getting a mazda6

[aceP5]

I feel really bad posting another thread, but....

I usually am over in the P5 forum. I figured i'd come over here to get some differnet opinions. My P5 was recently totalled (or so I think) from a really bad hail storm. So I need to find a new car. I wasnt reall considering the Mazda6, but then I thought about it and thought it might be a good idea.

I never really have liked bigger cars because they feel too big to maneuver effectively. I liked my P5 because it was small and took to corners really well. I was just curious if Mazda 6s have good handling and if so if they would fare well in autocross (something I wanted to get into with my P5 but cant because it is dead.

I have been looking to purchase an older WRX, SRT4 or GTI. But I figured I should give a bigger car (i.e. the 6) a shot. Let me know what you all think about what I should get.

 

[timba24]

There are many puttin the beat down on sti's evo's and other various cars in autocross with the 6. I was just out at red rock canyon with a few local members and I was keepin up fine with a MSP and rx-8

 

[Necessity]

There are many puttin the beat down on sti's evo's and other various cars in autocross with the 6.

I'd love to watch some of these people in the EVO's and Sti's drive, should provide some great, overdriving, entertainment=D

 

[Necessity]

And to answer your question. Do you have a family? Do you have a kid? The 6 has a great suspension, considering what it is, but if you don't need it then why bother?

With the list of compacts you've listed, I'd definatly consider the Mini cooper as well. It's fun to drive, small, and great at autox. The mazda3 is fairly heavy and has an open dif. The stock suspension is a bit soft too.

The 6 in autocross understeers like crazy, but has decent torque and grunt. The lack of LSD shines when trying to pull from corners, even with sticky tires you'll have problems. I have sways and springs and am still unable to pull out of many turns without spinning a wheel. The problem is the classing.

Gstock = Mini coopers, celicas, and suby RS'. The stock suspension on the 6 can't compete with these cars, and more less makes the car a bit of a boat.

STS = 328is, civics, tegs, rs'. The Civic is the undisputed sts king. 2300lbs of pure corning. Even with a modded suspension, you can't match it's entry and exit speeds.

STX = no.. just no. WRXs, modded mini coopers and the integra type R live here.

DSP = Modified bmws. Think e36 m3 without the badging.

This is all considering things from a competitive basis, if you just want to have fun, then by all means! The 6 with springs and some good tires is a blast to drive! (manual only!). But trust me when I say that you will not be able to autox long without wanting to win.

Good luck with your purchase and I'm sorry to hear about your p5.

 

[Mikey444]

Have you considered a Mazda 3, it's also a kick ass car, I have a 6s and a 3s, the handling is just about the same thing on a corner, the 6 has better high speed stability though and if you opt for the 6 s, it launches itself very quick.

 

[Da 6]

6 is garbage! don't get it settle for a honda accord like everyon else...




Just playing the 6 is in it's own catagory. late 04 and up are cool to buy cause most the bugs are out from 1st year production. If you can drive stick I opt stick over auto unless you get the 6 speed auto. If you plan on making it a point a-b car then get all options up front that you want like integrated fogs and heated mirrors/leather seats side impact cirtains m-roof. cause trying to instal it later will cost you 3Xs the package price. It might not be the fastest car out there but throw some turns in front of it and you will be suprised. as brought up in posts above auto has "autolag"

 

[aceP5]

Yes, my P5 was an auto and I really didnt like it. I learned how to drive stick the other day (got it first try too). So I will definitely get a stick. It sounds like the 6 is not really what I am looking for. To answer above questions: I do not have a family (I mean my own family i.e. wife and kids -lol i am only 19). Also, I test drove a 3 one time. I might give it a second shot (I test drove an auto) but I thought it wasnt too fun to drive and I thought the suspension and overall feel of the car kind of sucked. Nowhere as good as my P5. All my P5 needed was more power.

Judging from the comments above I think I might go with another "small" car. I will have to see. I found a few cheaper 2000 eclipses that I would be able to mod a lot because I wont spend the full value of my car on them. Also, I found a 1999 3000GT that I might consider as well. Its a bit pricy but that is a rare and sweet car.

As for other cars: I am pretty sure that the most likely option will be a GTI (or maybe a Jetta with the same engine). Another likely option is just a normal Golf or an older Impreza. We will see. Let me all know what you think, keep throwing your opinions at me, this is good insight to what car I will get.

 

[Jliao]

If you're looking for a small car, I would REALLY consider Mini Cooper. It doesn't have to be the S, but anything on the S you can get it later for regular Cooper. Nonethless, I've test drove the MCS before and I think they're just as fun as P5, if not BETTER (IMO). Though, you gotta keep in mind that Mini is pretty much a 2 seaters. You have room in the back, but they won't be comfortable nor will you sitting in the front.

 

[Mikey444]

I would never drive a tiny car like the mini, seriously, the way ppl drive there 4 ton monsters swurving them all over the roads, yikes!

 

[Da 6]

the suv owners drive their vehicles like they are mini cooper s's here

 

[aceP5]

yeah, the mini cooper is cool but I think I might be kind of scared to drive it next to semis and other big trucks. Although I guess if it is on the market it has to pass safety standards. But then again, I would want more room in case I take people and or things around in it.

