I am contemplating getting a Mazda 6. Here in the UK petrol options include 1.8, 2.0 and 2.3 litre versions (I know - most things are smaller in the UK than they are in the US!). Also various diesels. The one I will probably go for is the 2.0 litre TS2 Hatchback. All the UK specs can be found here: http://www.mazda.co.uk

So ...

Tell me all you can that you love about your Mazda 6's. And all you hate about them.

I currently drive an MG ZS 180 (2.5 V6) - 0-60mph in 7.3 secs with suspension and balance that sticks it to the road like glue. Not a refined car in terms of in-car comfort and electronic toys but the most thrilling drive I've ever had. My lease ends in Oct 05 :( and now that MG Rover is no more[>:], I can't go for a straight replacement. The natural replacement would be a Subaru Imprezza but common sense, cost and family practicality mean that I'm looking at more sensible cars.

So does the Mazda 6 strike the right balance between driver enjoyment and practicality? Will it thrill me? What is the drive like? Will I learn to love it or forever regret the loss of my MG?

Regards,


Jon

jonjc- I've never driven an MG like yours but it sounds tight & quick. I wanted a more sporting ride than what my previous 2 cars ('03 Accord Coupe 2.4L, '00 Passat 1.8T) gave, ended up with a 6S. Drove a lot of more expensive cars- Acura TSX & TL, Infinity G35x, but not BMW as they seem overpriced and the 3 series is tight on space. The 6 is the best handling sedan, IMO, for the money- and 10K less than the TL, G35 and BMW. Not as refined and not really in the same category, but loads of fun. Thing that sold me- the hatchback, I need to carry large items from time to time and it is awesome.
Positives: Tight ride, minimal body roll, quick at the midrange (I have 5 spd auto), vy comfy seats, good looks, got loaded w/leather, sunroof, sport pkg, and Bose for just under 23K.
Negatives: The 5 speed auto is ok but not great, shifts abruptly and sometimes at odd points (lags from 1-2), the 6 speed on the '05 is supposed to be much better; road noise a little high but not objectionable; some interior materials could be a little higher quality, so-so gas mileage (20 city/25 hwy) but runs fine on 87 octane.
Build quality vy good so far- no rattles, no problems whatsoever at 7500 mi. Will it compare to a (I'm guessing) somewhat stiffer European ride?- don't know, but I like to drive aggressively on backroads (not as concerned about 0-60, I think the 6S is around 8 sec) and this car does the trick. Good luck with your decision!

compared to your last car, you may be a little short on power, but the mazda6 handles incredibly while still maintaining a comfortable ride, it has very predictive and controllable steering

Thanks toyrme and Fragile. Some useful thoughts there. I'll try and arrange a test drive ASAP and let you know how it turns out.[

I bought my 05 Mazda 6s 5-door, about amonth ago. The space was alsoa selling point for me. I ahve a 3.0L 5 speed. Considering I was driving a 4-banger previously, the v-6 is quite an upgrade. I do tend to agree that it does lag in between 1500-2500. I absolutely love the car though. I just recently moved, and the hatch back came in great use. I find the drivers seat very comfortable and the driving is exciting also. Minimal road noise. Good Luck!

Sadly the V6 isn't available here in the UK. Even if it was it would probably be beyond my price range. Bigger, less environmentally friendly engines are heavily taxed here - to the extent that I would even contemplate going for the 1.8petrol if it came in the higher spec. And, did you know that ptrol costs 3 times (yes - 3 times) as much in the UK as it does in the USA!!!

.

Yes, the roads in MA are beyond belief- it's a testimony to the toughness of the Mazda alloys; I've hit some bad potholes and still the wheels are perfect. Hope the engine and tranny prove that tough!

I finally got around to going for a test drive today and thought I'd better bring an update...

I liked the Mazda6 TS2 very much. Compared to my MG ZS180 the power was obviously less in the 2.0 version of the Mazda but certainly not lacking in power. When I wanted it, the acceleration was there. Road holding felt OK but rather more body roll on cornering and a lot less tight than I am used to with the MG. Road noise was somewhat louder than I expected but no worse than my MG. For luxury & electronic toys there was no contest with the Mazda winning hands down. The Mazda 6 also felt somewhat more roomy than the MG - probably because it is :).


In summary - I liked the Mazda 6 enough to go for it. But it iisn't so fantastic that I won't miss my MG! But that is probably an unfair comparison. They are very different cars each with their own strengths. For a drive that in itself provides all the fun you need, the MG has the sports handling and roadholding along with the 2.5L V6 for performance. For build quality, luxury and a sensible family car that provides all round comfort with perfectly acceptable perfomance and handling the Mazda manages it.

