I seen the Mazda 6 today at the dealer and I was very impressed. A loaded Mazda 6 for $25,000 and 220 horse power with a six speed doesn't seem bad and is also a good lookin car. What do you guys think?

titot

 

Piece of **** tho really....I sat in it at the auto show...tiny inside, uncomfortable seats, cheap interior, horrible design, where should I stop??

I'm happy I have my 03 Maxima

 

I went a step further...I actually test drove one before I bought my Max. Everything NT2SHBBY said about the interior is 100% dead-on. I love the way the outside of the car looks, but I knew I wasn't buying it before I even put it in reverse to back out of the parking space. The interior is absolutely terrible IMO....particularly the built-in spot in the dash console for Navi (which is standard in Japan). It looks terrible without the Navi, like a storage space that is too small and shaped too weird to hold anything. I wasn't at all impressed with the power of the car either. And the salesman didn't want to tell me who made the engine (Ford) when I asked.

 

I think the 6 is a step in the right direction for Mazda. It's a much better car than the frumpy 626 it's replacing. Plus it's one of the few cars available with a manual tranny paired with a V6 for around 25K, and the car has a better warranty than The Accord, Altima and Camry.

 

thats cuz it actually needs the warranty...POS Ford..will never buy one, and i feel sorry for people who do own them

 

I haven't really looked at the 6's interior, but is it worse than the Altima? 'Cause the Alti. is actually it's targeted competition.

 

the 6 is just a bigger version of RX8....ain't a big fan to Mazda....

 

actually the 6 has more in common with a ford then with an rx8, although i am not a fan of the rx8 at least it doesnt have a ford motor under the hood

 

true...but honestly....i rather have a ford-made engine then the crappy water-cooled rotary engine....

 

I test drove the 6, it's indeed a nice looking car with sports grill and clear tail(euro std).
The M6 handles great, I'd say the suspension is well designed.
Interior layout is fine, red back lit on the dash and console looks nice and cool but material seems too plastic and cheezy. I'd say slightly better than 02 altima(heard that 03 has improved some?)
Engine? no no. no torque at all. with VQ? no comparison here.
M6 is rolling out wagon next year, that's what I'm looking for.

 

you guys need to give Mazda 6 more credit, yes its a Ford 3.0L engine. I test drove it less then 3 days ago with a friend who's looking for a car right now here's my review. BTW, I drove both V6(220HP) and Inline 4 (160HP) Both automatic w/ autoshift.

Exterior, I like the Zoom Zoom Syle but I didn't think too much of the rear lights...Looks like puffy eyes. I like the front with dual projection headlights and built in fog lights. I give them a lot of credit for their design.

Interior, First thing I noticed is the RED speedo's and gauges and I absolutly love that color at night, matches well along with other interior panels which also is in RED at night. Now, I didn't like how the instruement layout is designed, with lots of "circle" in mind, to me was very confusing I wouldn't even find the off button for the air condition, took me 2min to find it. Yes, Lots of cheap plastic, but on the V6 theres like 10% of Carbon fiber look alike material used on the interior which I thought was pretty cool.

Performance, First the handling is much better than my Maxima SE, the suspension its the best thing about this FWD car I give them PROP for this. Now the engine, all I can say is ITS SLOW ON DOWNSHIFTS after I push down the pedal it takes 2 full seconds for it to downshift and take off (Even with Autoshift) After that it does pull pretty good to the redline, the Inline 4 engine is not as fast but its more responsive than the V6.

In conclusion, the car I test drove(Mazda6s V6) had factory sport package with Aero Kit and sun-roof all for MSRP 23,000. Personally I think thats a very good deal, Yes It doesn't match our Maxima in performance and interior doesn't match up to our car, but for people thats on a budget and want to look good, I would get this car over say a Altima 2.5S which is around the same price. We went to the Nissan dealer to check out a 3.5 Altima, it was around 26K. So do I think this is a POS car, NO. Is it better than my Maxima? NO Is it a good car to own, YES.

BTW, after test driving I was merging into highway with my friend and I ask him what does he think of the Mazda 6, and he's like yeah I like it, pretty fast car....at the same time he was still talking I push my pedal down 3/4 and my VQ engine Roar along with my intake to 5000RPM in 3rd gear.....I laughed....he start acting like humm........maybe I should get a maxima

 

 

My wife and I just bought a new Mazda Protege5 for her, last week, and I looked at and sat in the 6 while at the dealership. I personally like the exterior look, and the red guages, but the interior is cheap and uncomfortable, it just doesn't compare with the Max! My wife's 5 is fun to drive because it handles well, but that is about it, she likes and that's all that matters.

 

 

Perry, you forgot to mention that it also handles better than our Max's.

 

way better, i would say...much better steering feel. i hate to say it, but it is more fun to drive than the max

 

You guys kill me. You'll drive a Rennault, but b!tch about owning a Ford. I wonder who has the higher reliability rating?

