Mazda 6

[The Glassy]

Hi all

The missus wants to buy a bloody Mazda 6 hatch.

Has anyone here heard about any probs with these....?

Or has one or can comment....?

Any feedback appreciated.

Thanks

[klink]

Hi,

i have only heard good things about them and i would have bought one if the ss didnt come up at the time.

I owned a 89 626 for 12years and had trouble free motoring apart from general wear and tear. and it is still going strong with 290000km on the clock.

i know of an old 929 that had over 400000km on it and the guy never had a problem with it from new, and just bought a mazda 6.

just make sure that you service them when rewuired and change timing belts etc.

nice cars

[Fnomna]

Make it the MPS sedan (190kW, 380Nm) then you can at least have a bit of fun with it :)

[macca_779]

The 6's are great cars. A mate at work has the luxury sports model. Bose audio is not bad for OEM stuff and the whole interior is very upmarket for a car in its price range. But as a negative they torque steer to much and are quite underpowered for my liking. Nice cruiser though. MPS would be a better alternative. But even they aren't quick enough for my appetite

[Alister]

My father in law owns a MY06 Mazda 6 Luxury Sports Hatch which i've driven quite a bit and it's good but has a few flaws...

Cons (from worst to least worst)
-very slow in auto guise
-heavy on fuel for a 4cyl, trip meter is reading 12-12.5L/100KM (on 91RON, yes meant to be 95RON) which is very light traffic and suburban driven very sedately
-rear vision absolutely sucks, it's hard to see what's behind you, changing lanes, backing out from a car park etc
-hatch rattles like all hell on slightly bumpy roads
-4 speed auto is pretty poor in both modes, shifts are very seamless and slow, I prefer my VX gearbox
-carpet (very cheap quality btw) in the rear is bubbling up despite next to no use by rear occupants
-leather seats too firm (but that might just be me)
-hatch does not have adequate head room for tallish rear occupants (i'm 6'2" and my head hits the roof)
-no rear air con vent (common, this is the luxury model Mazda!)

Pros (from best to least best)
-handles great, bloody nimble, EXCELLENT BRAKES, torque steer is not a problem compared to a Magna etc
-looks good
-excellent stock height
-good value for money
-seems to be reliable after 25 000km (only problem was that a caliper seized)
-decent features

One of my mates bought a brand new Luxury Sports hatch in 06, absolutely hated it (lots of problems etc), sold it a few months later and purchased a new Honda Accord Euro which he loves.

A customer at work was having a bitch to me about her new Luxury Sports Hatch. Too many engine problems and quality issues she said...

Good value for money but why don't you get her to look at a Berlina or even a Fairmont?

[planetdavo]

There's an 06 Luxury hatch in the family.
They are just about the best mid size car for their price currently available. Bit noisy perhaps, but decent power, handle well, well made, and they take a load of luggage.

[turbo6]

The new auto's are a five speed.

We are on our 2nd 6 now and I must say that for the money, they are quite a good, well built car. The fuel economy is excellent - average is 9.7l/100k at the mo' and mostly city driving - the wife of course..........

Highly recommend one if you are not driving it.

[PFR]

My brother has Mazda 6 Sports Luxury Hatch 06 model 6sp manual.

I have driven it a bit.

Goes OK for 4cyl, handles great, gearbox is great, plenty of room in boot/hatch.

Not a lot cheaper than v6 Holden to run 95RON etc (NRMA Operating cost actually have Mazda 6 Sports Luxury Hatch more expensive than Commodore Executive), a bit noisy in the back, not much headroom in back.

Apparently OK resale.

[Merlin]

Great resale, look good, go OK, handle well, plenty of space (especially the hatch model), reliable - not much to dislike about them really.

I would have bought one (a Luxury sports so you get leather bose ect.), but I am too much of a revhead at heart and wanted something with more go (not that they are slow for their intended purpose, I think the 0-100 sprint is a low 8 sec affair).

Direct competitor is the Honda Accord Euro. If buying new I would go the Honda, I just like it more - second hand the Mazdas are a little cheaper (though really the resale value of both is hard to beat) so cant really go wrong with either.

[ti0350]

Have some friends that own a 6 and another friend owns a euro accord, while the 6 is good the accord is heaps better in my opinion..

[The Glassy]

Thanks to all for excellent feedback.

