Anybody have any info on when Mazda will be offering some lease rates? The dealers is South Florida I've talked too say that they don't have any lease programs from Mazda & the bank lease rates aren't competitive(~$450/month on a 3 year lease). Is it realistic for me to find a lease rate of under for $400 per month including tax on a 36 month/12k mile per year lease with the only money down is the inceptions? I'm looking at a Mazda with auto/leather/moonroof/Bose/premium package. Thanks...Mike
I've seen photos of what you get. IMHO it's totally useless and ruins the sporting aspect of the car. Chrome side protectors? Chrome finisher? What is this - a Buick?
IMHO - any (more) chrome will ruin the lines of the car. Besides chromed wheels, of course. They should have offered the chrome with whitewalls.
When breaking in a VVT engine, is it recommended that you stay out of the increased timing region (above ~4000 rpm in the 6s)? Or would it actually be better to occasionally exercise the engine at a variety of timings? This isn't really an issue for engines with infinitely variable timing, of course, but I don't believe the Mazda6's engine choices are infinitely variable.
You are trying to break in the piston seals, which has little to do with variable intake and exhaust. I'd guess that you should still keep under 4000rpm, if you can resist.
The speedo I was thinking about was on the Mazda6 tested by Canadiandriver.com, there was a photo of the instrument cluster. Maybe it was hard to see the numerals, I forget.
mazda6s: I don't care for most red cars either, but loved the Redfire on the 6S I test-drove. Went back and took photos of it and have them posted on my home-office bulletinboard. Also up-close shots of the headlights and taillights.
"Which of the following makes up for poor driving? A) ABS, Disk brakes"
Hum, all driver have exactly the same definition of "poor driving": it's driving habit of others drivers!
Seriously, theorically ABS doesn't add any braking power to the system, and disk brake does. Maintain properly the tire also does, and I think a lot of people tend to forget this: I saw a lot of cars out there with under inflated tires just by looking at it, or do not have properly rotating tires. ABS help one to reach easily to the limit of locking. I use to thing braking are like 2 marks on the horizontal axis:
1) the first mark is the limit of locking, dictated by the design and the health of the tires 2) second mark is what the driver/ABS is doing during the braking.
ABS (and/or good driver) prevents the second mark to be greater than the first mark. But it's even better if one can push the first mark even father: driver will unlikely to make the second mark reaching the first mark and thus it tolerates as well poor driving. That's what the Mazda6 philosophy is IMHO.
WOULD YOU ALL PLEASE STOP POLLUTING THIS THREAD WITH POSTS ABOUT DRUM VS. DISC BRAKES! PLEASE GO TO ANOTHER THREAD AND LET US HAVE REAL DISCUSSION ABOUT THE MAZDA 6!!!!
Most of the speedometer pictures you see on the web are from European models, not Canadian. So naturally they'll be metric only. I believe Canadian ones do have mph inside the kph ring.
I got a call today from the local dealer - they just finished prepping a 6s with a stick, so I'm heading over after work to take it for a test drive. If everything feels right (I had some concerns about the feel of the shifter), I think I'll be ordering one tonight. Mine'll be a loaded 6s, blue, manual tranny. With my S-plan and college graduate discount, the total should be right around $22,750 (plus CT tax). Can't wait!
Has anyone here had a chance to test drive a 6s, Altima and Accord with V-6's in them and can offer some feedback. Please focus and acceleration and handling: no brake holy wars please.
Also; has anyone who has been seriously shopping the 6s noticed how often they come with sunroofs? I'm 6" 4' with a long torso so almost anything with a sunroof does not fit me.
I concur with 'dweebe'. I also would like to read a comparison between a 6s, Altima 6 cyl and Accord 6 cyl. Actually, I am hoping that Car & Driver, Motor Trend, etc. will do so soon.
The Honda was a coupe since no v6 sedans were avaialble. This was less than two weeks ago.
Without going into a long dissertation, the reviews are true - The Honda is quite and easy to drive, but there was a slight feeling of disconnection with the road. The Altima is nice until you step into a 6.
