Current owners: What would you tell a new buyer?

[palomatic]

I am a first time mazda user and I love the car. However the only thing I agree with khoney is the wind noise, but that alslo depends on where you are driving, expressways usually tend to have a lot of wind due to obvious reasons, hilly regions will not have this problem(personal experience). Also I have the Bose audio and I am in awe whenever I listen to the music. Mileage is definitely lower than what I had expected, but again this is very subjective and would depend on a lot of factors. I have actually gotten more mileage than claimed in some cities and lower in others.

 

[mazdaboater]

we've had our '14 GT for about a month now and i'd have to say the more we drive it the more we like it. traded in a '05 Infinity G35 w/156k miles on it for this car. We looked at the Q50 and Mercedes SLA before giving the Mazda a test drive. It seemed like a much more practical choice and after reading some reviews and an overnight test drive, the choice was pretty easy. I was a bit concerned about the nav/audio because of several negative comments but so far we've not had any issues. no tech package, but we do have the radar cruise and FOW package. I guess everyone has different tastes but as far as the OP's question is concerned i'd have to say the new 6 should definitely get a look.

 

[eyedocorlando]

Update the nav system for free when you buy one - it's simple and easy through the Tomtom.com/home website

I bought the GT for "Grand Touring" actually. We will be taking 900+ mile trips in the car to visit family with a trunk full of luggage. I wanted something stylish and practical, and I was impressed with the firm sporty ride that was never harsh. The Accord is quieter, and potentially more powerful, but it's boring and buying one means seeing a lot of yourself. I would never buy a car for the nav or the infotainment system because they're barely used unless you need someone to tell you where to go everywhere you drive! For me, having the backup camera, radar guided cruise, and possibility of getting 35+ mpg on the highway was attractive for a car I plan to realistically keep for 7-12 years. I find the leather to be wonderful in the GT, and having come from the extreme "must have a manual" camp I am very pleased with the automatic.

75mph in 6th gear is 2250RPM, which is fantastically quiet. I don't notice much wind noise at all, and Edmunds tested the cabin at 70mph with a 67dB rating (very quiet for the class).

One of the standout features for me was the Bose sound system with Pandora integration. The Pandora works flawlessly, the bluetooth is perfect for resuming music on my phone or pandora, and the phone calls over bluetooth are super clear. For me I would have to spend $20K more over the GT to get the same kinds of features, and even still I'd end up with a premium gas sucking luxury car. It's nice to save on the monthly payment and the gasoline, and its an IIHS+ Top Safety pick.

Lastly - the Mazda6 is 100% Japan built. If it matters to you, the Accord and Camry are built in the US for US Owners. For me, I can tell a difference in build quality, and I prefer the JDM ride.

 

[khoney]

Sounds like the things sticking in your brain are mostly annoyances. Would you buy the car again knowing what you know now?

I would say the car is still a pretty good value for what you're getting, but If I had to do it over again, I would take the extra time to check out other cars in its class and take test drives, etc. For the mileage I'm getting, there are numerous other possibilities that don't have the distinctive (in a bad way) Skyactive engine sound. And since the mileage hasn't really panned out for me, that opens up a lot more possibilities. However, other vehicles with this feature set will be more expensive. How I feel about it after nearly 6 months of ownership? This is the first Mazda I've owned that I won't have a hard time parting with should I decide to sell or trade. Of course, I don't consider the 6 a 'driving enthusiast's' vehicle like my RX-7, RX-8, and Speed3 were. I still love my 2007 Mazdaspeed 3 and will drive it until it dies. Maybe I'll feel the same way about the 6 some day...

 

[RG_Flyer]

I bought the Sport with 6MT. Trash the factory head unit and install a Pioneer AVIC or similar double-din touchscreen and you have Bluetooth, Apple and Android integration, a reverse camera and steering wheel controls for under $1k installed. If you want to, spend the money for a navigation unit, but who needs it when your phone does the same thing and you get turn-by-turn directions from the car speakers via Bluetooth.

When my cloth starts looking ratty, I'll have Katskinz leather installed by an approved installer. I expect this car to see 300k miles, and I am perfectly happy with the Sport package. 17" tires are cheaper and there's not as much expensive stuff to break in the long run vs. the Touring/GT.

IMO automakers are getting crazy with the "creature comforts". Infared Cruise, Smart City Braking, Capacitors to store energy, projector headlights and various other things will be very expensive to replace if you plan on running the car into the ground as I do.

Your advice/plan sounds like the best solution I've heard and a great solution for me too.

 

[dannypr]

This car is fun very fun to drive. But keep in mine that this is a sedan not to be confused by a race car. I have so many people asking me how it runs and I tell them well pretty well but is not racy. I compare this car to does who like to have a good looking car that can be modified to look very grater on the outside, but has for now is not a racing car (Until parts start coming out. I bought the injen intake). I like this car very much I have a daughter and she fits perfectly on the back (6 years old). This car has great space inside, confortable and looks awesome at the same time. I want a "racing" car so I will wait for the Mazda Speed 3 2014 (2015 its looking to be released) but the mazda 6 2014 is freaking awesome. Why pay a lot for a "luxury" car when you can have this sexy car lol.

 

[dannypr]

I concur with you I bought the Sport AT just because why pay more monthly for headlights and the other stuff that you can by later one time and done. That is just me but I was tempted for the GT lol. I negotiated the spoiler when I bought mine so I have a sport with the GT spoiler.

 

[kl2n]

I've had my GS for about 6 weeks now and I'm very happy with it. I test drove everything I could think of - Accord, Camry, TL/ILX, Impreza/WRX, Altima, Jetta, A4, 328i, Sonata - and when I first sat in the 6 I thought "wow, this is surprising for $30K (CDN)!". I had 3 main requirements from a new car: manual, sunroof, cloth seats, 3 things which seem to be mutually exclusive for most manufacturers but the Mazda dealer had one on the lot for me to drive. I chose the GS over the GT because I didn't want leather or to pay for 19" tires. The only thing I'm not completely happy with is the stereo/speakers, feature-wise the stereo has everything I want but the sound is dead at low volumes and I'm considering a tweeter upgrade as others have done.

Would I buy it again? Absolutely!