I'm just looking at the optional accessories ( http://www.mazda.co.uk/sycomax/uploadpool/documents_UK/forecourts/brochures/Accessories_Mazda6.pdf )and I think the rear spoiler is rather overpriced and unlikely to make any noticeable difference to handling/performance. I think the twin sports exhausts look good but I'm not sure if they are more decorative than functional. Any advice on that from anyone? Will the twin sports exhaust make any difference to power or sound or are they just for show?

Just another update ...

I have finally signed on the dotted line and gone for a Mazda 6 2.3 Sport Hatchback in Contrail Silver. I just need to wait until October for it now!

I'll let you know what I think when I've got it.

Well - the story started in Feb 05 and yesterday I took delivery of my Mazda6 Hatchback Sport in Silver Contrail. Here in the UK the 6 Sport is a 2.3litre, six gear version.

I am very happy but the most striking observation is about handling. I know the 6 has had rave reviews praising it as a 'drivers car' with regard to road holding, firm suspension and sporty ride feel. I have been driving an MG ZS180 for the past 3 years and by comparison the Mazda 6 seems to roll and loll about the road like a tranist van - or a boat on a slightly choppy sea. What I don't know is whether this suggests that the MG is especially good in this department (I do believe it was exceptional), whether the Mazda 6 reviews are wrong or whether there is something funny about the particular one I've got. Driving the MG was like wearing a very well fitted leather driving glove while driving the Mazda 6 feels like wearing a pair of snow mittens! I know it will take a while to get used to and run in the Mazda and to learn about its limits.

I doubt it would make any significant difference but when it is light enough I'll go out and check the tyre pressures. I know we should stick to recommended tyre pressures but I assume a slightly higher pressure would give a firmer ride while a lower pressure would stick it to the road better. Am I right?

It is a contract hire / lease car that I will have for 3 years and then hand back so I can't do anything to it in terms of mods but has anyone got any suggestions for any tweaking that would not upset the lease company?

Also, the drivers window switches for the back and passenger windows don't appear to work at all (the switches on the relevant doors do work and the window lock switch works). Is there a setting or switch I have missed or are there any suggestions about this before I go through the hassle of going back to the dealers?

Lastly - what colour is Silver Contrail? People have suggested they can see a hint of green or blue in the silver but I'm not sure if that is just reflections of adjacent cars. I'm colour blind so haven't got a clue.

Don't get me wrong I am very happy with my new car and getting another MG wasn't a choice open to me. But has anyone got any thoughts on this.

Here is a picture of old & new car side by side:

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/eatthinkbelieve/6758473626437586960192fhrthldddfbs/newandold.jpg

I couldn't upload to the forum because it kept on saying that the file was too big - even though it wasn't!

nice

you should also try out the other mazda models, so you can get a feel for what your looking for

Nice taste in cars jonjc. I don't think you will be disappointed with your decision on the 6.

5 days on and it is certainly growing on me :).

I take the fact that I haven't managed to get the traction control to kick in as a sign that the stability and handling are so good, the traction control isn't needed so much (either that or it's broken!). So it is sticking to the road even if it doesn't feel quite so stuck down as my old MG.

I'm still overtaking and zipping around bends in all the same places with no significant increase in terror!

ins't the mg like half the size of the 6?

comparing the size of a MG to a mazda 6 is like comparing a fat donut eating cop to a marathon runner . It just is not right. And I am not talking Phat!

Not half the size. Both are family sized cars (here in the UK anyway). But the MG is smaller yes.

Length:
MGZS: 4540mm
Mazda6: 4680mm
14cm difference

Width:
MGZS: 1727mm
Mazda6: 1780mm
5.3cm difference

Height:
MGZS: 1386mm
Mazda6: 1435mm
4.9cm difference

Weight:
MGZS: 1235kg
Mazda6 2.3: 1425kg
190kg difference

The Mazda6 certainly feels a lot more roomy inside. From the outside it doesn't look vastly bigger.

ahh we have the facts! The MG is smaller. Wow. Thanks for the info!

i think the mg looks neat they should sell it in the U.S.

Nice ride- and I agree with silverracer, that MG looks cool and would probably sell here in the US but- didn't MG go out of business recently? A shame if they did. I'll try to get a pic of mine posted- it's Volcanic Red w/Sport pkg, gets a lot of looks!

Sadly MG-Rover is no more. This is the reason why I didn't/couldn't just go for another MG ZS180.

The main sadness is for 100's of workers with MG-Rover and associated businesses who have lost their jobs. But the Chinese might be buying up MG-Rover so there might be a future.

The Mazda is now at about 450 miles and loosening up nicely. Who knows - I might even work out how all the controls work!