Looking at new and Mazda have on offer a 4year warranty now.
Honda's have always scared me for parts...having been in parts for 10 years and now out of it...
She used to drive my VTLs1 whilst I drove the work Rodeo and she hated it.....Too big, Too Low and Too Loud!!! Used to love her saying that!!!:thumbsup: So the Berlina or Fairmont is out.

$32k on the road for the Hatch with a 6sp man but from the sound of it the hatch seems to be a problem especially with a bub on the way cant have too much noise....hence the WRX was crossed off me list....lol

Any of you guys in Sydney know what a new one on the road is there and is it worth buying there and bringing back here? Age old question I think...

[amckiwi]

Friend has an MPS

Goes great for something so heavy

6 months old has had a new gearbox and is due a new turbo!

2 days in the shop for the turbo

Its his wifes car but he drives it hard

[Evil LS1]

Mazda 6 is nice, but I'd get the Accord Euro. Both drive beautifully, Honda goes harder, Mazda handles a tad better.

Mazda 6 MPS is on sale for $44K drive away now.

[TT C6]

One of our members with a yellow APS C6 Corvette just picked up a silver turbo 6 with AWD and loves it.
He posted pics and a review on our board.

[gtr355]

Have to agree with a lot of these, my mother owns a luxury sports hatch (automatic) also which i drive probably 30% of the time
it is a november 2004 model with 70000kms

Cons (from worst to least worst)
-very slow in auto guise

Fully agree, its an absolute slug until you get it into the cams power band of a little over 3 grand (maybe thats just me used to my commodore though...)

-heavy on fuel for a 4cyl, trip meter is reading 12-12.5L/100KM (on 91RON, yes meant to be 95RON) which is very light traffic and suburban driven very sedately

I disagree with this, after 70000km we have an average of 9.2km/L with mainly around town driving, and it seems no matter how hard you drive it it doesnt change.We always use 95ron caltex, as it is a lease car
Averages over 550km per tank, my mother drives the car always in auto mode, whereas i use the sports mode if that makes a difference

-rear vision absolutely sucks, it's hard to see what's behind you, changing lanes, backing out from a car park etc

Agree, the C pillar blocks a lot of the vision towards the rear

-hatch rattles like all hell on slightly bumpy roads

Disagree, ours has been silent.

-4 speed auto is pretty poor in both modes, shifts are very seamless and slow, I prefer my VX gearbox

Sports shift makes the car a lot better to drive than just the standard auto, if my mother were to buy one again she would definately go for a manual, i also insist this.

-carpet (very cheap quality btw) in the rear is bubbling up despite next to no use by rear occupants

Not the case in ours, seems to be almost new

-leather seats too firm (but that might just be me)

not too firm but yes they are pretty solid

-hatch does not have adequate head room for tallish rear occupants (i'm 6'2" and my head hits the roof)

not sure about this as my mother and i are both short arses

-no rear air con vent (common, this is the luxury model Mazda!)

Pros (from best to least best)
-handles great, bloody nimble, EXCELLENT BRAKES, torque steer is not a problem compared to a Magna etc

agree entirely on this, very good handling for a standard car and yes the brakes do pull her up well

-looks good
-excellent stock height
-good value for money
-seems to be reliable after 25 000km (only problem was that a caliper seized)

no problems whatsoever after nearly 3 years and 70000km

-decent features

we also got the bose stereo as an option and i would say its the best "stock" stereo i have heard for an everyday car, clarity is quite good, only thing it may lack is a little bass.but that could be me just being a little picky
QUOTE]

Hope this helps
would i reccomend the car?
Yes, seems as though they are a well made car, but maybe somewhat underpowered with the automatic(i believe the manual version would have a bit more go), still a great car to get around town in though. I had never heard of any problems until this thread.

[csv rulz]

Dunno what the mazda 6 is like as a car but i reackon there a bloody horny looking little bugger.

