What have you done to your Mazda6 today?

Great thread idea @MazdaMan500 (y)

I thought we had one like this already but it appears not, this one is now stickied. Please do keep us updated, thanks!
 
Hi, ladies & gents. 2018 Mazda6 GTR owner, here. Purchased new. Soul Red w/white parchment guts. (Sooners fan...self-explanatory) Only performed a few mods, so far:

Mirrors: added sequential signals. Simple plug and play. Slipped off the cover, two screws holding in OEM flashers. Unplugged. Installed the new ones, reverse order. Tested before reinstalling the caps. No longer on/off. The signal starts closest to the window and sequentially flashes outward from there. It’s subtle, but sure adds class.

REAR: removed the rear bumper to gain access to those lower reflector lenses. Added tail light/brake/sequential turn flasher LED units. Will post a video once it warms up a bit.

Rims: At 150 miles on the clock, I changed to a 2011-13 Kia Sorenta chrome rims that were take-offs in 2013 for custom wheels. Gathering dust. “Why these,” you ask? The 19” diameter, hub center was exact match (no concentric rings needed), compliant 5-bolt pattern, and most importantly, “the offset.” About -1/64” difference from the Mazda's OEM wheels. Didn’t want to Mickey Mouse with the OEM steering geometry. I have seen zero issues with abnormal tire wear. Rotated every 4K, w/ cold air pressure set to 36 PSI.

Oh, and those adhesive Kia logo center caps?Peeled off the Kia logo and replaced with self-adhesive d Punisher cap covers. Turned out pretty danged swell.

That’s about all I have to report. Live in Oklahoma, 71-year old geezer. Done with racing. Just like the laid back “smooth cruise,” now. LOL
5FB7732F-F5C4-4000-8880-43EB2F2A58A6.jpeg
 
I was remiss in listing one other item: I had my neighbor hydrodip my engine cover. Kinda gives the technician a little “pop” when I go in for oil changes. (Used to change my oil/filter in all my rides. But now I’ve gotten lazy in retirement and enjoy having the dealer do it.) 🤷🏼‍♂️
Next up: adding the red LED backing to the “M” badge on the trunk lid. Waiting for warmer weather. As I age, my tolerance for cold drops significantly.
 

Attachments

  • 97F5D4EA-411D-4E5A-81DF-5F8513FB5E50.webp
    97F5D4EA-411D-4E5A-81DF-5F8513FB5E50.webp
    275.2 KB · Views: 277
  • 39A3CB3E-599D-4279-BF13-A1169C78A7E8.webp
    39A3CB3E-599D-4279-BF13-A1169C78A7E8.webp
    269.1 KB · Views: 287
Last edited:
Well, I just joined today so this will be more of a "what I've done so far" post.
Picked up a 2017 Touring (non-bose) in December, my 2nd MZ6 after an awesome 09 i-Sport 6-speed MT. 30k miles, clean history but the wheels were all rashed, almost like the previous owner drove by the Braille method.

Here I've already installed the fog light kit, removed the pin-stripes, clay barred and polished it, had the windows tinted (b/c Florida) added the Nav SD card, and picked up oem all-weather floor & cargo mats.
20210104_091817edit-02.webp


Since then, I found a set of matching factory wheels with no rash with a lovely set of Potenzas for $400 on FB marketplace and then sold my old beat up ones (with a mis-matched tire) for $375. Then installed a set of stainless pedal covers, painted my center console trim Blue Reflex, added paddle shifters from a GT steering wheel I got on ebay for $95, replaced all the door speakers with new Kickers and installed an oem style lip spoiler.

Next up are installing the Kicker dash speakers, adding my under-seat sub, and oem stainless door sills and splash guards all waiting on me to get to them. Even tho I was born TwoToesShort and have some trouble getting around... I still do all my own stunts.

