MARK PHELAN: Mazda 6 wagon is fun, but noisy
May 12, 2005
BY MARK PHELAN
FREE PRESS COLUMNIST
NEW ORLEANS -- Until Alfa Romeo returns to the United States you're not likely to find a more stylish sporty station wagon than the midsize Mazda 6. Like the legendary Italian brand, Mazda's recent sedans and sports cars exude style from every angle and -- also like Alfa -- Mazda has added a lovely station wagon to its stable.
Prices start at $22,895, and the nicely equipped s model I tested during my annual pilgrimage to a spring music festival in New Orleans carried a $26,600 sticker. All prices exclude destination charges.
The 6's well-appointed interior is surprisingly roomy, providing plenty of room for luggage and a 6-foot-4-inch passenger in the back seat on a late-night run to Gulfport-Biloxi airport. The interior looks and feels good, despite a couple of ergonomic snafus: oddly placed controls for the heated seats and a storage compartment that opens up, but only after you push down on its latch.
The seats are comfortable and the interior trim combines soft-touch materials with tastefully restrained chrome. The Bose sound system provided excellent tone and volume.
However, the car could use a lot more sound insulation. Road noise tended to boom through the interior during highway runs, and there were far too many rattles when driving over New Orleans' gutted streets. The car's four-wheel independent suspension protected passengers from all but the most buckled pavement, however.
The steering is precise and direct, and I was pleased with the brakes' response, although another driver wished for more feedback through the pedal.
The 3.0-liter V6 revs smoothly and quickly, but the 3,387-pound wagon could use more low-end torque for confident acceleration. The car handled well at high speeds, although it's not quite as sporty as the 6 sedan.
Overall, the Mazda 6 wagon delivers an enjoyable combination of good looks, style and driving pleasure. A gutsier engine and quieter interior would make it a world-beater.
I'll agree with the need for a "gutsier engine", but I've never thought my car was very noisy on the highway or otherwise. I doubt it would be different in the wagon.
QuoteI'll agree with the need for a "gutsier engine", but I've never thought my car was very noisy on the highway or otherwise. I doubt it would be different in the wagon.
Well with the wagon, there is more 'room' for the nouse to generate in the back as opposed to a sedan. Its the same with the Mazda3 Hatch and Sedan.
QuoteQuoteI'll agree with the need for a "gutsier engine", but I've never thought my car was very noisy on the highway or otherwise. I doubt it would be different in the wagon.
Well with the wagon, there is more 'room' for the nouse to generate in the back as opposed to a sedan. Its the same with the Mazda3 Hatch and Sedan.
Yeah, I suppose you're right. The sound probably bounces around in that back cargo area.
QuoteQuoteQuoteI'll agree with the need for a "gutsier engine", but I've never thought my car was very noisy on the highway or otherwise. I doubt it would be different in the wagon.
Well with the wagon, there is more 'room' for the nouse to generate in the back as opposed to a sedan. Its the same with the Mazda3 Hatch and Sedan.
Yeah, I suppose you're right. The sound probably bounces around in that back cargo area.
Yes, thats why hatches or wagons are noisier than their equivalent sedans.
I never really found my hatch to be too noisy either. However I also would like a little more grunt to get moving.
QuoteI never really found my hatch to be too noisy either. However I also would like a little more grunt to get moving.
You have a Mazda3? Is it the i or the s?
QuoteQuoteI never really found my hatch to be too noisy either. However I also would like a little more grunt to get moving.
You have a Mazda3? Is it the i or the s?
Yeah, what are you driving, hog?
I'm a BIG fan of wagons but the 6 wagon is missing something. There's something too plain about it, not sure? Another issue I foresee is a starting price of $22,000. How will that pan out when the Mazda 5 is starting at $18,000? It's bigger and seats more. Maybe because it's a I4?
QuoteI'm a BIG fan of wagons but the 6 wagon is missing something. There's something too plain about it, not sure? Another issue I foresee is a starting price of $22,000. How will that pan out when the Mazda 5 is starting at $18,000? It's bigger and seats more. Maybe because it's a I4?
The 5 isn't bigger than the 6 wagon. The 6 is over half a foot longer and an inch wider. the 5 is a little over a half foot taller, though. The 6 also has more front and rear legroom (though a bit less headroom).
QuoteQuoteI'm a BIG fan of wagons but the 6 wagon is missing something. There's something too plain about it, not sure? Another issue I foresee is a starting price of $22,000. How will that pan out when the Mazda 5 is starting at $18,000? It's bigger and seats more. Maybe because it's a I4?
The 5 isn't bigger than the 6 wagon. The 6 is over half a foot longer and an inch wider. the 5 is a little over a half foot taller, though. The 6 also has more front and rear legroom (though a bit less headroom).
Thanks for the run down!
QuoteI'm a BIG fan of wagons but the 6 wagon is missing something. There's something too plain about it, not sure? Another issue I foresee is a starting price of $22,000. How will that pan out when the Mazda 5 is starting at $18,000? It's bigger and seats more. Maybe because it's a I4?
As was said, the Mazda5 is smaller, it just has a very well-packaged interior. The Mazda6 wagon is V6 only, the Mazda5 is 4-cyl only. Also, the Mazda5 looks too much like a minivan for many buyers.
And I like the look of the 6 wagon myself, I don't see anything bland about it.
