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Mazda6 Sedan

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Comments

  • lmp180psulmp180psu Member Posts: 399
    What does FUD stand for?
  • mazda6smazda6s Member Posts: 1,901
    I guess it was just flame bait. ;)
  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    we haggle..

    I spent about a year in Nashville a few years back and we were a one price store. I liked the concept but when your surrounded by dealers who haggle it sure made things difficult. We lost sales for $50 all the time.
  • ashutoshsmashutoshsm Member Posts: 1,007
    It spreads no Fear, Uncertainty or Doubt.
  • mazda6smazda6s Member Posts: 1,901
    Personally, I would pay the extra 50 bucks for the pleasure of not having to haggle, and because I'd like to encourage that way of doing business. But then again I'm probably not a normal car buyer.
  • jstandeferjstandefer Member Posts: 805
    After spending too many months in the 4-cyl and watching the many forums that are out there (including this one), I wish I had gotten a V6! They seem to be the more reliable of the two engines and certainly is not strained nearly as much as the 4-cylinder. That same Ford Duratec engine block has served Ford, Lincoln, Jaguar, and Mazda extremely well, and I would dare say it is one of the best engines on the market.

    The 2.3L 4-cylinder is a good engine, but not for the Mazda6 when mated with an automatic. It constantly strains under 4000 rpm and you practically have to floor it to get the transmission to not shift before then. Plus, because of the constant strain and liberal use of the throttle just to keep up with a Metro, the mileage is absolutely notrotious... I average 19-21 mpg with 90% highway driving!

    Personally, I have labeled my car the "Anti-Zoom." It is strictly an appliance with poor acceleration, terrible efficiency, and wobbly handling. I had forgotten why I have been a Mazda-loyalist for the past 5 cars. I got to drive the other half's Protege5 last night and remembered what Zoom-Zoom is. It was nice to have a proper powerband and the immediate response from both the steering wheel and the throttle is what a Zoom-Zoom car is supposed to be. It just made me hate my 6 even more, although it sure felt cramped in there.
  • ashutoshsmashutoshsm Member Posts: 1,007
    ... your car is a lemon. In all aspects, the 6i Autos I've driven (and from the accounts of people who own them) have been very satisfactory in terms of pep, handling, and dare-I-say-it Zoom Zoom!

    With the 6 you sacrifice the edginess and instantaneous responsiveness of the Protege chassis, but gain so much - great comfort, awesome feature set and more. Its a pity you got a lemon - with any other 6i Auto, your experience and opinion would definitely not have been this stained ;)
  • buggywhipbuggywhip Member Posts: 188
    jstand, a V6 is always desirable over a four but I hardly think the 2.3L is a slouch. I think it's a mechanical prob with your engine. I've read all your posts, here and elsewhere, and you strike me as a very knowledgeable auto performance enthusiast. As such, it's odd that you would have purchased an auto tranny, esp. with a four. IMO, despite all their improvements and gimmicks, an auto tranny is still a boring way to drive.
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    "After spending too many months in the 4-cyl and watching the many forums that are out there (including this one), I wish I had gotten a V6! They seem to be the more reliable of the two engines and certainly is not strained nearly as much as the 4-cylinder"