Both the Honda and Altima have great acceleration and there's no getting around the fact that both have more available power. However, only the 6 felt like 'fun' to drive, and it's the only car in recent memory that I actually long to drive. Usually only my motorcycle does that to me.
Unlike the others, the 6 feels as if it's always on the balls of its feet, begging to get busy. The other two are capable, but neither invoke a desire to commit serial abuse of the vehicle code. The 6 does.
I sound like a cheerleader, I know, but it's the truth. I love it.
I am also 6-4 and did sit (but not drive) a 6s without a sunroof. I thought the headroom was marginal at best. As much as I love the looks of the 6, I am dissapointed that there isn't much headroom for us tall guys.
If you read the latest batch of Letters to the Editors, someone mentioned that the db sound levels in the Mazda6 that was tested as way off. The editor said that there might've been something wrong with the instrument that day, but it will be rectified when the comparison of cars are done in the future.
I agree with Reufus, the interior and drive of the 6 is awesome. When you get behind the wheel you feel like you just want to take the long way wherever you are going. And I haven't even driven the 6 cylinder version yet. I think even if I did I would probably prefer the 4 anyway for the lightness. I read a couple reviews that said the four "feels" better than the six handling-wise.
You could be right. With the I4 not weighing as much as the V6, by default the weight bias gets closer to the optimum 50/50. Not by much, but that could be why the handling is a bit different.
I have driven the 6S with AT, sport, leather and boise. It was fun to drive after being a owner of a 2000SE Miata. My problem with a purchase, is the only option with the sport package is BLACK. I live in Arizona where a black interior is not the best option. I want Red with a beige interior. Does anyone with inside info at Mazda know if they have any plans to change the interior color option with the sport package?
I'm a disgruntled BMW 3-series owner who has been shopping in vain for about a year now. I've driven just about everything under the sun as long as it had a STICK optional.
I was not willing to sacrifice the sporting nature of my current vehicle simply to get into something more reliable. In short, I wanted my cake and eat it too.
I have tried the Nissans, Toyotas and Hondas and disliked all. I am actually shopping the 6 against an Acura TL and an Audi A4.
Mazda has a real winner on it's hands. Precise steering and good grip (w/17's) on par w/Audi A4 and Acura TL. Quiet until it's time to rip then a compelling snarl. Bit of a dead duck below 4500 RPM's though. Not a problem with a 5 spd to keep it on boil. Feels faster than the Audi (1.8t) but not as quick as the TL. Less torque down low also kept the torque steer in check (are you listening Nissan?) The Mazda built speed in the upper rev ranges more like a Honda/Acura
Ergonomics are excellent, they grafted my BMW interior into a FWD and added rear passenger room to boot. Speaking of boot, the 6 has a commodious trunk, especially with the trick seat release activated. What's up with the missing rear headrests?
The salesfolk at Flemington (NJ) Mazda have been very helpful without being overbearing.
If my lovely wife is as enthralled with the Lapis Blue as I am, we should be ordering a loaded 6s post-haste.
Yes, an extra 201 lbs which is mostly on the front wheels is bound to make a big difference in handling. That, and the fact that I can't get a V6 with MT, cloth, and SAB/SAC package, means I will probably get the 4-banger.
I know there is always a complaint about the VR6 engine affecting handling in the VWs, because of the extra weight. Everyone who drives one says it feels like there is a 150lb. man sitting on the hood.
Having owned a Tribute with the duratec v6 for the past 2 years, I'm well acquainted with the fuel efficiency. If you have a lead foot, the mileage will surely drop through the floor.
Seeing that Mazda improved the fuel efficiency for the 6 (which fully loaded, is ~100 lbs lighter than a 4x4 Tribute), I was wondering whether the VVT-duratec is sensitive to those of us with heavy minded feet.
Yeah, the 4 popper will probably handle better. As far as people saying that the V6's extra weight feels like theres a 150 lb man on the hood, well, you could say the same thing about the 4 banger. The 4 banger may handle better, but it accelerates like a V6 model with a 500 lb man sittin in the back seat....