Dunno what price and equipment are like on these but the might be something to think about

Subaru Liberty

Honda Accord

Alfa Romeo 159

VW Jetta

[chevypower]

great car the Mazda 6, it's sporty... a nice large hatch style, i love it... leather seats, Bose sound system, nice 6 speed manual behind a torquey turbo diesel, really nice car to drive....but it is also so ordinary at the same time. I couldn't love the car enough to want to get it. I found the seats, although leather, seemed a little plain, the engine didn't have the performance of a European diesel of the same size (I know the specs read a higher torque output) but i wasnt convinced it was as good as the Astra diesel engine. The Bose sound system sounded good, but not so good that I would tell everyone it has a Bose in it. I found the exterior to be a little bland too, i might be out on my own on that one, as a lot of people like it, but to me it looks a little cheap. But if i was going for a medium/large vehicle with a little Euro class to it, with a nice TDI, a good sound system with leather seats, for me, the Volkswagen Passat does it, and it's slightly higher price than the Mazda, but it's a much more convincing car, and much nicer to drive. it has a great presence about it, and just feels very upmarket, and that DSG gearbox!!! Every auto tranny should be replaced with one of those!.

[planetdavo]

You'll hardly get a million rave reviews for a 4cyl hatch without a turbo on a V8 forum........

[billy4455]

have to agree we tested both for my daughter and the accord won hands down - the 6 design is getting old especially the sedan - while the accord looks as good today as it did when it was launched

[Alister]

Yeah, i'd have to say the quality problems my father-in-law's vehicle has are probably not common traits of the Mazda 6 models.
Good feedback, GTR.

[lowriding]

We looked hard at them a few years back for the wife , but in all honesty they are a very overrated car imo. Seriously lack grunt ,smallish cabin (check rear space) and a bit tinny with average NVH (found Mazda 3 is similar in that regard).Didnt find economy to be that great either considering its lack of go . - look great in full sports luxury hatch though.

[Micks]

Sad to say Yes the real Mazda's are quite solid.
Definetly not as solid as the LS1's tho mee boys.

Cheers
VYT

[muzza]

Yep - a Good Thing the Mazda 6.

My Bro has had one for last 3 yrs - no probs at all.

Probably best as a manual, nimble car, excellent brakes, steering and handling. Stylish and practical inside.

With the Euro Accord, they are prob the best mid sizers on the market.

Can be a bit noisy inside on coarse chip roads.

[blackbettyhsv]

glassy b4 your buy a mazda, have a look at the holden vectra. brought the misses 1, cdxi with factory sunroof 3.2 litre V6 manual, 7.4 litres per 100 kms hwy, ours is a 04 model paid 24,000, after driving our niece's mazda & our cousin's honda euro, which are both very nice cars, but with the fuel economy, power & standard luxurys, we are more than happy with our choice, even the leather is better than my new R8. she drove some friends home from a party {last year} they were so impressed with it they brought one for main car. I know everyone dont like holdens but at least have a look you might be surprised.

[The Glassy]

You'll hardly get a million rave reviews for a 4cyl hatch without a turbo on a V8 forum........

Thanks for that. Just wanted to know about any problems really.


glassy b4 your buy a mazda, have a look at the holden vectra. brought the misses 1, cdxi with factory sunroof 3.2 litre V6 manual, 7.4 litres per 100 kms hwy, ours is a 04 model paid 24,000, after driving our niece's mazda & our cousin's honda euro, which are both very nice cars, but with the fuel economy, power & standard luxurys, we are more than happy with our choice, even the leather is better than my new R8. she drove some friends home from a party {last year} they were so impressed with it they brought one for main car. I know everyone dont like holdens but at least have a look you might be surprised.

Interesting, will go check some out.


Dunno what the mazda 6 is like as a car but i reackon there a bloody horny looking little bugger.

Dunno what price and equipment are like on these but the might be something to think about

Subaru Liberty

Honda Accord

Alfa Romeo 159

VW Jetta

Have a 2002 Subaru Liberty. Solid car. 175k on the clock and still going strong!
Thanks for your feedback.


have to agree we tested both for my daughter and the accord won hands down - the 6 design is getting old especially the sedan - while the accord looks as good today as it did when it was launched

Thanks for the feedback. My missus' sister has one and the missus aint like it.

[lowriding]

glassy b4 your buy a mazda, have a look at the holden vectra. brought the misses 1, cdxi with factory sunroof 3.2 litre V6 manual, 7.4 litres per 100 kms hwy, ours is a 04 model paid 24,000, after driving our niece's mazda & our cousin's honda euro, which are both very nice cars, but with the fuel economy, power & standard luxurys, we are more than happy with our choice, even the leather is better than my new R8. she drove some friends home from a party {last year} they were so impressed with it they brought one for main car. I know everyone dont like holdens but at least have a look you might be surprised.


yeah same here , after driving them all we ended up with a CDXi Vectra too .Excellent car in that spec ( dont know about the other models ) . preferred it over the Honda (we traded from a Honda )and its all over a mazda 6.we get the same sort of comments ,people are very impressed when in it,true euro car. Resale is not as good but thats the market , the masses dictate it.best to buy a demo or similar.We have covered 88000km and 3 years with it,our only problem has been a faulty glovebox light.Been very happy with it .

