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Comments
kagedude: I am pretty sure that the 6's V6 is the Ford Duratec slightly modified. Some other Mazda-phile could probably confirm this.
Cough * Get a 6 * Cough
Dinu
The 3.0L is a derivative of the Ford Duratec. This is from Edmunds' preview of the 6.
"Like Nissan's Altima, a five-speed manual transmission will be standard with both the Mazda-engineered 2.3-liter four-cylinder and the Ford-sourced 3.0-liter V6 (optional on the four is a four-speed auto; the V6 can be equipped with an available five-speed slushbox). Both engines feature Mazda's S-VT Sequential Valve Timing mechanism that continuously varies inlet cam timing and phasing"
Mazda put lots of new technologies into the 2.3l 4cyl engine. A lot of the more important advancements carried over to the 6cyl engine too, but the design did not start at the block. Hence, the 3.0l V6 is still referred to as a modified Duratech engine, while the 2.3l engine is basically a new engine.
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I test drove a 6i today. The dealer said he wouldn't have a manual tranny until May or June! I said I'd have to buy one elsewhere then :-)
Anyway, he let me take the 6i out for a spin knowing he wouldn't make a deal, which I thought was nice. Acceleration with the 6i w/ auto is no better than a CamCord- and less torquey than the Camry. Since I want the i4, I was disappointed, but hope the 5spd helps out. Then again, I was nice, and wasn't pushing the card too hard.
Everything else I could say we've heard before, except a few points. (I'm trying not to be redundant)
There was a rattle beyond the steering wheel. I am not the first to report this.
The base stereo does have the speed sensitive volume.
The base stereo sounds hallow just like the Bose option, but has sufficient volume. Aftermarket speakers alone would probably be sufficient for audio enthusiasts.
The sport package is way sexier than I thought possible. This was my first time seeing them back-to-back. It's a larger difference that I thought.
The brakes catch REAL quick. Braking was strong, but not class-leading without ABS. I wish ABS was standard, cause I'm forced to choose between that or the sport package with the current options.
If I had one complaint, though, it would be that the car was too refined to be fun. The engine wasn't loud enough and bumps were absorbed so well that I felt disconnected with the road. I like knowing when I'm stressing the engine or ruining my suspension. I think the Protege may have been a more fun experience for me, but I had a very bad (highway driving) test drive loop. I'll definately reserve judgement for a PROPER test drive :-)
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I've now seen a yellow, silver, and a black 6. Anyone see the red or blue? I think I'll like the red most, but want to see it first!
jjpeter: One article said they are "indent" knobs, which means they are recessed, a simple push pops them out for use. Some older cars had the same kind of buttons only smaller, the Mazda6 buttons, or knobs, are much larger and easy to use.
If you look closely at the center stack you will see that it's the same setup as the climate controls on a Protegé. Probably the same system. Ditto for the audio controls, they are not indents.
The V6 is the Duratec block with Mazda added parts for pistons, cams, and VVT. It is not the same engine in the Tribute and MPV.
About the 2.5l V6, I didn't know the 626 used that engine and was quoting from an article where the author made no distinction between the 2.5l Miller Cycle and the 626 engine. Sorry for the confusion.
Some reviewers say the 2.3l is best with the 5-speed manual, others say it works fine with the 4-speed sport AT. Test driving one yourself is the only way to know. If city driving is all you do the AT may be the way to go. If you have plenty of twisty country roads to drive over go for the manual.
fowler3
I'm trying to decide between the V6 and the 2.3L. I have a 2001 Pro with 2.0L w/AT and know what that is like. Where I live the roads, city streets, and highways are mostly flat straightaways. A few small hills, no mountains to climb. Most of my driving is 45mph to 55mph posted.
I have driven the 6s w/AT and found it overpowered for my needs, hard to hold down to posted speed limits in the city. I know what you mean about the 6s being quiet, in a 45mph zone I was topping 70mph without realizing it. That was on a two lane country road with easy curves. No road noise, no engine noise, no wind noise to tell you anything. Always thought I would like that until the test drive. Now, I understand why one needs feedback.
fowler3
fowler3
1. black
2. blue
3. silver
4. white
5. insert miscellanious color here because by this point I ain't buyin' one in any of these colors anyways.
I prefer biege trim so that part was fine with me. Here's another thing -- I have never liked red cars, think the color ruins the car's lines. It's fine on ugly cars they need all the help they can get! I don't think of red as sporty -- until now.
Redfire is not as dark as Millennium Red on the Protegés, but looks fine IMO. It isn't firetruck red either. It's a very nice color, best of the eight offered. It shows the car's contours beautifully with areas of highlight and shadow. Hard to keep clean, it may be worth the work. Should wax and polish to a high shine.
I have seen the Silver, Steel Grey and White. The Silver isn't as pretty as the photos show it, it looks rather dull. The Steel Grey is too dark, too close to Black, too conservative. It should be lighter, better yet, it should be the special edition Titanium Grey used on the 2001 Miata! In White the Mazda6 looks sad, it is a dull shade with no life and hides the car's contours -- looks flatsided like the Camry.
