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Comments
I also saw a Pro5 in that new blue color from the MP3. That's really a sharp looking car.
The front seats are comfortable and when you pass over bumps the center section gives a little to cushion the ride. Haven't felt THAT in any vehicle in 15 years. The back seat is also confortable, surprising since they usually compromise and make it firm. It grips you to help in curves just like the front seats.
The fit and finish is first rate regardless of class including trim materials. The only thing I saw that was amiss was the door armrests which are not padded. But neither were the 1998 Accord armrests. Loved the red instrumentation lighting, especially the large, easy to read trip and ODO.
The cabin is larger than a Protegés and doesn't feel crowded, still cozy though, with plenty of elbow room. Just right IMO.
the first time you see the car up close it seems small, the second time it seems larger than you remembered it. The third time it looks just the right size for the I-4 and V-6.
It doesn't disappoint in any way.
fowler3
My tail is officially buried between my legs. We test drove a pretty base 5-speed 6i tonight and loved it. It does have soft touch which is a BIG plus, it has a nice meaty stick (especially compared to the Accords), the seats are comfortable, the engine is smooth, peppy, and makes good sounds, and the outside is pretty sweet too. They didn't have any 6s 5-speeds so we still have to drive it before we make up our mind which 6 we we want. We are thinking a Lapis Blue 6s with all the buttons and a stick will do just fine.
I can still see why they will sell 350,000-400,000 Accords but for us the 6 is more suitable to our driving style .. and it has soft touch. Oh, and did I tell you it has soft touch materials on the dash?
For $800, if you prefer an aftermarket wheel, by all means buy them. As for me, I would much rather have alloys the Mazda6 designers think go with the car best. They may have been designed for the car!
In any case, they are the wheels I would buy with either Mazda6 model and get the 8-way power seat and antitheft perimeter alarm in the package. The latter is going to be a NECESSITY in this car with all the eyes it will attract. They DON'T know there ISN'T a CD disc changer behind that titanium!!
You get the picture?
fowler3
#2 The New 6 is Hot...contrary to what I've seen on the board, I'm gonna pull the trigger...And actually BUY one...I stand 6'2" and 275 and the 6 fits me just fine...the automatic seat went exactly where I needed, the headroom was fine, and the materials were classy...Drove like a dream...The V6 and Dual exhaust really sings..My salesman really let me put the car through the paces...handles well, nice leather wrapped steering wheel, the shifter (automatic) was nice with the gated shifter..I'm a single guy, so There is plenty of room for me and the chicks I'm gonna pick up in my new ride (just kidding) I don't need a hatch, and definately don't need a wagon..I'm just waiting for the one I want to come in which should be around Thursday...Gunmetal Grey, Cloth interior (which is quite nice) and thats it...I don't need all the other stuff people on the board complain about, so I'll be happy jsut the way it is, even though I may just add a spolier just for the heck of it...Take care and be nice to a new member..Bye!
It seems that most people have the gist of the V6 down. It is essentially the [excellent] Ford Duratec V6 with new heads and manifolds designed by Mazda.
The 4-cylinder Duratec seems to be greatly misunderstood. The only thing it has in common with the V6 is the name. Ford got it from Cosworth, where it was originally intended to be a turbocharged F1 engine. Ford liked the design so they left it alone with the exception of allowing Mazda to do some manufacturing engineering with it. The 2.3L Duratec is lighter and cheaper to manufacture than the 2.0L Zetec currently in the Focus! The Ranger in the US and the Mondeo in Europe use this Duratec. Like the V6, Mazda was allowed to modify the Duratec for the 6. For the most part, all they did was add a balance shaft, new heads, and a new intake manifold.
It's likely that the changes will show up in future Fords, Mazdas, etc. And for those that don't like the idea of Ford having input on the engines, they have pretty much decided that Cosworth and Mazda will be doing most of the engineering on the 4-cylinder duratecs.
To the person posting about their duratec being made in Mexico - the engines will be assembled in 4 locations around the world. Dearborn Michigan, Chihauhau Mexico, Valencia Spain, and Hiroshima Japan.
