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Simple economics. Your 4Runner has been around for a few years. Parts are easy to come by at a decent price. The '09 6 is brand-new, and although some parts are carry-over from the 1st gen, the body shell and structural/chassis parts are not. Fewer parts = more expensive to fix (or in other words, insure.)
Mazda parts have always seemed to be a few $$$ more than comparable automakers as well, since production numbers don't even approach Honda/Toyotas.
This is a great forum. Love reading others experiences and advice. Thanks!
It's now been 30 days and I'm going to get the oil service done next week.
The comment about the "30 day inspection" has me wondering. Is that something Mazda recommends or is it a dealer thing? I don't see anything in the Owners Manual or Warranty Information booklet about a 30 day inspection. :shades:
2020 Ascent Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
Why? Because they can.
2020 Ascent Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
10 days ago, I picked up a 2009 Mazda6 i GT, AT, black with beige interior, 6 CD changer, but no sunroof ( I'm too tall for it) and no navigation (I'll get a Magellan or Garmin for Christmas). So far I'm really happy with it but in another week or so I'll submit a mini review..
Zoom, Zoom........
I'm looking forward to hearing how you like your new 6!
It was known from the beginning that the refinement of the engine would never approach that of the Toyota 3.5. Still, there's a very slightly rough rumble from the engine when cruising in the mid/high 1000's. Is this being experience by any other S drivers?
Hopefully Weathertech will have winter mats for the 6 soon. I bought them for a 2008 Toyota Avalon, and they fit perfectly.
I haven't noticed that, but I'll listen for it and let you know.
I assume you mean between, say, 1500 and 1900 RPM more or less?
2020 Ascent Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
2020 Ascent Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
Do you know if the splash guards you got from mazdagear are the same type as the ones sold by the dealer? The dealer is quoting much higher for these. I would expect the dealer cost would be in general higher but this one is like 70% more ...
However I do not have even a thousand miles on the iGT.
IF I had of known it was going to be that bad I would have gotten the S with the 6 cylinder.
1. When accelerating on the freeway and after reaching standard cruising speed of 60mph, the RPM is at 2,500, however if you let go of the gas slightly it drops back to 2,100 and stays there. It does not seem that it is because the transmission needs to shift one more gear, because I tried it with the manumatic and it behaves the same. The car is actually in fifth gear. Unless you keep accelerating to 70 mph, the RPM does not drop down by itself without letting go of the gad pedal slightly. At 70mph it is at 2,500 which is reasonable for a 4 cylinder. But at 60mph why does it stay at 2,500 if I do not let go slightly of the gas? Does it think I am still accelerating? I think it maybe, because it seems very responsive to input from gas pedal. Almost instantaneous.
2. Second issue is related to steering and road feel. I drove yesterday on an older road with a lot of uneven areas on the surface (not potholes or straight bumps) but simply a surface which is not flat but has some small bumps and dips in uneven places, and the car felt like someone else is holding the steering and turning it. Almost like it is possessed. I had to hold the steering tightly to make sure the car keeps on going straight. I thought it must be the DSC, so on the way back I tuned DSC off, but it does not help, once I got to that bad area of the road, the steering started turning left and right by itself, as if it is tracking the exact surface of the road. Way too much road feel, and felt kinda dangerous.
Any ideas?
I know they are big time cheaper very reason I got them.
Don't know if u have 4 or 6 engine? be sure to select according for the rears.
Consequently, they gave me an '08 Audi A4 loaner for a couple days. Lets just say I'm happy to have my 6 back and hope/expect to not have to take it back again.
No hum either. Maybe it's something loose underneath and it's vibrating.
These things will drive you crazy if you let them.
2020 Ascent Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
Many thanks for all your constructive and helpful information sharing. We just purchased a Mazda 6, 6i, in Red with the convenience package. Got it at invoice thru SLIST and 0% financing to boot... not a bad day Willl be picking up the car Monday!
Not a clue & had no interest in a bra.
Best of luck with your new ride!
