Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
What swayed me toward the Mazda was the cars size, and a general safer feel to the 6. The Mazda 6 is a bigger car in general, but it's acceleration and handling were about the same as the Jetta GLI. The Mazda has much more interior room, so driving is more comfortable while having the same performance, which is nice on road trips. The safer feel is a little harder to explain. Basically, I took my wife on both test drives, pushed both cars pretty hard, and she simply said that in the Mazda 6, she never felt like the car was being pushed hard. The Mazda 6 gives you more confidence while driving.
In the end, obviously, I ended up with a MT Mazda 6s with sport package. I've never regretted that decision a single minute. One thing the Mazda 6 has that a Jetta doesn't even come close to is looks. A Jetta will never make anyone do a double-take, and my Mazda 6 turns heads all the time.
Mike
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0302_clutch/
Mike
There's a 1990 commercial for the 626 where they try to explain "Kansai Engineering." its a very interesting concept.
My car now just turned over 7,000 glorious miles. My last tank is the best: 330 miles before the light turns on. I hope I keep getting better mileage. Has an oil change the other day. The dealer tried to have me approve a tire rotation, but charged me $35! I said no thanks, can do that for almost free at my local mechanic. Absolutely no problem so far. Knock on wood!
The DW may be interested in selling the MPV in 05 for a 6 Wagon. I'll keep the pressure on.
Mark.
Of course, it won't compare to the Mazda6, but that would be another discussion anyway.
Edmunds.com's 2003-2004 Family Sedan Comparison Test
I have never driven one of the new Galants, but it sounds like it has great performance. In a straight line, the 6 can't match the Galant. But, when the road gets twisty, the 6 races ahead of the pack. It seems the Galant's biggest problem is its weight... it was the heaviest car in the test. In this test, Edmunds rated the Galant in 6th place overall, and the Mazda6 in 2nd.
As far as Mitsu playing the supersize game The Altima is good looking but the 04 Galant just doesn't do it for me. Styling is subective who am I to judge? Cars I don't like have sold very well. Cars I liked haven't so sold well.
CL
As far as the Camry is concerned previous Camry's were decent looking. I'm not feeling the 02+ models at all. Toyota has syled good looking cars like the 99-99 Avalon, and the 00-02 Celica that I did happen to like.
Looks do sell cars at times though. The last generation Altima didn't sell well because its just blended in with everything else. I already said that 5 posts ago. The first generation Altima did sell well.
And, by the way, how do you make statements like "(the 6) cannot possibly match the handling and performance of the GTS, the incredible infinity sound system, and of course that 250lb.ft. of torque" if you never drove the Mazda?
Enjoy your new Galant, but lay off the comparos until you sit in the seats of both cars. Between the two, the 6 is much closer to a class leader than the Galant. The Edmunds family sedan comparo here points that out, as do the dozens of awards the 6 has collected from automotive publications around the globe. Based on what I saw of the Galant at a recent auto show, it looks like a job about 3/4 of the way done. Cheap inside, and a little overdone outside. But, to each his own. Much luck with yours.
MAZDA6 - DOORS HARD TO CLOSE IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER
APPLICABLE MODEL(S)/VINS
All 2003 Mazda6 vehicles built prior to March 7, 2003 with VINs of 1YV*P80**35M23165 or lower.
DESCRIPTION
In extremely cold weather conditions of approximately 14 degrees F or lower, the vehicle may experience door(s) that are hard to close or will not lock.
The grease used for the door latch assemblies, and the rubber stopper material has been changed during mass-production to eliminate this concern.
Customers having this concern should have their vehicle repaired using the following procedure.
REPAIR PROCEDURE
Verify concern.
Replace the affected door latch:
Front Door refer to Workshop Manual (Section 09-14)
FRONT DOOR LATCH AND LOCK ACTUATOR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION Page 09-14-5.
Rear Door refer to Workshop Manual (Section 09-14) REAR DOOR LATCH AND LOCK ACTUATOR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION Page 09-14-6.
Verify repair.
PART(S) INFORMATION
Part Number
Description
Qty.
