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Thanks for your input.
Your decision will most likely be based on color and price. It's only fair to compare apples to apples so you must look past the entry level 4dr and start with the Sport Model.
The Mazda6i 5dr with the standard Sport type trim and manual transmission has a starting MSRP of $22,770 and goes up from there.
The Mazda6i 4dr with the optional Sport type trim and manual transmission has a starting MSRP of $22,370 and goes up from there.
Only $400 more for a little bit more versatility and convienence...worth it if you want Volcanic Red.
http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=modelsAllMZ6
ZOOM ZOOM!!!
Well, I don't agree with that. Just because Mazda will force me to pay for a bunch of stuff I may not want to get a hatch, does not mean I should pretend I would want that stuff in the sedan.
I would compare the price of the sedan the way I would choose to equip it to the hatch the way I would equip that.
I was hoping the 6 might do the job, especially since it is such a beautiful vehicle!
Thanks in advance.
I am currently in a market for a brand new (leftover) 05 Mazda 6i hatchback. I love the way car drives, and it is literally loaded with everything except the navigation. My only concern is that 6i's four cylinder is assembled with parts from Mexico. Now does that mean the engine itself was produced in Mexico or only the parts were assembeld in Mexico? Also, how reliable are the four cylinder engines in 6i? It seems like Consumers Reports rated the four cylinder models more reliable than the six cylinder models.
Any input would be appreciated.
I have a 2005 Mazda6 i Sport Hatchback. I have around 19K on it, trouble free. It drives just like the day I bought it. I know 19K is not a benchmark for reliability, however, I am also a dealer and we do not see the Mazda6 i in here for any engine trouble.
The engine is built in a Mazda engine plant in Mexico, but, it is a Mazda design. Parts come mostly from US/Mexico.
The V6 is a Ford engine, and is actually not a bad engine what so ever. It has been fairly problem free in many of the copy's it is placed in. They have had some sensor issues, but, nothing that has been mechanically bad.
As for the side air bags, if you look, the side of the seat has a plastic cover for the airbags of which the leather, or fabric, does not interfear with. Aftermarket leather will be OK.
What color is the exterior/interior?
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What are the advantages/disadvantages for each model? I can find a Volcanic Red 6i in the region (Northern New England).
Thanks
Honestly, not much, besides package and color changes. The biggest difference (IMO) is the warranty, as you pointed out. I'd get a '06 ASAP, while there's still a decent selection out there...
But I think when it comes down to it, I'd think the difference in noise between the two would be marginal especially if you typically drive with the stereo on.
I do not know if the sound alone would be enough to change my mind about which to get, if I really wanted the utility of the hatch. I did originally intend to go for a hatch, but now plan to go for the sedan...sound was a factor, but other reasons were more significant. I would drive them back to back yourself to compare the noise level.
On another note, the 03 has 50K miles and the 04 has 40K miles. These have been absolutely the best cars I have ever owned and the most reliable. I have owned 18 cars including 1 honda and 2 toyotas. The toyotas are the most over-rated cars on the planet, including "perceived" reliability. Is the Mazda 6 perfect? No! Memory Seats and an improvement in reducing interior road noise would make it perfect. But the driving experience makes this a car I love do drive every day. I also like that the Mazda 6 is still one of the best kept secrets in the automotive world. I enjoy that I do not drive a car so common that I see one at every corner.
Have you been in an '06? At least in the sedan, I think they have vastly improved it, with regard to noise.
I also like knowing that not everyone drives a 6, making it more exclusive. The fact that they can be had at bargain pricing is just icing on the cake.
Interesting, that is surprising as I felt there was a big difference in both engine and road noise.
The ones I have driven were automatics and the '05 engine had to run a lot faster than the '06. So that may be a factor, as I think you had indicated yours were manuals.
Yes, they were.
IMHO, driving both models routinely, there is a big difference in noise between my hatch and sedan. The hatch picks up tire noise and resonates it wheras the sedan does not seem to do that as bad. Also, neither model has the quietness of the accord and camry....BUT...I love the 6 over those options. My comment on noise is a nitpick from my perspective, but it could be an issue for someone else who puts noise comfort over the overall driving experience the 6 provides. My solution to the noise is: 1) Ride with the roof open, which I do anyway as long as its warm enough OR 2)when all windows are closed, turn the Bose up to level 15 and then its not an issue.
Sorry guys..maybe there is a Fruedian process in my brain where I dont want anyone else to by a 6... :confuse:
For myself, other considerations led me to decide I'd most likely eventually go for an '07 sedan, anyway:
I prefer no wing and the '07 SVE sedan lets me go wingless, but still get the dark tail lights and head lights.
We have a Windstar that we now think we will be able to keep going for several years. Until it was recently fixed at a tech college, thought it might be done soon due to needing $2000-3000 in repairs. So I had been thinking maybe a hatchback would be nice to have.
The Sedan is about $1000 less, for the version I want. Even without the Windstar, for those occasions where I might utilize a hatch, $1000 could pay for a lot of rental vehicles, delivery charges, or a trailer purchase or rental.
SO..if you must carry tall items..go with the hatch. For all other cargo (bicycles included) the Sedan would be my recommendation.
It seems the 6i Grand Touring is currently one of a few (the new GTI 5 door included) 5 door models with high levels of equipment, versatility, fun, and value packaged into an efficient high-mileage car and sold in the U.S. these days.
All they can do is complain about US 'not understanding' the wagon/hatch. Ford just axed the new Focus hatch and wagon as well.
Do you have a source for this info?
I've been thinking about getting either the wagon or hatch because I do alot of cycling too. I never even considered the sedan. With the seats down, there's enough room to slide your bike in?? I like the wagon but I have to admit the visibility out the back didn't seem all that great to me.
Anyway here is the source.
Also, getting the same car as the rest of the world isn't so simple. The US built Mazda6 requires it's own tooling, supplier base and safety standards. However, the $ figure I was throwing out was an out of the sky marketing cost. Grass roots efforts are neat, but you need believers and not salespeople to make those happen.