You are here: Forums Sedans Mazda6 Mazda6 Owners Meet the Members

Mazda6 Owners Meet the Members

196 messages,  Last post on Nov 24, 2009 at 3:34 PM

You are in the Mazda6 Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDA6, Sedan

Messages Page 16 of 20 1 ... 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#146 of 196 Happy new owner... by prionace Mar 14, 2004 (12:29 pm)
Funny how things can change quickly in the car buying process. I have an old 1991 Dodge Spirit (with one of the infamous paint jobs) that otherwise runs well still... Shocks are a bit shot, but it just passed an inspection with flying colors. Of course, only having 80,000 miles on it has something to do with it.   Anyhow, for a variety of reasons I started looking for a new car. Worked out my budget, what I could afford per month, and decided I was willing to do a loan of 6 years if necessary to put me in a car I want. I used Edmunds' financing calculator to determine how much car I can afford based on their TMV and what APR I figured I could get based on my credit. I was pleasantly surprised that I wouldn't have to settle for an econobox (in spite of the fact that some are rather nice these days).   So then I sat down with Edmunds' 2004 New Cars book and started reading the reviews. I narrowed my choice down to about 10 cars ranging from econobox up to midsize sedan, and even the Dodge Intrepid which I've always loved the look of. Then I started rating the cars in various categories, and listed my top 5. It included three Toyotas and two Mazdas. The top car on the list was a Toyota Celica, but after reading the Long Term test here, and realizing that for me the car just wouldn't work out, I went to the next car on the list.   That car was a Mazda 6. The other cars were a Toyota Camry Solara, Mazda 3, and Toyota Camry. So I began test driving... Almost immediately the Mazda 6 lapped the field as far as I was concerned, although the Mazda 3 made a strong case due to slightly better fuel economy, value for the money and an interior I liked the look of better. Somehow though, the Mazda 6 just felt like a better overall package for me.   I began 'building' cars on Edmunds and the Mazda.com site. Initially I was looking for a sport package, but decided that I liked the clean look of the base sedan. I never really considered the Manual Transmission since all the cars at nearby lots had an Automatic. I really wanted the Moonroof, but the combination of options necessary to get it (Sport package, Security Package, 17" alloy wheels, Bose Audio system) made it drop from the list quickly. The car I basically 'decided' on was an AT with ABS and Power Seats. The only problem? I was dead set on getting a Lapis Blue, and my pre-approved loan was due to end at the end of the month. Plus I wanted to take advantage of the $1500 rebate.   So I called around and found a car that really wasn't close to my 'latest build'. A Manual Transmission Lapis Blue with sport package (the spoiler version) plus a couple of extras that were never really on my list: sport grille, aluminum fuel door, autodim compass mirror. The big draw though was the price. It was through an internet manager who didn't haggle, but quoted their policy of $100 over invoice. I told the dealer I wanted to test drive it, and went out to do so. The first shock on seeing the car was how rich and bright the blue looks. The pictures on the mazda.com site when you choose the color don't come close to doing it justics. It took me a moment, and then I realized I loved the look.   The sport package still didn't thrill me, partially because I work at a place where 'sporty' cars are rather uncommon, and even a spoiler is unusual. This car will definitely stand out. However, it's definitely not as gaudy as some other cars, and as I walked around it, I realized it would grow on me quickly. Besides, a manual transmission is more practical than an automatic, and I could always use that excuse.   However, I haven't driven a manual in awhile (3 years) and wanted to make sure I liked the feel as much as I did the automatic version. I never stalled it, and by the end of the short trip I'd stopped whacking my companion's (friend who had to drive me up since I transferred plates but didn't trade in the old car) head on the headrest with the downshifts.   Got back inside and said, "Let's do it." Not only did I save $1500 off MSRP for the car, I saved $600 off Edmunds' TMV and they got me a better loan offer than the one I was able to get on my own (dropping a good $2000 off the interest over the life of the loan).   And then came the fun part... the drive home. See, this dealership was 100 miles from where I live and the drive only reaffirmed that I'd made the right choice. Love the car both how it feels and how it looks. Now I'll hope it's as reliable as the long term test here indicates...
#148 of 196 welcome aboard, prionace by thegreatvudini Mar 16, 2004 (4:19 pm)
Congratulations. You will NOT regret your decision! After 9100 miles, I am still in zoom-zoom heaven. I too thought the Lapis was a striking color, but yellow was my color: I can see my baby from hundreds of yards away, without having to look for her! vudini
#149 of 196 Thanks vudini by prionace Mar 18, 2004 (7:10 am)