Notes
GK2A-58-310D
Door Latch, Front Right
1
W/O Alarm System
GK2C-58-310E
Door Latch, Front Right
1
W/ Alarm System
GK2C-59-310E
Door Latch, Front Left
1
W/ or W/O Alarm System
GJ6G-72-310J
Door Latch, Rear Right
1
W/O Alarm System
GJ6F-72-310J
Door Latch, Rear Right
1
W/ Alarm System
GJ6G-73-310H
Door Latch, Rear Left
1
W/O Alarm System
GJ6F-73-310J
Door Latch, Rear Left
1
W/ Alarm System
WARRANTY INFORMATION
NOTE: This information applies to verified customer complaints on vehicles covered under normal warranty. Refer to the SRT microfiche for warranty term information.
http://www.autonews.com
quote:
"Mazda North American Operations is facing challenges from owners of 2003 Mazda6 sedans that have developed rustlike stains in the door sashes and trunk lids."
Unfortunately you have to subscribe to get the complete text of the story.
I'm waiting for a copy of that article in the mail. If you are an owner of a Mazda6 and if you answered any of automotive news's questions from the other Mazda6 website, they will send you a copy of the article.
Sure look like rust spots in that picture they posted.
http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat- _code=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=01377040
Barnes is a Mazda spokesperson. Looks like the problem IS DEFINATELY rust. No more debating that issue.
I notice the only remark made about the samples sent from Flat Rock to Japan are that the fix seems to work.
Not going to happen, but I still wish...
Dinu
Also, according to the article the fix is working and it was only a problem on 2003 model cars. Some 2003 units were shipped to Japan for accelerated weather testing at their R&D center. They also noted that out of 60,000+ units sold only 109 have registered complaints.
The article said that 2004 cars are not involved, only 2003 models. people are getting their cars fixed, the problem was halted at the factory.
Sounds like the story is over to me. This is no GM diesel, firestone tire/explorer, ford head gasket problem...this is the minor leagues compared to those problems. IF the story said there is no fix or if the problem continued endlessly then it would be a big deal.
They said 109 have registered complaints on a Mazda6-specific site. I know that site quite personally...and I can guarantee it is a very small site with no advertising that someone I am very close to is building in his spare time at home. The percentage of the Mazda6 community that knows about the problem is probably less than 5%, and even many of those that do know have not checked their cars.
Also in the article is a Mazda spokesman say thie following: "We put the caulk on the seam because you need moisture and oxygen to have rust," Barnes says. "If you remove the oxygen source, the lack of additional oxygen will stem any further rust or staining."
I don't think this is over... maybe for now. But let's see what the doors look like in four years, especially after the warranties have expired.
IMO, Mazda did what I would expect from any auto manufacturer - no better and no worse. Then again, I don't trust any of them either.
See post #16024.
A Mazda USA rep called it rust in the article. It looks like rust. It IS rust. Deal with it. I am.
They're both fun, but in different ways. Personally I think I'd be happy with either one. For zipping around town, I think the Mazda3 could actually be more fun. For a lot of freeway driving or a highway cruise, the extra weight and more quiet ride makes the Mazda6 the better choice.
Find yourself a friendly salesperson that will let you drive them back-to-back. Make sure you get on a highway though, as that's where you'll really notice the difference in road noise.
Dinu
Maybe the rust will improve the rebate before I go purchase a 6s-AT?
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Wouldn't the only "change" they would need to make involve using the "solution" they use on the other assembly line?
Anyways, yeah there are some 03 leftovers but in NJ most of the car ads have 04 6's advertised in the paper.
Also, it's been corrected with 2004 models, so no more smug comments like "all 6's are rust buckets". Mazda is solving the problem and nobody is DYING because of it, so no need for the "mob mentality" like with Explorer tires and Pinto tanks.
Sales have not been affected either. January results are "Mazda also reported sales of 4,121 units for its MAZDA6 flagship sedan-nearly double last year's January total."
Mazda posted their best January saleswise since 1985. Mazda sales were up 24.6% from last years January. The 3 sold 4,426 units while the 6 as previously mentioned sold 4,121 units. These numbers should have been better if not for bad weather in the Northeast.
When a car brand loses a car sale it hurts because each sale is money in the car manufacturer's pocket.
i ended up getting an Acura RSX (which while i different class of car, has the same sporty appeal of the 6) and haven't looked back.
without this site i probably wd have bought the 6 and killed myself by now (considering the problems i had with the B-3000), but instead, thanks to you guys, i'm alive and well and happy with my car purchase.
cheers. -- this message was not meant to be a slam on the 6, FYI.