speed 6 revies
I liked your review and wish we had read it before our lease. Many things about the Speed 6 we like, but the clutch is driving us nuts. Not happy with Mazda or the dealers involved thus far. We leased our 06' in September of 06'. When we leased it, they knew it would be used by my 18 year old twins a great deal and me. It was cheaper than a Mazda 3 with year end incentives and Ford friends/family deal. The clutch was never easy, nor the shifting. For some reason our vehicle had 1100 miles when we leased it. I am a very experienced clutch and performance car driver. Other members of the family were not. At 2300 miles our clutch went through a blowout failure. $2900 to repair. I had a service tech take me aside and warn me about the clutch. "They had seen several major and earlier wear situations--even with experienced drivers. It was not a car for inexperience drivers and ideally only one driver. Not robust and possible design issues. A four door Porsche, with a flawed clutch." We started dialogue with the management about getting out of the car, since we had 4 drivers in the family using it. They were able to process the repair through an open insurance claim from a minor incident 2 months earlier. I did not like this approach and thought it should have been a warrenty situation--it seemed like insurance fraud to me (by the way, I have advised AAA of this and they are considering filing a claim against the dealer and Mazda). After great debate, we stuck with the car and received assurances the clutch repair and a little coaching of the rest of the family would suffice... 4 months later, we have another complete blowout. My 18 year old daughter is stuck at an intersection in Metro Detroit trying to get home from her summer job--at night. We tow it to the dealer we leased the car from and who repaired it the last time (by the way, we had a 12 month/12,000 mile warrenty for the repairs). 3.5 weeks later, we finally hear from the dealer and Mazda they won't warrenty the repair. $2900 again, but $250 goodwill credit from Mazda and the dealer. "Someone must be abusing the car." They suggested the tires looked a bit thin, so the car must be getting abused. We towed to another Mazda dealer who quoted a lower price and I wanted another opinion. First they said nothing about the tires or car suggested abuse. They tried their best, but Mazda and the "big" dealer had locked in on their position (they advised me of this). The car was repaired again, after another 3.5 weeks and $2400 (after the Mazda $250 goodwill credit). We had about $800 in rental expenses and a huge head ache. I took the car home on Monday. My kids have been removed from the insurance, so Mazda can't use this excuse anymore. They have paid for their insurance premiums on all our cars (for them to be included), gas, repairs, cell phones, etc. They are not silver spoon kids. Both heading to college with academic and/or athletic assistance. I have lined up a friend who wants to take over the car/deal we got at $295 a month. I am having great reservations turning this over to anyone. On the drive home, the cars shifting and clutch was very smooth--it had never been like this. At 6.2 miles I hear a loud clank in the front end, and immediately, the shifting and clutch feels different. Not as easy or smooth--but "normal." We are reviewing with lawyers. I continue to argue with Mazda and the dealers every day. I can't believe the shaft we are getting. I did take the car to the largest tire dealer in Michigan (Bell Tire). It needed an alignment--which has been a recuring issue. This would have been nice to fix after 7 weeks at 2 dealers. They evaluated the car and tires. Nothing suggested abuse. They have noted such on our bill. We still had a great deal of tread remaining on a race spec tire known for very early wear. Other issues with the car have been minor--especially in comparison. AM radio wasn't working, drivers side power window switch was never activated properly, and some issues with keyless remote. I have hit some blogs, per a lawyers suggestion. Finding many issues with the clutch and these blowout type situations--along with a Mazda TSB on difficult to use clutch and a NHTSA notice on the clutch pedal. A lawyer/friend, who has made a very nice living in battles with car companies, has advised a class action suit will eventually come and they will have a major recall to avoid the suit (the lawyer will be out $20-$30,000 for the effort)... I have owned or leased cars since 73'. Crap happens. It is how you are dealt with after which makes or breaks the experience. This situaion is broken. It is my worse experience ever with a car manufacturer. With all the cars in our office, we had one lemon situation. A Saab 9.7 with some serious gremlins running around. GM and Saab replaced the car and the new one has been perfect. I applaud Saab/GM. Mazda should be ashamed. Avod the Speed 6, new or used, until this has had it's day in court and Mazda decides to stand behind this clutch design(s).
