Article Comments - 2009 Mazda 6 First Drive and Full Test

229 messages, Last post on Aug 25, 2008 at 6:33 AM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDA6, Sedan

First Drive: 2009 Mazda 6 - First Impressions: With most of its major flaws fixed, the 2009 Mazda 6 is easily one of the most impressive sedans in the midsize class. (more)

Full Test: 2009 Mazda 6 s Grand Touring - Bottom Line: Manages to keep some of the zoom-zoom athleticism despite pandering to the Accord/Camry market.(more)

Outline

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#104 of 229 I like it by vonnyvonce May 29, 2008 (6:09 pm)
just noted the another version (not sure if Japan or Europe) has "park assist" front and rear and by the looks of it the USA version does not have it. I could use it otherwise it seems nicely equipped.
#105 of 229 Re: Pointless car.... [docrw] by unixxus May 29, 2008 (7:48 pm)
Replying to: docrw (May 29, 2008 6:46 am) Mazda is developing a start/stop engine technology called the Smart Idling Stop System. They hope to have it on the japanese market next year. I guess it may be launched with the new mazda3 sedan. Below is part of the press release. "Mazda is promoting research on a Smart Idling Stop System based on direct fuel injection. An idling-stop system saves fuel by automatically shutting down the engine when the vehicle is stationary (waiting at a traffic light, for example) and restarting it when the driver wishes to pull away. The Smart Idling Stop System injects fuel directly into the engine cylinders while they are at rest, igniting the fuel and using the resulting energy to depress the pistons and restart the engine. This enables quieter and faster restarts than conventional idle-stop systems, which employ a motor for restarting. We plan to introduce this proprietary Smart Idling Stop System onto the Japanese market in 2009."
#106 of 229 Re: I will say this though [blackadder5639] by jeffyscott May 30, 2008 (4:51 am)
Replying to: blackadder5639 (May 29, 2008 1:01 pm) Why is there no 2009 Mazda 6 V6 manual? My theory is this is because the V6 is only sold in the US. Even if the manual transmission take rate is higher for the Mazda6, Americans overwhelmingly choose automatics. So, perhaps, they did not want to bother developing a manual transmission to go with the new 3.7L V6 engine just to satisfy 10-20% of the V6 buyers that would prefer a manual...just a guess. Replies to this message: blackadder5639 (May 30, 2008 9:07 am)
#107 of 229 Re: Pointless car.... [blackadder5639] by docrw May 30, 2008 (7:25 am)
Replying to: blackadder5639 (May 29, 2008 1:07 pm) You're right about BMW offering it: From the BMW website: The Auto Start Stop function automatically switches off the engine when the car is at a standstill and in neutral, then restarts it as soon as the driver presses the clutch pedal again. Fitted for example to all BMW 1 and 3 Series models with a four-cylinder engine and manual transmission, the Auto Start Stop function helps reduce both fuel consumption and emissions. However, when did we start comparing Mazda to BMW? A base BMW 128i (no options) costs $28K equipped comparably to a Mazda6 GT it would cost $38K. Besides BMW doesn't even offer this tech in cars they sell in this country. Probably because it only works with 4-cylinder cars, which they don't sell here, and with manual transmissions, which we don't buy here. If you want to pay BMW prices for a Mazda I bet they could put in all sorts of technology they aren't offering right now. Replies to this message: blackadder5639 (May 30, 2008 9:00 am) docrw (May 30, 2008 9:33 am) m6user (May 30, 2008 11:36 am) mz6greyghost (May 31, 2008 12:34 pm) and 1 more... aviboy97 (May 31, 2008 5:41 am)
#108 of 229 Re: Pointless car.... [docrw] by blackadder5639 May 30, 2008 (9:00 am)
