First Drive: 2009 Mazda 6

[GTaudiophile]

The Camry Killer!

 

[mwmorph]

I like everything but the V6 gas mileage which is pretty piss-poor(comparable to the Cadillac STS V8 Northstar which is much heavier and RWD). I like how they tweaked the design a bit from the teasers and concepts. Looks really good.

 

[BassBomb]

It would be a very nice car, except to me Mazda's feel cheep after a short while.
Compared to Honda/Toyota they still are not on par with reliability, but Mazda normally kills in looks/sportiness

 

[DougK62]

Wow. That looks really sharp, especially the rear 3/4. Best looking in it's class, IMO.

 

[GTaudiophile]

What does the Euro version look like?

It's too bad that fat people dictate that we get bigger cars here in the USA.

I would be fine with a smaller, nimbler, more efficient Euro version.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
What does the Euro version look like?

It's too bad that fat people dictate that we get bigger cars here in the USA.

I would be fine with a smaller, nimbler, more efficient Euro version.

It's not just fat. I'm 6'0 tall and 170 pounds and I could really use another 3" of seat travel in my Mazda5. You said you are what...5'6 or something...that makes a big difference in seat comfort and leg/head room in many cars.

You can't get front seat travel for longer legs without completely cutting into the leg room for rear passengers.

 

[SearchMaster]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
What does the Euro version look like?

It's too bad that fat people dictate that we get bigger cars here in the USA.

I would be fine with a smaller, nimbler, more efficient Euro version.

They're responding to the market which just so happens to reflect my issues with my Mazda6.

I enjoyed driving it (I had a Mazda6 wagon for about a year), but the back seat was too small to accommodate my three kids and the interior had a cheap feel. It sounds like the new model would be a better fit for my family but that ship has sailed for us for a few years. I always root for Mazda and I hope the car is successful.

 

[mb]

Looks great, but even my V6 Accord gets the same mileage as the 4 cylinder Mazda6.

 

[evident]

Originally posted by: DougK62
Wow. That looks really sharp, especially the rear 3/4. Best looking in it's class, IMO.

i really like the rear of the current mazda 6. the 09 one looks more... ordinary

 

[ElFenix]

i think i like the euro one a little better. though i like the tornado engine a lot.

 

[theeedude]

Originally posted by: mb
Looks great, but even my V6 Accord gets the same mileage as the 4 cylinder Mazda6.

From fuel economy.gov
New Mazda6 4 banger auto gets 22 30, while Accord 4 banger auto gets 21 31, about the same.

 

[ayabe]

Looks good, I'm trying to steer my GF to one of these instead of an Altima.

I would still like to drive it myself, I thought both motors in the current model were rough and a bit "buzzy" at higher RPM's.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Looks like it's inflatable. The rear 3/4 view especially makes it look fat. Better than most cars today though.

ZV

 

[zoiks]

I like the engine sound in my current Mazda 6. I have to admit the new model looks sweet.

 

[zoiks]

Originally posted by: BassBomb
It would be a very nice car, except to me Mazda's feel cheep after a short while.
Compared to Honda/Toyota they still are not on par with reliability, but Mazda normally kills in looks/sportiness

It all depends. I find Toyota's interiors to be extremely cheap. Take for example the current generation Camry. My gf had a 2001 Corolla and the interior was all plasticky. Honda's are much better though.
The Mazda6 was introduced in 2003 and so far it's been pretty good. There have been issues with the Speed6 but almost all of them happened when the owner decided to mod or add on to the engine.

 

[Juddog]

Oooh that's a sexy looking car. I <3 how Mazda designs their cars.

 

[Nutdotnet]

Originally posted by: vi edit

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
What does the Euro version look like?

It's too bad that fat people dictate that we get bigger cars here in the USA.

I would be fine with a smaller, nimbler, more efficient Euro version.

It's not just fat. I'm 6'0 tall and 170 pounds and I could really use another 3" of seat travel in my Mazda5. You said you are what...5'6 or something...that makes a big difference in seat comfort and leg/head room in many cars.

You can't get front seat travel for longer legs without completely cutting into the leg room for rear passengers.

Dude...I'm sorry but you're a pretty average size. There's no need to build a "bigger car" for a 6 foot guy. Hell...I'm bigger than you and I drive around in an R32.

Americans just need to get off their ass and get less-fat!

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: Nutdotnet

Originally posted by: vi edit

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
What does the Euro version look like?

It's too bad that fat people dictate that we get bigger cars here in the USA.

I would be fine with a smaller, nimbler, more efficient Euro version.

It's not just fat. I'm 6'0 tall and 170 pounds and I could really use another 3" of seat travel in my Mazda5. You said you are what...5'6 or something...that makes a big difference in seat comfort and leg/head room in many cars.

You can't get front seat travel for longer legs without completely cutting into the leg room for rear passengers.

