Opinions on the Mazda 6?
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,810
Likes: 15
From: MI
I had a 94 626 I-4 manual that ran with no problems for me for 3 yrs. and 90+K miles when I traded it.
My son had an I-4, manual, 08 Mazda6. Unfortunately it had rod knock at about 30K miles that they fixed under warranty. It also had pulsing brakes. Otherwise, he really liked the car. You can tell her the car is made in Flat Rock, MI.
My neighbor has a Mazda3 with the same engine. It uses oil and has suspension problems. It's the first Japanese car he's ever owned that uses oil - and he's owned a bunch of Hondas and Toyotas.
IMO, Mazda quality is spotty these days. I would suggest you help her work a great deal on a new Toyota. It's great buying time for a new Toyota. Aside from that, I would have her look again at the Fusion and Hyundai.
My son had an I-4, manual, 08 Mazda6. Unfortunately it had rod knock at about 30K miles that they fixed under warranty. It also had pulsing brakes. Otherwise, he really liked the car. You can tell her the car is made in Flat Rock, MI.
My neighbor has a Mazda3 with the same engine. It uses oil and has suspension problems. It's the first Japanese car he's ever owned that uses oil - and he's owned a bunch of Hondas and Toyotas.
IMO, Mazda quality is spotty these days. I would suggest you help her work a great deal on a new Toyota. It's great buying time for a new Toyota. Aside from that, I would have her look again at the Fusion and Hyundai.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,543
Likes: 264
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
If you are talking about simple brake-pedal shimmy from warped rotors, you can't necessarily blame that on the Flat Rock plant.....that is a very common problem. Many factors affect rotor warpage (though it is primarily from heat buildup), and it can happen to any steel-rotored car, anywhere, from any plant....one reason why Porsche developed ceramic rotors.
My neighbor has a Mazda3 with the same engine. It uses oil and has suspension problems. It's the first Japanese car he's ever owned that uses oil - and he's owned a bunch of Hondas and Toyotas.
IMO, Mazda quality is spotty these days. I would suggest you help her work a great deal on a new Toyota. It's great buying time for a new Toyota.
Aside from that, I would have her look again at the Fusion and Hyundai.
Last edited by mmarshall; Mar 15, 2010 at 06:59 PM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,586
Likes: 0
From: FL
The mazda 6 is a good car. It has been million mile tested by mazda engineers in all types of conditions, has a five star crash test rating and comes with many features standard that are optional on competiors like the camry. I really think it is a great value and fun to drive.
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: PA
Thanks for all the replies.
She did end up buying the Mazda 6 with the 4 banger and the automatic. She liked the V6, but it was out of her price range, and she insisted on new insteD of used.
For the most part, she had her mind made up on the first test drive. Something about the car jus "called" to her. She did manage to get the dealer down from $24k to $21.5k.
Not the car I would have chosen, but then again, not my money. She did take my advice at least, when the salesman had the hook in her (he was hard-selling big time). I made her get up, walk out of the dealership, go down the street and drive something else, get lunch, etc.. So she could look at the car, and the deal, without emotion. At least she signed the paperwork with a level head.
She did end up buying the Mazda 6 with the 4 banger and the automatic. She liked the V6, but it was out of her price range, and she insisted on new insteD of used.
For the most part, she had her mind made up on the first test drive. Something about the car jus "called" to her. She did manage to get the dealer down from $24k to $21.5k.
Not the car I would have chosen, but then again, not my money. She did take my advice at least, when the salesman had the hook in her (he was hard-selling big time). I made her get up, walk out of the dealership, go down the street and drive something else, get lunch, etc.. So she could look at the car, and the deal, without emotion. At least she signed the paperwork with a level head.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 0
From: il
That's more the case with the rotary-engined Mazdas, which have always drunk both gas and oil, than with the conventional piston-engined ones.
Maybe. Depends on the gearing, transmission design, and final-drive ratio. Mazdas, in general, tend to be somewhat sport-oriented. That (sometimes) means short (high-RPM) gearing, close-ratio spreads, and a short final-drive ratio.......all else equal, forumulas for power rather than economy. It means more engine RPMs (and more fuel use) in any given gear range.
Maybe. Depends on the gearing, transmission design, and final-drive ratio. Mazdas, in general, tend to be somewhat sport-oriented. That (sometimes) means short (high-RPM) gearing, close-ratio spreads, and a short final-drive ratio.......all else equal, forumulas for power rather than economy. It means more engine RPMs (and more fuel use) in any given gear range.
i guess they chose performance over fuel economy.
i think most of mazda is below average in fuel economy. mazda 3 6spd gets 21/29 which isn't bad, but more and more newer cars will have over 35mpg highway. mazda better get this right next time because i think the battlefield will be the fuel economy in the future.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,543
Likes: 264
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Thanks for all the replies.