The 4 cylinder engine is still mounted at the very front of the engine compartment, which doesn't help much in the weight balance department. The V6 just takes up more room in the back of the engine bay. The 4 cylinder still handles better with less weight on the front wheels overall, but it could potentially have been mounted farther aft to benefit from the smaller size even more.
It's always going to be a trade-off between weight balance and power, but personally, this time around I want power. My A4 1.8T is a well balanced car, but I found I spend more time on the highway than carving through turns. I'd rather have the power (and quieter, lower gearing) of the V6.
Does the 6i I-4 accelerate faster than the Protegé with the 2.0L engine?
Just got back from the dealer in High Point,NC. They have a new shipment of 6i's. All have 4-AT. Here's the colors: Three black, one with Premium Package; Two Steel Grey; Two yellow, one with Moonroof; One Silver; Two White. And the Redfire 6S they had onhand with Premium Package. Most stickered at $19,900.
By the way, whoever said the Silver is "dull" must have seen one dirty. The one I saw today is very nice and shines better than a dirty one I saw two weeks ago. The grey fabric looks lighter in the Black and Steel Grey models, darker in the Silver. It's the contrast. With light coming through the windshield the dash-top looks like charcoal grey rather than black and seems to contrast with the black steering wheel.
I agree with ya! Specs are only half of it, it's what they feel like that counts. If you ENJOY driving them what do the specs matter? Would anyone buy a car because it has better specs but hate most everything about it? I think not.
In the old days, wise car buyer advisors use to say, "Never mind the car with the beautiful styling that you have your heart set on; buy the car that you can get the best deal on, even if it is a different brand and a different model." I've always disagreed with this principal even though I know, from a price perspective, they were right. Todays' buyers are no different -- they buy what they have their hearts set on.
This is one reason why, I think, that Mazda is seeing a slow turnout of buyers due to the big discounts offered by other companies. There are buyers who don't care about specs and styling, just price.
The 4 cylinder engine is still mounted at the very front of the engine compartment, which doesn't help much in the weight balance department.
Actually, the weight distribution for the V6 is 60/40 while the wieght distribution for the i4 is more like 55/45. 201 lbs extra over a 3047 lb car adds 6.6% to the car's weight. The i4 actually has a tendency to oversteer, much like a rear wheel drive car. Mazda was careful in developing this handling charactoristic, and I personally can't wait to try getting the back to slide out :-)
Does the 6i I-4 accelerate faster than the Protegé with the 2.0L engine?
Yes. I believe the numbers are 7.8 seconds for the M6 and 8.4 seconds for the Protege ES. Yet, predicted gas mileage is pretty similar.
"Does the 6i I-4 accelerate faster than the Protegé with the 2.0L engine?"
I don't know. All I know is that I LOVE the V6 in the Mazda6. I haven't driven the 4 cyl, but I cannot imagine that the handling is THAT much better than the V6, at least not enough for me to forget about the V6. For those of you who haven't driven one yet, do yourself a favor and try out the 5sp V6 model. It wails. Oh yeah, the 4 wheel disk brakes give the Mazda6 incredible stopping power (Sorry, I couldn't resist). The ride/handling compromise is the best I've ever experienced in this class of car. Think of the 6 as an ultra-refined older Taurus SHO that went to graduate school. It's all about the overall package, not the numbers.
Probably wouldn't make much diference at all (except to the hotfeet in on Edmunds of course). Kinda like the Pro LX and ES. And if discs are so much better, wouldn't vented be even better in the rear? I mean why not go for the best?
A weight distribution 55/45 is pretty darn good for an FWD. I'm really curious to see if these numbers are exact, so if you or anyone else can find the source it would be great.
I think it has to be within two years of your graduating--or else you have to still be in graduate school. Here in the US is was a $500 rebate that counts towards your downpayment (so don't let it get in on the haggling price--lay it on them after you've got the price where you'd like it).