 

Why must we speak of other cars solely on this Maxima forum. Take it to a zoom zoom one...

 

Hmmmmm, i really don't get why you guys are ragging on the 6. It doesn't even compete with the Maximas. I think it'll be more comparable to the altima and accords. I haven't sat in the altima or the 6, but isn't it true that the altimas have crappy interiors also? The Accords have always had nice interiors but the bland exterior styling just isn't very appealing. So based on looks alone the 6 clearly is the choice. And to the people who are saying that they offer long warranties because they need it, it is quite an illogical, borderline on absurd statement. Think about this on a business perpesctive, why would they offer a long warranty if they don't have confidence in their product? It would cost them way more money fixing hundreds of thousand of cars every year under warranty. As anti-American/Korean car manufacturers as I am, there is no denying that quality nowadays is exponentially better than it was say 6-8 years ago. I would even venture to say that more new cars that you buy nowadays will not just fall apart on contact with water no matter what make it is.

 

It needs it..it's a Ford! I test drove one too...Nice car...small inside. Interior pieces are on par with an Altima....For the same money you can get a loaded max which in my opinion is much more of a car and a bargain....I'm not sure....but, I don't think Wild ***** makes pedals for the 6

 

It might handle better....but does the 6 have the gut-wrenching torque steer of the 3.5 which can and will scare the ever-loving **** outta you and any person that drives it???






HELL NO IT DON'T!!!!



I like my 03 Maxima, thank you!

 

Oh yes...I failed to mention..I drove the Auto..and it was VERY unimpressive

 

I also looked at the "6" before I bought my SE. The mazda feels way smaller and designed to appeal to the boy-ricer Civic buyer I suppose. I suspect that quality control (paint, rattles, fitment, #TSB, ECU resets, etc.) may be better than gen5/gen6 maxima--which has been a surprise and disappointment to me.

 

The engine may be one of the best things about this car. As I understand it, this is a version of the Duratec V-6, which is a very good engine - it ain't a VQ, but it's light, powerful, and the chip is tuned to deliver good performance from that model. Certainly way ahead of GM engines, and most likely the Koreans, too.

 

Just to make a point here - remember all the hype on Mazda when the introduced the 929 in the mid 90's, then the Millenia's?

How many are still on the road running today? Compare that with a Camry, Accord, or Maxima from that time range and you'll get the point! Not saying the 6 is bad, I test drove one, interior is a little small for 6'3 guy, but I do like the exterior looks. By the way, I had a 929 and hated it. That transmission and sensor crap soured my stomach on Mazda. Maybe one day Mazda can turn the corner and produce a product that will still be running at 150,000 miles without breaking your pockets. But for me, they're still second tier in the non luxury import market, along with Mitsubishi - cause their cars look good, but will they still be running when you finish paying it?

But, its an ok car, maybe for someone in the low 20's, college grad's 1st car, etc. Based on recent Mazda's and their v6's, you're gonna need the warranty.

 

Actually, Mazda has problems with their I4 engines more so than their V6's (with the exception of their 3.5). Their (Ford's) new 2.3L is bulletproof, and the 3.0L Ford engine is actually an extreemly capable engine. Compare the Ford Duratec 3.0L V6 to the VQ30DE and you'll see what I mean. Of course the 6 feels underpowered to our VQ35DE, but if they were to up the displacement to 3.5L's, then we'd be in trouble. If American motor manufacturers know how to do anything, it's increase the displacement of their engines to get power.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Quicksilver
[Their (Ford's) new 2.3L is bulletproof, and the 3.0L Ford engine is actually an extreemly capable engine.

I have had 4 new 3.0L engines with Ford....And I can agree with you about them being capable.....


After 5000 miles they were all capable of consuming 2 quarts of oil every 2500 miles and a trip to service ever 1-3 months.

 

I really liked the Mazda 6S, actually. It's different, it handles really well, has decent power, and it is fun to drive. The reason I did not get it was because they would not go much lower than MSRP, and that turned out to be slightly more expensive than the Max that I bought, and in that case the Max is better.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by wild *****

Quote:

Originally posted by Quicksilver
[Their (Ford's) new 2.3L is bulletproof, and the 3.0L Ford engine is actually an extreemly capable engine.

I have had 4 new 3.0L engines with Ford....And I can agree with you about them being capable.....


After 5000 miles they were all capable of consuming 2 quarts of oil every 2500 miles and a trip to service ever 1-3 months.

You'll forgive me if I tell you that you need to learn how to break in vehicles...

 

umm the 6 cylinder is out of a taurus, a bit souped up, but hardly reliable, and ford DOES NOT make bullet proof engine, their v8's have their problems too, it is just they are so damn easy to fix, thats why they run for a long time, ease of repair goes a long way.

THe taurus is the biggest POS out there, the fact that they stuffed that engine in the tiny 6 to make it go zoom zoom zoom striaght to the rapair shop

as far as the guy who is comparing the reliability of Nissan eninges to ford engines, PLEASE DONT GO THERE.

 

It's not the same engine as in the Taurus...same basic block, that's it. It's the LS block (IIRC).

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by wild *****

Quote:

Originally posted by Quicksilver
[Their (Ford's) new 2.3L is bulletproof, and the 3.0L Ford engine is actually an extreemly capable engine.

I have had 4 new 3.0L engines with Ford....And I can agree with you about them being capable.....


After 5000 miles they were all capable of consuming 2 quarts of oil every 2500 miles and a trip to service ever 1-3 months.

Are you beating the daylights out of these engines?

My '96 Duratec has 120,000 miles on it, doesn't burn a drop.

Since it seems you have gone through 4 engines, with continuous major service issues, perhaps you need to look at something other than the manufacturer as the cause.

 

I will not...I have babied every car I have ever owned....FORD is the only oil consumer.... POS I follow the break in instructions for double the time stated in the manual for every vehicle.

FORD Sucks.....as a matter of fact....they told me it was normal oil consumption for their vehicles
I have a 76 Chevy Stepside that does not burn any oil...a 912MR2 that burns no oil..a 97 Bonnieville that burns no oil. and an 02 Altima that burns no oil.

May I state again...Ford is crap

 

amen brotha

 

You may But go and check the numbers of failures per 100 units. Looks like someone at Ford has been giving you the shaft.

 

Funny, though, they sell a lot of cars these days.

 

My Duratec has 70k on it and doesn't burn a drop of oil. I run it hard, and I have a chip that lets it rev to 6500 in every gear. It isn't as smooth in the upper 1/3rd of the powerband as the VQ, but it still spins strong right up to redline. Word is that the Ford 500 will have a bored/stroked 3.5L Duratec pushing 250hp, so they are gonna go bigger for sure.

As far as the Mazda 6 is concerned, i actually like it. The exterior is much sportier looking than the Maxima, and I don't see where you people get your "it has a ****ty interior" opinions from. The leather was nice, it didn't have that much hard plastic, and the red glow guages and hvac controls were pretty cool. The 5 speed shifter action is worlds better than the Altima, and I won't even bring up the interior quality of the Altima. It handles better, brakes better, and has a better warranty than the Altima. You guys can't compare it to a Maxima because they are clearly marketed to 2 different buyers. The only distinct advantage the Maxima or Altima has is the VQ. It makes the Duratec feel lacking in tq, which it is. As a matter of fact the automatic Mazda 6 felt slower than my Taurus off the line, but above 4k rpm it was stronger.

Hell, at least it doesn't look like an 04 Maxima or 03 Accord.

 

some people here hate to support any car that "competes" with the Max, cause the Maxima rules all. the 6 is REALLY fun to drive, it is so tossable, and feels so stable...when I got back in my Max, i was disappointed with the way it handles. but the VQ does make it all worth it, if only i had the funds for tires, springs, shocks

 

Man.. As a DIEHARD mazda enthusiast, i am really disappointed on the limited knowledge and speculations about one of my favourite companies..

Now, undersatnd, NISSAN IS NOT GOD< and they fukk up enough times.. the maxima is not the greatest car either, i had it with the stupid service, and warranty? waht warranty? The VQ motor is good, but its not the best.. ECU updates, Tranny grinding problems, retarded handling, and other problems..

As for mazdas not being reliable that is a load of BS.. it depends on what perspective you look at .. My old protege had a BP 1.8L 4cyl motor which is a lot more robust than the VQ.. try putting 15PSI turbo on a VQ and see it blow...

What you need to understand is the Mazda 6 is using the Ford Taurus 3.0L v6 motor with a mazda modified head ala VARIABLE TIMING which is the higher horsepower rating than normal duratec motors..

In the history of mazda, there has been severe problems as a result of using $hit ford parts.. A lot of mazda 626's (93-97) automatics suffered premature failures because of the use of FORD AUTO TRANNIES.. the 5 speeds were good.. And the 2.5L v6 motor was a MAZDA motor (KL designation) which was a gem, espeically the jap spec KL-ZE motor which really put the power down(MX-3/MX-6/Proteges loved these motor swaps, puts them right in to the 13's..)

Comparo between a 6 and a maxima? The 6 is better at handling, styling, but the maxima has more features and a stronger motor...

But don't flake on mazda, i just read the RX8 renesis motor (its all mazda not ford) one the WORLDS BEST MOTOR.. We always run around claiming to have the TOP 10 V6 for 9 years running, but this motor took the cake and made WORLDS BEST MOTOR>..

And sure teh 13B rotary motor (20B in some parts) were unreliable, but that was as aresult of fukking retard owners and mechanics that do not know how to deal with a rotary motor.. Major problems was because a retarded cooling system and a very sensitive area regarding fuel/air ratios ..

ED

 

The mazda 6 is way too small inside. I sat in one at the dealer and its not comfortable. Im 6'3" and I love the room that my maxima gives me, the seat could go back a tad further, I still love it though.