Made the switch

[maskedSONY]

That was an excellent write-up. I think you nailed it in your review about how the car's suspension behaves. It's really kind of hard to figure out, but it does have a split personality. When I drove it I felt it was certainly stiffly tuned, but thankfully its better dampened and more isolated than my Protege, which is wearing on me. However, on corners with bumps I've felt that the 6 looses its composure a bit. Now, every car will do this; even a 3-series or a WRX, but with the size of the Mazda6 it can be potentially unsettling. For the most part the car will keep its composure and lets you know whats going on. You are right about its straight line performance - its very cruiser-friendly. I found that the steering was just a touch over-boosted and could be de-tuned slightly.

Forgot to add - I love this car's interior. It's almost like a 90's car and doesnt get all button-crazy like current Hondas/Acuras! Everything is within reach and seems to be constructed pretty well. My only beef is the steering wheel placement and the font size on the gauges. The Altima has my favorite gauge cluster set in the mid-size category, I wish it looks a bit more like that.

Do you think you can comment on how solid the chassis feels? Does it creak or flex at all? Have you driven the car on crap roads? I know you have to have some up there in MA? (I'm in the tri-state area, so I go into NYC and experience crap roads from time to time.) My next car has to be tough enough to face those sorts of obstacles.

http://www.insideline.com/mazda/mazda6/2009/2009-mazda-6-i-grand-touring-long-term-test.html

Inside Line did a long-term test of the Mazda6i Grand Touring. They had a bunch of similar observations as yourself. However, they did state that they loved the trunk's capacity AND they loved the seating setup in the car. They said they never noticed the front seats, and that it was meant as a compliment to their design. They are large and flat, but the cushions are deeply sculpted and supportive.

With all of the improvements to the 6, I will have a tough time deciding between it, the Accord, Fusion, and other mid-sizers.

Annoyances:

Seats do need better bolstering for those thinner people among us
Tranny is slow to downshift when not being directed manumatically.
Not a ton of cubbies.
No easily accessible internal release for the rear fold down seats- main release is in trunk.
At my preferred driving position the top of the steering wheel cuts off the upper edge of the speedo. Still playing with driving position to see if I can improve this.
Small glovebox (MS3 as you know is HUGE)
Arguably awkward phone book interface for phone and Bluetooth. There are actually two different phone books, one that can downloaded form your phone and accessed via the head unit and the second whihc needs ot be loaded via voice prompts for BT access. Not sur eif this is due to my iPhone's annoying BT architecture. BTW the iPhone does not support AVRCP protocol for track control, only play pause.

 

[Newf]

hmmm, I didn't walk away as impressed. Tested the 2010 MS3, and MZ6. After owning a Mazdaspeed 6 for near 4 years now, I am at a loss as to what to do when my lease is up in June.

Cliff note version
2010 MS3, not my thing anymore. Cheap interior, too smiley and too small. Once you own a larger more comfortable car, it's hard to go back to something the MS3. And the bargain the MS series car once were, they are not no more. 35k for that car, no AWD, forget it. Besides, high HP car inwinter with FWD only plus my woman driving it = death

MZ6- Hands down best interior in its class. Comfortable to drive.Good looking from most angles...except front. Thank GOD no smiley. There is just something missing from it's looks though, I can't quite figure it out but it doesn't jump out at me like the old MZ6 did back in 04. But, the engine was a huge let down for me. My MS6 was much faster, and the torque wasn't even in the same league. The tranny the same. Sorry, but I didn't feel any Zoom Zoom in this car. Its size is too bloated too, they really should have just used the Euro version instead since it's smaller. Steering is way over assisted, dead/numb feeling. And once again...Bose Stereo

There was a time I never would have considered a Honda Accord over the MZ6, but that time is no more. I can get a a Honda V6 6speed, I can't with the Mazda. the accord has the option of dressing it up, the Mazda does not, the accord has "eco mode"if you want it and is pretty good on gas considering ( father has one ). the Mazda is no longer the "sporty" sedan it once was. There's no passion for me to get it anymore...no AWD,no Manual tranny, and feels too big

I'm sad. Mazda offers nothing of interest to me anymore.