Comments
Is it realistic for me to find a lease rate of under for $400 per month including tax on a 36 month/12k mile per year lease with the only money down is the inceptions?
I'm looking at a Mazda with auto/leather/moonroof/Bose/premium package.
Thanks...Mike
IMHO - any (more) chrome will ruin the lines of the car. Besides chromed wheels, of course. They should have offered the chrome with whitewalls.
Now if you can wait 2-3 mths for dealers to get more stock and have cars sitting on their lots, you're in business
Dinu
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/t1/03mazda6.htm
mazda6s: I don't care for most red cars either, but loved the Redfire on the 6S I test-drove. Went back and took photos of it and have them posted on my home-office bulletinboard. Also up-close shots of the headlights and taillights.
fowler3
"Which of the following makes up for poor driving? A) ABS,
Hum, all driver have exactly the same definition of "poor driving": it's driving habit of others drivers!
Seriously, theorically ABS doesn't add any braking power to the system, and disk brake does. Maintain properly the tire also does, and I think a lot of people tend to forget this: I saw a lot of cars out there with under inflated tires just by looking at it, or do not have properly rotating tires. ABS help one to reach easily to the limit of locking. I use to thing braking are like 2 marks on the horizontal axis:
1) the first mark is the limit of locking, dictated by the design and the health of the tires
2) second mark is what the driver/ABS is doing during the braking.
ABS (and/or good driver) prevents the second mark to be greater than the first mark. But it's even better if one can push the first mark even father: driver will unlikely to make the second mark reaching the first mark and thus it tolerates as well poor driving. That's what the Mazda6 philosophy is IMHO.
Bruno
This thread officially goes back to the Mazda 6 now please.
Also; has anyone who has been seriously shopping the 6s noticed how often they come with sunroofs? I'm 6" 4' with a long torso so almost anything with a sunroof does not fit me.
The Honda was a coupe since no v6 sedans were avaialble. This was less than two weeks ago.
Without going into a long dissertation, the reviews are true - The Honda is quite and easy to drive, but there was a slight feeling of disconnection with the road. The Altima is nice until you step into a 6.
Both the Honda and Altima have great acceleration and there's no getting around the fact that both have more available power. However, only the 6 felt like 'fun' to drive, and it's the only car in recent memory that I actually long to drive. Usually only my motorcycle does that to me.
Unlike the others, the 6 feels as if it's always on the balls of its feet, begging to get busy. The other two are capable, but neither invoke a desire to commit serial abuse of the vehicle code. The 6 does.
I sound like a cheerleader, I know, but it's the truth. I love it.
I thought the headroom was marginal at best.
As much as I love the looks of the 6, I am dissapointed that there isn't much headroom for us tall guys.
I agree with Reufus, the interior and drive of the 6 is awesome. When you get behind the wheel you feel like you just want to take the long way wherever you are going. And I haven't even driven the 6 cylinder version yet. I think even if I did I would probably prefer the 4 anyway for the lightness. I read a couple reviews that said the four "feels" better than the six handling-wise.
When I visited Dallas a while back, every car on the road was tinted, to fight the blazing texas sun.
what's the legal tint limit in AZ?
I was not willing to sacrifice the sporting nature of my current vehicle simply to get into something more reliable. In short, I wanted my cake and eat it too.
I have tried the Nissans, Toyotas and Hondas and disliked all. I am actually shopping the 6 against an Acura TL and an Audi A4.
Mazda has a real winner on it's hands. Precise steering and good grip (w/17's) on par w/Audi A4 and Acura TL. Quiet until it's time to rip then a compelling snarl. Bit of a dead duck below 4500 RPM's though. Not a problem with a 5 spd to keep it on boil. Feels faster than the Audi (1.8t) but not as quick as the TL. Less torque down low also kept the torque steer in check (are you listening Nissan?) The Mazda built speed in the upper rev ranges more like a Honda/Acura
Ergonomics are excellent, they grafted my BMW interior into a FWD and added rear passenger room to boot. Speaking of boot, the 6 has a commodious trunk, especially with the trick seat release activated. What's up with the missing rear headrests?
