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Sedans Mazda6 Article Comments - 2009 Mazda 6 First Drive and Full Test
229 messages, Last post on Aug 25, 2008 at 6:33 AM
You are in the Mazda6 Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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)
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Replying to: moparbad (Aug 21, 2008 2:04 pm) Hmm, let see, I really can't decide which midsize I want....shall it be the Versa or the Flying Spur? Decisions, decisions. 
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Whoa, yea the versa, Mazdaspeed3, and Elantra are midsize? I didnt realize the speed3 was so much bigger than the normal 3. Also, the acura RL is a midsize?.. where does that put the TL? Something fishy about that list. Winding road has a review of the new 6 as well - very positive comments by the reviewers. I think the many of the first drives and reviews are calling this more like a Mazda7. So yea, the segments are moving upwards. The Mazda2 should be arriving any day now too right?
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Replying to: socal2006 (Aug 21, 2008 4:46 pm) Defining a category by interior volume does create an interesting group. Something that has been bothering me is the performance data for the 2009 Mazda6 and the fact that it is the newest model among it's competitors and I expected the Mazda6 to advance the head of the class by a significant margin, not simply catch up to the group. This new model is going to lose it's "buzz" very quickly.
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Replying to: moparbad (Aug 21, 2008 5:15 pm) There's those expectations again. To think that the Mazda6 was suddenly going to surpass everything else in the group was some pretty lofty expectations. It was known for good handling and thats about it before. It was bashed for its size, hp, mpg, interior and styling/looks. I think they did a pretty good job of addressing all these things except for the V6 mpg. Apparently(I haven't driven it yet) they softened the handling somewhat which displeases the boy racers but probably widens their market for the car. It seems when one has unrealistically high expectations in the automobile world it beckons disappointment.
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Replying to: m6user (Aug 21, 2008 6:15 pm) By who? 
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Replying to: jeffyscott (Aug 21, 2008 6:22 pm) You mentioned it before, Edmunds turns around and bashes the exact same car they picked as Editors Choice and praised before.
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Replying to: m6user (Aug 21, 2008 6:15 pm) I have an 07 iGT 5 door. It's size is about perfect. Great utility (hatch) and not only is it roomy in the front seats it is even comfortable for adults in the back seats. HP is more than adequate. I did not like the V6 in 1st gen and the new V6 is a tremendous improvement. If the fuel economy is not great (with the new V6), at least the power is. I simply do not need a V6 as I value handling and fuel economy over a few seconds improvement 0-60. The 2.3L in my 6 easily goes much faster than I can legally travel. As to mpg, I average 26 to 27 mpg on my commute and on trips on the highway I average 33 to 34 mpg. Pretty good. The interior, I'm happy with the interior. Gauges are difficult to see when headlights are needed and it is not yet completely dark. Not a major complaint. The interior materials are not up to VW quality, though I rate the interior as good as Camry or Accord. I did not like the styling when 6 was first introduced, as small changes were made I discovered than by 2006 the Mazda6 was very attractive. Comparing 08 to 09 I now appreciate the styling of 1st gen even more. The single most glaring fault of the 1st gen 6 was IMO the darn 3.0L V6. And because of the V6 the suspension was reworked on the North American 6 resulting in the ridiculous turning radius on both 4 cyl. and 6 cyl. models. The 09 offers no improvement in fuel economy, it is too darn big, there is no hatch, the price is much higher, the styling is nice but I dislike the changes that were made to styling when compared to Euro 6, and yes the handling is "softer". At a minimum, my high expectations were for the new 6 to make me feel, "I'd like to have one", not "If my 6 burns to the ground then cross Mazda8 off the shopping list of possible replacements". I like new and old Miata's, I like Protege and Mazda3, I like RX7 and RX8. Don't like the new Mazda6, it has earned my disappointment.
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Replying to: m6user (Aug 21, 2008 6:34 pm) I did read that the styling of the 1st gen is considered more european, while the new one is considered to be more Japanese. I don't know exactly what that means, but I do know what I like and can not think of many Japanese cars that I have liked the styling of, while there have been a number of european cars that have looked appealing to me. |
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Replying to: moparbad (Aug 21, 2008 8:14 pm) 
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Replying to: moparbad (Aug 21, 2008 8:14 pm) I agree with the above although it doesn't bother me so much now that I'm used to it. I brought up this fact that the new Malibu(and Aura) has a larger turning radius than the 1st gen Mazda6 and the fact that while the Mazda6 was always bashed in reviews for it the Malibu and Aura reviews never mentioned it. Discrimination or erratic testers/reviewers? Probably the latter. I feel much the same as you about the 1st gen(thats why I own one). My statements were not my opinion but a summary of what I have read over the last couple of years in professional reviews and SOME poster on this forum. Usually when I share the same opinion I will make that clear. The 09 offers no improvement in fuel economy Have to disagree here. I think the 09 I4 increases hwy mpg to EPA 30 from EPA 28 which coupled with the increase in hp is quite a decent improvement in my mind. The V6 mpg sucks and I have so stated many times. I get about the same mpg with mine as you get so I would think that an 09 I4 should be able to pull down 35-36 mpg freeway if driven conservatively, which like you said, is pretty good. I like the looks(in and out) of the new Mazda6 and like a number of the specs/equip etc. I haven't driven one yet so I can't say how the handling fits me. If it's a little softer than 1st gen I won't mind and if it's at least as good as an Altima(which MT says it's actually a little better) it would still satisfy me.
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