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Sedans Mazda6 2009 Mazda6
2116 messages, Last post on Nov 20, 2009 at 2:46 PM
You are in the Mazda6 Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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I've spent the last several months seriously considering the new 6. I've read the myriad of debates here about whether the car is too CamCord now, whether its better than the Altima, whether its got enough zoom-zoom, etc. Clearly, everyone has there own set of wants and needs in a vehicle. My feelings are that features and value for money, looks, reasonable economy and interior quality are what I look for. In the end something is going to push you one way or the other. In my case I was looking for an I Touring with minimal equipment something that would sticker in the area of $23K. Problem is that when I actually saw the vehicle in person it was clear to me that the cloth seats would not be acceptable. That would mean either ordering a $1600 option package (half leather) or doing after market leather (around $1000). Problem No. 2, I was not fond of the styling and partuicularly the 17" alloys. Obviously this is not a problem for most but I just don't like the overly busy styling. I'm someone who likes a clean look and the 6 is to my eye overwhelmed with character lines, curves and excessive fender flares. Rather than look at the usual suspects I decided to look at a car which is somewhat ignored, the Subaru Legacy. I have no interest in excessive performance so I was happy with the basic Legacy SE. This car is available with exceptional lease deals and stickers for around $23K with moonroof, AWD, 400 Watt stereo system, a choice or XM or Sirius (few manufacturers offer a choice) VDC and a quality looking euro style interior. As for looks the Legacy is the antithesis of the M6. It is clean and very european looking especially in profile. Kind of looks like a last generation BMW or Euro GM or Aussie Ford product. Maybe a little like the Pontiac G8 (sans ugly Pontiac grille). So after months of leaning toward the 6, in the end my own personal styling taste and Mazda coming up short on looks and seat fabrics made my decision easy. One negative to the Legacy is that it is a snugger car that most in this class. None the less, after two test drives I'm convinced I can live with that compromise. A lot my decision does involve personal taste but I still think that this is a car that should not be ignored when room is not a priority in your choice of a mid-size.
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Replying to: altimate (Sep 01, 2008 1:17 pm)
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Replying to: googonabike (Sep 01, 2008 2:27 pm) |
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Replying to: heybroder (Aug 30, 2008 7:59 am) But.............the six was smoother and just a joy to drive. The four was fine, with decent acceleration, good handling and all. Still, the six just such a pleasure behind the wheel. I agree that the outside styling is fantastic. The cars we tested were red, but I want to see it in dark blue and black. The interior we had was the blond leather with black accents. This was the first time ALL of my family agreed on appearance. I came close to buying, but didn't. Right now, I can get a 2008 Acura TL for thousands less than the six cylinder Grand Touring. And I do worry about the reliability issue. Nonetheless, we all enjoyed the Mazda better than the Acura. Never thought I'd be saying that, but it really is a fine car.
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Replying to: keitha3 (Sep 03, 2008 6:13 pm) 
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Replying to: heybroder (Sep 03, 2008 6:27 pm) To be honest, the chances of you having trouble with any car is highly possible. Ask my father who has replaced his transmission in his 2004 Accord V6 and the number of unhappy 2008+ Accord V6 owners with VCM issues, or the number of people who has tranny issues in the 2007+ Camry. The fact is, every car manufacturer does have issues. NO car is perfect. Anyway, my 2005 Mazda6 has been mechanically great. No issues, no repairs with 45,000K on it. So, from a Mazda6 owner, I would say it's a pretty good car. |
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Replying to: heybroder (Sep 03, 2008 6:27 pm) That's pretty much pie in the sky thinking. Do some manufacturers have a reputation for more trouble free operation than others......sure they do. Do many of those same manufacturer's vehicles have major components go well before 200,000 miles.....sure they do. I had a tranny replaced on my Toyota truck at 43,000. Luckily it was under warranty. If it had went 10 months later I would have had a major bill to pay. Have many Mazdas went 200k without major repair...sure they have, just like a lot of Fords, Chevys, etc. Car ownership is always somewhat of a major role of the dice. If you absolutely can't afford to pay for a major repair and you're going to keep the car 200k, then I would say you are a candidate for an extended warranty and try to wrap it into the financing if necessary.
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Replying to: heybroder (Sep 03, 2008 6:27 pm) About the reliability, as the previous posters pointed out, it can be a crap shoot, with some companies offering better odds, but no guarantees, for the consumer. Mazda has probably been a tad above average overall as a company, but this is only conjecture on my part. In the reviews I read, they cited the president of Mazda saying they really wanted to build better quality into the new Mazda 6. Now, as to whether this is company speak or not remains to be seen. But, I have been in older generations of Mazda 6 and the '09 seems to have done the job as far as interior fit, finish, and quality. I'm not in any need for a car at the moment as my Accord has less than 30 K on it. Still, my impulse control is problematic. I do know that my older daughter would love for me to get a new car, as she would love for me to hand the keys to the Honda over to her. Can you believe, I've never owned a 6 banger. Always bought the reasonable Accord or Camry. Now, at my age, I wanna have fun. The house is paid off and so is the Accord, so.............. Didn't Shakespeare say something about people becoming childish as they enter old age? Anyway, I've always thought that a lot of people who buy minivans do so to work on a fantasy where they can pile in the kids, dogs, etc., all with a smile on their faces. My fantasy is to be able to load the family in a car where there's plenty of leg room, is comfortable and fun to drive, and cruising down Pacific Coast Highway or Highway 395 without feeling drudgery. Actually having fun.
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Replying to: keitha3 (Sep 03, 2008 8:10 pm) Mazda has below average reliability scores. And much higher than average fun factor. |
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Replying to: heybroder (Sep 03, 2008 6:27 pm) I'll agree with other posters, ANY car purchase is a risk. For me, I'd rather have fun behind the wheel instead of buying a vanilla-themed Camry because of it's "supposed" better quality. |
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