I took the s GT first and was taken by the looks...really is a beautiful automobile. The interior had the all dark look; not my favorite but definitely well done and more pleasing than Altima and Accord. A huge back seat too...more room that I really need.
Once underway I noticed that the steering felt a little too light, but the road feel and response was there...just wanted more heft to it. The surprising part was the power. My current auto has much more power but weighs more and is muted. The s easily broke the front tires and I even squealed into 2nd (manual mode). I was also able to break them loose in 1st once underway...say driving at 4K rpm --20mph then gunning it
Not to give the impression that I drive this way all the time...or condone it, but it was just a lot of fun Last time I drove a car that broke the tires loose like that it was in a late 60's Challenger; and we spent $40 in gas for a couple hours of cruise time (and probably much more $'s for tires).
The disappointing thing was the handling. Too much body roll and a too heavy front end. I took the car through an area here with very winding roads and elevation changes. I would say it was better than the Altima and on par with an Accord coupe (4cyl) I drove. Wasn't 'bad' but I was expecting a 'wow'.
The i GT manual resulted in mixed emotions...I LOVED the 6spd but the power felt lacking (It could have been the perspective of first driving the V6 beast). The throws were about perfect, the shifter was the right size, the gear ratios were perfect. The clutch was a little light (who needs a hydraulic clutch anyway) but most are to me; the take up was nice and high on the pedal so after about 10 mins I was shifting perfectly with a tap to the clutch and a quick throw of the wrist.
I enjoyed the handling better than the V6 and achieved better 'times' on the little road course I set up for my self (public roads of course). If the i 6spd had 50 more hp...or 300 or so less lbs it would have been an easy choice between the two.
Mine is a 6-cyl. BTW, I stumbled upon mazdaparts.org - they had the exact pricing but had free shipping for > $100 (mazdagear's shipping for what I wanted was around $30). I've ordered my all weather mats, splash guards and touchup paint from mazdaparts. Hope I get them soon in proper shape.
Today I had gone for a long drive and loved the way the car drives. It feels planted, stable and quite fun to drive for a large family sedan. Even under heavy rains today I was impressed at how easy it was to drive it and to point the car to where you wanted it to go.
Yes, I was referring to the 1500-2000 rpm range. The rumble/perceived lack of refinement isn't just noticed only within that range. But, since that's often the rpm the engine is turning at during uneventful cruising it's easier to notice. It's much more understandable during acceleration, but I imagined cruising at low rpms wouldn't exhibit this characteristic. Engine harshness and noise is present during acceleration, and is actually a bit more pronounced in a similar rpm range. Maybe 1500 to 2500 rpm.
It's a little confusing, since it feels slightly rough/rumbly with an accompanying roar. Almost as if it might be due to a deliberate attempt to have a sporty tone. It reminds me somewhat of the Nissan 3.5, but thankfully less grainy, less buzzy, and without the contrived engine note.
My last Mazda with the supercharged Miller cycle V6 engine was silky smooth during acceleration, when the damned thing wasn't malfunctioning. The 3.5 in the Toyota Avalon is exceptionally refined. The inline 6 of the BMW may be an unfair comparison, since engines with this configuration are inherently balanced and of almost incomparable smoothness. It's possible I'm spoiled by recent models with unusually refined engines. But, it's still a curiosity.
By the way, further driving at around 70 hwy/30 city has yielded 19 mpg.
You're assessment sounds great. For a practical, front drive family sedan it's quite stable and enjoyable to drive.
I guess I just don't worry about things like that. I just drive them for all they're worth.
I'm still getting used to the nose heaviness of a front wheel drive car and am learning what it takes to get around a corner as fast as it can go. It may take a while.
One thing I didn't expect - this s GT doesn't ask to be driven hard. You have to want to do it - if you know what I mean. It's a little too civilized for me.
2020 Ascent Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
Assuming you do - the dealer I bought mine from asked for $100 over invoice and gave me Kelley Blue Book "Good" condition for my trade. They could also have asked for $4,000 under invoice and given me $4,000 less for my trade.
If you don't have a trade - If you can get anywhere near invoice, grab it.