If I get the full value of my car I want to go with something with a turbo or supercharger. If I don't, then i will probably get another P5 if I can find one that is decent. My plan is to find one that is cheaper so that I can spend tons of money on mods. That will be one of the only ways to really mod out my car a lot.

 

[crossbow]

Thought I'll be bashed for saying it...

Have you looked at the SRT-4? Thats a small, lightweight, nimble car, with a turbo, a whole hell of a lot of power, and its inexpensive and has an LSD.

Ya its got a cheap interior, but if your looking for raw power for the least amount of investment, you really can't get much better.

Also look at the saturn redline, which is similar (supercharged though) and supposedly handles extremely well. Its got its quirks as well, but for the price most people can easily live with them.

Then of course you've got the WRX's, which depending on year can be had for less money then your allocating to your car purchase.

 

[6speed]

Another Prospective buyer with questions

(Posting here rather than starting another thread, since it is the same topic)

Heya, first post the the forum here. I have been looking around for a replacement to my Corolla, and since I am thoroughly disgusted with Toyota's treatment of me over the past 4 cars, I have gone looking elsewhere, and Mazda's 'Soul of a Sports Car' tag lines have drawn me to them, and among the Mazdas within my price range, the Mazda 6 is REALLY attracting me. I plan on test driving one this week to see how I like it, but have a feeling that I already know I will.

I have a few questions though, mainly about after purchase and after-market:

1: Does Mazda's treatment of their customers remain good after purchase? Unlike Toyota, which only cares that you bought their car, and then do their best to ignore you.

2: Maintenence. Other than the obvious scheduled maintenence, has anyone had disturbing trouble wth the car, and if so, how good is Mazda on following through with their warranty promises? (I have had to fight with Toyota to great lengths)

3: After-market parts. What is allowed under warranty? What isn't? What cheaper upgrades are out there other than the obvious tires and wheels to improve handling? Cheap power?
Handling is a big high point for me, and one reason I loved the Corolla, especially after I put on the strut bar and pre-loaded the h*** out of it.

4: High-revs. How well does the engine handle them? i4 and v6 both. Probably going with the V6, but I crank the RPMs high in every car I have ever owned, some haven't liked it too much, some have loved it.

I guess that is about it for now...

 

[Mikey444]

Thought I'll be bashed for saying it...

Have you looked at the SRT-4? Thats a small, lightweight, nimble car, with a turbo, a whole hell of a lot of power, and its inexpensive and has an LSD.

Ya its got a cheap interior, but if your looking for raw power for the least amount of investment, you really can't get much better.

Also look at the saturn redline, which is similar (supercharged though) and supposedly handles extremely well. Its got its quirks as well, but for the price most people can easily live with them.

Then of course you've got the WRX's, which depending on year can be had for less money then your allocating to your car purchase.

SRT-4 is only good for a year, after that it's all rusted and is a piece of s***.

 

[Mikey444]

(Posting here rather than starting another thread, since it is the same topic)

Heya, first post the the forum here. I have been looking around for a replacement to my Corolla, and since I am thoroughly disgusted with Toyota's treatment of me over the past 4 cars, I have gone looking elsewhere, and Mazda's 'Soul of a Sports Car' tag lines have drawn me to them, and among the Mazdas within my price range, the Mazda 6 is REALLY attracting me. I plan on test driving one this week to see how I like it, but have a feeling that I already know I will.

I have a few questions though, mainly about after purchase and after-market:

1: Does Mazda's treatment of their customers remain good after purchase? Unlike Toyota, which only cares that you bought their car, and then do their best to ignore you.

2: Maintenence. Other than the obvious scheduled maintenence, has anyone had disturbing trouble wth the car, and if so, how good is Mazda on following through with their warranty promises? (I have had to fight with Toyota to great lengths)

3: After-market parts. What is allowed under warranty? What isn't? What cheaper upgrades are out there other than the obvious tires and wheels to improve handling? Cheap power?
Handling is a big high point for me, and one reason I loved the Corolla, especially after I put on the strut bar and pre-loaded the h*** out of it.

4: High-revs. How well does the engine handle them? i4 and v6 both. Probably going with the V6, but I crank the RPMs high in every car I have ever owned, some haven't liked it too much, some have loved it.

I guess that is about it for now...

I can easily answer your question on high rev's since I have both engines. If you buy either the I4 or V6, it is very smooth at high RPM's and even at High RPM's the shifts are smooth.I got he V6 mated to a manual tranny on the Mazda 6 and it kicks ass. Given the fact that both engines have peak power startin at around 4000 RPM to Redline, you will kick ass at highway speeds.

 

[crossbow]

SRT-4 is only good for a year, after that it's all rusted and is a piece of s***.

Yes, because thats a very realistic outcome. (encourage If your going to bash a vehicle thats quite a bit faster then ours, at least come up with some valid reasons...like the interior is of cheap quality, and the ride quality isn't stellar. Regardless, even with a turbo on a 6, you'd be hard pressed to beat a slightly modified SRT-4...the Sti and Evo guys have trouble doing that =/.

Both the 6i and 6s are medium rev'in engines. (High rev'ing would be sometihng like an S2000 or Rx8) They produce max power around 6000-6300 rpm. After that the power drops off. Between the two (6i and 6s) the 6s has a shorter stroke, and can handle extended periods of high rev'ing. Though I'm sure the 6i can as well, its stroke of 94mm is pretty big, putting added stress on the rods (which are sinister forged).