new owner checkin in

[rvmz6]

We purchased a 2014 Mazda6 GT with MRCC pkg in soul red last saturday (replaced a 2010 infiniti g37x):
impressions so far:
* great handling, fun to drive
* awesome mileage: trip computer shows 33 mpg after 380 mi(50% highway,still on the first tank)
* nice, functional and comfortable interior
* lot more backseat room compared to the g37
* Nav is much more advanced then the Infiniti one.

some gripes:
* Road noise - particularly on rough surfaces.
is it due the 19" Dunlops ?, would switching to 17" and/or quieter tires help?
* Poor audio clarity when listening to radio, bluetooth playback is good though.
* Small nav screen with "toy-like" map renderings.

 

[sixstring]

Welcome and congrats on the new ride. I picked up a GT with MRCC in liquid silver over a couple of months ago and absolutely love driving it.
As far as road noise goes, the 19" Dunlops just arent the quietest tire available. I plan on switching to something quieter but it can wait until the Dunlop tread starts wearing thin. The HD stations sound good on my radio but the reception is a little weaker than I expected. Mostly I listen to Pandora anyway so it's not a big issue.

And yes, the nav system could be far improved. I'd like to change it out to an aftermarket unit like a Kenwood or Alpine. Fortunately it's a double din size which opens up a lot of better options.

Enjoy the new ride!

 

[rvmz6]

thanks sixstring.

I agree, FM poor clarity(at times) is related to reception.

 

[trueace]

Welcome and congrats on the new ride. I picked up a GT with MRCC in liquid silver over a couple of months ago and absolutely love driving it.
As far as road noise goes, the 19" Dunlops just arent the quietest tire available. I plan on switching to something quieter but it can wait until the Dunlop tread starts wearing thin. The HD stations sound good on my radio but the reception is a little weaker than I expected. Mostly I listen to Pandora anyway so it's not a big issue.

And yes, the nav system could be far improved. I'd like to change it out to an aftermarket unit like a Kenwood or Alpine. Fortunately it's a double din size which opens up a lot of better options.

Enjoy the new ride!

Im going all alpine to replace that lackluster factory radio. Amazon got great prices on car audio right now.

 

[hef]

for me the road noise was quite bad at first..but now with 5000 miles on the car its smooth and quiet (tires and suspension breaking in a bit)

 

[1-n-million]

I cant say that the road noise is bad in Mazda 6. I drive in LA, where roads could be in better condition, but have no problem carrying a conversation with a passenger or speaking on the phone, with out having to scream. I saw in a CarAndDriver noise level measurement of 70db at 70mph cruise. This was 1db quieter than a 2013 Honda Accord EX-L 4cyl.

 

[cmfireman]

I agree with the road noise. I have a Sport with 17's and Yokohoma Advans. They are great on smooth paved asphalt but I live in the boonies where most roads are paved with a rough texture. The sound is night and day when transitioning from smooth to rough pavement.

I'll probably throw some Michelin's on it when these wear out.

 

[1-n-million]

I agree with the road noise. I have a Sport with 17's and Yokohoma Advans. They are great on smooth paved asphalt but I live in the boonies where most roads are paved with a rough texture. The sound is night and day when transitioning from smooth to rough pavement

You think this is exclusive to Mazda 6???))))))))))) Or are you saying if you get some water on your shirt - it'll be wet, but if you don't - it'll be dry?))

 

[cmfireman]

I'm saying it's a much larger difference than most vehicles. If they're gonna skimp on the insulation to save weight and increase MPG's, they could have selected a quieter tire.

I don't think it's as much the car as the tire selection, so I think this is exclusive to loud tires and little insulation.

 

[1-n-million]

I'm saying it's a much larger difference than most vehicles. If they're gonna skimp on the insulation to save weight and increase MPG's, they could have selected a quieter tire.

I don't think it's as much the car as the tire selection, so I think this is exclusive to loud tires and little insulation.

"much larger difference than most vehicles". In what class? At what price point? Do you mean in comparison to Accord, Altima, Fusion, what else is there in mid-size near-luxury class? Or do you mean in comparison to Corolla, Civic, Range Rover, Kia Rio, Mercedes S-class??? I don't get you.

The most accurate description that correlates with objective parameters, such as noise measurement by instruments, would be "the road noise is slightly ABOVE average for the class".

Look for Highs and Lows:
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/2014-mazda-6-grand-touring-page-03
Look for sound measurement
http://www.caranddriver.com/compari...ng-performance-data-and-complete-specs-page-4

 

[cmfireman]

"much larger difference than most vehicles". In what class? At what price point? Do you mean in comparison to Accord, Altima, Fusion, what else is there in mid-size near-luxury class? Or do you mean in comparison to Corolla, Civic, Range Rover, Kia Rio, Mercedes S-class??? I don't get you.

The most accurate description that correlates with objective parameters, such as noise measurement by instruments, would be "the road noise is slightly ABOVE average for the class".

Look for Highs and Lows:
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/2014-mazda-6-grand-touring-page-03
Look for sound measurement
http://www.caranddriver.com/compari...ng-performance-data-and-complete-specs-page-4

Being as most everyone in this thread has a minor complaint about road noise, I feel no need to quantify or compare decibel levels between vehicles. I was attempting to add to the discussion for future shoppers considering a 6. As you seem to be an expert on all things Mazda 6, I will let you tell everyone else how quiet it is. Have a nice day!

 

[maverick83]

More than road noise, wind noise (in driver side door) is what I notice more.