[planetdavo]

yeah same here , after driving them all we ended up with a CDXi Vectra too .Excellent car in that spec ( dont know about the other models ) . preferred it over the Honda (we traded from a Honda )and its all over a mazda 6.we get the same sort of comments ,people are very impressed when in it,true euro car. Resale is not as good but thats the market , the masses dictate it.best to buy a demo or similar.We have covered 88000km and 3 years with it,our only problem has been a faulty glovebox light.Been very happy with it .
The Vectra has had quite a problem with radiators splitting, filling the auto transmission with coolant. As this shorts out the electronics, they can be HIDEOUSLY expensive to repair out of warranty, as they require complete replacement auto's. Thankfully, many did it under warranty. As said, resale isn't great, as the market doesn't rate them well.
Most people rate the Mazda first, then Honda Euro, then Liberty.

[Nobby]

Getting parts for the Vectra might be tricky, that and it's now practically a collectors item.

Avoid. Grab an Accord. Dont get a Camry/Aurion on principal.

[Growler]

Cons (from worst to least worst)
-heavy on fuel for a 4cyl, trip meter is reading 12-12.5L/100KM (on 91RON, yes meant to be 95RON) which is very light traffic and suburban driven very sedately

I disagree with this, after 70000km we have an average of 9.2km/L with mainly around town driving, and it seems no matter how hard you drive it it doesnt change.We always use 95ron caltex, as it is a lease car
Averages over 550km per tank, my mother drives the car always in auto mode, whereas i use the sports mode if that makes a difference


Have to agree about the fuel economy. Mate has an 06 sport hatch 6sp manual and he has a very heavy right foot, gets 9.7L/100km his misses who drives like grandma if she was taking thing easy gets 9.2L/100km. Also BOSE stereo for OEM is incredible.

[German Statesman]

I've heard that they can be hard on front discs and pads and the owner that told me said the dealer that fixed theirs said it was a problem with them - 19,500kms and the pads were shot and rotors needed machining.

Accord Euro is a step above, and rates as the best four cyl car I've spent time in - I had the priveledge of driving a Luxury for a couple of days and loved it.

[quinny-8]

I have owned a Luxury Hatch ,which my wife drives ,for 3 years and have no problems at all ,it does good milage ,handles very well and is reasonably quick once you wind it up a bit ,would recommend it to any body .I originally purchased it because I could not stand the deprecitation of a holden ,my brother had a Calais $52000 new $17000 after 4 years.

[EddieVE06]

The Vectra has had quite a problem with radiators splitting, filling the auto transmission with coolant. As this shorts out the electronics, they can be HIDEOUSLY expensive to repair out of warranty, as they require complete replacement auto's. Thankfully, many did it under warranty. As said, resale isn't great, as the market doesn't rate them well.
Most people rate the Mazda first, then Honda Euro, then Liberty.

True with regards to the auto. Have got a CD Hatch 2.2 and the whole auto trannie had to be replaced after 6,000km under warranty thankfully, apart from that no problems whatsoever. Very solid and well built car. Would I buy one now with the choices avalable and seeing they no longer come to OZ....nope.

[BigFella]

get the euro, atm they come with a 5yr warranty or 140km. and prem roadside assist for 5 years!

Oh also honda are paying for the first year of full comp insurance too!

They are both good cars, but the Euro is just that little bit better!

-jimmy

[chevypower]

Had a look at the Passat, 320d, C320 CDI, and Accord Euro all on the same day, and we both agreed the Passat was the best of the lot. We found the Accord a little boring.

[The Glassy]

Hi

I know the thread is a tad old but thought I would say thanks again to all that lent their advice and opinions.

The missus bought a new Mazda 6 Classic Hatch in Brilliant Carbon Grey.

It goes all right for a non turbo 4 and smells better than my tonner so she is happy and I can give it the odd thrash now and then.

Cheers:driving: