Considering 2014 Mazda6: Help, Please.

[TotalFootball]

As the title says: I am considering a new 2014 Mazda6. Along with the 6, I am also looking at the 2014 CX-5 and the 2013 Ford Focus. Firstly, I'd like to say that I've done research, but I'd like one singular place to compile some knowledge that would be useful in the decision making process. Hopefully it will be ok to discuss a range of vehicles, some Mazda and some not, in this thread.

In terms of the two Mazda vehicles, I would like to know from the owners and people who work on these day in and day out the following:

• Common problems with the two vehicles
• Ride comfort
• Wind noise levels
• Quality of electronics
• Audio quality (base sound system and BOSE). Would it be better to try to install an aftermarket system? I listen to all types of music, but really focus of rap.
• Driving characteristics: how easy is it to merge onto the highway / fast roadways. Real world acceleration? Do you ever feel under-powered? Winter driving difficulties?
• Brake or battery problems?
• Use of aftermarket performance upgrades (would I be foolish to seek out an air intake system, brakes, exhaust, etc?)
• Do you feel that you are getting good value form the car?

In addition to this information, what is your opinion on the Ford Focus. I like the car, but the transmission and media problems give me great pause.

Also, am I missing any other vehicles that I should be adding to the equation? Golf? Jetta? Accord? And so on.

Here is some info about me:

• 19
• College student
• Used to driving 2003 Toyota Corolla and 2005 Ford Escape
• Would like great base snow performance
• Must be fantastic quality, I really don't like the idea of the car in the shop all the time or of there being a lot of loose parts and niggling noises.
• Quality audio is a must
• I'd like good storage options
• Must be fun to drive, and I would like to experiment with performance based upgrades.

I'd like to thank you for reading through this as well as thank you for any future responses.

 

[Gio26NJ]

Holy crap dude do you want an essay?

I own both a 2013 CX-5 and a 2014 Mazda 6. Both for different reasons. CX-5 is more used now when we go out as a family (I have a 3 year old) the 6 I use as the regular daily driver. The most stylish sedan out there, fun to drive, I don't have the Bose so the sound quality is not that great but I'm cool with it. Merging/passing out on the Turnpike is no problem as the car does have great pickup due to it being lighter than most sedans. Trying driving uphill and see how smooth the gears change and how responsive the car is. This goes for the CX-5 as well but seeing as you're 19 I would go for the 6.

Have close to 10,000 miles on the CX-5 no problems at all, 3,000 miles on the 6 with nothing to report actually the car gets so much attention wherever I go

Ford? bookmark this page if you're even thinking of a Ford http://owner.ford.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Owner/Page/RecallsPage

 

[Tyrdstorm]

Why a Focus and not a Fusion? Seems like different cars. A Focus would be more like a Mazda 3 and a Fusion would compare better to the Mazda 6.

The Bose system has no bass, but that is easily fixed with a cheap, smaller subwoofer amp combo. I posted what I did to enhance the bass response in the electronics and audio forum. It sounds much better now for only $125. There is no aftermarket intake system available for the Mazda 6 yet and you would be foolish to just slap a generic intake on the SkyActive engine (it won't work). Corksport is working on one now though.

 

[TotalFootball]

Holy crap dude do you want an essay?

I own both a 2013 CX-5 and a 2014 Mazda 6. Both for different reasons. CX-5 is more used now when we go out as a family (I have a 3 year old) the 6 I use as the regular daily driver. The most stylish sedan out there, fun to drive, I don't have the Bose so the sound quality is not that great but I'm cool with it. Merging/passing out on the Turnpike is no problem as the car does have great pickup due to it being lighter than most sedans. Trying driving uphill and see how smooth the gears change and how responsive the car is. This goes for the CX-5 as well but seeing as you're 19 I would go for the 6.