 

[Antoine]

Sounds like you're just getting old and boring...Because that's what comes to mind when I think "Honda Accord"...lol....Joking aside...Unfortunate to see you leaning towards a Honda...Maybe it was your mood that day...Try another test drive...Different dealer...Different 6...?

On a related note...I'm sure Mazda is paying attention to all this feedback...Good or bad...Keep it coming...Helps them improve their cars! (2thumbs)

 

[vegas79]

I'm glad to hear that I am not the only one to be confused by the personallity of the new Mazda 6. We bought a loaded 2009 in August 2008 (Black Cherry pearl with the Black and tan interior). What I found strange was that sometimes the suspension felt firm and sometimes it felt too soft. Otherwise, the car exceeded every expectation. My wife and I love it. We have over 30K miles on it now and it has been excellent. The only dealer visits have been for oil changes and general maintenence. There are NO creaks, NO rattles and it feels just as solid as it did from day one. I'm very impressed especially for it being an early production 1st model year for the new design. My wife and I aren't Sunday drivers either.

Antonio - Wait until you get about 2K miles on it. That powertrain will really wake up! I put a k&N panel filter in ours and it made a difference.

My wife is the primary driver of our 6 but the longer we owned it, the less I drove my car (2004 g35 sedan six speed). I think she got tired of me hauling a$$ in the 6 so two months later I sold my car and bought a Mazdaspeed 3. I guess we're truly a Mazda family now...

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

Thank you: re Chassis feel

That was an excellent write-up. I think you nailed it in your review about how the car's suspension behaves. It's really kind of hard to figure out, but it does have a split personality. When I drove it I felt it was certainly stiffly tuned, but thankfully its better dampened and more isolated than my Protege, which is wearing on me. However, on corners with bumps I've felt that the 6 looses its composure a bit. Now, every car will do this; even a 3-series or a WRX, but with the size of the Mazda6 it can be potentially unsettling. For the most part the car will keep its composure and lets you know whats going on. You are right about its straight line performance - its very cruiser-friendly. I found that the steering was just a touch over-boosted and could be de-tuned slightly.

Forgot to add - I love this car's interior. It's almost like a 90's car and doesnt get all button-crazy like current Hondas/Acuras! Everything is within reach and seems to be constructed pretty well. My only beef is the steering wheel placement and the font size on the gauges. The Altima has my favorite gauge cluster set in the mid-size category, I wish it looks a bit more like that.

Do you think you can comment on how solid the chassis feels? Does it creak or flex at all? Have you driven the car on crap roads? I know you have to have some up there in MA? (I'm in the tri-state area, so I go into NYC and experience crap roads from time to time.) My next car has to be tough enough to face those sorts of obstacles.

http://www.insideline.com/mazda/mazda6/2009/2009-mazda-6-i-grand-touring-long-term-test.html

Inside Line did a long-term test of the Mazda6i Grand Touring. They had a bunch of similar observations as yourself. However, they did state that they loved the trunk's capacity AND they loved the seating setup in the car. They said they never noticed the front seats, and that it was meant as a compliment to their design. They are large and flat, but the cushions are deeply sculpted and supportive.

With all of the improvements to the 6, I will have a tough time deciding between it, the Accord, Fusion, and other mid-sizers.

Thanks for the feedback.

I didn't have a ton of time really getting into the chassis before I traded out the 18 for my firestone winterforce steelies (and I'm glad I did since the stock Michelin's are pretty hairy in packed snow/ice). Suffice to say though that even with the softer sidewalled snows the 6 has a very taunt and communicative chassis and steering. Sure it's a littel on the soft side when compared to my MS3 but I can defintely feel the difference in tires. Although the car is still tossable around corners, the Mz6's chassis communicates the huge amount of sidewall flex with the snows. I make it a point not to get to crazy with snows since that is not their function. But the car is still quite fun to drive right up to the snows lesser abilities.

Also like I said elsewhere the 6 reminds me more of an Audi than a Japanese midsize. I've driven the Honda and it feels like a boat compared to the 6. Sure the manual is nice but I don't thnk there's any comparison in chassis feels when you REALLY start throwing the 6 around.

