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 17 of 24: 1; ...; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18; 19; 20; ...; 24; Prev; Next; Last

#154 of 229 Re: Oh Dear, My Fears! [blackadder5639] by d300 Aug 12, 2008 (11:10 pm)
Replying to: blackadder5639 (Aug 12, 2008 3:55 pm) If you miss the 08 that much, may be you would find the Ford Fusion (w/ sports appearance package) more to your liking than the 09.
#155 of 229 Re: Oh Dear, My Fears! [blackadder5639] by mz6greyghost Aug 13, 2008 (3:37 am)
Replying to: blackadder5639 (Aug 12, 2008 3:55 pm) My worst fears from the First Drive has proven true in the Full Test! Mazda 6 has lost the best thing about it: it is no longer the class leader in sportiness! You're kidding, right? You're going to write off the Mazda6 based on one review? ONE!? AFAIC, there's so much waffling about the Mazda6 in this article that I frankly don't trust what's been written. For instance, pulling a 0.81 on the skidpad and calling it low when the current Altima sedan and coupe pulls the SAME THING, and calling the brakes "weak" when they still stop 7 feet shorter than the Altima. EVERY other article I've seen about the 6 has said (at least to me) that the car is still THE sporty choice in the field of midsize sedans. Better yet, how about you go check one out for yourself and actually get behind the wheel, then try out a comparable Accord and Altima, THEN make your decision... Replies to this message: blackadder5639 (Aug 13, 2008 9:58 am) blackadder5639 (Aug 14, 2008 10:16 am) exit123 (Aug 14, 2008 11:21 am) and 1 more... socal2006 (Aug 13, 2008 4:09 pm)
#156 of 229 Re: [blackadder5639] by aviboy97 Aug 13, 2008 (5:41 am)
Replying to: blackadder5639 (Aug 12, 2008 9:26 pm) Considering that the Accord Coupe and Altima Coupe had braking distances of 135ft and 128ft respectively, and a .81 on the skid path and the Mazda6 equaled the skid path and bettered the braking distance. It's a bit much to accuse Mazda of not fulfilling its promises. Since I am a 1st gen Mazda6 owner, and i have test driven the 2nd gen Mazda6 several times, I would say that none of the braking has really been lost. In 2003, Edmunds got the V6 Mazda6 to stop in 120ft, and for the much larger, heavier 2009, it stops on 127ft. That's not that bad. Replies to this message: jeffyscott (Aug 13, 2008 6:50 am) blackadder5639 (Aug 13, 2008 10:05 am) networkguy (Aug 14, 2008 6:01 am) blackadder5639 (Aug 14, 2008 10:11 am)
#157 of 229 Re: [aviboy97] by jeffyscott Aug 13, 2008 (6:50 am)
Replying to: aviboy97 (Aug 13, 2008 5:41 am) The fact is that increasing the braking distance by 7 feet is not an improvement. It is about 6% worse performance, assuming the two tests are comparable. Of course, this may be entirely due to different tires being used. My bigger concern would, however, be the handling and steering feel comments that I read. I am not in the market for a car anytime soon and and happy that I got the old model rather than the new, since I am not interested in pseudo-luxury cars, which seems to be where Mazda has gone with the 6...of course, this is only based on reading about it.