    I read the same forums and I haven't heard about any problems with 4 with the exception of a couple of CELs. I really think it must be the auto transmission that is making the 4 feel "strained" because I regularly beat people away from stoplights without even trying, and a I have the 2.3L with a 5sp. My parents had a 1992 Camry V6 automatic that they sold to my friend, and I beat him in a race too. I get about 24-25 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. That's the same mileage I was getting in my 2001 Protege ES 2.0L with a 5sp, which is a lighter car than my 6i with A LOT less power.
  • jstandeferjstandefer Member Posts: 805
    I hate automatics, but I commute 40 miles to work and most of the trip is spent crawling. I lasted 9 months in this traffic with the '99 Protege ES 5-spd until I finally snapped and bought an auto. I would have preferred the V6 with the auto, but I was worried about fuel economy since I put 20,000 miles per year on the car. It was really an irrational decision... I least favorite car color is white, I can't stand hubcaps, and I detest automatic transmissions... and I ended up with all three. But, the traffic and the inability to use the air conditioning while crawling at 3 MPH put me over the top! I would be sweating for 3-4 hours after getting home and you did not want to be anywhere near me... I couldn't sleep and I would just chain-smoke in the car (I know, bad!). But this car was such a good deal ($16,999) and it was pretty peppy at first. I can't wait to get rid of it, and I do agree that it is a lemon. Believe me, I much prefer a manual transmission! I'm actually seriously thinking of a Ford Crown Victoria or Lincoln Continental to replace this. The V8/auto/RWD combo is super reliable, as is the rest of the car, and they actually get pretty good fuel mileage. What a far cry from the favorite car that I have owned... a 1st Gen RX-7!
  • ashutoshsmashutoshsm Member Posts: 1,007
    Get a Lincoln LS with the V6 and 5-speed ;)
  • twinturbotimtwinturbotim Member Posts: 26
    With the way the 6s is designed, is it possible to put in a new cd deck?
  • buggywhipbuggywhip Member Posts: 188
    jstand, a rwd Crown Vic is a terrific car....BUT you seem to be drifting farther and farther away from your automotive roots. You dump your zippy Protege stick for a slushbox 6, now you're pondering a giant land-barge?? It's like you're aging rapidly like in that 1960s Star Trek episode!........my first car was a 1986 Escort w/ a Mazda-built 4-sp stick. No a/c, no power steering. But I enjoyed driving such automotive purity. I have an automatic GM sedan now--I'm more comfortable but less happy..............if you're considering a Crown Vic for safety reasons, I encourage you to buy one. New Vics are incredibly cheap. But I think you'd be more (sublimely) happy in a 6 stick. Be true to yourself.
  • mazda6smazda6s Member Posts: 1,901
    It's probably possible, but likely to be difficult and expensive.
  • redc0ugarredc0ugar Member Posts: 55
    My Husband & I are AAI employees. We're excited & anxious to get a new 6.
    Our 22 yr. old daughter got out of a lease early...her new car is equipped with XM radio. She's raving about it incessantly.
    Have any 6 owners equipped their cars with XM? Is it worth the extra cost?
  • mazdamarlamazdamarla Member Posts: 350
    I don't know why you're getting under 20mpg, jstandfer, but I've got a 4-cylinder automatic and I average 25mpg in city driving, and 29-30 on the highway.
  • arockwelarockwel Member Posts: 33
    Like others have said, you got a total lemon. I own a 6i and average 26 to 27 mpg in combination city and highway driving. Other than the slight squeaking brakes, it has been a great car (knock on wood).
  • seafseaf Member Posts: 339
    is not available in the 6, at least from the dealer. You'd have to get an aftermarket one installed. I personally don't think they're worth it, you're basically paying a monthly subscription fee to listen to a radio that has no commercials, how about installing an MP3-CD player instead? Or a multi-CD deck and you've got hours of music YOU want to listen to, not "close enough" by some DJ who composed the song list for the stations.
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    We have it on one of our cars and I absolutely rave about it. It's like High Speed access. Some people are happy with dial-up. Some folk think DSL is a litle slow.
  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    Mazda, like the entire Ford family, will be going with Sirius....you will see this appear on some mazda products now (MPV, miata) and some others later this model year.
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    I wouldn't do it on the 6 since it's not a factory option. You'll end up having a goofy looking antenna that's not the same color as the car.

    I agree with seaf. Get the Mazda MP3 player. You can burn about 120 MP3 songs onto one disc. If a CD averages about 12 songs per CD, then one full MP3 disc is equivalent to a 10 disc changer. IMO, that's better than a disc changer or satellite radio. If you convert all of your CDs to MP3, you could have your entire music collection on a couple discs. Not only would you be avoiding the monthly satellite radio charge, you'd be listening to exactly what you want to be listening to, without commericals.
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    how could a former RX-7 owner, a former Bright Red 99 ES 5-speed owner, think about getting a Land barge?
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    seeing rust on your brand new car is bound to distort your thinking when it comes to buying another new car. I've thought about trading mine in on a used Accord and I still haven't ruled that out. Depending on how this situation progresses, I might do just that. It just goes to show you how seriously some of us are taking this issue. FWIW, the Crown Vic and Grand Marquis are fine automobiles for their intended purpose.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 50,382
    have to remember not to consider a used 6 anythime soon, although I would never get an AT or a white one, so at least I would be safe from Jerry's when it hits the resale market.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • ashutoshsmashutoshsm Member Posts: 1,007
    I have the MP3 CD player, and no - my collection doesn't come remotely close to even being represented by two CDs. I still crave my satellite radio, and will have it installed soon.

    XM, of course, Sirius' music choice just never impressed me. And I like the range of XM's channels better. I have an FM modulated Alpine kit with a modulator/controller for any AI-net based Alpine add-ons. I'm waiting (and suffering through letting it sit in my closet) until I can afford a full upgrade - an amp, 4 speakers and a sub. To go with the MP3 CD and cassette player (kind of redundant now) that I already have :)
  • jstandeferjstandefer Member Posts: 805
    I just figure if I have to sit in traffic, I may as well have a living room on wheels. There's no zoom-zoom at 3mph. Here's my problem... the I-5 and I-805 merge. They take two 5-lane freeways that have a traffic rate of 80-100 cars per minute per lane. They merge the two together and within 3/4 of a mile, it is merged into 4 lanes (plus one rarely used carpool lane). Throw in an accident that shuts down a lane or two, and it's not uncommon to leave work at 5 and get home by 8. Now, the only thing I am worrying about is comfort and safety... both of which a Crown Vic or Lincoln Continental provide.

    If I had more money, I would have the land barge for commuting and a Miata 6-spd at home for zoom-zooming. Preferably one of the new turbo Mazdaspeed Miata's. Oh, what fun could be had with that. Oh... I've got to run off to a corner and cry.
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    to get the "fix" done. If the rust continues after the "fix" has been performed, that's it for Mazda. When or if that time comes, I'll decide what to do with my car but I know one thing for sure, the Mazda6 will be my 3rd and LAST Mazda.
  • jstandeferjstandefer Member Posts: 805
    I was just perusing the Mazda USA site (shedding tears over Miata's), and I noticed Mazda has upped the ante in financing. These finance deals are as good as they are going to get. All 2003 models (including 2003 & 2003.5 Mazdaspeed Protege) have 0% APR for 60 months AND no payments for 6 months. The truck has 0% for 72 months and 6 months deferred payments, or 0% for 60 months and $500 rebate and deferred payments for 6 months. As usual, Mazda6 models with the sport package are excluded. Instead of special financing, all models have $2,500 rebates (truck $3,500).
  • ramped1ramped1 Member Posts: 159
    I believe that Mazda is offering $1,500 rebates for the sport package-equipped '03 MZ6s. I saw that either on the Mazda website or on the Edmunds TMV link on Sunday.
  • twinturbotimtwinturbotim Member Posts: 26
    With the way the cuts are made in the dash of the MZ6, is it even possible to install a cd deck? I dont want XM at all, just a nice cd deck
  • jstandeferjstandefer Member Posts: 805
    Last year's LA Auto Show had a Mazda6 show car that the show put together. It had a custom-made center stack panel with standard openings for an off-the-shelf head unit. It was the entire silver panel from the ash tray to the display. I don't know of anyone that makes that panel.
  • mazda6smazda6s Member Posts: 1,901
    Remember that with an 03 you are getting a 1-year-old car.
    I'd take the $1000 off on the 04.
  • baggs32baggs32 Member Posts: 3,229
    "I'd take the $1000 off on the 04."

    I agree! Most of the '03's on the lots around here are i's with AT and hubcaps. No thanks.

    A lot of them are the "sand" or sepang green colors too. I've never seen one of those on the road either. Only shadow grey, black, silver, white, and lapis blues so far.
  • redc0ugarredc0ugar Member Posts: 55
    While drivin' MY Continental to our favorite Mazda dealer ... there was an accord putt puttin' (@least 15 mph under the speed limit) in front of me. Unable to change lanes, I was "stuck" behind the rust bucket. The driver put on their flashers. Low & Behold...car problems...nah couldn't be, not in an accord! But YES they couldn't make it up the hill. God Bless America....
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    What's your point?

    Did I ever say that Accords NEVER have problems? I guess I shouldn't get one then, since you saw one with mechanical problems and rust. Scratch the Accord off my list, someone on the internet saw one with problems. Time to go find a car that nobody on the internet has ever had problems with or heard about problems. This is going to take a while.

    One thing I do know, both the Mazda6 and Accord will rust, but it'll take the Accord about 8 years instead of the Mazda6's 8 months (or less).
  • redc0ugarredc0ugar Member Posts: 55
    Nice cleansing breaths...
    LOL, 'tis okay Newcar.
    I remember the 80's, if anyone drove "foreign" their car was keyed (@ the least). The now generation of "latch key children" think it's politically correct to boycott American jobs. Personally, I choose not to commit economic treason.

    p.s. rut roh....Pat is gonna get irked w/me
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    "The now generation of "latch key children" think it's politically correct to boycott American jobs. Personally, I choose not to commit economic treason."

    3 words for you:

    Free Market Economy

    I buy what I want to buy for my own reasons without fear of commiting "economic treason", whatever that is. Lol. Any other way of making buying decisions is un-American.

    Besides, most Accords are made in the US.
  • redc0ugarredc0ugar Member Posts: 55
    Free Market = Rich politicians.

    "Besides, most Accords are made in the US."

    The money goes back to Japan!

    I love this....this is fun Newcar.
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    "The money goes back to Japan!"

    The money also goes to American blue colar workers. "Buy American" is a crap idea, especially when the "American" companies are moving LOTS of production to Mexico. CEOs keep their bonuses and American workers lose their jobs. That's really patriotic isn't it?
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    You've been trolled. IGNORE IGNORE IGNORE
  • redc0ugarredc0ugar Member Posts: 55
    We're only responsible for our own actions.
  • tomcat630tomcat630 Member Posts: 854
    "moving jobs to mexico".

    Get facts straight before making claims.

    No new plants have been built in Mexico by the Big 3 in the last 10 years, at least. And, the jobs you claim that were "moved there" have been there for at least 15 years.

    In fact a Ford plant had to lay off Mexican workers when the Escort was dropped. This same plant will build the Ford Futura.

    Also, I laugh at the rumormonger who claimed that the Mazda 6 engines are failing simply since they are "Ford".
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    "Get facts straight before making claims."

    The Futura was originally going to be built in Atlanta, but Ford decided to build it in Mexico.
  • redc0ugarredc0ugar Member Posts: 55
    push 1 for English...and 2 for Spanish
  • tomcat630tomcat630 Member Posts: 854
    no, the Futura was not 'set in stone' to go to Atlanta, it was merely in the running among many plants. No jobs from Atlanta are "moving there", since Atlanta is getting SUV's based on the Mazda 6.

    And if one is for 'free trade', then jobs in Mexico shouldn't be an issue.
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    Ford was going to build a new plant in Atlanta to build the Futura. Now, they're keeping the existing plant for the aging Taurus and Sable and people are going to be laid off and shifts are going to be cut as demand decreases for those two. Last I heard, they were going to build the Mazda6 based SUVs in Ontario.

    "And if one is for 'free trade', then jobs in Mexico shouldn't be an issue."

    I am for free trade, I was just pointing out that there is more to buying "American" than buying a vehicle from a Big 2 automaker.
  • redc0ugarredc0ugar Member Posts: 55
    to TOMCAT ~ I THINK LOVE YOU! ~

    New--I live not far from the Toledo Jeep plant...I'm sure they're still producing the Liberty. Big2?

    *in a voice too high to sound like Rodney King*

    CAN'T we ALL just get ALONG?
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    "New--I live not far from the Toledo Jeep plant...I'm sure they're still producing the Liberty. Big2?"

    But the money goes back to Germany, using your logic, right?
  • redc0ugarredc0ugar Member Posts: 55
    speakin' ze deutsche
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    "Get facts straight before making claims."

    This just irks me, especially since you think Ford didn't have any formal plans to build a new plant in Atlanta, and that the Mazda6 based SUVs would be built in Atlanta. I have my facts straight, do you?
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