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Midsize Sedans 2.0

18209 messages,  Last post on May 22, 2013 at 10:18 PM

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What is this discussion about? Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Volkswagen Passat, Mazda MAZDA6, Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Malibu, Kia Optima, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 1737 of 1821

#17359 of 18209 Re: 2014 Mazda6 [gregg_vw] by cski

Jan 23, 2013 (11:20 am)

Replying to: gregg_vw (Jan 22, 2013 11:56 am)
Hey guys. I am just sharing my experience with Mazda. It was a very, very nice car and I bought it for my wife. It drove great, had 240 HP and every available option.
 
It let us down a bit. The accidents were the scary part. My brothers 03 Protege hydroplaned the same way as my wife's Mazda 6, and had the same brand and model Bridgstones.(although smaller and skinnier) He hit the brakes during a sudden downpour and slid 1/4 mile trying to regain control and plowed into the jersey wall.
 
Those experiences plus the breakdowns soured the milk on Mazda for us. Please do not take it personally. I am sure their new Mazda 6 is probably screwed together better than my "Son-optima". Really.
 

#17360 of 18209 Re: 2014 Mazda6 [cski] by akirby

Jan 23, 2013 (11:38 am)

Replying to: cski (Jan 23, 2013 11:20 am)
How is that even remotely a Mazda fault? The tires must have been too worn or the driver was going too fast for conditions.

#17361 of 18209 Re: 2014 Mazda6 [cski] by m6user

Jan 23, 2013 (3:28 pm)

Replying to: cski (Jan 23, 2013 11:20 am)
I have no problem with people reporting their direct experiences with any automobile(midsize of course since that is the topic). If one prefaces with saying that they have no idea if this is still the case since they talking about a car from 8 model years ago or that it even remotely relates to other's expereiences with said car. To my knowledge, Mazda has been using Micheilen brand tires for years(at least since 2007) if that even applies since most hydroplaing is a combo of tire tread, conditions and speed. Actually cannot remember the last I hydroplaned in a vehicle and I drive fairly aggressively. Think about it, a quarter mile of hydroplaning is a long distance assuming he had his foot off the gas and tapping the brakes. Sounds to me like someone going way to fast for conditions but I wasn't there so maybe the Bridgestones were particlularly bad rain tires. I don't know.
 
I have no axe to grind for Mazda but am just trying to give it a fair shake.

#17362 of 18209 Re: 2014 Mazda6 [cski] by aviboy97

Jan 25, 2013 (7:36 pm)

Replying to: cski (Jan 23, 2013 11:20 am)
My brothers 03 Protege hydroplaned the same way as my wife's Mazda 6, and had the same brand and model Bridgstones.(although smaller and skinnier) He hit the brakes during a sudden downpour and slid 1/4 mile trying to regain control and plowed into the jersey wall.
 
Sounds more like a "loose nut behind the wheel", if you catch my drift. My brother also has an 02 Protege approaching 200,000, with no issues other than routine maintenance.
 
In any event, as many have stated, every brand has had issues over the years. Since you are bringing up a 9 year old Mazda, I can tell you that 9-11 year old Honda's/Acura's had numerous transmission problems. 5 year old Toyota's have had engine sludge problems. 7 yr old VW/Audi's have had electrical problems. See where I cam going with this??
 
Recent evaluators of Mazda have them near the top in overall reliability. Many new Mazda's have been very, very good. And BTW, I owned a 2005 Mazda6 that was flawless until I traded it for a CX-5, which does have "zoom-zoom" per say even with 155hp. She sips fuel better than any other too....
 
I drove the new Mazda6. It is quite nice, has good power and the fuel ratings are outstanding. Can't wait to see what is in store when the diesel finally arrives.

#17363 of 18209 Re: 2014 Mazda6 [aviboy97] by gimmestdtranny

Jan 25, 2013 (7:51 pm)

Replying to: aviboy97 (Jan 25, 2013 7:36 pm)
I too respect any diesel effort..but with a caveat..
 
