Ill wait for the Diesel.

 

I didn't really follow the car much and was surprised that my friends 30k GT only had a 2.5L four in it. I thought a V-6 was still an option.

 

Huh...OK

The SA 2.5 DI puts out more power than a 2.5 MZR.

There was never a V6 option for new 6, AFAIK Mazda will no longer be offering any V6 once the CX-9 is replaced...as no more V6 Ford engines.

The new 6 is large but actually weighs the same as outgoing...depends on model trim.

Pretty lame to compare a 6 with a 3?, or RX-8...

 

Hot off the press....Australia...I know Paul will be interested....

January Car Sales for OZ....
Mazda beats Holden (GM ) moves into # 2 position!!

All new Mazda 6 outsells Toyota Camry for the first time since 2006.
Mazda 3 still continues as top seller, out sold all new Toyota Corolla.

January 2013 Car Sales.
Brand.....Sales.....Movement %......Share %
1.Toyota 13,375 +4.9 15.7
2.Mazda 8912 +5.1 10.4
3.Holden 8811 -2.8 10.3
4.Ford 7721 +32.3 9.0
5.Nissan 7248 +35.3 8.5
6.Hyundai 6816 +4.7 8.0
7.Mitsubishi 4449 -2.6 5.2
8.Volkswagen 3824 +13.6 4.5
9.Honda 3816 +141.6 4.5
10.Subaru 3104 -3.2 3.6

 

Drove a touring model last weekend. It didn't feel under powered. Handled ok. Seats where cheap feeling with no adjustability on the passenger side ( even in the GT there won't be ) other than forward backward and seat back angle. If you are tall or short will find it uncomfortable. Rest of the car was awesome with a quality feel. A little more road noise than I would have hoped for. If you are in the area, the Mazda dealer in Fredericksburg Virginia has a couple on the lot. And the salesman doesn't go with you in the test drive.

 

I also drove one and was quite impressed. The power was good with rather immediate throttle response, steering was very light yet accurate. Handling and general road feel was impressive. When shifting the auto in manual mode, shifting before red line gives super quick transitions. I also wish they had paid more attention to reduction in wind noise but other than that, the Camry, Accord and Altima better beware, the new 6 is here.

Total driving dynamics are not properly comparable to an RX-8 as this is a totally different game but you can tell it's made by the same company and that they are transferring DNA .

Paul.

 

Quite impressed, really? I'm really surprised to hear you say that. The driving experience is pretty mundane and if you guy don't think it was underpowered then you should go drive any of the V-6 Competition like the Accord, Altima, Camry, or Passat.

 

My employee Sheldon, drives a V6 powered 6 and is trading for the new car. He has test driven it as well. He was also impressed. My friend with a Millenia S is trading for it.

This will not meet the needs of someone who is shopping for the 278 hp Accord, which by the way will outperform any stock production RX-8 in acceleration. If pure thrust is the factor for a shopper, this is not the car. If we were to compare it to the other inline 4 cylinder 2.4 and 2.5 competition I think it will show to be a winner. It is quick but not monstrously so, and handles like a Mazda sedan should. We should see some good magazine comparisons within weeks I would guess and I will eat humble pie if it does not top most against it's 'direct' competition.

Paul.

 

I really like the car mostly but the transmission is kind of jerky and the engine is just underwhelming. A $30,0000.00+ GT sedan should have some refinement in my opinion and a buzzy four banger just seems and feels silly in such a big car. The 2.5L is sufficient in my girlfriends Mazda 3S but not in such a large fully loaded sedan.

 

so Mazda is not going to ever develop a v6? only 4 cylinders and maybe a rotary?

 

I'm not sure, a lot of people are now saying, "oh but wait for the diesel, it will be much better" but I feel like I will be equally disappointed with the diesel when it comes out.

 

Seems like there taking the route of VW 4 cylinders and trying to get the diesel incorporated into the models that need something bigger.

Im optimistically thinking the diesel 6 will be a completely different animal then the gas, sounds like it will be just what this car needs for a power plant to compliment the other luxurious features but currently its an amazing looking car that just doesn't quite Zoom-Zoom, Yet.

 

But VW has a 3.8L 280HP V-6 as well.

 

True but it starts at 30K for there biggest sedan and its not that popular, there are more Passat TDI's than V6's

 

I agree, VW's can get pricey but for 30k you can get a fully loaded Passat with a 280HP V-6, better trans and more than you get in a 30k Mazda 6 with a four banger.

 

One slight problem, the Passat is damn ugly

Test drove a TDI version last week to kinda get the feel for a diesel, car drove and handles immaculately (kinda what im hopping the 6 Diesel will feel like) but that car and to be honest all the new VW's are just as ugly and hurt mentally to look at.

 

don't agree.

DSGs are A MESS after 60-80 k miles

 

While we are slightly off topic, what's everyone thoughts on the new MKZ, if only i had 50K to drop, thats a damn good looking car

 

Well I have never heard anything negative about them but that's a good point. Although, I would think most in that demo would likely trade them in once the warranty is up.


Isn't that just a pimped out Ford Fusion? The price seems high if so.

 

This European dude seems to think the new 6 does favorably against the crop of cars over there and he's testing a 2.0l wagon.


I remember the days when a quick SPORTS car did a near 7 second 0-60 but now (Especially here in the US) We are not satisfied if our common sedan does not break 6 seconds. I seriously wonder if there is a limit to our needs and desires.

Paul.

 

Yes you are correct, but regardless it looks really good lol

 

I dunno, I think the Passat look just as good if not better than the 6.

 

I must politely disagree and further more assume you have and underlying case of Mad Cow, as I don't see anything appealing about that car, the only word I know to describe it is. Boring

 

Yeah well, I feel you there but I kind of think that about any of the lower priced sedans. I would love to own a four door M3 though.

 

So would I, just for the sake of the complimentary BMW umbrella you get that I can then use to poke my friends