Gambit

Mazda doesn't hate manual owners. The fact that they offer one at all is more than a lot of manufacturers. How many CX-5 size SUV's have an option for a stick?

Mazda is merely offering what the market says they'll actually be able to sell.

kvndoom

If you follow the trend over the last 2-3 years you will notice Asian import cars with fewer and fewer MT options, while the domestics have increased their options. Most Asian brands now only offer a stick with the "stripper trim." But you can configure quite a few domestic cars with all the options you want and the transmission you want. The imports are too busy trying to be Toyota.

Who the hell ever thought the day could come that you could buy a fully loaded 6MT Buick but not a Mazda.

ASH8

At least you guys get 'a' MT...I got my reply from Doug Dickson on the matter, only 4% of previous 6's here were MT...

Good grief! Mazda in Australia was built on MT!, we used to have the highest ratio in my day, particularly when the Auto's (JATCO) were pretty crude.

Personally, I believe the decision will be reversed in a year or so..

Bladecutter

But that's just it.
Why can't they offer it as an option, special order only, if they need to?

Have the crazy 4% nutters like you and me be able to order the car we like exactly the way we like it, and still be able to row through the gears with our free hand.

Oh, and I think I'm glad they dropped the ball on offering the SC-5 Sport in manual in Red. The Detroit Auto Show is coming up soon, and it sounds like Alfa Romeo is finally stepping up to the plate in the US market, with 4C production starting in March.

I need a tiny mid mounted rear drive 200+ hp turbocharged track missile.
Who doesn't?

BC.

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

Backlash over Mazda CX-5 diesel oil issues

ASH8

As I have said and trying to post info..

OK, There is a Mazda Japan TSB ( Technical Service Bulletin) available to Dealers to Inform OWNERS on HOW to check Oil Levels Correctly...Dated December 12th...TSB # E057/12.

The 'X' Mark on Dip Stick has NOTHING to do with Levels, it just means that the 'X' is the correct side where one reads the Engine Oil level...it has NOTHING to do with correct or incorrect Oil Levels in ENGINE.

Many owners has been reading their Dip Stick incorrectly.

NO DIESEL ENGINE should EVER be used for short distance driving.

Do not purchase a Mazda Diesel car IF you do less than a 15 minute trip.
WHY, the Engine does not get hot enough, and can not burn off self cleaning DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter).

I am happy to email the color pictured Mazda Japan TSB to those who request one.
You can email me ..

I might even start a new THREAD here so we can get some traffic to club and inform Mazda DIESEL ENGINE OWNERS.

Mazmart

iTrader: (12)

I agree. I think that would be smart to have a thread dedicated to Mazda Skyactiv Diesel Technical info.

Paul.

Bladecutter

You have to admit, though...

If the oil level does in fact get to that X on the dipstick, then the owner definitely should take their vehicle to a Mazda dealer for service.

BC.

ASH8

Done Paul..sort of..

Tell me what you think...

https://www.rx8club.com/general-auto...7/#post4398621

I also am not going to allow this DIESEL thread to turn into a 'Mazda hate' session for members to post about 'what happened' with their experience....

ALL car makers have issues or perceived issues.
How many do we see which are owner related.??

Ash

Mazmart

iTrader: (12)

Good thread sir.

I wonder why they don't just have F and L on the dipstick and put it on the correct reading side only . Maybe I rely too much on logic.

Paul.

Mazmart

iTrader: (12)

Really cool Mazda 6 video from Autohaus-Bauer in the Deutschland. Enjoy:



Paul.

Spin9k

Thanks for that!! They love their Mazda 6 that's for sure! Too bad I don't get ze german, but interesting walkaround, most everything was labeled in ze English anyway. Think what most stood out during the test drive was the amount of road noise (not engine noise) they had to talk over. Hoping there's an upscale version with better noise insulation for the states to help bring it a bit upmarket. Otherwise looks like a contender for the family sedan market.

ASH8

Mazda announced with their all new Skyactiv Technologies how they have managed to reduce production costs and one would therefore think replacement costs for OEM Parts would also be reduced.....
...well they are cheaper.

You may not be aware but most of the 'Design Architecture Elements' of the current platform used in the all new KE CX-5 and all new GJ Mazda 6 are the same, as will be the all new Mazda 3.

So being as I am decided to do a price comparison of the same OEM Parts used on the all new Mazda 6/CX-5 Suspension Front and Rear to the current MX-5/Miata and RX-8 which also shares design.

Well the results really do show a lowering of production cost and customer cost for OEM SA Parts.

Rather than list every Part individually I have grouped and summarised totals in %.

