The Mazda6 thread

[ifcar]

I'm driving this for the week:



Details:
http://www.examiner.com/x-1017-Autos-Examiner~y2010m5d6-A-week-in-the-2010-Mazda6-Day-1-introduction

[r0tor]

first calibrate yourself by driving the previous gen...

[ifcar]

first calibrate yourself by driving the previous gen...

A used car just doesn't have the same feel as a new car. I've tried that in a couple of cases. But Mazda does still offer the 3 for the driving enthusiast, and they went from offering two sizes of compact car to a compact and a roomy midsize that's more fun than most others that are similarly practical.

[r0tor]

I'm 6' 3" and fit fine in the back of my parents first gen 6... it was never "compact" but is now "bloated" and not even close to "sporty" anymore

[ifcar]

I'm 6' 3" and fit fine in the back of my parents first gen 6... it was never "compact" but is now "bloated" and not even close to "sporty" anymore

Well, then you wouldn't consider any midsize sedan even close to sporty...so my statement stands.

There was definitely a sweet spot between where it was and where it is now, but it was too close to the 3 before.

[MX793]

The 1st gen 6 was definitely not a compact.  It was smaller than most of its direct competitors (many of which are/were pushing "full size" status), but that doesn't mean it's a compact.

[ifcar]

The 1st gen 6 was definitely not a compact.  It was smaller than most of its direct competitors (many of which are/were pushing "full size" status), but that doesn't mean it's a compact.

It was one of a crowd of class-straddlers, and every one of them moved up into decidedly midsize. (It kept on going, too.)

[r0tor]

...only in the north american market anyway...

[ifcar]

...only in the north american market anyway...

Yes, the other one is a few inches shorter. I'm sure those inches make a huge difference.

[r0tor]

Compared to the fix gen, the world 2nd gen had more interior space in the same sized package as the first gen and weighed less.  Because of the constant reviewers saying "its not big enough" the US market gets a car thats bigger, fatter, looks comparatively awkward trying to fit the same headlights on an upscaled body, has less configuration choices (no hatch or wagon), and tuned softer.  If you want to say the US car is sporty, then so is a Camry.

[ifcar]

Compared to the fix gen, the world 2nd gen had more interior space in the same sized package as the first gen and weighed less.  Because of the constant reviewers saying "its not big enough" the US market gets a car thats bigger, fatter, looks comparatively awkward trying to fit the same headlights on an upscaled body, has less configuration choices (no hatch or wagon), and tuned softer.  If you want to say the US car is sporty, then so is a Camry.

I think it's attractive as is. And if they had in fact made the new world version roomy, then that would have solved complaints. Perhaps they overcorrected, but when you suggest there isn't a difference between how the current 6 drives versus other family sedans, you're greatly exaggerating.

[Submariner]

You know what I was thinking the other day...

How awesome an MS6 5-door would be.

[sportyaccordy]

New 6 is ugly and fat. But our PC society says its 'unique and full figured'

[the Teuton]

Seriously, I've driven both generations of this car. The new one is junk. Find an oldie for comparison's sake. You'll thank me for it.

[Eye of the Tiger]

New 6 is ugly and fat. But our PC society says its 'unique and full figured'

[S204STi]

Seriously, I've driven both generations of this car. The new one is junk. Find an oldie for comparison's sake. You'll thank me for it.

Plus the previous gen came in the totally-sweet MS6 guise.

[the Teuton]

Plus the previous gen came in the totally-sweet MS6 guise.

I've only gotten to drive the 4 cylinder 4A and ride in a V6 5-speed. Absolutely awesome cars. I can only imagine the MS6 is that much better, even though I do love me a Leggie SpecB more.

[MX793]

New 6 is ugly and fat. But our PC society says its 'unique and full figured'

"Voluptuous" is another commonly misused term ("voluminous" would be more accurate).

[SVT666]

I've driven both gens now and the first gen made me giggle like a school girl.  The new gen is still sportier then most sedans, but it's more mainstream now.  It's far from junk though Teuton.  It's one of my favourite mid sizers, though as an enthusiast I did prefer the old gen for driving dynamics.

[the Teuton]

I've driven both gens now and the first gen made me giggle like a school girl.  The new gen is still sportier then most sedans, but it's more mainstream now.  It's far from junk though Teuton.  It's one of my favourite mid sizers, though as an enthusiast I did prefer the old gen for driving dynamics.

For my purposes, as a 22something who likes fun, practical cars -- the new 6 just bores me. At least with a Sonata I know I'm supposed to get a boring car. The 6 is just disappointing. Sure, maybe compared to a Camry, it's sporty. But even back-to-back with the Fusion, the 6 just isn't that much fun to flog.

[SVT666]

For my purposes, as a 22something who likes fun, practical cars -- the new 6 just bores me. At least with a Sonata I know I'm supposed to get a boring car. The 6 is just disappointing. Sure, maybe compared to a Camry, it's sporty. But even back-to-back with the Fusion, the 6 just isn't that much fun to flog.

The Fusion is surprisingly fun to drive.  Even magazine editors say that they're surprised at how much fun it is.  The 4 pot with the 6 speed manual is actually quite a bit of fun to hit corners in.  The V6 is quicker, but the 4 banger corners better and feels better balanced.

No, you're 22 and single.  You're not supposed to want 4 door mid size sedans.

[the Teuton]

But I the old 6...which is more of a compact by today's standards. But who's counting?

[2o6]

But I the old 6...which is more of a compact by today's standards. But who's counting?

Then it fails at it's intended purpose.

[the Teuton]

Then it fails at it's intended purpose.

It's still roughly the same size as a circa 2002 Accord. I dunno, a family of five could fit in one, albeit not too comfortably.

[Catman]

Haters

[Submariner]

Haters

Racist. 

[FlatBlackCaddy]

You're brady holt?

maybe we went over this before.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

That reminds me of my last couple ex girlfriends.

God i miss,

shashandra

tanarananisha

and of course

laninewaweenatakandra-shan

[ifcar]

I've driven both gens now and the first gen made me giggle like a school girl.  The new gen is still sportier then most sedans, but it's more mainstream now.  It's far from junk though Teuton.  It's one of my favourite mid sizers, though as an enthusiast I did prefer the old gen for driving dynamics.

This is the explanation that I've gone with based on my experience in the new 6 and reviews of the old. I may hunt for a used one, but they're in such inconsistent condition that it's hard to draw conclusions from. I drove an 08 Maxima the other day that was fine cosmetically but that had very stiff steering -- Nissan salespeople I spoke to said that's just not what the car was like.

[CJ]

I like the new 6.  It's soft, but it's got a nice interior and the visibility is pretty good.  Better than our Accord, that's for sure.  The 4-cylinder doesn't have enough power, even for me.  It's adequate around town, but don't do any major passes.  I'm sure it can be made to get more than 30 MPG on the highway.