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2009 Mazda6

2226 messages,  Last post on Dec 04, 2012 at 11:46 AM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDA6, Future Vehicle, Sedan

Messages Page 105 of 224

#1034 of 2226 Re: Mazda6 [heybroder] by keitha3

Sep 03, 2008 (7:13 pm)

Replying to: heybroder (Aug 30, 2008 8:59 am)
I test drove both the six and the four, both Grand Touring. The four is by far the practical choice with much more acceptable gas mileage and probably significantly better reliability as well.
 
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.

#1035 of 2226 Re: Mazda6 [keitha3] by heybroder

Sep 03, 2008 (7:27 pm)

Replying to: keitha3 (Sep 03, 2008 7:13 pm)
tyvm Keitha3 for your valuable information. My wife and I fell in love with the Mazda6 when we looked at it for the first time on the lot. The ONLY question I have concerning Mazda cars is the reliability of the drivetrain. We have to have a car that is going to last at least a couple hundred thousand miles w/o any major work having to be done on the motor and auto transmission. Yes, we are going to take care if it. We can get this with Honda and probably Toyota. But Mazda???? Surely, since it is built by Japanese specs, we can get this from the Mazda. Any input from anyone of the reliability issue??? tyvm Randy and Pam

#1036 of 2226 Re: Mazda6 [heybroder] by aviboy97

Sep 03, 2008 (8:04 pm)

Replying to: heybroder (Sep 03, 2008 7:27 pm)
Mazda 4 banger's have been historically great. The 6-speed automatic tranny is built by Aisin, who also builds tranny's for Toyota and has built tranny's for Honda in the past. The 5-speed auto and 6-speed manual are built by Jatco, I think. The one minor weak point I would say is the V6 engine. However, it has had wonderful reviews and has been pretty flawless since its inception in 2007 (CX-9).
 
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.

#1037 of 2226 Re: Mazda6 [heybroder] by m6user

Sep 03, 2008 (8:50 pm)

Replying to: heybroder (Sep 03, 2008 7:27 pm)
We have to have a car that is going to last at least a couple hundred thousand miles w/o any major work having to be done on the motor and auto transmission.
 
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.

#1038 of 2226 Re: Mazda6 [heybroder] by keitha3

Sep 03, 2008 (9:10 pm)

Replying to: heybroder (Sep 03, 2008 7:27 pm)
Yes, it is a beautiful car, inside and out, at least to my eyes.
 
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.

#1039 of 2226 Re: Mazda6 [keitha3] by moparbad

Sep 03, 2008 (10:05 pm)

Replying to: keitha3 (Sep 03, 2008 9:10 pm)
Mazda has probably been a tad above average overall as a company
 
Mazda has below average reliability scores.
 
And much higher than average fun factor.

#1040 of 2226 Re: Mazda6 [heybroder] by mz6greyghost

Sep 04, 2008 (4:50 am)

Replying to: heybroder (Sep 03, 2008 7:27 pm)
I've got a '04 6 V6 with 70K miles on it, and the only problem I've had was a faulty gas cap that tripped the Check Engine light, replaced under warranty. Those miles aren't all easy-does-it either, since I drive my car HARD on a daily basis.
 
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.

#1041 of 2226 Reliability by kapaaian

Sep 04, 2008 (7:05 am)

Mazda Reliability is kinda a hard thing to really get a grasp on due to a couple factors. These being the type of car, and thus buyer, they attract. And second, the age.
 
Of full car lines, Mazda has the youngest demographic of any brand. Only Scion skews slightly younger, and that's obviously not nearly as diverse a product line.
 
Also, Mazda buyers tend to be enthusiast. Put young and enthusiasm together and you get people who will notice things in their cars.
 
I know that I'll notice a little rattle in my car that only happens when exiting an off ramp at 50 mph while someone with a honda accord or toyota camry won't notice that because they'll never take an off ramp at 50. Young people in general demand more from their products and cars than people beyond then. Also, young people tend to not have kids or other responsibilities. They have the time to take a car in for something minor. A house-wife/house-husband has kids to juggle. They could car less about the little click coming from their back window when they open and close it and oh, it went away before they brought it in for their oil change. (Seen that happen exactly.)
 
What I've seen with Mazda reliability first hand is this.
 
Miata and Mazda3. Bullet proof. Even consumer reports says so. Now check JD power numbers for the mazda3. They're horrid. In fact, they pull the entire line down. Why? Youth and enthusiasm, and volume.
 
Mazda6. Started kinda bad, but evened out a lot toward the end. 2008's were probably on par with Mazda3's from 2007.
 
CX-7 and CX-9. Here's where it get's wierd. I have yet to see a single 7/9 with any engine or transmission problem. With the 7, there were a couple of gas cap recalls and ECM updates and a fuel filler spout replacement on the 7, but nothing ever breaking down. Oh, so let's make the 7 well below ave for reliability. Hmm. Oh, and the bridgestone tires on the 7 don't last long. Try and get one with the goodyear eagles. As for the 9? Who the heck knows. They're been rock solid here and we're not exactly ideal weather here.
 
RX-8. Dumb people buying it = problems. The Renisis engine is made for being driven hard. I've seen an RX-8 with 150k on it. When someone asked him how he had so many with no problems, he said he drove the piss out of it. The vast majority of RX-8 engine problems are with the automatic because those people buy the car for the look, not for the performance. So they drive it 10 mph 1 mile to church and wonder why their engine goes.
 
Don't just trust surveys and reports. Heck, do you really think that there's such a huge difference in reliability between ford and mercury? Umm. No. It's the simple fact that the mercury brand appeals to people who may not notice/care as much.

#1042 of 2226 Re: Mazda6 [moparbad] by jeffyscott

Sep 04, 2008 (7:16 am)

Replying to: moparbad (Sep 03, 2008 10:05 pm)
Mazda has below average reliability scores.
 
Not that there is necessarily a whole lot of difference between "below average" and "average", but CR has Mazda right at average overall. See April 2008 issue, page 17 or April 2007, page 25.

#1043 of 2226 Re: Mazda6 [m6user] by jeffyscott

Sep 04, 2008 (7:25 am)

Replying to: m6user (Sep 03, 2008 8:50 pm)
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
 
Can you even get a 200K mi warranty?

Messages Page 105 of 224

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