Mazda had 3 6's on display, one 6s in dark grey and two 6i (autos) in silver. All looked great! Unfortunately I wasn't able to get into the 6s as it was on an elevated turn table. The 6i's were fully loaded with sport, leather, moonroof, etc.
First impression: The sedan looks as big as I expected it to be, not extremely-large but not on the small side, much like a Passat. I could easily drive away in either the colors that were there (I'd be happy with the black or white as well). Sitting inside, the plasticanium interior isn't nearly as graining as I thought it was going to be (unfortunately the Mazda execs decided to take out of shift knobs as well as the hvac controls for the show). I didn't notice any distortion out of the windshield, although the front of the car feels "far away" from the driver's seat (this may just be me as I drive a Tribute who's seating position feels comparitively close). I absolutely love the opti-tron gauges and the trunk space is CAVERNOUS compared to the Accords! That alone makes me want to wait to see what the hatch offers with behind-the-rear seat storage space. The seats are great too, especially the 8-way power drivers seat. Very firm yet supportive in all four quadrants, the black leather looks and feels great too!
Thankfully, Mazda's area was right next to Audi's with their new A4s. While the A4's felt "nice and refined," the 6 gave me an incredibly similar feeling. Apart from the price difference (there was an A4 1.8T-quattro for 29k, the similarly loaded 6i's topped out at 24k) I can't find anything that would make me choose an A4 over the 6. Better looks (IMO) and value! Now it's time to go on a test drive!
Some interesting news on the hatch and wagon: I struck up a conversation with the corporate reps that were at the show and they eluded that they want to bring out the hatch and the wagon "fairly soon", one eluded further that we may be able to see them as soon as this spring!!! We'll see whether or not that really comes to fruition.
That's about it. I took some photos, but it's really nothing you probably haven't seen on the Web.
Regarding the duratec V6... My Tribute has the duratec V6. Contrary to the typicality of Tribscape owners on these boards (read the Mazda Tribute/Ford Escape problems board), I haven't had any major problems with the Tribute or the Duratec the two years and 30,000 miles I've had the SUV (most of the problems on the board seem to be engine unrelated). When pushed, the engine has a nice, medium pitched growl and is more than adequate to pull the Tribute along, accelerating on steep inclines through the Sierra's to Tahoe leaves the engine fairly untasked. I only wish that Mazda, er... Ford would put the 5-speed automatic (or even a manual) transmission currently in the MPV and the 6 in the Tribute to improve shift points and possibly Fuel Economy. I've been getting as low as 16 mpg overall recently, although that figure seems to be improving (I took my roof rack off and re-pressured the tires last night).
From the fine fit and finish these first models have they may be the best cars Ford/Mazda ever assembled at AutoAlliance. Probably had some hand-fitting to assure top quality and tight inspections off the line. The real test is if they can maintain the quality as they ramp-up production.
Why did you select the Steel Gray (Gunmetal) Metallic? One would think a single guy would want something more sporting. Just curious.
johnclineii: This may be one Mazda that does not depreciate fast as they become popular and demand increases.
fowler3
will mazda do anything to make the leasing more affordable in the near future? with the quote of $430 a month for this mazda6, i'd rather go for a jag or an audi.
My concerns are that the Steel Gray may look like a "faded black" and not a natural and clean-looking new color. My concern with the black, however is that it will require constant care to look halfway decent and will swirl very easily. Would the steel gray require a significantly smaller amount of care to look clean as the black (ie, silver can be pretty dirty and still "look" clean)? I'd love to hear from anyone who's had experience with either color on these cars. I've owned a black car before and I love the look of a clean black car... it's just regal! Then again, I do plan on keeping this car for the long-term (6+ years) and it will be a daily driver here in California (lots of dust, very little rain during the summer).
I guess I'm just looking for comments on either color to help me decide, as I know this is a subjective issue. So rant/rave away, please!
thanks,
-Alt
If a larger company starts undercutting on the lease price, other companies lose business. If they OVERestimate the residual, they lose money. It is a very difficult calculation, not unlike determining when an INDIVIDUAL (not a group of individuals) will die.
So, I would say you are looking at least a year for the residual to change markedly, perhaps longer.
By the way, both liability and collision premiums for new models are also somewhat of a crapshoot, until real world evidence starts pouring in for frequencies of accidents and costs of repair.
I, myself, drive white cars. Visibility to drivers while being somewhat invisible for the other concerns you mentioned. I would NEVER drive a hot yellow or fire engine red car, but to each his or her own. I would also be a bit concerned about the trendiness of the yellow. A few years down the road, will this car stand out as much as the blue-teal GM cars do now, or the avocado Mercedes? Is that okay with you if the yellow does? Will the car scream old before its time? Or, conversely, will it gain cult status?
Be aware that for some insurance companies, color is one criterion used to set rates!
My impressions:
1. Low cowl. I love that.
2. Soft touch interior features. I gotta have that. The Material on the dash feels and looks very "German" and the center stack is easy to read and use.
3. The suspension. ZOOM ZOOM baby. I only drove a base 4 stick (only stick they had) but even in this model I could feel the verve that can only get better in the Sport package.
4. The electro gauges are killer.
5. The four cylinder engine is like glass. Ford or not this is one smooth 4 cylinder/
6. The stick is short stubby with short throws. Clutch takeup is tight. And the shifter knob is a nice fat leather covered ball just like I like em.
7. Leather interior is spot on. Love it. I'm all over this one.
8. Where do I sign up for mine?
I'll take mine in Lapis Blue or Steel Grey with every option except Bose. They even make fog lights for those intakes in the grill. I can see me now with all three sets of lights blazing down the interstate. Zoom Zoom.
As for me, I am awaiting the availablity of Sirius Satellite Radio before I decide. Mazda has advised me that installing an after-market radio or accessing the back of the radio in this car is very apt to cause instrument panel damage. I really do not understand why they put the proprietary radio in the car. They also say that most future Mazda's will have non-standard radios. A bit odd, don't you think? They also advise that Sirius is a potential option for 2004. I have Sirius now, and will NOT own a car without it, as long as I have a choice. 60 music channels, coast to coast, no ads. It makes long trips enjoyable and is well worth the minimal monthly subscription fee.
Oh well, I would probably be better off waiting to look at the hatch and wagon, as well as a couple of forthcoming models from other manufacturers. Were it not for the radio issue (and the fact that I was VERY unimpressed with the Mazda dealers I encountered in Florida while looking at 6's), I would buy one today. It appears to be a fine automobile!
The contrast between sales techniques and service departments between Honda, GM, and Toyota vs. Mazda was most unsettling. That "largest volume" Mazda dealership in Orlando engaged in some of the world's oldest high pressure techniques (we have a buyer for your 2000 Impala LS with 107,000 miles and need to buy it TODAY)...PLEASE. I virtually had to use a sword to escape that gang of vultures. This is not the way to impress potential buyers. On the other hand, they ARE the largest volume Mazda dealer in the US, which I suspect says more about the other dealers than it does them.
Another good sign. My father just sold 70 Mazda6's to a local rental car company. They decided this year that they were going to run as many 6's as Accords, Camrys and Altimas. Not bad for a car that is still about 45-60 days away from Canadian showrooms.
Another interesting note, the dealership has received almost as many enquiries about the availability of the M6 wagon as the sedan.
Thanks in advance.
I was looking at the Steel Gray this morning, it strikes me as too conservative for a sporty car. This particular shade of gray is not as attractive as some I have seen on SUVs and other sedans. If Mazda had just made it closer to the Titanium Gray used on the 2001 Miata Special Edition it would sell super IMO.
fowler3
Thanks.
Completely normal on every car, and not just during the break-in period.
Anyway, the test drive was during daylight hours, and I got to wondering later what color the gauges were. I never thought to look but had hoped it was that soft orange color. Or is that just with the sport package? Anybody know? Not a major deal, I know, but it would just be one more reason to buy a really terrific car.....anybody wanna buy an '01 Maxima?
CUSAFR
So, yea, the 6i with auto was a whole lotta fun for me, but I am crowding 50 as you can probably tell from the cars mentioned above. Seriously, though, I was really impressed with the 6's general build quality(doors had that great thunk when you shut them), not as impressed with the car's appearance as I thought I would be( maybe it's those bulgy tail lights), but definitely impressed by the engine, braking, and the car's ability to hold the road. This is from a guy, though, who owned 5 Toyotas before my Nissan and who has never even sat in a BMW.
For me, though, a whole lotta fun and apparently, a really well built car.
Anyone know if the 4 cyl can be loaded yet, the Mazda site says not til February. I'd like the 6 cyl but I think the 4 will help me keep my license.
Guess I'd better change my screen name.
Zoom Zoom
I did the same thing on my test drive of the Mazda6 6-cylinder, in a 45mph zone I was zooming around curves at 70mph. This was on a two-lane country road. It was fantastic! Happy to hear the 4-cylinder is no slouch, I doubt I could hold the V-6 down all the time. And I have you beat on the second childhood thing by 22 years! No Buicks for me, thanks.
I bought Buicks, 3 Rivieras, when I was in my 30s. Now that I am well over 60 I like sports cars and sport sedans. Good reason, at my age you have sense enough not to push them to their limits and finding your's was 100 yards back.
Somebody asked about colors earlier today, they were trying to decide between Onyx Black and Steel Gray Metallic, asked what the rest of us think about the Gray. Here's my take, when you are over 60 you go to a lot of funerals, friends and family passing before you; I have seen several caskets that shade of gray. Wouldn't be caught dead in a Steel Gray Mazda6. LOL!
fowler3
fowler3
With the Mazda6, there are more decisions than when buying a Protegé and worrying about prices. Consider where you will drive and how you will drive. Consider insurance rates if you opt for the Sport Package. Consider fuel costs if you buy the V-6.
fowler3
On the 6i, you can get the MT, with Premium pkg, ABS/TCS pkg, and SAB/SAC pkg. This will be my choice as I have decided that I need side airbags and air curtains as a defensive measure, for the time when some moron driving a SUV at 20MPH over the limit while talking on their cell phone runs a red light and t-bones me.
I like the Steel Gray. It reminds me of a color I saw on the Lexus IS300. You could have a point about the caskets, though, so maybe I'll avoid it. Actually, I like the Lapis Blue Metallic better.
All in all it's a pretty nice car, although if I decide to order one it will be the S with the Sport Package. It is, obviously, smaller than my 2000 Monte Carlo SS I am think of replacing it with. I'd have to get used to that.
For a 4 cylinder it had ample power. Seemed a little slow to get moving, but after getting the engine revved it ran well. Handling was superb. A little tighter than I am used to. Seemed comparable to the Corvettes I used to have. It was a little "squirrelly" until I got used to it. I am in Pennsylvania and there were some icy patches which the Mazda recovered from nicely. The manually shiftable transmission was smooth. Better than in my Santa Fe. I can't figure out why you have to push forward to down-shift though. Seems like pulling back would be "whoa".
The seats were comfortable and seating position was easy to adjust thanks to the tilt/telescoping wheel. I'm 6'-1" and found it adequate. The radio was pleasant although, if you're an audiophile, you may want something better. It suited me fine.
It is very quiet, although the engine growls when accelerating. I like that.
Braking is more than satisfactory. Straight and short.
The appearance of the car is nice. Somewhat conservative, but still sporty looking. I had a few other drivers taking a look at it. They would speed up and pass me, then drop back to get another look. This was at night so they may have been getting a better look at the red gauges.
The headlights are horrendous. I had to use the high beams all the time (unless someone was coming the other way of course). Hopefully this is an aiming problem and is not the headlights themselves. Totally unacceptable. This may sway my opinion on buying the car. It needs daytime running lights too (unless I missed that).
Anyone get a chance to take one on a trip? I occasionally drive for 8-14 hours at a time.
If I think I can get used to the size and the headlights, I will probably order the 6s. I sort of like the Steel Gray although I haven't seen it "in person" yet.
next week, Mazda6 will be featured on it.