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Sedans Mazda6 2009 Mazda6
2118 messages, Last post on Nov 25, 2009 at 9:10 PM
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Replying to: aviboy97 (Apr 26, 2008 5:18 am) and to they guy who crashed the party... did you get a chance to check out the interior? I'd imagine it's pretty much the same except maybe without the steering wheel paddles, but just curious as to what your impressions were. examples like seat material, dash layout/ materials, center console solidity, aux input location etc would be great. of course if anyone else has this info, I'd love to hear it. concerning how the car drives, if they have kept steering feel and a suspension that isn't so prone to heavy leaning under standard corner loads like other cars in this class while improving nvh and reducing weight... well that would be a huge improvement. and from what I've been reading on the jdm/euro version, that seems to what mazda has uncorked... so I'm cautiously optimistic. of course I've heard some owners of the current 6 be pretty critical of the new 6 when they had a chance to drive the euro version so geuss I'll just have to wait to September. But note to Mazda: I will not consider trading in my hatch unless I can get another 5 door.
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Replying to: blackadder5639 (Apr 25, 2008 11:08 pm) If a company is constantly told by it's dealers to make more V6 with manuals, more 5 doors and more wagons cause we can sell the living hell out of them, do you really think Mazda would say...."oh sorry, we can't cause we don't like good margins and want to be more Honda". Get real. |
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Replying to: zzzoom6 (Apr 26, 2008 6:51 am) As for no mtx in the V6, for MY2009, Mazda will not offer it. This may be for a few reasons. First, they might not have the capability to produce enough 6-speed manuals. They already use them in the MX-5, RX-8, Mazdaspeed3 and 09 Mazda6 i. They may introduce it in 2010. Until Mazda tells us why, all we can do is speculate. As a current Mazda6 i 5-speed owner, I owe it to myself to take a serious look at the 2nd gen. I don't like the Accord / Altima or Camry. I currently have the 5-door and I really like it, however, I would not hesitate to buy the sedan if I like how it drove. I also bought my Mazda6 with the intentions of driving it for a long time. I have little over 40,000 problem free miles on it. I don't plan on trading it in either because I still owe money on it. Right now, my wife needs to replace her Impreza, and getting her a new car is top priority. Since Mazda is probably not offering AWD in the new Mazda6, that rules it out. She needs AWD. If I do replace my Mazda6, it won't be for a while, maybe by 2011 or 2012. Who knows what the Mazda6 will have then? Maybe a new Mazdaspeed?
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Replying to: blackadder5639 (Apr 25, 2008 11:08 pm) If you are interested in the Accord V6, you better check out the numerous dissatisfied 2008 Honda Accord V6 owners in the "Accord VCM" thread. Better yet, the members here on Edmunds only rate the car an 8.8 out of 10.0. The Mazda6 has consistently over 9.0. You should be wise and not jump to any conclusions with out driving either of these vehicles. |
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| The interior does seem to have some features similar to the new 6 elsewhere yet will remain very familiar to the owners of the current model. There are only 4 air vents up front now and the storage compartment on top of the dash is gone altogether. The center armrest is now only 1 compartment instead of 2 but it does slide forward and has 2 layers the top of which can be lifted out of the way to get to the CD storage. There are no paddle shifters but there are now blue tooth bottons as well as smart key. Where the cheaper dash plastic used to be on the center console has been replaced with what I can only describe a tiger shark like pattern. It's a neat look. Also, on the upper trim models the kick plate entering the front doors lights the "6" up in blue. I saw black white and beige interiors. Also note, that the paint on all models seems to have a little more of a mica look to it. | |
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Replying to: blackadder5639 (Apr 25, 2008 10:45 pm) Firstly, I welcome most of the changes to the new Mazda 6: the styling, more powerful engines, even more space (provided it's not too big). So don't get me wrong: I'm not panning it as a complete failure. But there are certain things that I don't like. The Mazda press release on mazdausa.com clearly states that the new Mazda 6 would be a 4-door only. It doesn't state or hint at future hatchback and/or wagon models. Since I'm a fan of the current hatchback, I'm not happy about there being not hatchback! The second thing I don't like is ride and comfort that has been "optimised for North America", according to the press release. What is that supposed to mean? Given that American cars have traditionally had poor handling, and that the Camry and even the Accord have relatively poor handling and are more "comfortable", this could be an ominous sign! It almost certainly means that the handling and ride that we love so much will go away. Thirdly, there will be no manual for the V6! What are Mazda thinking? It should at the very least be available by special