QuoteQuoteI'm a BIG fan of wagons but the 6 wagon is missing something. There's something too plain about it, not sure? Another issue I foresee is a starting price of $22,000. How will that pan out when the Mazda 5 is starting at $18,000? It's bigger and seats more. Maybe because it's a I4?
As was said, the Mazda5 is smaller, it just has a very well-packaged interior. The Mazda6 wagon is V6 only, the Mazda5 is 4-cyl only. Also, the Mazda5 looks too much like a minivan for many buyers.
And I like the look of the 6 wagon myself, I don't see anything bland about it.
Its a very nice alternative since there is almost nothing to compete against it (entry level mainstream wagon).
QuoteQuoteQuoteI'm a BIG fan of wagons but the 6 wagon is missing something. There's something too plain about it, not sure? Another issue I foresee is a starting price of $22,000. How will that pan out when the Mazda 5 is starting at $18,000? It's bigger and seats more. Maybe because it's a I4?
As was said, the Mazda5 is smaller, it just has a very well-packaged interior. The Mazda6 wagon is V6 only, the Mazda5 is 4-cyl only. Also, the Mazda5 looks too much like a minivan for many buyers.
And I like the look of the 6 wagon myself, I don't see anything bland about it.
Its a very nice alternative since there is almost nothing to compete against it (entry level mainstream wagon).
It's got the Malibu MAXX, Legacy/Outback, Magnum, and V50. There are smaller segments of the market.
QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteI'm a BIG fan of wagons but the 6 wagon is missing something.? There's something too plain about it, not sure?? Another issue I foresee is a starting price of $22,000.? How will that pan out when the Mazda 5 is starting at $18,000?? It's bigger and seats more.? Maybe because it's a I4?
As was said, the Mazda5 is smaller, it just has a very well-packaged interior. The Mazda6 wagon is V6 only, the Mazda5 is 4-cyl only. Also, the Mazda5 looks too much like a minivan for many buyers.
And I like the look of the 6 wagon myself, I don't see anything bland about it.
Its a very nice alternative since there is almost nothing to compete against it (entry level mainstream wagon).
It's got the Malibu MAXX, Legacy/Outback, Magnum, and V50. There are smaller segments of the market.
V50 not really because its more luxury inclined.
The malibu maxx is a quasi wagon, its more of a hatch.
The Magnum and Legacy I forgot totally about. So those three cars are the only credible ones in the segment.
QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteI'm a BIG fan of wagons but the 6 wagon is missing something. There's something too plain about it, not sure? Another issue I foresee is a starting price of $22,000. How will that pan out when the Mazda 5 is starting at $18,000? It's bigger and seats more. Maybe because it's a I4?
As was said, the Mazda5 is smaller, it just has a very well-packaged interior. The Mazda6 wagon is V6 only, the Mazda5 is 4-cyl only. Also, the Mazda5 looks too much like a minivan for many buyers.
And I like the look of the 6 wagon myself, I don't see anything bland about it.
Its a very nice alternative since there is almost nothing to compete against it (entry level mainstream wagon).
It's got the Malibu MAXX, Legacy/Outback, Magnum, and V50. There are smaller segments of the market.
V50 not really because its more luxury inclined.
The malibu maxx is a quasi wagon, its more of a hatch.
The Magnum and Legacy I forgot totally about. So those three cars are the only credible ones in the segment.
The base V50 is comparably-priced to the Mazda6 wagon, and not especially luxurious. And the Maxx definitely counts as a competitor there, in that it's more of a wagon than a sedan.
That's a group of five, six if you count the Outback as its own vehicle.
QuoteQuoteQuoteI never really found my hatch to be too noisy either. However I also would like a little more grunt to get moving.
You have a Mazda3? Is it the i or the s?
Yeah, what are you driving, hog?
Mazda6s 5speed
QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteI never really found my hatch to be too noisy either. However I also would like a little more grunt to get moving.
You have a Mazda3? Is it the i or the s?
Yeah, what are you driving, hog?
Mazda6s 5speed
Excellent taste. ;) Unfortunately I rock the 4-banger version. :(
QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteI never really found my hatch to be too noisy either. However I also would like a little more grunt to get moving.
You have a Mazda3? Is it the i or the s?
Yeah, what are you driving, hog?
Mazda6s 5speed
Nice ride B)
QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteI never really found my hatch to be too noisy either. However I also would like a little more grunt to get moving.
You have a Mazda3? Is it the i or the s?
Yeah, what are you driving, hog?
Mazda6s 5speed
Nice ride B)
What about me?! :o :angry:
You too! :rockon:
QuoteYou too! :rockon:
Thank you. :D
Nice rides, Mazda6er and city pig. I am a big fan of the Mazda 6.
Thank you. I really enjoy it and haven't regretted it yet (Except for that one service issue but.....I'm over it).
The practical side of me says I should have bought the 4cyl but the fun side of me was screaming 6!6!6! There were some availability issues with the 4cyl as well so I didn't have much of a choice.
How quickly do they depreciate?
I'm planning on getting 2 [used] cars when I graduate: a weekend/track roadster + an economy commuter car. It would be great if a 4cyl 6 would be within my price range.
I don't know or care....I leased so I don't have to worry about that crap ever again! I think they said the residual was 48% after 4 years if that means anything to you....I don't know anything about it.