Japan8

I've heard the opposite. Nothing but bad things about Audi... forever. Never has there been a time when I heard good things about Audi's reliability.

And now... what are you talking about. Particuarly the last gen Audi were just all reskinned VW's. The A3 and Golf still share the same platform and engine.

loco4rx8

I know that Audi's and VW's are the same. That's why I said I'm not interested. I like the look of some Audi's and VWs, but I am not going to recommend anything made by VW.

Japan8

I've had terrible experiences with Honda and wouldn't readily recommend them to anyone. My family would never buy another. I know of others with a similar experience...

Does this mean that Hondas are all POS? I don't think so. Overrated... maybe.

I wouldn't say this means VW is a great, bulletproof brand. It's not crap either. There certainly were issues with the MkIV Golf/Jetta platform and some of the other models. There has also been a marked improvement in their reliability too. The MkV platform has gotten great reviews in Europe, the US and even Japan. Hell... Japanese magazines have picked the MkV R32 over the BMW 130is (I-6 M-like model). Thus far the MkrV platform has been looking pretty soild... it's been out in Europe 18 months before the US too.

I wouldn't compare VW to Honda or Toyota. The cars are more of a poor man's BMW...

Renesis_8

If you are looking for the used TL, why not go for a used TSX, with 190ish hp, thats around 25 over the I-4 Camry, should be enough for your mother. Plus I think the TSX looks a lot nicer than the TL, and a lot of my females friends seem to agree too.

Or how about an Auto RX-8.. hahaha. Have you thought of subaru legacy? but if you think the I-4 camry is slow.. the non turbo legacy is slower... but the AWD is very good in winter.
________
Vaporizer-info.com

loco4rx8

Hmmmm, the TSX is intriguing. And actually it is probably more to my Mom's taste than the TL. I'll have to check more into it. Thanks for that, Renesis_8.

I know what you're saying Japan8, it's just that it's hard to get those nasty experiences out of your consciousness. My mom drives an Accord now. If she'd had nothing but trouble with it, I'd never dream of recommending a Honda to anyone. It's just how it is. I'm glad to hear that VW is improving, though.

Japan8

Oh I do understand you... and especially when that car will be for your mother... whom I assume isn't very mechanical. If I had a bad experience with VW... it&d be hell to convince me to buy another. My bad experience was Honda... I owned two... one was utter and complete crap... the other... was a POS that took a lickin' and kept on tickin'. I gotta get that car some respect. Got amazing gas mileage with it's dual carbs and 1800cc engine (this was a '93 model!). Slow as hell though.

Anyway... I'd consider VW now... I just don't know if I could actually make the purchase in the end... I'd still worry about reliability...

crossbow

The new 6spd ATX in the 05 and Later v6 Mazda 6's has been pretty trouble free. Most of the major complaints were with the 5spd ATX's in the 03/04's. (They had overheating issues).

Now I don't know about the new 5spd in the 6i's, but the Mazda 3s 5spd's have had a number of issues that have crossed forums. (shift shock, breaking in M mode).

I'd have to say the remaining major issues (that have yet to be 100% resolved with the mazda 6 are...).

1) Pulling to the right, or pulling to the left. There is no camber adjustment on the front of the car. Because of this, the only way to fix pulling issues is to completely realign the entire front subframe. Some owners NEVER get the car to stop pulling right, no matter how many alignments they get.

2) Electronic Throttle Body problems. Most of the issues have been resolved, but some owners still have the TB go bad, which causes a stall or shutoff of the vehicle.

3) In the 3s/6i and Mazdaspeed 6, the purge valve solenoid is a major reoccuring problem. I'd have to say its currently one of the most common issues with any car with the L3 or L3/TC engine. I'm sure the CX-7 and Mazdaspeed 3 will also be effected by this same issue.

Other things of minor note...

The Duratec V6 can't handle low oil conditions. If you get this car, you should really check the oil at least biweekly if not weekly. The oil pump turns on a 1/1 ratio with the crank, and the amount of volume is so high, that goes a qt or qt and a half down could cause an oil starvation condition, which will spin those alumnium bearings crazy fast.

Mikeluvs8

highly recommened vehicle...good car

loco4rx8

First of all, thanks again to all who've responded. I appreciate hearing your opinions and recommendations!

Wow, thanks Crossbow. Great info. Disturbing about the car pulling left or right, and not being able to be properly adjusted. Would this be something you'd notice right away on a test drive, or does it develop over time?

