Anyone own a Mazda6?

[JDY]

I'm going to buy a new car and I can't make up my mind.

Would anyone here who owns/drives a Mazda6 be willing to offer a little insight into your experiences with the car?

Thanks!

 

[Davids-Coco]

We don't but we have been comparing the 3 and the 6. Its about $5k less to go with the 3 and it gets better gas mileage. They are the same size inside, but the 6 has a bigger trunk. The biggest difference is the engine and the options. But there is a full comparison on the mazda usa site.

They are both really great cars - we test drove both and own another mazda that we love. I think though for our budget and needs the 3 is a better fit. But, you can't go wrong with a mazda.

 

[NHAnn]

Is the "6" what used to be called the 626? If so ~ you'll get a good recommendation from me! I've had 2 of them ....sold the second one to my DD last year...it's her first car.
I was looking for a 4 door midsized sedan....it was less expensive than the Toyota Camry and Ford Taurus with comparable features. Great mileage around 30 mpg (5 speed manual transmissions ), economical to maintain.....
The one my DD has is a beautiful gold color and looks like a pricier car than it is!

 

[JayCT]

A guy that works for me has one and loves it. It is the replacement for the old Mazda 626. It is a very nice car. he has had it for about 6 months and loves it. No problems yet. Check Consumers Report. They are great about objectively reviewing cars. I believe they rate it very high.

 

[Kimickey]

I'm a current owner of a Mazda 626 and I absolutely love it! DH and I have thought about trading in the 626 for a Mazda6 but have decide against it with the birth of our second child in December. We are getting a Ford Explorer instead. Anyway, I've seen both the Mazda 6 and the Mazda 3 and they both are nice cars. But the Mazda 6 is bigger than the Mazda 3. The Mazda 3 looks more sportier to us.

 

[FatCow]

Between 1998 to 2001, my family, my friends and myself collectively bought 5 Mazda Protege (323) Touring Edition. All were brand spanking new.

Within the first 60,000km (40k Miles?) ALL of the auto tranny broke down, one of them blown its intake gasket, and another's AC went completely dead.

We all now drive (collectively) 4 2003 VW Jetta 1.8T and a 2003 Audi A4 1.8T

PS: my friend's Mazda Tribute's auto trany also went dead at around 54,000km

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

Current owner of a 99 626 with 111K miles on it. It's a GREAT car and I love it.

No major problems here. My mechanic tells me the 4 cylinder cars had transmission issues in the late 90's/early 2000. I've got a 6 cylinder and no problems here.

 

[FatCow]

That's right. All the 4-cyl Mazda starting 1998 (when their slogan was "Redesigned") use Ford-designed tranny. Supposedly, with the introduction of Mazda 3 and 6, the trannies are once again Mazda-design.

We're just too afraid to try Mazda again. My Protege Touring '98 bought new in '98 had the same price as a (then) one year old '97 Camry LE we bought in '97 with 8,000 Km on it.

In May 2003, the Protege resale value was CAD$10,000 (at 60,000 km) whereas in April 2004, the resale value of the Camry (at 120,000 km) is still CAD$10,000

Used to love Mazda, personally owned 4 Mazda all my life... but no more... ever.

 

[FatCow]

PS: If you are an audiophile, bear in mind that the stereo of Mazda 6 is not upgradeable with after-market system.

 

[KrnB]

We've had the 6 for about a year, and we've been pretty happy with it. The one complaint I have is the same one that Consumer Reports mentions - the turning radius is pretty big, so it is sometimes difficult to get into a space on the first try.

NHAnn - the 6 did replace the 626, but they are pretty different from each other.