Ask the Car People.SM


Mazda6 Prices Paid and Buying Experience

2382 messages,  Last post on May 16, 2013 at 9:26 PM

You are in the Prices Paid - Buying & Leasing Experiences Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDA6, Hatchback, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 234 of 239

#2324 of 2382 Re: 2014 mazda 6 [kyfdx] by aviboy97

Jan 26, 2013 (7:53 pm)

Replying to: kyfdx (Jan 25, 2013 9:16 pm)
kyfdx-
 
I do not agree that SKYACTIV engines are on par with V6 variants (obviously), your assessment of what SKYACITV is is way off base. Considering you represent Edmunds, I would assume you would know better.
 
Let me help shed some light on exactly what SKYACTIV Technology is...
 
To start, Mazda did a boat load of engineering to create power trains that increase efficiency and power without sacrificing driving performance. They used a "sky's the limit" approach to achieving their goal. That is where the name came from.
 
In the engine, Mazda uses a innovative cavity piston design to harness fuel energy that helps the fuel burn more efficiently and creates more power. Mazda also uses one of the most advanced DI systems on the market injecting fuel in at over 2900psi. It injects fuel in both the intake and compression strokes for engine cooling, which is why Mazda can run 13.1 compression on 87 fuel. Also, the DI has a 6 hole injector in each cylinder which is specifically designed to inject fuel at precise points for perfect fuel/ail atomization.
 
Mazda also reworked cooling passages, oil passages, cams, piston rings, connection rods to create less friction, down about 30%-70%, depending on the part, from the previous MZR motors.
 
Mazda also uses a 4-2-1 header exhaust manifold, this is not new to the market, but Mazda found a way to make it work with a horizontally mounted engine, something that is not easy.
 
The 2.0L engine used develops 155ph and 148ft-lbs. Currently in the Mazda3 is far better than offerings by Hyundai, Toyota, Nissan, Honda and Ford as Mazda is the only one who gets 40mpg w/o any special FE package and no CVT tranny. Nissan can get there w/o any FE package, but needs a CVT and FAR less HP to get there. Mazda's engine is obviously superior. The CX-5 gets a pass based on displacement, but the 2.5L offers over 20 more ft-lbs than the CR-V and gets better city and average FE. The Escape has proven to fall short on FE promises and the CX-5 has not. The Rogue, Santa Fe, 2014 RAV4, Sportage all still fall short of the 2.5L CX-5 in both power and efficiency.
 
The real beauty of SKYACTIV is the automatic transmission. It uses a very small torque converter for speeds lover than 5mph and then a multi-disc clutch for shifting, which is very similar to a DCT. No one has done this yet. As a result, you get CVT-like efficiency with the direct shift feel of a DCT and the smoothness at low speeds of a conventional torque converter tranny. This is why you see the Mazda6 match the fuel efficiency of the Altima without using a CVT. If you notice, any other cog tranny's efficiency is a bit off the mark from Mazda's in this segment and they sure don't provide rev-matching downshifts for great real-world driving capability.
 
There were also many enhancements to the body and chassis to reduce weight and increase strength by using ultra-high tensile steel. Mazda uses more than any other manufacturer. This aids in efficiency and safety.
 
This is really an abbreviated version of what Mazda did. You can search YouTube and Mazda has plenty of videos describing what they have done.
 
Is "SKYACTIV Technology" a marketing tag? Absolutely. But, what Mazda has done IS real and some of it is true innovation especially from a company that produces affordable vehicles. Mazda's engineers have really come up with awesome technology, IMO.
 
Proof is in the pudding as consumers have flocked to Mazda's new tech and sales have been above and beyond what Mazda was expecting. If you look at the year-end sales results, Mazda sold 123,000 Mazda3's (most ever) with 69% being SKYACTIV equipped models. Mazda stated at this time last year, they did not expect to sell more than 100,000 Mazda3's for 2012. The CX-5 sold 43,000 units, far beyond what Mazda ever thought it would sell in years one in the U.S.
 
I hope I helped clear some things up for you. For more info, visit Mazda's web site, or YouTube for the cool videos they have posted.

