Mazda 6 - what do you think?

[GoLowDrew]

Let's start by saying what the experts said, why not take a look at Camry or Accord? It's true they are better in every way, but these mid size cars now looks overgrown. I perfer something "smaller." Why not wait for the new Mazda 6 coming out in 2009? Because it will be better in everyway by being larger, more room, etc, etc just like the Camry or Accord. And more expensive.Now that we get that out of the way, what do you think of the Mazda 6? Good, bad, ugly from what you read, experience, or heard?

[Kamikaze]

Personally, I'm sick of seeing them...I can see why people buy them, a good, cheap, good looking car...I enjoy having something a little bit different.

[Sublimewind]

Only if it's a Speed6.... yummy...

[jake75]

I am not into 4 dr sedans but the Nissan Altima may be an alternate choice in that category.I actually liked the look and functionality of the Mazda 5 but have never driven one. I suspect it is less peppy than the Vibe. But I am also less peppy than the Vibe so that would not be an issue with me.

[Whelan]

My cousin has a 2004 Mazda 6s with the V6. It's a more tuned version of the Taurus 3.0L engine, runs really well. So far he is over 80,000 miles. Drives 80 miles round trip to work and home each day (we work together he has double my commute). Only things he has done to the car have been tires and brakes and oil changes. No problems, nothing of concern, car runs and looks fantastic.He has the lip kit, fog lamps, heated leather, spoiler, moonroof. It is a pretty comfortable car and has cost him very little in maintenance, good gase mileage too from what he says. On a personal note I like them a lot. It's a nice alternative to the builkier Altima, Camry, Accord. The base 4 is a little weak and for what you get in options for price, he paid like 24k out the door for his loaded! You can't beat a Mazda. They have good reliability and are moving up just like Hyundai is. In the next few years Mazda will def. a be a major competitor with the likes of Honda and Toyota. They already are with the 3 in the compact segment.

[Mavrik]

I test drove a speed 6 and was not impressed at all. Not only was it slow compared to a stock Legacy GT but its luxury was lacking as well. Only the driver's seat was powered, the interior felt like crap. Even the exhaust tips were little round pipes sticking through chrome tips mounted to the rear bumper...

[northvibe]

mazda 6, ford fusion, lincon mkz and the mercury milan are all the same. 2.3 I4 or the 3.0 duratec v6 engine that mazda got from ford then tuned up a bit for vvt, which upped the torq/hp and mileage. that duratec v6 is a great engine. the mercury has a upgraded suspension from the fusion i know so it rides smoother. I love that platform so if you like that car you could find one of those models for cheap. the Mazda speed 6 is a sweet awd turbo, motor trend compared it to the lgt and although the lgt was faster i think they liked the mazda for quality feel over it, ill have to find the issue if someone wants specifics.

[Whelan]

I do have one gripe, the turning radius could be better for the car. I know my Matrix is smaller but I can toss that around the parking garage with no hassle.

[Sublimewind]

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik »I test drove a speed 6 and was not impressed at all. Not only was it slow compared to a stock Legacy GT but its luxury was lacking as well. Only the driver's seat was powered, the interior felt like crap. Even the exhaust tips were little round pipes sticking through chrome tips mounted to the rear bumper...Yeah, that's what I thought, but if I had to pick, i'd get the AWD/turbo model..

[Mavrik]

Quote, originally posted by Sublimewind »Yeah, that's what I thought, but if I had to pick, i'd get the AWD/turbo model.. well of course lol. But I'd rather have a Speed 3 over a Speed 6. Man that Speed 3 we beat the crap out of in Seattle was fun lol

[AKLGT]

speed6 sucked. I was greatly disappointed. the salesman kept saying, "isn't this fast???" and I told him no. If he wants to ride in a fast sport sedan, I can drive him around in my LGT (that was just the stock gutted pipes and stg 2 tune at the time). Even my LGT stock in it's auto glory was still faster! What a let down!now.... the speed3 was a completely different story! that little car was a blast! if I didn't need the AWD I'd have one of them, no question! for the price, hard to beat $24K for all that!

[lovemyraffe]

I like the looks of the Mazda, but they are owned by Ford.

[Whelan]

If the Mazda 3 came with AWD, even the non Speed models, I would have gotten a hatch in .2 seconds over the Trix. Of course I was looking at the GT or similar with HIDs, moonroof, in dark slate grey, standard, all the trimmings. Would have been a fun ride. But since AWD was a priority and the 2.5RS Subie wagon was a little overpriced and the only WRX hatch I could afford was the older style with round headlights, a little too old for my taste, I picked the Trix.As for Mazda being owned by Ford. They still do a lot of their own engine tweaking adding VVT and other elements. Which brings their quality higher than Fords and yet keeps maintenance about the same as a domestic.

[Mavrik]

I would never own anything with FORD stamped directly on the outside but I would drive a Mazda Speed 3.

[northvibe]

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik »I would never own anything with FORD stamped directly on the outside but I would drive a Mazda Speed 3. oh a closet ford driver, nice i swear i wont tell anyone...shhhhh

[ColonelPanic]

Does Mazda even build a vehicle of their own anymore? Not a Ford fan, so I would never own one no matter how many people rant and rave about how great their "Mazdas" are.

[GoLowDrew]

Quote, originally posted by ColonelPanic »Does Mazda even build a vehicle of their own anymore? RX-8 and Miata are the only "true Mazdas" left.