From there, I really want to paint the black trim around the A/C & CD player Blue Reflex but can't figure out how it comes off. Then maybe blacking out the chrome trim and/or wrapping the roof black, an evil M badge or 2. Who knows? Anyone tried to retrofit a GT gauge cluster or HUD? lol
 

Attachments

  • 20210302_152040.webp
    20210302_152040.webp
    202.9 KB · Views: 267
  • 20210304_130503.webp
    20210304_130503.webp
    141.7 KB · Views: 265
  • 20210304_164335.webp
    20210304_164335.webp
    202.7 KB · Views: 276
  • 20210304_195018.webp
    20210304_195018.webp
    160.7 KB · Views: 272
  • 20210322_200442.webp
    20210322_200442.webp
    216.6 KB · Views: 283
  • 20210405_222203.webp
    20210405_222203.webp
    58.1 KB · Views: 282
  • 20210406_133107.webp
    20210406_133107.webp
    95.1 KB · Views: 257
TwoToesShort said:
Well, I just joined today so this will be more of a "what I've done so far" post.
Picked up a 2017 Touring (non-bose) in December, my 2nd MZ6 after an awesome 09 i-Sport 6-speed MT. 30k miles, clean history but the wheels were all rashed, almost like the previous owner drove by the Braille method.

Here I've already installed the fog light kit, removed the pin-stripes, clay barred and polished it, had the windows tinted (b/c Florida)...
Click to expand...
My opinion, FWIW? Tinted windows and rim mods (in that order) are the two greatest mods you can do for your ride to completely change the overall appearance/appeal.

BTW, everything looks outstanding. Nicely done. A few items you mentioned has me thinking, “Hmm...” 🤔

What’s that old adage, “Plagerism is the highest form of flattery?”
 
Last edited:
Antoine said:
Welcome and great intro, @TwoToesShort...Please do keep us updated on your progress if possible, beautiful color BTW! 😁
Click to expand...
Cool, thanks! I've wanted a Blue Reflex 6 for a long time and I'm in love. I will post updates and hopefully encourage others to do the same. Cheers & gears!

@OkieRich
Your Soul Red 18 is a beauty! But I've already had a red 6 so this one had to be blue. Huge fan of other oem wheels being used on different makes & models. Your car looks great with the Kia wheels and I'm not a big fan of the newer 19's they have now so it really works. Very interested in that carbon fibre hydrodipped engine cover. DO. WANT. 🥲😍
 
I replaced the aftermarket JDM corner tail lens with a new old stock I ordered from a dealer in Latvia. It was collecting water and turning into a fish tank.
That Latvian dealer sent me what has to be the best packed package I have ever received!
 

Attachments

  • Mazda-6-wagon-corner-tail-lights-JDM-vs-USDM-turn-indicator-difference.webp
    Mazda-6-wagon-corner-tail-lights-JDM-vs-USDM-turn-indicator-difference.webp
    63.9 KB · Views: 288
OkieRich said:
Hate to hear that. It is a gorgeous color.
Click to expand...
Couldn't agree more. Went and took a new one for a test drive last October and asked the salesman to find me a Blue Reflex one. He said that color had been discontinued, so I said Sonic Silver would be my next choice... which was discontinued for 2021. Made the decision to buy pre-owned a no-brainer.

After a bit of google-fu, 2018 was the last year for Blue Reflex :(
 
Finally took my ol’ girl to see what kinda trouble we could get into. Stopped for “pushaline,” and just happened to glance down and see 29,999 on the clock. A milestone, however small it was. As I hit the Start button, I whispered in her ear, “Okay, girl, let’s make this run memorable.” 😃

6F6D2F32-2D65-470B-978E-DCC54A230C6C.jpeg
 
Changed the battery on my 2016 GT with tech package. When with the Costco Energizer AGM group 35 route at $169CAN instead of $500+ Panasonic Q85 OEM. Replacement took 15 minutes, the new battery was a little longer and taller but fits just fine. The positive wire took a little tugging to get the connector over the terminal. Definitely a DIY job, just make sure to disconnect negative first when removing battery, positive second and mounting clamps last. Reverse procedure with new battery, mounting clamp first, then positive terminal with negative last. Most importantly don't over tighten the nuts.
 
Please log in or register to reply here.

Similar Threads

Antoine
    • Like
  • Sticky
What have you done to your CX-90 today?
2
Replies
28
Views
12K
AceNinja
A
Antoine
  • Sticky
What have you done to your CX-60 today?
Replies
11
Views
8K
SoW
S
Antoine
  • Sticky
What have you done to your CX-50 today?
2 3
Replies
52
Views
22K
CTt3P5
CTt3P5

New Posts

Back