#158 of 229 Re: Oh Dear, My Fears! [mz6greyghost] by blackadder5639 Aug 13, 2008 (9:58 am)
Replying to: mz6greyghost (Aug 13, 2008 3:37 am) No mz6greyghost, I'm not writing off the 2009 Mazda 6 off at all! All I'm saying is that I've moved from "my next car will be a 2009+ Mazda 6" to "my next car will be either a 2009+ Mazda 6, 2003 to 2007 Mazda 6 V6 manual, Accord or Altima". There are a lot of things I like about the 2009 Mazda 6. The exterior styling (although I prefer the old model's styling, especially with the sport kit), comprehensive equipment levels and improved power/torque output are all things that I'm VERY happy about. I would be foolish to cross it off my list.....in fact, I'm pretty sure that when I eventually test-drive it, I'll like it more than the Accord. But the 2009 Mazda 6 has lost the greatest thing that comes with driving a zoom-zoom era Mazda: the enjoyment and satisfaction that comes with driving the sportiest non-luxury midsized car. I can no longer call it a "poor man's BMW" anymore! That is a huge disappointment. I also can't hide my disappointment about the fuel economy. Yeah, it's only 2 to 3 mpg off the class leaders in that regards, but it's still disappointing nonetheless. I'm tired of Mazdas getting mediocre fuel economy. Replies to this message: blackadder5639 (Aug 14, 2008 10:16 am) exit123 (Aug 14, 2008 11:21 am) moveover (Aug 14, 2008 8:10 pm)
#159 of 229 Re: [aviboy97] by blackadder5639 Aug 13, 2008 (10:05 am)
Replying to: aviboy97 (Aug 13, 2008 5:41 am) aviboy97, I'm not saying the 2nd gen Mazda 6 is a bad car! I'm lamenting the fact that it is no longer the clear class-leader in the sportiness department. It has the same braking distance and skid pad numbers as the Altima Coupe........that shouldn't happen. A Mazda HAS to spank its competition in all sportiness issues and this car doesn't do that. Part of the satisfaction of driving a Mazda is that you know you're driving the sportiest car among its competitors, and this car will deny me that satisfaction! It's just like driving a Range Rover: there's no point in buying a Range Rover if it loses its ability to spank the competition off-road......even if the owner would never use it off-road. Mazda should have ensured that the 2nd gen Mazda 6 at least stops in the distance as the 1st gen. Being heavier is no excuse. Basically, I'm saing that I would have prefered "Manages to keep all of the zoom-zoom athleticism despite pandering to the Accord/Camry market" to "Manages to keep some of the zoom-zoom athleticism despite pandering to the Accord/Camry market". "Manages to up zoom-zoom athleticism despite pandering to the Accord/Camry market" would have been even better! Replies to this message: networkguy (Aug 14, 2008 6:01 am) blackadder5639 (Aug 14, 2008 10:11 am)
#160 of 229 Re: Oh Dear, My Fears! [mz6greyghost] by socal2006 Aug 13, 2008 (4:09 pm)
Replying to: mz6greyghost (Aug 13, 2008 3:37 am) To me, this is not just one review. This is a review from a publication that absolutely loves Mazda. Take a quick look at almost every comparo involving a Mazda. The Mazda always wins. Although it's true that Mazda is producing good cars right now, no publication has this type of track record. Heck, even the previous 6 was chosen as an Editor's choice the last time they had editor's choice. This was when the 1st gen 6 was already considered fairly outdated by all other publications. To have this lackluster, waffling review is an eyeopener to me. If any publication were to post a gushing review, it would be Edmunds. And every other review that you have read was a 1st drive with limited time behind the wheel. As the article even so proudly proclaims, this is the world's first full test of this vehicle (by a publication). With the 1st gen 6, there was no question who had the "sportiest" midsize sedan. The fact that you are asking him to go drive one and then come to conclusion about that... well, that's a telling statement.
#161 of 229 2009 Mazda 6 by leowin Aug 13, 2008 (7:23 pm)
I have a '05 Mazda 3 Sport, coming up for lease renewal in about 6 months. I love the car except for the AC unit. Summer is too hot and Winter & Rainy days are foggy. It is absolutely incapable of cooling the interiors even in mildly hot days, not to talk about the foggy winter days. I am reading quite a lot of good stuff about Mazda 6 but when I go in for a test drive, if the AC peformance is not satisfactory, I am out! All the sportiness, styling is a waste if the passengers sitting inside are suffocating! Replies to this message: aviboy97 (Aug 14, 2008 6:17 am)
#162 of 229 Re: [blackadder5639] by networkguy Aug 14, 2008 (6:01 am)
Replying to: blackadder5639 (Aug 13, 2008 10:05 am) I opted to pass on the 6 and bought a Speed 3 instead. It was a much more fun and practical choice for me. That said, I can see what Mazda is attempting here. The sale figures on the 6 have always been lackluster. I think they're just after wider market appeal. The hardcore Evo and STi fans cried foul when their beloved rides were also transformed into models attempting to snag larger market share. Replies to this message: blackadder5639 (Aug 14, 2008 10:11 am)
#163 of 229 Re: 2009 Mazda 6 [leowin] by aviboy97 Aug 14, 2008 (6:17 am)
Replying to: leowin (Aug 13, 2008 7:23 pm) The earlier Mazda3's (04-06) had A/C issues. For 2007 that was fixed. I have a 2005 Mazda6, and the A/C is very very cold. I have also driven the 2009 a lot as well, and it's been quite hot out, and the A/C has worked just fine.