Dude...I'm sorry but you're a pretty average size. There's no need to build a "bigger car" for a 6 foot guy. Hell...I'm bigger than you and I drive around in an R32.

Americans just need to get off their ass and get less-fat!

At 6' I've had to shove the seat back to the end of the rails on pretty any Japanese car I've owned. And when I do that, I cut into any room that the back seat had.

It's interesting that you mention it because my Passat seat actually traveled so far back that me feet couldn't even reach the pedals. And when I was in a comfortable driving position there was a pile of leg room behind me.

It's not about being fat, which was my point. It's about adding legroom inches which is something that I appreciate.

 

[mb]

Originally posted by: senseamp

Originally posted by: mb
Looks great, but even my V6 Accord gets the same mileage as the 4 cylinder Mazda6.

From fuel economy.gov
New Mazda6 4 banger auto gets 22 30, while Accord 4 banger auto gets 21 31, about the same.

Ok, but my V6 Accord gets over 30 on the highway... I'm not talking about the 4 cylinder Accord.

 

[theeedude]

Originally posted by: mb

Originally posted by: senseamp

Originally posted by: mb
Looks great, but even my V6 Accord gets the same mileage as the 4 cylinder Mazda6.

From fuel economy.gov
New Mazda6 4 banger auto gets 22 30, while Accord 4 banger auto gets 21 31, about the same.

Ok, but my V6 Accord gets over 30 on the highway... I'm not talking about the 4 cylinder Accord.

People don't generally cross shop I4 and V6 models, I don't think.

 

[raildogg]

I also get between 27-30 MPG on my Honda Accord V6.

I would like a 4 cylinder car to get above 30MPG. That is the reason why I am not considering Mazda 3 anymore.

 

[redgtxdi]

Well, I have to knock the dark interior. Having owned both types, I love a lighter interior. Whether grey or tan, too dark gets dirty (think dusty) faster, hotter in summer and I dunno.....maybe it's the contrast, but it just starts to wear on the eyes after a while. (just imo)


BUT...........


NO MORE TEZZ-ASS TAIL LIGHTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Finally (for the love of all things holy) somebody ditched 'em!!!!!!!


Hopefully this is the start of a trend!!

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: raildogg
I also get between 27-30 MPG on my Honda Accord V6.

I would like a 4 cylinder car to get above 30MPG. That is the reason why I am not considering Mazda 3 anymore.

I'm averaging over 30mpg combined (55%/45% city/hwy) with my '08 Focus. The Mazda3 is based on the Euro MK2 Focus platform (aka 'C1' chassis). The current US Focus is a rework of the older MK1 / 1.5 Focus platform, and as such, weighs considerably less. Anyway, worth a look. I thought about Mazda3, but the fuel economy of the 2.3 is pretty poor, and the 2.0 with all that extra weight doesn't seem like a great idea either.

 

[theeedude]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: raildogg
I also get between 27-30 MPG on my Honda Accord V6.

I would like a 4 cylinder car to get above 30MPG. That is the reason why I am not considering Mazda 3 anymore.

I'm averaging over 30mpg combined (55%/45% city/hwy) with my '08 Focus. The Mazda3 is based on the Euro MK2 Focus platform (aka 'C1' chassis). The current US Focus is a rework of the older MK1 / 1.5 Focus platform, and as such, weighs considerably less. Anyway, worth a look. I thought about Mazda3, but the fuel economy of the 2.3 is pretty poor, and the 2.0 with all that extra weight doesn't seem like a great idea either.

It's not the weight, it's the gearing that's hurting fuel economy.
It got a 2.3L engine, but I think they use the gearbox from the 1.6L and 2L versions, even though they could gear it taller due to more torque.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: senseamp

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: raildogg
I also get between 27-30 MPG on my Honda Accord V6.

I would like a 4 cylinder car to get above 30MPG. That is the reason why I am not considering Mazda 3 anymore.

I'm averaging over 30mpg combined (55%/45% city/hwy) with my '08 Focus. The Mazda3 is based on the Euro MK2 Focus platform (aka 'C1' chassis). The current US Focus is a rework of the older MK1 / 1.5 Focus platform, and as such, weighs considerably less. Anyway, worth a look. I thought about Mazda3, but the fuel economy of the 2.3 is pretty poor, and the 2.0 with all that extra weight doesn't seem like a great idea either.

It's not the weight, it's the gearing that's hurting fuel economy.
It got a 2.3L engine, but I think they use the gearbox from the 1.6L and 2L versions, even though they could gear it taller due to more torque.

That's a fair element to consider as well, but surely the weight has some impact.

2008 Focus Coupe ~ 2550lbs
2008 Focus Sedan ~2600lbs

2008 Mazda3 2.0 Sedan ~2900lbs
2008 Mazda3 2.3 Sedan ~2950lbs

^^ using Edmunds, which may not be 100% accurate, but I've seen the same '08 Focus weight numbers at multiple sites.