[[HyuNi]]

I’ll be purchasing my first car in late September or early October and am planning to buy a decent sedan that has enough room to fit a couple of snowboards and people for the several trips I plan to take this Winter. I’m looking for a four door sedan that has a good look to it, has a lot of space (including trunk space), easy but fun to drive (v6 manual), and has an option to put in a built in navigation system.

Sounds simple right? … Well, I’m not willing to spend more than $24,000 for a car. I’ve really limited myself, huh?

I’ve been able to find most of what I want in a car at the right place, the 2006 (or 2007) Mazda 6 s Sport. I get a S-Plan deal with Mazda that is provided to me by the company I work for. I called the Mazda dealership around my house and asked about that S-Plan. It gives me a $2,000-2,5000 discount and includes other special offers as well.. I’ll be getting almost $5,000 off if I buy a new Mazda 6.

I test drove this baby too and I thought it was absolutely flawless. It’s got the power of a 200+ hp, yet it’s quiet as a kitten’s purr.

What I didn’t like about the car was trunk space. It was a little cramped and didn’t allow part of the back seat to fold down to put stuff like snowboards into. Another thing I didn’t like was the interior material. It felt like cheap fabric you find at Walmart. Am I being too picky?

I’m pretty sure this car is THE ONE, but… what I wanted to know if there were any problems with this vehicle such as:
· Maintenance issues
· Long-term comfort issues
· Parts and repair costs
· Driving in rain/snow conditions
· Rusting problems
· Brake problems
· Financing issues

Also, if you guys have tips or guidelines that will help me at the dealership so I won’t get less than what I paid for, I would really appreciate it. Since it’s my first experience purchasing a car, I want to go in with as much information as possible.

-John

[TKY]

My friend has a Mazda6 and it has and had tons of problems. Google.com is your friend.

[aznfishyfart]

get a camry se
lots of room....4 doors large trunk...folding read seats
and the se has the sportier suspension
im not sure if u can get a v6 with manual though
mantinence is low....should last u a while
but thats jsut my opinion =P

[boost]

$24K, you got lots of options for good cars. Start visiting dealers and test drive cars

[Born: 1985]

' date='Aug 11 2006, 12:15 PM' post='3416072']
Another thing I didn’t like was the interior material. It felt like cheap fabric you find at Walmart. Am I being too picky?

My brother-in-law has the 2006 edition. I like it. He's got black leather interior and IMO it feels nice (not cheap).
He's had it for awhile now and I haven't heard him complain.
Maybe you should test drive other cars and then test drive the Mazda again.

Everyone's picky when buying a new car, some people are too critical though.

[marvinoppa]

please use the pertinent stickied thread. mod please close.

[FusionGT2]

My friend has a Mazda6 and it has and had tons of problems. Google.com is your friend.

That doesnt sound too reassuring. I was gona look at a Mazda6 as a next car too. But shoot, with the price of gas raising so fast, I think ill stick to my lil toys (motorcycles)

[Renesis]

I have three friends that own this car. Two hatch and one sedan. Ive heard no complains from them. It handles better than the accord and camry. I think the interior looks nice. The leather seems to be of good quality. The fabric does not feel cheap lol. well good luck there are many cars out there in that price range. for few thousands more, try to get the Mazdaspeed version. hehe

[Laxntiga]

I drive a camry now. Dont get it, its trash (4cyl one). Its so boring to drive that car its dangerous - I can almost fall asleep in it.

From what im reading above, the 6 got some issues. I suggest you look at the Subaru Legacy, and a WRX is always a good bet.

[xWiReDx]

The Mazda 3 is probably the only sedan worth looking at from Mazda. It handles well, decent power, plenty of space, full of features, and a much better interior layout. Give it a drive, you might like it. After all, purchasing a car that fits you is extremely important because it's a major investment. Given your circumstances, looking at other car companies might not be so bad.

[[HyuNi]]

Thanks for the input guys.

When you guys are talking about problems, you're not really getting too specific. It's hard to decide whether or not it's a good buy if you say it's bad, but don't tell me why.

I am about 90% sure that I'm going to purchase this car though. I don't want to look at other car companies because I don't get the S-Plan discount other than Mazda. All the other cars you guys mentioned are WAY over my budget (if I get navigation). With navi on the mazda 6, I would be able to get it for about $22.000.

For those of you who said that the interior was made of leather, what model is it? I'm most likely getting the Mazda 6 s Sport. I think you guys may have been talking about the MazdaSPEED. I didn't see a leather option on the model I'm looking at.


Thanks for your input! I'll keep you guys updated!

-John

[hailing from ny]

There's leather seating in the Grand Touring model, a step up from the Sport version.

[racerzuo]

John...just get a Mazda 3~!!! fully loaded...good one

[[HyuNi]]

John...just get a Mazda 3~!!! fully loaded...good one

It's too small!
I might as well get a civic.

Plus, you were so wrong about the 3 and the 6 being "almost" the same.
I test drove the 6. It's luxury... haha for a $20K car.

oh yeah and Mike, I got good news ^^

-John

[ZiGeNX77]

please use the pertinent stickied thread. mod please close.

Haha it's ok Marvin. He is asking about one car only. Even better, it isn't about a Civic which has been asked about a gajillion times.

[tiienchi]

I've read a few review of the mazda 6 speed clutch. I'm not sure personally, but a lot of people seemed to agree in that review. I dunno if you test drove an automatic or manual, but the manual one people said the catch point was a bit troublesome to find and the gears weren't exactly fit smoothly. Ever since I read that review, I've been really skeptical on the 6

[Bboy_CL1]

im not into mazda's but my friend's M6 had prob.'s

[BusterWolfe]

i've heard from the Mazda dealer that the Mazda 6 has computer issues... Thats of course on the automatic...

[jphase]

my friend has the mazda 3, it's pretty nice.. very peppy little car.. a guy at church has the mazda 6, i like it alot. looks hott, interior is nice, i'd get it..