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

Messages Page 12 of 23: 1; ...; 9; 10; 11; 12; 13; 14; 15; ...; 23; Prev; Next; Last

#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?
#114 of 229 Re: Is this 6 any good with the 0 to 60? [houtexan] by aviboy97 May 31, 2008 (5:45 am)
Replying to: houtexan (May 30, 2008 9:11 pm) We are not exactly sure where (or if) there is a vent in the back seat. My guess is it is placed under the front seats?? Does that sound about right?? I am hoping that the Mazda6 s is faster then the Camry. There is no reason to think it will not be, especially with Mazda's typical short gearing. That should keep that monster V6 in the power band for the duration of your "pedal to the metal" joy ride. Replies to this message: blackadder5639 (May 31, 2008 8:16 am) jeffyscott (Jun 01, 2008 3:24 am)
#115 of 229 Re: Is this 6 any good with the 0 to 60? [aviboy97] by blackadder5639 May 31, 2008 (8:16 am)
Replying to: aviboy97 (May 31, 2008 5:45 am) Yes, aviboy, it sounds about right. My Protege5 has vents under the front seat for rear passengers, so I would imagine the 2009 Mazda 6 would have them. According to the specs, the 2009 Mazda 6 V6 does 0 to 60 in 6.2s. I think that is a bit faster than the Camry V6. And given the Mazda's most probably sportier suspension, the Camry wouldn't match it on the track......yeah, I know these are not meant to be track vehicles, but they aren't about pure acceleration numbers either! Replies to this message: jeffyscott (Jun 01, 2008 3:24 am)
#116 of 229 Re: Pointless car.... [docrw] by mz6greyghost May 31, 2008 (12:34 pm)
Replying to: docrw (May 30, 2008 9:33 am) I also think the car needs a clutch for the technology to work, ie depressing the clutch will trigger the engine to restart... Well, yes and no. I know that some automakers are developing the stop/start technology to work with automatics as well, with one's foot needing to leave the brake pedal for the car to start and go. After all, you need to have your foot pressed on the brake to shift it out of drive, I can't see why they couldn't use similar technology to sense when the brake pedal is released to start the engine. 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. I personally think the start/stop is better engine technology, and would be a blessing for one that does a lot of stop-and-go traffic. Considering some red lights around here are two minutes (or longer), it can really help city mileage. Replies to this message: unixxus (May 31, 2008 1:35 pm)
#117 of 229 Re: Pointless car.... [mz6greyghost] by unixxus May 31, 2008 (1:35 pm)
Replying to: mz6greyghost (May 31, 2008 12:34 pm) Mazda's start-stop technology works with both automatic and manual transmissions. They estimate that it will improve city fuel economy by about 10 percent.
#118 of 229 Start Stop Tech by milkman1 May 31, 2008 (3:33 pm)
Isn't this technology a little like what GM is fronting as their light hybrids like the Aura? Just smack in a bigger battery and turn the engine off when idling? Replies to this message: akt1000 (Jun 01, 2008 8:32 am)
#119 of 229 Re: Is this 6 any good with the 0 to 60? [blackadder5639] by jeffyscott Jun 01, 2008 (3:24 am)
Replying to: blackadder5639 (May 31, 2008 8:16 am) Yes, aviboy, it sounds about right. My Protege5 has vents under the front seat for rear passengers, so I would imagine the 2009 Mazda 6 would have them. The current 6 also has the vents for rear under the front seats.
#120 of 229 Re: Start Stop Tech [milkman1] by akt1000 Jun 01, 2008 (8:32 am)
Replying to: milkman1 (May 31, 2008 3:33 pm) Based on what I read about it couple of months back in a magazine, Mazda's concept of re-starting the car after switching it off temporarily is different from any other manufacturer (including General Motors): Mazda is trying to do it without using the electric starter motor. From what I remember, they position the pistons before the engine shutdown such that one of the cylinders is ready to be fired and start the engine without any starter motor. I am sure that there are technical challenges. Otherwise, everyone else would have done that a long time back.