She did end up buying the Mazda 6 with the 4 banger and the automatic. She liked the V6, but it was out of her price range, and she insisted on new insteD of used.
For the most part, she had her mind made up on the first test drive. Something about the car jus "called" to her. She did manage to get the dealer down from $24k to $21.5k.
She did end up buying the Mazda 6 with the 4 banger and the automatic. She liked the V6, but it was out of her price range, and she insisted on new insteD of used.
For the most part, she had her mind made up on the first test drive. Something about the car jus "called" to her. She did manage to get the dealer down from $24k to $21.5k.
...........and the wish for the best of luck with it. Sounds like she did a good job bargaining....but we don't know the sticker-price or the dealer-cost figure; both important figures in how good the deal really is. In general, though, of course, the lower you can bargain, the better off you are, so she saved herself $2,500 either way. 
Does she know the proper break-in rules for a new car? They may or may not have gone over that at the dealership with her....though they are often written in the Owners' Manual. If not, PM me, and I'll give them to you....but the general idea is to take it easy on the engine and brakes for the first 1000 miles; no hard stuff, unless you have to brake hard in an emergency.
And, of course...........now I won't have to review it.
Last edited by mmarshall; Mar 15, 2010 at 07:22 PM.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,810
Likes: 15
From: MI
As for the brakes, I think all of the cars on that platform: Mazda6 (my son), Fusion (a co-worker), Milan, and MKZ (mine) have a tendency to develop warped rotors. My leased MKZ goes back to FMCC as soon as winter is over and the work is done on my LS430.
Congrats to the OPs sister on the new ride.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,581
Likes: 283
From: Illinois
Actually, I wasn't accusing the Flat Rock plant. I was merely pointing out that it is an American made car which the buyer may see as an advantage.
As for the brakes, I think all of the cars on that platform: Mazda6 (my son), Fusion (a co-worker), Milan, and MKZ (mine) have a tendency to develop warped rotors. My leased MKZ goes back to FMCC as soon as winter is over and the work is done on my LS430.
Congrats to the OPs sister on the new ride.
As for the brakes, I think all of the cars on that platform: Mazda6 (my son), Fusion (a co-worker), Milan, and MKZ (mine) have a tendency to develop warped rotors. My leased MKZ goes back to FMCC as soon as winter is over and the work is done on my LS430.
Congrats to the OPs sister on the new ride.
Last edited by LexBob2; Mar 16, 2010 at 07:46 AM.
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,459
Likes: 1
From: Makati, Philippines
Test drove a unit a year ago with my papa.
It's quite fast, agile, lightweight. The engine easily responds with life and kicks in well (even at just 3500 rpm). That 2.5 liter motor is really something IMHO.
Only downside (at least in our model sold here) is that we sacrificed HID headlamps in order to get Cruise Control. IMHO, I'd pick HID headlamps over cruise control anyday (cause I don't like halogen headlamps anymore).
Another downside is push stop start button is not available in our model. Other than that, it seems all good (it has power seats, steering wheel audio controls, 6 speaker audio system, leather seats). It's all good.
Better than the US Accord 2.4 L without a doubt
It's quite fast, agile, lightweight. The engine easily responds with life and kicks in well (even at just 3500 rpm). That 2.5 liter motor is really something IMHO.
Only downside (at least in our model sold here) is that we sacrificed HID headlamps in order to get Cruise Control. IMHO, I'd pick HID headlamps over cruise control anyday (cause I don't like halogen headlamps anymore).
Another downside is push stop start button is not available in our model. Other than that, it seems all good (it has power seats, steering wheel audio controls, 6 speaker audio system, leather seats). It's all good.
Better than the US Accord 2.4 L without a doubt
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,543
Likes: 264
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
As for the brakes, I think all of the cars on that platform: Mazda6 (my son), Fusion (a co-worker), Milan, and MKZ (mine) have a tendency to develop warped rotors. My leased MKZ goes back to FMCC as soon as winter is over and the work is done on my LS430.
Even the mightly Lexus LS400 suffered from it in the first few years of production in the early 90's.....the car ended up being too big and heavy for the rotor size used, which created heat build-up.
Congrats to the OPs sister on the new ride.
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