#2325 of 2382 Re: 2014 mazda 6 [aviboy97] by kyfdx HOST

Jan 26, 2013 (9:03 pm)

Replying to: aviboy97 (Jan 26, 2013 7:53 pm)
You obviously know more about it than I do.. But, 155 HP out of 2.0 liters is nothing special. More efficient than a comparable 4 cylinder? Sure.. A substitute for a V-6? Not even close.. underpowered for the CX-5? Seems to be the general consensus.
 
Which was the subject of the post I was responding to..
 
You expect too from an Edmunds host. I moderate Prices Paid for every make and model.

#2327 of 2382 Hmm... by romil01

Jan 26, 2013 (10:44 pm)

Drove a 2014 Grand Touring today. While the exterior is gorgeous and it drove nicely, the interior is nowhere near as nice as the new Accord. The driver's seat felt hard, whereas the Accord's was really plush. Also, the Accord's center stack is much more modern looking. The nav system in the new 6 is pretty antiquated looking. As of now, an Accord EX-L V-6 with Nav for about the same price as a Mazda6 Grand Touring is much more appealing...especially the tons of extra power the V-6 offers over the 4-cylinder.

#2328 of 2382 Re: 2014 mazda 6 [kyfdx] by aviboy97

Jan 27, 2013 (1:17 pm)

Replying to: kyfdx (Jan 26, 2013 9:03 pm)
A substitute for a V-6? Not even close.. underpowered for the CX-5? Seems to be the general consensus.
 
As you can see, I agreed with you on the V6 comment. But, in context, the 40mpg 2.0L is pretty good even with 155hp. Mazda should have used the 2.5L in the CX from the rip.
 
You expect too from an Edmunds host. I moderate Prices Paid for every make and model.
 
Thanks for clearing that up! I figured you guys were more in touch with your editors/evaluators. My apologies.

#2329 of 2382 Re: 2014 mazda 6 [aviboy97] by kyfdx HOST

Jan 27, 2013 (1:46 pm)

Replying to: aviboy97 (Jan 27, 2013 1:17 pm)
It's possible that I'm just not very good at this, but the politically correct answer is that I'm here to moderate and assist the conversation between members. Opinions that I express are just my own. I have plenty of them.

#2330 of 2382 Re: 2014 mazda 6 [kyfdx] by la4mead

Jan 27, 2013 (2:21 pm)

Replying to: kyfdx (Jan 27, 2013 1:46 pm)
I found the points of view discussed in Aviboy's and Kyfdx's generally to be in agreement, complementary, and informative, despite one particular introductory sentence. I thank you both for posting them.
 
As for the V-6 and "underpowered"... what is underpowered? Is it just a comparison to other vehicles? Where does this comparison stop?
 
Personally, if I have all the power I need merging, passing, and hill climbing while attaining respectable fuel economy, that's what's important to me. Not only because of costs, but also because the fuel we use is not renewable. I very much enjoy the feeling of acceleration, but fuel economy is a higher priority, and in any car purchase I look to the future... the importance of the vehicle to be frugal with fuel will continue to increase. My opinion is for an automobile to be "modern" it must be capable of handling fuel as a precious commodity.
 
If a vehicle is really underpowered I would also avoid it... Is the car under-engineered in other ways, such as engine cooling, transmission, etc.?

#2331 of 2382 2013 mazda 6 [la4mead] by robduram

Jan 28, 2013 (5:35 pm)

Replying to: la4mead (Jan 27, 2013 2:21 pm)
All those 2014 Mazda6's on the lot are pushing prices down for the "older" model.
 
I just bought a 2013 Mazda6 for $17k plus taxes and fees. So far I'm very happy with the car!

#2332 of 2382 Re: 2013 mazda 6 [robduram] by m6user

Jan 28, 2013 (6:42 pm)

Replying to: robduram (Jan 28, 2013 5:35 pm)
What was the MSRP on your car?

#2333 of 2382 2014 mazda 6 by tcn2k

Jan 28, 2013 (9:35 pm)

A dealership in my hood is willing to give me 1k off the msrp of the GT model including the current incentive of 1k for loyalty. Total off is 2k off the msrp of the latest mazda 6. Is this a good deal?

Messages Page 234 of 239

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement