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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#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.
#121 of 229 Nice Looking Car by dgs4 Jun 01, 2008 (10:40 pm)
Wow, this is a big improvement over the current Mazda 6. When I was shopping for a midsize sedan recently the Mazda 6 wasn't even on my list, but had this one been out I would have test driven it. The gas mileage figures are a little disappointing, but with more power goes fuel efficiency. I actually think anything over 250 hp is too much for fwd. My 09 Sonata has 249 hp and 229 torque and that is about perfect. There is zero torque steer in my car. What's funny is so many manufactures are moving to 6-speed auto's when my 5-speed auto gets better gas mileage than all of them. 19 city/29 hwy. Same with the 5-speed Accord V6. Giving any extra gear is only good if it results in better mileage.
#122 of 229 Well done! by bvdj84 Jun 02, 2008 (8:28 am)
I think they are heading in the right direction with this model. Company's are realizing that people want quality fit and finish, and this models shows it well. It looks grown up and classy. Replies to this message: austinman7 (Jun 02, 2008 9:20 am) aviboy97 (Jun 02, 2008 9:45 am)
#123 of 229 Re: Well done! [bvdj84] by austinman7 Jun 02, 2008 (9:20 am)
Replying to: bvdj84 (Jun 02, 2008 8:28 am) I agree. I'm shopping for a V6 sedan. I've turned away from Accord, even though I'm driving a very nice 2004 4cyl. Accord, because Honda is apparently wedded to VCM (variable cylinder management) for their V6 engines. I want a V6, not a V6/I4/I3. Altima is a nice car, but has CVT (continuously variable transmission), and even though Nissan seems to do this better than anyone so far, driving one (to me) is a little like driving a 1955 Buick with Dynaflow (for you older folks out there, which includes me) -- just too mushy. And some Camry (used to have one) owners are experiencing trouble with the computer control of the transmission in the new V6 model. I drove a V6 Mazda 6 several years ago, when I bought my Accord, and liked it, but felt road (or tire) noise was a bit much. I did like the ergonomics, steering, handling, and power. This new model is described as quiet. Just as important, to my way of thinking, Mazda is avoiding VCM and CVT, two things touted as advances that have no appeal to me. I want a nice handling, roomy enough, reasonably powerful V6 sedan that avoids certain forms of "advanced" technology, and the new Mazda 6 appears to punch my ticket. I also like the looks of it. Can't wait for a test drive to see how it all fits together. Replies to this message: aviboy97 (Jun 02, 2008 9:45 am)