order. What made me love the previous Mazda 6 was its excellent handling and ride, it's availability of manuals for V6 models (not only that....one could get a fully loaded GT with the manual V6), and it offering hatchback and wagons. The hatchback in particular was beautiful. According to Mazda's own press release, these features would not be back with the new Mazda 6. According to THEIR OWN press release on their official website.....not some rumours! So it seems I don't have a reason to consider one anymore, despite the improvements in other aspects of the car. So pardon me if I'm not thrilled about the new model! Remember that the 626 tried to be another Accord/Camry and failed. That was the whole point of the Zoom-Zoom strategy of the Mazda 6: to appeal to a different set of drivers by offering better styling, driving pleasure (great manual trans that was available for all trims) and better utility (hatchback and wagon). This new model seems to want to chase Accord and Camry buyers again! So if I boycott by buying an Accord and other people do so, maybe Mazda might get the message and give a proper Zoom-Zoom car! If they want to give me an Accord, I might as well buy a real Accord. If we all buy this current model, they'll think their new strategy works and we'll never see the real zoom-Zoom features again! Lastly, one might argue that "don't worry....the Mazdaspeed version will cater to us enthusiasts". That will be true, but the Mazdaspeed will cost around $30k and will have poor fuel economy! For an enthusiast wanting to spend no more than $27k or so on a manual V6 mid-sized car, the new Mazda 6 won't satisfy him/her.
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Replying to: blackadder5639 (Apr 26, 2008 1:25 pm) Why would they hint to future 5-door or wagon models in the future when they are trying to sell cars, today? Remember, in 2003, when the Mazda6 was introduced, there was no 5-door or wagon, nor did they hint about one either. The second thing I don't like is ride and comfort that has been "optimised for North America", according to the press release. What is that supposed to mean? Given that American cars have traditionally had poor handling, and that the Camry and even the Accord have relatively poor handling and are more "comfortable", this could be an ominous sign! I highly doubt that! Remember, the Mazda CX-9 was designed EXCLUSIVELY for the American market, and it is the best handling and braking 7 passenger CUV on the market. The CX-9 has since been offered in other markets. So if I boycott by buying an Accord and other people do so, maybe Mazda might get the message and give a proper Zoom-Zoom car! If they want to give me an Accord, I might as well buy a real Accord How about you wait and drive one before you call it the next Accord.
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Replying to: groovypippin (Apr 25, 2008 9:18 am) 
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I like the overall styling. Although I think the JDM/euro model looks sleeker and more sophisticated, there's a muscular look to the NA 6 that I was not expecting. I think if nobody had ever seen the JDM model, nobody would be complaining about this in terms of styling. I'm not worried about the handling/ride aspect at all. Mazda knows that it will not be successful trying to make Camcord clones. Mazda knows that all the success that it has enjoyed in terms of both sales and awards in recent years has been due to staying true to the brand marketing. I think what they're trying to do is address needs of the NA market without compromising too much their brand image. Sure, it's riding a fine line but I think they'll be able to pull it off. Although I havent driven the JDM/euro 6, I've read lots of European reviews comparing it to the Mondeo, and even the Europeans prefer the Mondeo because its ride is more composed even though the 6 is a bit sharper in the handling department. So, who knows we may be getting something better with the NA 6: composed ride and good handling. I think the lack of wagon/hatchbacks is an oversight and a misunderstanding of where the market is going. Mazda needs to start to predict the market rather than just react to current conditions. For example, with the move towards smaller fuel efficient vehicles, the Mazda2 would be a huge seller already in the States if they had been prepared to bring it over. I think another trend will be moving away from the crossovers and back to wagons with inline 4s. Ok, so most crossovers are just raised wagons neways, but the market for alternative people movers is expanding. It'd be difficult to sell a Cx-7 with a normally aspirated i4 (hence the awkward turbo), but the Mazda5 is flying off lots right now (sales are up surprisingly). Step up your game Mazda and dont be afraid to carve new niches like you have with the 5. |
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Replying to: harddrivet (Apr 26, 2008 5:08 pm) His point was that midsize sedans have trouble selling with manuals (which is true), and that this usually gets worse when trying to resell your vehicle. I dont know if this is Mazda's motivation behind not selling manuals on th v6 sedans. However, I do think its a disservice and a slap in the face to Mazda's primary fanbase. They've made their money and brand selling to the enthusiast, and they have to live with the consequences of that.
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