And is the purge valve solenoid a costly repair, what are the symptoms? I am not much more mechanical than my mom, I'm afraid.

freebird_78

I had an 04 6s MTX for 2 years and not a single problem, except for the fact that my GF grenaded the engine (her fault, not the desing/car). Even after the new engine, it ran great. Put about 30k miles on it and never once spent a minute in the shop (except for above). I got pretty good mileage out if it too. Some people here are posting 18 mpg, but I never ever got below 25, and I drive fairly aggressively. I averaged 28 mpg consitently. Would I buy one again, if I ever needed a 4 door car again, probably.

yiksing

3 of my friends own a 6 and no complaints at all so far but its the one with the 2.3 litre inline 4

crossbow

loco,

The purge valve is a warranty repair.

You should know the pull right/left during a test drive. Do note that the car has somewhat more sensitive steering then other sedans in its class, so it will tend to tramline a bit more. Tramling is very different from a constant pull to one side or the other though.

I personally have not had any of the issues I've mentioned above (I own a 6s), but I run 6tech, so I get a good chunk of constant complaints and help requests on a daily basis from owners with issues.

The only problem I've had personally with the car, is a piece of cheap plastic on the shift linkage assembly breaking, rendering the entire thing completely useless (except for 4th). Luckily the power of tie wraps is greater then the power of mazda's cheapsauce plastic clip on a metal bracket.

DARKMAZ8

go for the g35 sedan

loco4rx8

Thanks crossbow. I'll let her know to take notice of the steering if/when she goes for a test drive. Sounds like it's hit or miss, but that Mazda is taking care of people who have the problems. The only issue with that is that Mom lives about 40 miles from the nearest Mazda dealer. So, even if they pay for everything, having to take the car there is still an issue.

Then again, the same things could happen with pretty much any car. The only local dealers are Toyota, Ford, Chevy, and Chrysler. I doubt she'd seriously consider any of those but Toyotas and she's not crazy about those.
____________

DARKMAZ8, The G35 is a little on the expensive side, though I suppose a used one might work. I do not know if Mom would like the looks, but I will definitely point that out as an option.

crossbow

Except you'll forever be going...god damn the coupe is so sexy...why didn't I just buy the coupe?

Zio

Have a 2003 6s MT, it gets pretty good gas mileage (20-28mpg) and it has been pretty much trouble free.

loco4rx8

Good news, thanks!

DrDiaboloco

I, too, had a 6S, manual tranny, '03 model.

It had a couple of minor recalls and had to visit the dealer aside from that for the following:

A blown speaker (replaced under warranty).

That's it.

There were, however, two issues with the car that were never addressed because I traded it in for my '8 before I did anything about them:

1- Some minor hesitation when accelerating. Didn't change with octane or brand of gasoline. Similar to what happened with my '01 Focus, which was fixed by changing the O2 sensor or some such thing.

2- Vibration in the brake pedal, most likely warped brake rotors.

3- A juddering/vibration when letting the clutch out after the car had been sitting for a few hours or more. Worse when it was very humid out, and seemed to come and go with no reason. This would go away after the first dozen shifts or a couple of minutes, whichever came first.

It had about 26k miles on it when I traded it in after 2-1/2 years. I'd buy another, but keep in mind that it wasn't perfect. I loved that car but love the 8 even more.

loco4rx8

DrDiaboloco,
Thanks for the info. Those sound relatively minor, but certainly something you'd want to get fixed if you planned to keep the car. I appreciate the feedback. Thanks.

Most of these problems seem to be things that won't leave you stranded on the side of the road, which is comforting.

Sephiroth

My dad just bought a 2005 6i with 15k miles, its doing well. He had a small problem when the car shifted gears (Automatic), i think it had to do with cam timing? ECU flash took care of it. It's the perfect size for our family.

spork

I'm kinda anti-VW just because it seems over priced to me. From what I hear they're nice cars. They drive nice, but they're expensive for what they are.

What exactly is your price range out the door? 25K (22.5K pretax/fees)? 30K (27K pretax, fees)?

DARKMAZ8

I just drove by a 6 on the freeway shoulder with the hood up. Don't know what happened but there was a huge puddle and lots of smoke.............






































Just kidding

crossbow

Haaha I was about to say it was probably a 6i that just got it's oil changed at jiffy lube. Alot of guys use pliers on the cartridge filter cap, instead of the proper tool, which causes microfractures in the cap. (The cap is made of plastic). You'll make it a few miles before the car starts spraying oil everywhere.

loco4rx8

I'm not entirely sure, but I think she'd like to keep it in the $20k and under range.

Winfree

Took the blue to Frisco for the Rotar Fest - shake down tour preformed with fear and trembling because of problem reports. Was happy to find it ran like a good one. One tank of gas between San Miguel and Frisco and no oil demand, but I need to change it as it is darker than I like. Running Casterol and I am used to synthetics in the old 323. Puhed her hard on the streight places and liked it better and better. Now I have to go and get the firewall fixed which was damaged by a mouse and I am worried they will reset something and mess up a truely good thing! I think I will buy the blue machine some rotary jewelry.