I also think that althought they're OK, the stock grand touring Michelins are the weakest link in the chassis.

With respect to flex and creaks...I do have a couple of buzzes in the cabin that come and go (I'll get those remedied in the spring) but the structure of the 6 is pretty damn solid. Roads that would make my back wince in the MS3 don't faze the 6 (and currently MA roads are rittled with potholes and cracks). I was driving an MS3 before so subjectively the 6 is much more compliant to me. If you're used to a softer, floatier ride the 6 may feel "harsh" to you.

Best bet is to test drive one for yourself.

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

It sounds like you "get" it.

I'm glad to hear that I am not the only one to be confused by the personallity of the new Mazda 6. We bought a loaded 2009 in August 2008 (Black Cherry pearl with the Black and tan interior). What I found strange was that sometimes the suspension felt firm and sometimes it felt too soft. Otherwise, the car exceeded every expectation. My wife and I love it. We have over 30K miles on it now and it has been excellent. The only dealer visits have been for oil changes and general maintenence. There are NO creaks, NO rattles and it feels just as solid as it did from day one. I'm very impressed especially for it being an early production 1st model year for the new design. My wife and I aren't Sunday drivers either.

Antonio - Wait until you get about 2K miles on it. That powertrain will really wake up! I put a k&N panel filter in ours and it made a difference.

My wife is the primary driver of our 6 but the longer we owned it, the less I drove my car (2004 g35 sedan six speed). I think she got tired of me hauling a$$ in the 6 so two months later I sold my car and bought a Mazdaspeed 3. I guess we're truly a Mazda family now...

Nice to hear your into the new 6. Yeah I can't wait for the spring in NE. The snow tires on my black 6 are both ugly as well as rob the fun out of corners and high speed driving. It's VERY hard to keep the 6 under 80 on the highway. Just yesterday I went out to lunch with an associate and when we were merging on the highay he said "man this car is fast!" I immediately pulled back given I was running snows. Did I say I can't wait for spring!

Still I'm loving the interior. My original choice was between your car's color combo and black on black. Part of the reasoning for getting the new 6 was because I missed having a black car. Still the Black Cherry and beige interior is very high end looking.

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

Yeah good point about driving a different sample

Sounds like you're just getting old and boring...Because that's what comes to mind when I think "Honda Accord"...lol....Joking aside...Unfortunate to see you leaning towards a Honda...Maybe it was your mood that day...Try another test drive...Different dealer...Different 6...?

On a related note...I'm sure Mazda is paying attention to all this feedback...Good or bad...Keep it coming...Helps them improve their cars! (2thumbs)

Antoine makes a good point.

When I first drove the 6 a year ago I just took one out for a spin- nothing too crazy. While the V6 was quick it didn't feel very involving. I was driving an MS3 and wasn't impressed. Since I serviced my 3 at the dealership I would test the 6 out whenever I got a chance. What I found is that the chassis and engine on a factory-fresh 6 probably isn't broken in enough to really show itself off. This is a bigger car and as a result the suspension tuning really does affect the way it behaves. If you take a look at Edmunds suspension walk-around you'll notice the 6 has a pretty involved set-up. Even those progressive rubber stops need to limber up a bit. I think some of you forget that Mazda has some very talented chassis engineers. The new 6 is suppose to be a more refined car, therefore the chassis is about subtlety, rather than brute force (i.e. like the MS3).

I think those so enamored by the first gen are really missing the point of the new 6. The first gen is a good looking and driving car, but the new one is in a different league entirely. Find the right driving position and the new 6 feels like a glove, while being very connected to the road. Another point: while I enjoyed my MS3 alot, the 6 is turning out to be the type of well-rounded car that I simply love taking everywhere. I can see the miles piling on. It's only been a month and I already have 1500 miles on it. With the MS3 I think I had half the miles after month.

Bottom line I think the suspension on this car really needs to limber up before it shows you what it has. FWIW/IMO

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

Too bad

hmmm, I didn't walk away as impressed. Tested the 2010 MS3, and MZ6. After owning a Mazdaspeed 6 for near 4 years now, I am at a loss as to what to do when my lease is up in June.

Cliff note version
2010 MS3, not my thing anymore. Cheap interior, too smiley and too small. Once you own a larger more comfortable car, it's hard to go back to something the MS3. And the bargain the MS series car once were, they are not no more. 35k for that car, no AWD, forget it. Besides, high HP car inwinter with FWD only plus my woman driving it = death

MZ6- Hands down best interior in its class. Comfortable to drive.Good looking from most angles...except front. Thank GOD no smiley. There is just something missing from it's looks though, I can't quite figure it out but it doesn't jump out at me like the old MZ6 did back in 04. But, the engine was a huge let down for me. My MS6 was much faster, and the torque wasn't even in the same league. The tranny the same. Sorry, but I didn't feel any Zoom Zoom in this car. Its size is too bloated too, they really should have just used the Euro version instead since it's smaller. Steering is way over assisted, dead/numb feeling. And once again...Bose Stereo

There was a time I never would have considered a Honda Accord over the MZ6, but that time is no more. I can get a a Honda V6 6speed, I can't with the Mazda. the accord has the option of dressing it up, the Mazda does not, the accord has "eco mode"if you want it and is pretty good on gas considering ( father has one ). the Mazda is no longer the "sporty" sedan it once was. There's no passion for me to get it anymore...no AWD,no Manual tranny, and feels too big

I'm sad. Mazda offers nothing of interest to me anymore.

I dont think your giving the new design a chance. The fact that you don't think the new 6 is sporty means you really haven't driven it. The fact you think the MS6 has a more powerful engine also means you haven't really driven it. Especially if you think the new accord is a better choice. The 6 is a drivers car plain and simple. Chassis is a helluva lot more sophisticated than the previous car. Compliant yet firm and controlled. The engine is very smooth and pulls a helluva lot more refinement than the disi engine sure the turbo has that surge but the V6 is a lot more linear in it's power delivery.

As far as the exterior is concerned, well to each his own (think the nose and front fenders are it's best feature- aggressive, sporty, sophisticated and unique). At least we agree on the interior. Feels very upscale and well-designed. As I said elsewhere while some German marques have better materials, the 6 feels roomier and more comfortable.

 

[maskedSONY]

With respect to flex and creaks...I do have a couple of buzzes in the cabin that come and go (I'll get those remedied in the spring) but the structure of the 6 is pretty damn solid. Roads that would make my back wince in the MS3 don't faze the 6 (and currently MA roads are rittled with potholes and cracks). I was driving an MS3 before so subjectively the 6 is much more compliant to me. If you're used to a softer, floatier ride the 6 may feel "harsh" to you.

Best bet is to test drive one for yourself.

Actually, I have driven the 4-cylinder model extensively. I really liked it, with my only complaints being the speedo being hard to read, some cheap interior bits in the dashboard, the unprotected alternator (again), and the lack of the 6-speed transmission with the 4-cylinder engine. And I think its just a bit too big; the Ford Fusion has more acceptable dimensions for a mid-sizer.

I think your description is alright. I guess in a dream world, the Mazda6 would have a suspension like a E-Class benz. Meaning, it's firm yet supple - you hear the impact of the pothole, but the suspension completely isolates the disruption from the rest of the chassis. But at this price point, not even Honda bothers to put a suspension like that in their Accord sedan. So with the Mazda6 being just a tad more firm than the Accord, it may put the average mid-size sedan driver in a bit of discomfort.

I'm two years from a new car so I have time to hear more of your comments. I've gotta get some debt off my back before I can get a new car, and after completely re-doing my Protege's front and rear suspension, along with the steering tie rods, I have alot of life left in that car. Rather than just dump my recent expenditure, I'll hope Mazda will listen to customers and provide an excellent refresh in the mid-cycle for the 6 so that it becomes a better car when I come to the market in the future.

Offhand, how are the headlights? Do you have the Xenons?

Oh, and lastly - how well does the traction control work to reduce/control wheel hop off the line? This is actually another thing I am looking at when it comes to my next car. I'm tired of how my Protege, if launched on a wet road with the wheels turned slightly, will just spin the outer wheel like crazy. It begs for an LSD I tell you! However, I've noticed that traction control/VSA systems now use the brakes to limit/control this. Does this work well on your 6?

 

[maskedSONY]

For others in this thread, Edmunds has an excellent suspension walkaround of their former 6i Grand Touring.

http://blogs.insideline.com/roadtes...-6-i-grand-touring-suspension-walkaround.html

Lots of good info here as well:

http://blogs.insideline.com/roadtests/PastVehicles/2009-mazda-6-i-grand-touring/

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

Yep I have the Xenons

Actually, I have driven the 4-cylinder model extensively. I really liked it, with my only complaints being the speedo being hard to read, some cheap interior bits in the dashboard, the unprotected alternator (again), and the lack of the 6-speed transmission with the 4-cylinder engine. And I think its just a bit too big; the Ford Fusion has more acceptable dimensions for a mid-sizer.

I think your description is alright. I guess in a dream world, the Mazda6 would have a suspension like a E-Class benz. Meaning, it's firm yet supple - you hear the impact of the pothole, but the suspension completely isolates the disruption from the rest of the chassis. But at this price point, not even Honda bothers to put a suspension like that in their Accord sedan. So with the Mazda6 being just a tad more firm than the Accord, it may put the average mid-size sedan driver in a bit of discomfort.

I'm two years from a new car so I have time to hear more of your comments. I've gotta get some debt off my back before I can get a new car, and after completely re-doing my Protege's front and rear suspension, along with the steering tie rods, I have alot of life left in that car. Rather than just dump my recent expenditure, I'll hope Mazda will listen to customers and provide an excellent refresh in the mid-cycle for the 6 so that it becomes a better car when I come to the market in the future.

Offhand, how are the headlights? Do you have the Xenons?

Oh, and lastly - how well does the traction control work to reduce/control wheel hop off the line? This is actually another thing I am looking at when it comes to my next car. I'm tired of how my Protege, if launched on a wet road with the wheels turned slightly, will just spin the outer wheel like crazy. It begs for an LSD I tell you! However, I've noticed that traction control/VSA systems now use the brakes to limit/control this. Does this work well on your 6?

I also had Xenons on the MS3 and the 6 is markedly better with illuminating distance. The 3 seemed lacking here. No surprise considering the price and class differences.

I have not done much in the way of burying the accelerator off the line yet since I move to snows and didn't have many miles on teh car before that. In the few quick merging manuevers I've done and a a few snowy roads where right and left tires experienced differen road surfaces (snowy one side dry another) the DSC/Traction control has done transparent job of keeping wheels on the ground and the car moving straight. On the other hand I haven't gone out of my way to break her loose either.

A word about the interior plastics. I agree that some of the hard plastics around the center console radio and start button are a bit lacking in texture and feel but I'm already enjoying the fact that, unlike my MS3, the textured plastics in the 6 appear very resistant to scuffs and scratches. Three areas in the MS3 that always seemed to get scratches and scuffs no matter what I do is the B pillar where the seatbelt inevitably whips back when I unlatch, the steering wheel horn-area/cover and the plastic lining over the door sill. On my 3 it didn't take long to see scuffs and scratches in these areas. By comparison the Mazda6 plastics are quite resilient.

Again I think this is acceptable considering the price and class difference.

 

[Ernie]

On a related note...I'm sure Mazda is paying attention to all this feedback...Good or bad...Keep it coming...Helps them improve their cars! (2thumbs)

I have no illusion that this is true. Whereas I Love my Mz6 GTi MT6, there's no V6 stick or a single MazdaSpeed part on the way. 2010 even only gives you "Touring" for the Manuals . . . I have higher hopes for the RX-7, but I prefer FWD since I can drive it year round.

:/ I hope you're right and I'm wrong though.

 

[maskedSONY]

Any updates this far in? Can you comment on how strong the A/C is in your car? Did it handle the recent heat wave well?