The salesfolk at Flemington (NJ) Mazda have been very helpful without being overbearing.
If my lovely wife is as enthralled with the Lapis Blue as I am, we should be ordering a loaded 6s post-haste.
The Mazda 6 is the best car in it's class with one exception, they are 20 hp short with a Ford motor.
Seeing that Mazda improved the fuel efficiency for the 6 (which fully loaded, is ~100 lbs lighter than a 4x4 Tribute), I was wondering whether the VVT-duratec is sensitive to those of us with heavy minded feet.
It's always going to be a trade-off between weight balance and power, but personally, this time around I want power. My A4 1.8T is a well balanced car, but I found I spend more time on the highway than carving through turns. I'd rather have the power (and quieter, lower gearing) of the V6.
Just got back from the dealer in High Point,NC. They have a new shipment of 6i's. All have 4-AT.
Here's the colors: Three black, one with Premium Package; Two Steel Grey; Two yellow, one with Moonroof; One Silver; Two White. And the Redfire 6S they had onhand with Premium Package. Most stickered at $19,900.
By the way, whoever said the Silver is "dull" must have seen one dirty. The one I saw today is very nice and shines better than a dirty one I saw two weeks ago. The grey fabric looks lighter in the Black and Steel Grey models, darker in the Silver. It's the contrast. With light coming through the windshield the dash-top looks like charcoal grey rather than black and seems to contrast with the black steering wheel.
fowler3
Just keep reading numbers and you'll miss half of the good things in life.
In the old days, wise car buyer advisors use to say, "Never mind the car with the beautiful styling that you have your heart set on; buy the car that you can get the best deal on, even if it is a different brand and a different model." I've always disagreed with this principal even though I know, from a price perspective, they were right. Todays' buyers are no different -- they buy what they have their hearts set on.
This is one reason why, I think, that Mazda is seeing a slow turnout of buyers due to the big discounts offered by other companies. There are buyers who don't care about specs and styling, just price.
fowler3
absolutely durable.
gas mileage can sink occasionally, otherwise a grade a product.
The four is smooth as buttah too. Very "revvy". Much unlike the Pro 2.0. I love the 6 engine.
Actually, the weight distribution for the V6 is 60/40 while the wieght distribution for the i4 is more like 55/45. 201 lbs extra over a 3047 lb car adds 6.6% to the car's weight. The i4 actually has a tendency to oversteer, much like a rear wheel drive car. Mazda was careful in developing this handling charactoristic, and I personally can't wait to try getting the back to slide out :-)
Does the 6i I-4 accelerate faster than the Protegé with the 2.0L engine?
Yes. I believe the numbers are 7.8 seconds for the M6 and 8.4 seconds for the Protege ES. Yet, predicted gas mileage is pretty similar.
I don't know. All I know is that I LOVE the V6 in the Mazda6. I haven't driven the 4 cyl, but I cannot imagine that the handling is THAT much better than the V6, at least not enough for me to forget about the V6. For those of you who haven't driven one yet, do yourself a favor and try out the 5sp V6 model. It wails. Oh yeah, the 4 wheel disk brakes give the Mazda6 incredible stopping power (Sorry, I couldn't resist). The ride/handling compromise is the best I've ever experienced in this class of car. Think of the 6 as an ultra-refined older Taurus SHO that went to graduate school. It's all about the overall package, not the numbers.
The 6i has greater power/weight ratio than the Protege. It should accelerate faster.
Bruno
I graduated from University of Toronto back in 1992 so do I qualify? If I do is the dipoma all I need to show them?
http://www.rsportscars.com/foto/04/bravo03-wall800.jpg
I don't recall exactly where I've seen those weight distribution numbers, but I've seen in printed from both Mazda and Duratec Performance.
Bruno
Dinu
If drums aren't any worse than discs, why not have them up front too?
It's useless and no one's mind is going to change.