Have close to 10,000 miles on the CX-5 no problems at all, 3,000 miles on the 6 with nothing to report actually the car gets so much attention wherever I go

Ford? bookmark this page if you're even thinking of a Ford http://owner.ford.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Owner/Page/RecallsPage

Lol, a first car is very important so I'm just making sure that all the bases are covered.

That's good to hear that you aren't having any issues with being under-powered. I'm torn between the 6 and the CX-5 because I'm sure there will be some point in my ownership that I'd need the slight utility that the CX-5 offers. Can you speak on any situations that you would've like to be in the CX-5 rather than the 6?

Thank you for the Ford link and for responding in general.

 

[TotalFootball]

Why a Focus and not a Fusion? Seems like different cars. A Focus would be more like a Mazda 3 and a Fusion would compare better to the Mazda 6.

The Bose system has no bass, but that is easily fixed with a cheap, smaller subwoofer amp combo. I posted what I did to enhance the bass response in the electronics and audio forum. It sounds much better now for only $125. There is no aftermarket intake system available for the Mazda 6 yet and you would be foolish to just slap a generic intake on the SkyActive engine (it won't work). Corksport is working on one now though.

I like the Fusion a lot, but it just seems slightly more imposing to me, a little too big for what I'm looking for tbh. The Focus is an option because I like the size of it (so does my mom, heh) and the design / interior. I might be able to get an extra work-related discount through my mom.

I'll look at that thread, thanks. $125 isn't really a problem once you spend this much (some would say that your shouldn't have to do that, but hey).

As for the intake, that would've been more down the line. I was just wondering if people really did that type of work to this type of vehicle.

Thanks a lot for the response; off to your thread now.



EDIT: Sorry for double post.

 

[2.0_Mazda]

If your going for an automatic, don't buy the Focus. The double-clutch in the Focus has been very problematic.

The Accord Sport is also a very good car you should try out.

Other people on this forum know more about the 6 and CX-5 than I do.

Good Luck

 

[TotalFootball]

If your going for an automatic, don't buy the Focus. The double-clutch in the Focus has been very problematic.

The Accord Sport is also a very good car you should try out.

Other people on this forum know more about the 6 and CX-5 than I do.

Good Luck

The Accord is on the list to tackle for this week, thanks. Hopefully I'll be bale to schedule test drives of everything on the same day.

 

[Gio26NJ]

I tested the new Accord at DCH Academy Honda in Old Bridge just to see if it would offer anything better than the 6 and it is definitely an excellent car the best Accord ever in my opinion. But since the 6 and Accord were so similar in every aspect it came down to quality and style and already being extremely happy about the quality and styling of the CX-5 there really was no other choice. The Accords, they're everywhere and even though it's a sweet looking ride Mazda 6 just oozes with sexiness. The exterior and the interior of the 6 blows the competition away.

Not sure if there was ever a time where I said damn I wish I had the CX-5 but then again haven't had to go through any rough winters with the 6 as I just bought it a few months ago. Our CX-5 is the 2.0 engine the new ones have the same 2.5 that's in the 6 so you need to consider that as well. My wife uses the CX-5 for her regular daily commute and we use it on weekends. Dude you're young get yourself a sedan, stay away from Ford. I currently have a truck made by Ford love it to death but it has been falling apart after 4 years of ownership (43,000 miles) had many items replaced and some I just let be. By the way if you're looking at it from a size standpoint the 6 and Fusion are very similarly sized in fact the 6 looks wider for some reason. I don't know the exact specs but just going by looking at both.

Good luck in your hunt and hope you're happy with whatever decision you make.

 

[cmfireman]

I traded my 2013 Focus SE Hatch in on my 14 6 Sport. The Focus had the manual transmission and I hated the way it felt gutless when starting off in first gear. It was also a bit cramped in the front as I'm 6'3" 240lbs and the rear seats were good for nothing but storage. I also didn't like the spaceship looking interior with all the buttons for the phone/stereo on the center stack.

I absolutely love my 6, and I'm averaging 38mpg to boot. The Focus was getting around 33mpg on the same trip, and was less 20hp and 200lbs. I will say that the Focus had a nice ride, very firm and planted but not harsh. It also handled like a go-cart and was very fun to drive.

I would have considered an Accord Sport if they offered any other colors than gray or black in the 6spd. They lost a potential customer by not letting me chosse the paint color.

 

[TotalFootball]

I tested the new Accord at DCH Academy Honda in Old Bridge just to see if it would offer anything better than the 6 and it is definitely an excellent car the best Accord ever in my opinion. But since the 6 and Accord were so similar in every aspect it came down to quality and style and already being extremely happy about the quality and styling of the CX-5 there really was no other choice. The Accords, they're everywhere and even though it's a sweet looking ride Mazda 6 just oozes with sexiness. The exterior and the interior of the 6 blows the competition away.

Not sure if there was ever a time where I said damn I wish I had the CX-5 but then again haven't had to go through any rough winters with the 6 as I just bought it a few months ago. Our CX-5 is the 2.0 engine the new ones have the same 2.5 that's in the 6 so you need to consider that as well. My wife uses the CX-5 for her regular daily commute and we use it on weekends. Dude you're young get yourself a sedan, stay away from Ford. I currently have a truck made by Ford love it to death but it has been falling apart after 4 years of ownership (43,000 miles) had many items replaced and some I just let be. By the way if you're looking at it from a size standpoint the 6 and Fusion are very similarly sized in fact the 6 looks wider for some reason. I don't know the exact specs but just going by looking at both.

Good luck in your hunt and hope you're happy with whatever decision you make.

I traded my 2013 Focus SE Hatch in on my 14 6 Sport. The Focus had the manual transmission and I hated the way it felt gutless when starting off in first gear. It was also a bit cramped in the front as I'm 6'3" 240lbs and the rear seats were good for nothing but storage. I also didn't like the spaceship looking interior with all the buttons for the phone/stereo on the center stack.

I absolutely love my 6, and I'm averaging 38mpg to boot. The Focus was getting around 33mpg on the same trip, and was less 20hp and 200lbs. I will say that the Focus had a nice ride, very firm and planted but not harsh. It also handled like a go-cart and was very fun to drive.

I would have considered an Accord Sport if they offered any other colors than gray or black in the 6spd. They lost a potential customer by not letting me chosse the paint color.

Thanks guys. I am shying away from the Ford and leaning towards the Mazda6. I'll try and take the 6 on a test drive with some varying types of roads.

Thanks.

 

[Mazdafreak16]

For the Ford Focus:

Unless you go for the manual, avoid it. The automatic is clunky and far too eager to upshift (not something you want in a sporty car) and the fuel economy was disappointing. My dad had a rental Focus, and reported an average fuel economy of only 28 mpg. He was mostly driving around in a 55 zone, outside of the city, so it's not like he was in stop and go traffic.

It drives great, but the engine and transmission are major letdowns.

If you want the Accord, get it with a manual. Even though Honda's CVT has fared better than others in comparisons, it's still a CVT and believe me, CVT's are absolute deal-killers. I have driven several cars equipped with them and would never even consider it in a future car purchase.

I'd say if you want an automatic, get a Mazda. If you want a manual, go for either the Mazda6 Touring or Honda Accord Sport.

 

[Paul Takeri]

Saving me trouble of writing I found this. Close as words from my own mouth. I do find the cabin quieter than all competitive in class, drove them all. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhHPIcEdG0c

 

[RozenKristal]

I'm in the same dilemma... I want a GT load mazda6 white exterior with the white interior... Look so classy, but then again, as I going to have a golden retriever, I'm torn in getting the 6 or a red GT AWD CX5 Cant buy both so idk whut to choose... also I do some biking on weekends, idk if the CX5 is justified, the 6 just irresistible


Edit: Saw rjayd red mazda6 GT with black wheels, I going that route, no more pondering Just too sexy