That being, that with the strict emission minimums and the general political hate of oil burners in America, regs are going to impose a greater price of admission. Sounds fair right? but if SkyActive gas job tech delivers the FE they are claiming in real world, then the diesel is only going to up that anti by about 20%. Mazda..like any others who venture to go there, will just try to camouflage the 3500-4500$ premium by offering the diesel in basically only loaded offerings. In order to recoup the purchase price premium of the diesel, the customer will have to own/drive much more than the average miles per year that Americans drive in order for the 20% fuel savings to offset that price of admission.
 
This opinion coming from a guy who loves diesels.

#17364 of 18209 Re: 2014 Mazda6 [gimmestdtranny] by aviboy97

Jan 25, 2013 (8:02 pm)

Replying to: gimmestdtranny (Jan 25, 2013 7:51 pm)
Two things....
 
First, we have no idea how much the diesel will be, what trim levels it will be offered in or what the efficiency ratings will be. They are expected to surpass the Passat
 
Second, VW has been KILLING it with the TDI in the last couple years with the Passat, Golf and Jetta models. They are selling like crazy.
 
Buying a diesel is like buying a hybrid. It takes years before the total cost of ownership equals out when comparing to a regular gasoline engine. It will stop some, but not all. There does seem to be a demand for a clean-diesel here in the States, especially when Mazda's does not require any NOx after treatment.

#17365 of 18209 Re: 2014 Mazda6 [aviboy97] by gimmestdtranny

Jan 25, 2013 (8:28 pm)

Replying to: aviboy97 (Jan 25, 2013 8:02 pm)
I hear ya..but let's plan to revisit this page and date when they are finally out and prices and equipment levels have been announced.
Again..this coming from a guy who likes diesels and respects the entirely different rewards and amounts of how torque and the general way the engine delivers in every day use.
 
edit: but hey...hopefully Mazda will break this past 1.5 decade practice, and offer the diesel tit for tat for a 1200 - 1500$ premium over gas and call it a day..one can hope..
Remember when VW offered the Golf/Jetta in diesel or gas for same price? Those were the good ol' days..

#17366 of 18209 Re: 2014 Mazda6 [gimmestdtranny] by backy

Jan 25, 2013 (8:24 pm)

Replying to: gimmestdtranny (Jan 25, 2013 7:51 pm)
Then there's the price premium for diesel fuel. In my town it's about 30% over 87 octane (why so much, I have no idea). So the diesel Mazda6 would need to get 50+ mpg in real world highway driving to overcome that. Tough bar to cross for a midsized sedan. Plus whatever the purchase price premium is.

#17367 of 18209 Re: 2014 Mazda6 [backy] by gimmestdtranny

Jan 25, 2013 (8:34 pm)

Replying to: backy (Jan 25, 2013 8:24 pm)
it's about 30% over 87 octane (why so much, I have no idea)
 
I could offer my opinion on this, but in past have been accused of being a conspiracist.
Especially when you consider that it costs them less to refine diesel than gas..but I digress
 
And is why I used the term political in my earlier post..

#17368 of 18209 Re: 2014 Mazda6 [aviboy97] by ivan_99

Jan 25, 2013 (8:41 pm)

Replying to: aviboy97 (Jan 25, 2013 8:02 pm)
Buying a diesel is like buying a hybrid. It takes years before the total cost of ownership equals out when comparing to a regular gasoline engine.
 
There are other 'values' of a diesel other than mileage, i.e. torque. In heavier vehicles like our mini-van I'd prefer a diesel even if the fuel savings were minimal.
 
Sometimes manufacturers add 'gimmicks'...vtec may be nice in a sports/sporty car but for some people, especially minivan drivers and laid back drivers, revving to 4500+ rpm to gain the 'gimmick' feature means you don't take advantage of the feature.
 
Similarly, some people who drive a Mazda 6 may not want to rev to 5k all day. The commute in stop and go would be better served with a small diesel.
 
Not that I'm opposed to revving and driving like you stole it...years past, I recall driving a Civic Si for 14 Hours straight at over 5K rpm. I was going pretty fast. Luckily I didn't get a ticket...hopefully I've gained some wisdom over the years

Messages Page 1737 of 1821

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