Haven't seen the Sepang Green, but think it may be a lighter version of the Sage Green used on the MPV, think silver with a green tint. The Lapis Blue is similar to Laser Blue on the MP3 -- bright! Someone here posted that they saw the Lapis Blue at a car show, it had beige trim. The brochure lists Grey as the trim color. Some markets may get color combinations not available in others, especially big city markets.
fowler3
I was surprised at how unnoticeable the upshifts felt. If I were to parallel this tranny's behavior to any other auto I've driven I'd say it felt a lot like the IS300. I wanted the 5spd manual and this auto was so good it's actually got me reconsidering my choice. I still need to drive the stick though... maybe it will reaffirm my preference.
-Alt
http://www.car-list.com/newcars/2003/mazda6.html
Early pre-production model, note the different Heat/AC controls, not production models.
fowler3
It was just as I expected - not too big, not too small. The biggest surprise had to have been the taillights, though. The pictures do them no justice - the lenses that are used have that fluid-like look to it. It looked very upscale.
And that chrome bar running across the front was a bit too much, IMO. It works on the MPV because it's a bigger car, but they should've made it slimmer with the smaller 6.
Went and checked my local dealer to see if they had gotten theirs in. Rep said that theirs had arrived on Friday and that they hold sold 6 so far. Rep seemed confident that the car was a winner.
Sat in a steel gray one. The plastanium didn't bother me. The dash materials seemed fine, except for that little bin lid in the top center. Liked the vents as they remind me of the Alfa Romeo 156 - in fact the whole car reminds me of that car.
The grey seat fabric felt rougher than what I am used to. No idea on how it will wear.
Got a good seating position and I can sit behind myself.
Asked the rep about what they's heard about hatch and wagon availability. He asked another guy, probably the SM, who said the spring. Then the rep added that they would be the last to know.
The 6 is nice but as with most Japanese cars now there is no surface detailing. Nice car but I think I'll pass on this one.
The sales manager was a little P/O'd that I didnt buy right then, but he'll get over it
There appears to be some disagreement as to how much of the 6s 6-cyl engine is "Duratec" and how much Mazda. My feeling on it is that it really doesn't make a great deal of difference. I've owned an SVT Contour with a 2.5 Duratec 6-cyl for 5 years and it is a great engine. Gets great power out of a relatively small displacement. It's also been reliable for 88K miles. I'm not as familiar with the 3.0, but I've heard good things about it.
If Mazda has added its own special touch to the Duratec, then that just makes a great engine even better in my view.
BTW, this SVT Contour saved me from giving up completely on Ford. Glad to see that Mazda (and Ford)apparently has a car now that offers a similarly great driving experience.
J/K! Hehe!
The old Honda sheet metal didn't hold well - my 93 Civic had 2 holes obove the rear wheels in 2000, just 7 yrs old, so I wouldn't base my decision on this.
And boy do we love salt here. If you lick the street after a snowstorm I bet it tastes quite salty - not that you should, but if you want to...
Dinu
www.tirerack.com
Most of those aftermarket wheels are butt-ugly compared to Mazda's new 6 wheels.
fowler3
Would it not rot when it goes thro the elements?
I haven't been able to get tirerack.com's Mazda6 wheels window to load. Either they were experimenting with it or don't have a Mazda6 graphic yet.
fowler3
Everything else on that motor is Mazda-designed and engineered, IIRC....
Anyone who is informed knows the Duratec is a very good engine. I think some individuals confuse the Vulcan V-6 with the Duratec V-6, or more commonly, read one article and then refer to it as the easy reference to automobile bliss.
Don't let these people who come in crapping on the Duratec incite you. Mazda is gaining market share everyday, and that is bound to irritate some.
We know the quality of automobiles Mazda is manufacturing these days, it is right up there with anyone.
Mark. : )
Both engines are good quality and should not be a concern to anyone...generally they are problem free engines and well mated to the vehicles.
Like it was mentioned earlier, people are confusing other engines with this one...the worst was the 3.8 litre V6.. which was a ford disaster with huge head gasket problems.
Hopefully, we can get out to drive a 6 tomorrow. V6 5-speed ideally.
Yes it is a reworked ford engine and I have been a ford hater but I think they have kinda turned the ship around and I am actually interested in a few of their products. They are much better engineered than the generals products. they still have a ways to go but definately on the right track.
Most of those aftermarket wheels are butt-ugly compared to Mazda's new 6 wheels."
Not really. Have you actually looked at tirerack? There are plenty of them for $200 each, or less, and there are a total of 41 choices so I doubt that all of them are butt-ugly. With the goofy options combos on the 6, some of us may choose to get the base 6i-MT and just put some aftermarket alloy wheels on it (or get the 6s-MT base and swap the 16s for 17s). And yes, the base model 6i-MT will be available. I've already seen it listed in some dealer's inventories.
The most of them don't match the exact manufacturer's specifications.
The car companies put a lot of work in the suspension geometry design.
Things like an improper wheel offset can create a lot of problems in the long run (beginning with rubbing tires and ending with premature strut failures).
Two or three out of hundreds?
(unless a you're a Civic owner)
BTW what is the bolt pattern on the Mazda6?
It looks like a five bolt judging by the pictures.
Which is surprizing considering that a lot of FoMoCo cars are using the 4x108 design.