nycgps

iTrader: (1)

I got a Loaner car cuz my 8 is in Service right now ... and I got a Mazda 6i AUTO as a Loaner . (Very basic model, only thing added was I think the rear spoiler and sports Package? I forgot)

Im "probably" the second user of this loaner cuz it only has 126 miles on it. Anyway.

I love my 8 even more right after I sat myself in the 6 for 5 minutes. Heres what I found so far after a day of driving this Mazda 6.

Freaking CHEAP interior. Well, I know its probably around the same if my 8 was basic version but come on, Mazda could do alot better than this. For a 20K car. I've seen HYANDAIs/KIAs with better interior than what I saw.

Horse power, before I got in I was like hmm, it has 160 horse, and 150 something tq thats about the same as my 8. maybe somewhat weaker but shouldnt be that big differents .... and oh my GOD ! I gotta say this thing is "SLOW" !

For some "reason", it takes around 2 seconds before the car will "go". Its like everytime I step on it, I just have to sit and wait a second or 2 before the car will even move. What sup with that? might have something to do with the AUTO Tranny but my brother's Altima dont have that problem (Yes Auto)

and theres a lot of rattle sound coming from the engine compartment. ITs not the piston sound but coming from somewhere else, dunno.

I tried Mazda3 before and I really liked it, and I expect more from the 6 before. but now, Im really disappointed. Maybe it has to do with the model/trim (6i, the most basic model)

but .... ahh.

One thing tho, Im 100% sure to say this sucker use WAY LESS fuel than my beloved 8 ....... Thats a big Plus for me, since I think the price per gallon is going up again... (I just saw 2.89 per gallon again ! 93 octane ...)

No wonder I see way more mazda3 than the 6. Yes I know 6 cost more BUT, if this is what I get if I pay more. Im going to be really **** (3 seems to be better!)

thank you for reading.

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

yea mazda6i w/ automatic is kinda slow... with a manual it's not too bad though

MikeW

Was this a 2006? the 2006 has the JATCO 5 speed automatic, and has decent gearing[close but no 6 speed auto]
1st 30mph
2nd 60mph
3rd 95mph
4th 130mph (if not gov.) 6400rpm
5th 125mph drag limit, if not gov.

DrDiaboloco

I had a Mazda6S for about 2-1/2 years, and I don't agree with your opinion of the interior. I know it's changed a little bit over the model years (I had a 6i loaner for an afternoon while my 8 was being prepped for delivery), with a new center stack and all that, and the lower-end seat material isn't particularly nice, but the quality of the interior is just fine. No rattles, nice and tight, and still a very good handler. The one I drove had the 17" 5-spoke wheels that are identical to the ones on the "sport package" that my '03 had. If memory serves, the only difference between the "base" suspension and the "sport package" is the wheels, as the spring rates, shocks, etc. are all the same.

Can't argue with the "slow" comment, though. The 6cyl with a manual is a world apart from the 4cyl with a slushbox. Weight-wise, the 4cyl 6i is only marginally heavier than the '8 (something like 50lbs), but the 6cyl is a good 200+lbs heavier still. I'll bet the 6i is a good deal quicker with a manual.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

Yea its a 2006 Auto 4Cyl slushbox. I have the Keys with Tags on them saying its a 2006, Mazda 6 Gray.

The thing I like is when I try to Floor it all the way, the transmission(ECU?) will actually switch back down to lets say 2nd for more accerlation all the way to redline. something that my Brother's Altima SE-R wont do. but the thing is that. even so .... I think my brother's SE-R is way faster than this sucker (yeah 260 vs 160 ... nm)

but its still slow as hell ... cant say for 6 cyl ones. but this one I have .... oh my GOD !

Oh and they just called said that my 8's CAT has been replaced and is ready for pickup. Not sure if they fix the Brakes Squeal tho. if they replace the pads again. Im going to Bed it in this time.

Update later.

Eatsomerice

they actually decreased the HP in the 2006 and up models. the 2003-2005 are so much better. i used to own a mazda6i and mazda6s. but they still suck.POS

Feras

iTrader: (1)

i got a loaner 6i the other day and i was actually gonna say that one thing i really liked about it was that all the buttons were in the same places, i felt at home in the car. Yeah it was slower than the 8 but i already knew that, not that bad a basic people mover. Mine didnt have any rattles and had 20kish miles.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

well, at first I thought it could be better. Maybe I should say Mazda can do a lot better than "that".

Mazda6 suppose (I think) to be some kind of Accord compeitior. but after this I will say its probably worst than a Civic ...

Anyway, its GONE now and Im back to my 8. YaY

Still lookingn forward to Mazdaspeed 3 tho.

terrypk1

but hay, do you realize that mazda6 is built in the US, but mazda 3s are built in Japan. that is probably why that mazda6 has a lot of rattling going on.

DrDiaboloco

I guess that would explain why my RX8 has more rattles, groans and wind whistles at 750mi than my Michigan-built 6 had at 25,000mi.

Moostafa29

It may be faster after it breaks in. It has barely been driven, and you are trying to drive the hell out of it. I think it would be a great daily commuter.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

my 8 12,000 miles, only rattle was the airbag part, which is a known problem and it has been fixed.

6 had rattles at 200 something miles (the loaner), that should be weird. Ahh well, like I said, a Loaner. Who cares ?

momo

Well the I4 might be slown, but not the V6.


The guy I carpool with has a Mazda6s with the manual tranny and an intake, otherwise its stock. He did say that he took it in for a TSB where his ECU was reflashed.

I have never raced him, but I have driven his 6 and I can attest to it being equally quick. In a race I might be able to pull 1/2 a car maybe a full car lenght tops.

IMO the interior is nice not on par with Honda or Toyota. Then again I would chose this car in this segment, beacause the others are just to boring. The 6 handles very good, like most Mazdas.

therm8

I have had 2 loaner 6i's in my day (all 2004s-2005s). And I have to say, the interior in the bare bones 6i's was definately much much worse than most cars i've been in. It was on par with those value package Civics, the $13-14k ones. And it does have the noisiest engine/engine compartment that I've ever heard.

DrDiaboloco

Well, I was exaggerating slightly. My 8 doesn't have any groans.

I do get the mysterious squeak from the left rear seat, the rattle in the doors when I have the nerve to turn up the stereo past "15" (base stereo, bass setting at "0", mid-bass at "-2"), and the whistle through what appears to be the weather stripping right next to my ear on the driver's door with the windows up.

Grrr! At least the airbag is quiet.

JeRKy 8 Owner

Horsepower did not decrease. It's the new rating system.

Columbus

I test drove a 4 cylinder mazda 6 over the weekend with a manual tranny and it really seemed underpowered. Obviously, going from the 8 its going to be a huge difference but I was really disappointed with the acceleration. I wasn't expecting much but it failed to meet my already low expectations. I didn't think the interior was all that bad, certainly better than my girlfriends hyundai.