So, Front Suspension parts prices (Excluding Shocks ,Springs and Brakes) were Front Knuckles, Hub and Bearing, Lower and Upper Control Arms and Stabiliser Bars.

The Rear summary includes Hub Joint, Bearing Hub, Upper and Lower Arms and or Ball Joints and Links and Stabiliser Bars. (Excluding Shocks, Springs and Brakes)

I excluded pricing of front and rear Shocks, Springs and Brakes as they are basically the same designs and prices to produce and selling are very similar.

Anyway, overall the Mazda 6/CX-5 Suspension Parts for the Front are 69% cheaper than the Fronts on RX-8/Miata/MX-5.

For the Rear Suspension of the Mazda 6/CX-5 compared to the RX-8/Miata/MX-5 are 54% cheaper.

Overall the new Skyactiv Suspension is 61% cheaper to make than the FE/NC.

It will be very interesting to see what Mazda does with the all new ND Miata/MX-5 Suspension wise...will it have the simpler and cheaper Skyactiv Designs of the CX-5 and Mazda 6???

Perhaps this is not a 100% fair comparison as I should probably compare the old Mazda 6 to new Mazda 6, but I could not include the CX-5.

When the new Miata comes out I will perhaps do another Skyactiv comparo.

Apologies to all if this bores you...

Spin9k

Hope 'cheaper' in this case does not also equate to what goes along with it, i.e., lower performance.

Gambit

Dunno if it's been posted yet, but Mazda has estimated fuel economy numbers for the new 6 up on their site:

25/37 for the manual
26/38 for the auto, both with the 2.5L gas engine

http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/musa...6_brochure.pdf

Spin9k

Thanks for that brochure - Nice! But big missing stat - no weight for any model/ no 0-60 est... and 185HP only pushes so hard... and 185 ft/lbs torque is pretty high up the rpm curve. Wish the diesel was here already w/300+ torque - that sounds more interesting for a family car in traffic and leaving stop lights

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

This. We are talking about inferior suspension geometries and material (stamped steel). Cast aluminum a-arms are simply beautiful pieces of engineering. The steel rod linkages of the rear multi-link system in the FE/NC is quite an intricate yet marvelous design as well.

77mjd

If you're talking about the Buick Regal GS turbo, that is a damn good looking car...and you can get it loaded with a 6MT. I've seen a couple of them on the road and I'm damn near tempted to go test drive one. I never thought I'd see the day when a Buick looked that good.

ASH8

Agree,

I compared the old Mazda (GH) 6 with New (GJ) 6..

Rear Suspension of New 6 is 30% cheaper than old 6.
Front Suspension of New 6 is 73% cheaper than old 6.
Overall a 48% gen to generation 'saving'.

Most of the cost reductions are by going away from lighter aluminum to steel use, and is a much simpler set up.

SNTP, IMO the rear suspension on the NC/FE is probably the best I have ever seen for simplicity, yet intricate design results in superior handling, but very costly.
Front aluminum A Arms Upper and Lower in NC/FE, well you just cant get any better than this.

I really hope Mazda does not cheap out on the ND MX-5/Miata...as this will be the platform design for 'any' future rotary.

ASH8

Just noticed North America (MazdaUSA) New 6 has one less paint colour...No Stormy Blue Mica??

ASH8

Here is a better vid on ALL the Mazda 6 Safety Features...no sound.

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

Ash, would you have any pictures of the under carriage of the new 6? I recall seeing a picture somewhere, but can't seem to find it.

Reason why I ask is because I got underneath my CX-5 yesterday and saw all the panels under and was in awe. Did some research and it has a drag coefficient of 0.33, which apparently is lower than a C6 Corvette. Astounding as the CX-5 simply has more surface area and rides much higher. This makes me curious as to what the new the undercarriage of the new 6 looks like in detail.

ASH8

Well the 6 I looked at here has the same idea of glossy black under floor pan like your CX-5...I will try and find a pic.

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

Found it.

ASH8

Yep, that is it!..

That plastic is glossy, just like the new 6 I looked at when on my hand and knees!

Also note the large plate like rectangle rear Muffler....it is very flat/deep and not very thick.
I can't recall a Mazda ever having such a design Muffler before.

Good to see Mazda has continued with TWIN Exhaust outlets also, goes to show they are very serious when it comes to BALANCE or weight distributions of their cars, both front to back and side to side...one member laughed at me many years ago when I suggested others (makes) will follow suit as almost all have.....Apart from Diff/Axles and Engine the rear Muffler is the next heaviest dead weight part to 'balance'.