I liked your review and wish we had read it before our lease. Many things about the Speed 6 we like, but the clutch is driving us nuts. Not happy with Mazda or the dealers involved thus far. We leased our 06' in September of 06'. When we leased it, they knew it would be used by my 18 year old twins a great deal and me. It was cheaper than a Mazda 3 with year end incentives and Ford friends/family deal. The clutch was never easy, nor the shifting. For some reason our vehicle had 1100 miles when we leased it. I am a very experienced clutch and performance car driver. Other members of the family were not. At 2300 miles our clutch went through a blowout failure. $2900 to repair. I had a service tech take me aside and warn me about the clutch. "They had seen several major and earlier wear situations--even with experienced drivers. It was not a car for inexperience drivers and ideally only one driver. Not robust and possible design issues. A four door Porsche, with a flawed clutch." We started dialogue with the management about getting out of the car, since we had 4 drivers in the family using it. They were able to process the repair through an open insurance claim from a minor incident 2 months earlier. I did not like this approach and thought it should have been a warrenty situation--it seemed like insurance fraud to me (by the way, I have advised AAA of this and they are considering filing a claim against the dealer and Mazda). After great debate, we stuck with the car and received assurances the clutch repair and a little coaching of the rest of the family would suffice... 4 months later, we have another complete blowout. My 18 year old daughter is stuck at an intersection in Metro Detroit trying to get home from her summer job--at night. We tow it to the dealer we leased the car from and who repaired it the last time (by the way, we had a 12 month/12,000 mile warrenty for the repairs). 3.5 weeks later, we finally hear from the dealer and Mazda they won't warrenty the repair. $2900 again, but $250 goodwill credit from Mazda and the dealer. "Someone must be abusing the car." They suggested the tires looked a bit thin, so the car must be getting abused. We towed to another Mazda dealer who quoted a lower price and I wanted another opinion. First they said nothing about the tires or car suggested abuse. They tried their best, but Mazda and the "big" dealer had locked in on their position (they advised me of this). The car was repaired again, after another 3.5 weeks and $2400 (after the Mazda $250 goodwill credit). We had about $800 in rental expenses and a huge head ache. I took the car home on Monday. My kids have been removed from the insurance, so Mazda can't use this excuse anymore. They have paid for their insurance premiums on all our cars (for them to be included), gas, repairs, cell phones, etc. They are not silver spoon kids. Both heading to college with academic and/or athletic assistance. I have lined up a friend who wants to take over the car/deal we got at $295 a month. I am having great reservations turning this over to anyone. On the drive home, the cars shifting and clutch was very smooth--it had never been like this. At 6.2 miles I hear a loud clank in the front end, and immediately, the shifting and clutch feels different. Not as easy or smooth--but "normal." We are reviewing with lawyers. I continue to argue with Mazda and the dealers every day. I can't believe the shaft we are getting. I did take the car to the largest tire dealer in Michigan (Bell Tire). It needed an alignment--which has been a recuring issue. This would have been nice to fix after 7 weeks at 2 dealers. They evaluated the car and tires. Nothing suggested abuse. They have noted such on our bill. We still had a great deal of tread remaining on a race spec tire known for very early wear. Other issues with the car have been minor--especially in comparison. AM radio wasn't working, drivers side power window switch was never activated properly, and some issues with keyless remote. I have hit some blogs, per a lawyers suggestion. Finding many issues with the clutch and these blowout type situations--along with a Mazda TSB on difficult to use clutch and a NHTSA notice on the clutch pedal. A lawyer/friend, who has made a very nice living in battles with car companies, has advised a class action suit will eventually come and they will have a major recall to avoid the suit (the lawyer will be out $20-$30,000 for the effort)... I have owned or leased cars since 73'. Crap happens. It is how you are dealt with after which makes or breaks the experience. This situaion is broken. It is my worse experience ever with a car manufacturer. With all the cars in our office, we had one lemon situation. A Saab 9.7 with some serious gremlins running around. GM and Saab replaced the car and the new one has been perfect. I applaud Saab/GM. Mazda should be ashamed. Avod the Speed 6, new or used, until this has had it's day in court and Mazda decides to stand behind this clutch design(s).