Replying to: docrw (May 30, 2008 7:25 am) However, when did we start comparing Mazda to BMW? Well, I wasn't comparing BMW and Mazda. I was simply making the point that the technology is available and should soon "trickle down" to "lesser" cars. Someone just posted a press release showing that Mazda are already working on the technology.... I'm not an auto engineer but my instinct is that the start/stop is a fairly simple technology. It's already available on hybrids like the Prius, which cost nowhere near what a BMW costs. I think there is a bit of economics in BMW's decision. In Europe, the overwhelming car choice is 4-cyl/manual.....besides, customers who car most about fuel economy choose 4-cyl, anyway. I think that's why BMW has chosen to install it in those cars. I also suspect that 4-cyl cars benefit the most from start/stop. Replies to this message: docrw (May 30, 2008 9:33 am) m6user (May 30, 2008 11:36 am) mz6greyghost (May 31, 2008 12:34 pm) unixxus (May 31, 2008 1:35 pm)
#109 of 229 Re: I will say this though [jeffyscott] by blackadder5639 May 30, 2008 (9:07 am)
Replying to: jeffyscott (May 30, 2008 4:51 am) My theory is this is because the V6 is only sold in the US..... Makes sense. I like the theory. I just hope Mazda reconsiders their decision........
#110 of 229 Re: Pointless car.... [blackadder5639] by docrw May 30, 2008 (9:33 am)
Replying to: blackadder5639 (May 30, 2008 9:00 am) I also think the car needs a clutch for the technology to work, ie depressing the clutch will trigger the engine to restart, in an automatic you would need to press a button to restart the engine before you step on the gas. Can you imagine how many people would forget to push the button and sit there wondering why their car wasn't moving when they just stepped on the gas. Again, that's why the technology works in hybrids, because even when the engine is not engaged the car can pull off the line using only the electric motor(s). Honestly, the amount of gas you would save by not burning it at idle at a red light is minimal compared to the amount of gas you could save with better engine technology. Replies to this message: m6user (May 30, 2008 11:36 am) mz6greyghost (May 31, 2008 12:34 pm) unixxus (May 31, 2008 1:35 pm)
#111 of 229 Re: Pointless car.... [docrw] by m6user May 30, 2008 (11:36 am)
Replying to: docrw (May 30, 2008 9:33 am) I believe the main reason the start-stop tech was put into Euro cars was for emissions. I used to go over to Germany alot and it is a law that if you are stopped for anything over a couple of minutes that you turn your engine off. This applied to waiting for trains, picking up somebody, possibly traffic jams, etc. I forget what the time limit was exactly(someone over there told me but I have forgot) but it was pretty short. You could get ticketed for not doing it. So I think the tech was put in so people wouldn't have to remember and manually shut down. MPG enhancement is probably a secondary reason.
#112 of 229 Is this 6 any good with the 0 to 60? by houtexan May 30, 2008 (9:11 pm)
I haven't seen any numbers. If I am going to get less FE, I better at least have the bragging rights to top 0 to 60 numbers. The Camry V6 is tops in the Japanese midsize segment. Will this 6 beat it? I know the new 6 will handle better than a Camry. I am looking to "upgrade" without going lux so a GT with the works is very interest to me. Memory seats sounds good. Now, I didn't notice a AC vent in the back seat (center console), is this the same mistake that Accord has. These are big cars and need the extra cooling in the back. I also llke the big trunk. It's a must! That 2 extra cu over the Camry and Accord. Replies to this message: aviboy97 (May 31, 2008 5:45 am) blackadder5639 (May 31, 2008 8:16 am) jeffyscott (Jun 01, 2008 3:24 am)
#113 of 229 Re: Pointless car.... [docrw] by aviboy97 May 31, 2008 (5:41 am)
Replying to: docrw (May 30, 2008 7:25 am) And you figure a Mazda6 GT with this technology would cost $38k? And you base this on......????? Just curious if you know something the rest of us do not. Why are you comparing the tiny BMW 1 series with no options to a fully loaded Mazda6 s GT and your added $10,000 for "start-stop" technology? Just wondering?