2020 Ascent Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
Experiences with other cars definitely affects our perspective. But, this is a brand new, modern car with improved refinement as one of its main objectives.
Another peculiar thing that came up is this dull little clunk that occurs a moment after breaking and coming to a complete stop. Like something has momentum and is shifting and coming to a rest after the rest of the car.
I finally saw another Mazda6 on the road! It was fun having such a "unique" car. Now that bubble has burst. The good thing is that it looks great moving on the road. It's great that Mazda has come up with a decent, practical four door with cool style that normal people can afford.
I do have a trade, but it is a 2000 Grand Am with 131,000 miles. Not exactly a great bargaining chip. To be honest, the only reason I was looking right now was because of the economy, I thought I could get a good deal. Not to mention that I loved the car when I test drove it. But I am realistic at least as to what a good deal is. Right now, I am so frustrated with my "bargaining coach" that I may say the hell with it and just drive my current car until the wheels fall off.
I do have a question regarding a roof rack. Anyone have info or recommendations on a roof rack for my 09 Mazda for Mtn bike, snowboard, etc? Also on the smart key settings it states that you can turn off the audible beeping noise that the car makes when you dont fasten your seatbelt. I have had the car in twice and to have this turned off. It still beeps, anyone had any luck with this? Thanks in advance.
A Mazda technician took a look at it and, if my memory servers me right, told me that it was caused by the purge solenoid. I will confirm it when I take the car in for the first service. This noise comes on when the car is idling, stays on for 30 seconds or so and turns off. When this noise comes on I can in fact feel something on my foot on the brake as if something is tapping the bottom of my feet! Again keep in mind all this is very faint - I'm just trying to describe it as best I can.
The Mazda technician was quite friendly and didn't pretend, even for a moment, that this noise didn't exist. He acknowledged the problem and said they are aware of it and working on a fix. Let's see ...
I could be wrong, but I don't think that has anything to do with the key personalization settings. It's listed, separately, in the seat belt information part of the manual.
Maybe the dealer is confused. :confuse:
2020 Ascent Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
I don't want to have to buy a crap phone with a built in MP3 player when I can get a good phone and a good MP3 player for next to nothing.
Thanks
21 miles per gallon sounds really good for an average. I averaged low 19s for the first tankful, mid 18s for the second, and it seems like it's going to be mid 18s for the current tank. That's for around 1/3 city, 2/3 hwy.
Thank you in advance...
Doesn't seem like a show-stopper.
2020 Ascent Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
This is sort of trivial and admittedly immature, but I just had an impromtu in motion acceleration contest with an older Audi S4. I guess the engine note of the Mazda is quite noticeable outside of the car even with moderate acceleration. This apparently encouraged the other driver to egg me on. Surprisingly, the Mazda won.
Now for the somewhat applicable part; mysteriously, some of the engine noise and harshness diminished while driving around immdediately afterwards. It seems that the aggressive engine sound was noticeable to the S4 driver, and friends have mentioned an audible "roar" from the outside. So, maybe part of the perceived lack of refinement is due to a deliberately engineered rumble and exhaust note? And possibly, with more use, it'll further subside? I hope this is the case.
Could it be something that dropped into the engine bay during manufacturing by mistake, or is it supposed to actually be installed somewhere and was missed? Any ideas?
Also my niece who also bought the same car as I (Mazda 6 GT), says her radio channels seem to change by themselves. I thought it might be the RDM button, but that seems to be related only to the CD player. Did she press something by mistake to cause that behavior or should she get this issue checked out.
Thanks for any insight
When I press on the passenger side lamp, gently pushing it backwards (I press on the furthest right handside middle) the lamp goes back further than the other side and when I let go, I hear it hitting something upon return (as if it was hitting something plastic) but what is strange is I don't see it hitting anything visible from the front outside, like the frame around it. If I press on other parts of the lamp, the mounting seems firm as would be expected.
What part of the lamp did you push on?
It again is a small thing, but I am thinking that driving on roads a rattle or vibration would most likely occur maybe causing the lamp to prematurely go bad.
Thanks all for your input.