Well, it's turned out to be as nice a car as my first impressions of it were, after now having had it a bit less than a week. I've had a chance to test the car in the snow as we got a decent amount the past couple of days, and she handles better than my old vehicle by far. The look continues to resonate with me, though the chrome fuel door is still something of an ambivalent point with me.   My only real 'complaint' isn't about the car specifically, but the audio system. I grew used to one touch switching between equalizer packagaes on a CD player I bought for my old car, so modifying the base, mid, and treble separately feels a bit of a pain.   Anyhow, the car runs beautifully, gets lots of comments at work (positive ones) and even my dad liked the look in a picture I sent him.   I can't wait to hit 600 miles so I can start pushing it a bit more. There're some nice, twisty roads in the area. Already I've found myself going 10 MPH faster than I have in my old car on some of these roads, without realizing it, and the car is still rock solid.   The impression I always get walking out to the car is that it looks massive somehow. Compared to my old Dodge Spirit, it's not hugely bigger (a few inches in all directions) but it just feels much more substantial. Anyhow, thanks again for the welcome.
#150 of 196 New 6s by eric-zoom by ericzoom Mar 20, 2004 (6:10 am)
I bought my mazda6s 3 weeks ago in FL. I was able to find one on the lot with all the features I wanted plus some extra's. Silver wasn't my first choice but the dealer made me an offer I could not refuse. The car looks fantastic,in and out. I got the sport package,V6,auto,luxury package,bose audio,side airbags,moonroof,cargo net and wheel locks. I figure I might as well load it up because I usually keep cars for many years. I hope I'll have good luck with it.
#151 of 196 I'm in ! by pazak Mar 20, 2004 (3:15 pm)
I paid a little more than I wanted to and didn't get what I expected on my trade, yet still I am one happy new owner. The 19 mile ride home from the dealership was very inspirational. I am going to have to get a bond card. Check that, I am going to have to get "two" bond cards. ...... and a lawyer.        6s - steel gray - 5 speed manual - loaded      and most importantly, the sport package W/O the spoiler. Thats right folks, I said no spoiler.
#152 of 196 The spoiler ... by ashutoshsm Mar 27, 2004 (7:24 am)
... makes some colors stand out, and looks incongruous on others. Blue, Yellow, Copper and Red pretty much NEED the spoiler. But that's just my opinion!   In any case - congratulations to all the new owners here - you're going to love owning the car! Mine turned 13K last week, and I'm still always excited about driving it
#153 of 196 Joined the club by likaglov Mar 29, 2004 (7:39 am)
Finally made the purchase and so far I'm loving it...   Red 6s-AT with beige leather. I actually tried to go without the spoiler, but there were only three available in the 6-state area, one was a demo, the other two had deposits on them (or so the other dealers said).
#154 of 196 Weekly Mazda Chat by pf_flyer HOST Apr 27, 2004 (3:26 am)
Mazda Mania     Liven up your evening and join your fellow enthusiasts every Tuesday from 6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET for our Mazda Mania Chat! The chat room opens 15 minutes before the scheduled chat time, so come early and get a good seat! Hope to see YOU there on Tuesday!   Mazda Mania Chat Room   PF Flyer Host Pickups & News & Views Message Boards
#155 of 196 Return to Edmunds by lapislayla Apr 29, 2004 (11:51 am)
Hello Fellow 6 Owners,   I posted this on the "main" Mazda6 board, then realized that it would have made more sense to post it here. It's been months since I've visited Edmunds. At that time, my username was Silvercrown. With this new format, I couldn't figure out how to log on with that name and it no longer fit me, so I reinvented my profile name (it's actually based on my car's "name").   I have had my beautiful, blue 6s Sport since last July and I have around 8500 trouble-free miles on it. It still shines like diamonds when it's clean, and I still find myself staring at it in the parking lot. I do love my car.   As for gas mileage, it could be better. I do a mixture of city and highway driving, mostly city, and I average aroun 21-22 mpg. I have a heavy right foot and I love to zoom, when I can, so I'm sure that accounts for my lower mileage. However, I averaged about 26 mpg in my old V6 Camry, using the same driving style, so the 6 is a thirstier machine in general.   If I could change one thing, besides improving the mileage, it would be a smaller turning circle. I am still getting used to it and certain parking maneuvers and turns are a pain. In spite of that small detail, I love my car and I enjoy driving it every day.   I did have one small misfortune happen earlier this month. I had to replace one of my tires. The roads here in Michigan are terrible, and even though I am very careful to avoid potholes and other bumps, I managed to get a bubble in my sidewall. First time this has ever happened to me and I've lived here all my life. I never had low profile, sport tires like these, so I guess that's the difference.   Luckily for me, Michelin agreed to pay for 45% of the replacement cost, since my car was so new. Customer goodwill, I guess. It was still very expensive to replace, these tires ain't cheap. And they're not readily available. I went to Belle Tire (I had to go to one of Michelin's authorized distributors for the evaluation of whether or not the tire was defective) and they had to go to their warehouse for that particular tire. So I was there for a long time, but grateful to save some $$$ in the end. Has anyone else had a tire problem like this due to bad roads or whatever?   However, I'm not looking forward to the time when all of my tires will have to be replaced. That's going to cost a small fortune. A friend of mine mentioned Tirerack.com and told me that they would deliver to any location I wanted, so if I wanted a certain auto shop to install my tires, they would send them there and it would save me a lot of money. What do you guys think? Any other suggestions? I'm thinking ahead here.

Messages Page 16 of 20 1 ... 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums Sedans Mazda6 Mazda6 Owners Meet the Members