saab 9-3
Audi A4 FWD
Mazda 6
Nissan Altima/Maxima
Honda Accord (nahhh, leave that one out - not the same class
Acura TSX (if it is indeed crossing the pond)
VW Passat

vocus

You can kinda do your own comparison between them on this site. I was comparing slalom speeds with my car, and the 6 isn't as quick as a Jetta with the factory sport suspension. It's only 1mph off though, so it's not a big deal. I was still surprised.

ashutoshsm

Automatic. H rated tires. Larger car. Not to mention potentially different conditions/drivers/setup.

Mighty impressive to me!

vocus

The 6 did handle itself pretty well, but that was expected. After all, it is a Mazda.

I didn't know the tranny would change slalom speeds either. Interesting. And the 17s on the Jettas are H rated. Mine are, anyway...

vocus

Just because the car recommends premium doesn't mean you have to buy it. The car's computer will compensate if you put in regular gas, and you will lose a small amount of power (hardly enough to be noticeable).

And also, premium gas is only about 7-10 cents more per gallon. It's not a big difference, not in MD anyway.

afty

Actually, the Altima recommends premium for its 245 HP. Accord does recommend regular, though.

tugboat1

Tell me it aint so! As far as I can tell, the only way to get this car dolled up with leather and Bose radio is to get the sport package complete with boy racer cladding and spoiler. I don't understand the demographics. Who is the target buyer, 30/40 something with family or 20 something frat boy?

bluong1

Is that true that the Accord is *recommended* to run with unleaded regular fuel? Honda website states that the regular is just *required*. With a compression ratio of 10:1, I'm surprise Accord V6 engine doesn't need premium to get out the lastest ponies

Mazda website said regular unleaded is recommended. Do I miss anything?

In average 5 years of premium will cost $250, i.e., $50/year, or $4/month, or $1/week, or $0.15/day.

Bruno

afty

I take back what I said. Both the Accord and Altima require regular, but the Altima for sure recommends premium. Don't know about the Accord, but it's probably the same thing.

bluong1

No, my figure is based on 15kmiles/year and 30mpg. It's an average number for most people. Please do the math yourself if you don't believe (and even better: before telling us something that you are not sure).

a_l_hubcaps

tugboat1-

If you're building a 6i (I haven't tried the 6s), you do NOT have to get Sport to get Bose and Leather. Go to the Mazda website and try building it. First thing, click the box for Bose. It will give you the option of adding [Premium and Sport] OR [Comfort and Leather].

-Andrew L

maltb

Auto deletes all of his/her posts when he/she realizes that they haven't got a leg to stand on.

robr2

...iirc the Accord runs just fine on 87 and the manual recommends 87. During the intro, the designer let it slip that the V6 develops 10 more HP with premium. My 00 Ody does the same thing but it's an additional 5 hp.

pat

Sometimes a person's messages are administratively removed for administrative reasons.....

maltb

I've had similar experiences with Zoom-Zoom stickers. My MPV gets 6 more HP with one a dem suckers. I expect my 6 will get at least 10 more HP when I combine a Zoom-Zoom sticky with a MazdaSpeed sticky.