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Re: kid friendly? (Reply to this comment)
by mkaresh,  in Cars & Motorsports
I'm not sure how the Mazda6 measures up in this area. Consumer Reports offers a unique "door top to ground" spec, but this is only a rough indicator. I've noticed on my Protege5 that the door opening is nice and high compared to sedans I've owned. This is probably often the case with wagons becuase the roofline doesn't dip as it often does with sedans.
One possibility to consider is a crossover like the new Volvo-based Ford Freestyle, which splits the height difference between wagons and SUVs. I hope to drive a Freestyle soon, but one must first make it to dealers--they've been delayed to resolve unspecified issues.
Another possibility in the Subaru Legacy/Outback--though its rear seat is tight.
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Sep 10 '04
9:20 am PDT
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kid friendly? (Reply to this comment)
by penang
We are considering upgrading from a ford focus to wagon to accommodate a second small child. We like the tall door sill on the focus, as this avoids all head bumps when assisting children into their seats. Other cars we tried earlier often were not tall for us in the door sill area. Do you think the mazda6 will suit us? Can you suggest another alternative in this range?
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Sep 09 '04
4:59 am PDT
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One of the better reviews but may I quibble? (Reply to this comment)
by larry_w
I have driven several of the cars you were comparing as I am in the market for a sports sedan. To some degree I came to the same conclusions. I do have some unique requirements that narrowed the field for me. I am 6'4" and trying to find head room and a comforatable driving position is my first order of business. That eliminated the Altima beacuse if you wanted any options at all you got the sunroof and then I didn't fit. The Maxima was powerful and has a well appointed interior (I'm sure the styling was take it or leave it for some). I even managed to test the 265HP manual 6 speed and though exciting , the car was on the edge of becoming unmanageable. Three issues made me decide against the car...1) the price was out of my range (though if it's THE car, you can always justify it) 2) the exterior styling (mostly that tasteless grill!!) 3) unrefined handling. That leaves the Camry SE, Accord EX and Mazda6. I was less than excited about the Camry. I even had a loyal Toyota diehard with me and they were dissappointed as well. The good points are 1) roomy and comfortable interior 2)reasonable exterior styling 3)refined power 4)maintainability. The bad points were 1)interior styling (you actually like that gauge cluster in the SE??) 2)handling 3) NO MANUAL TRANNY for the V6. I really tried to like the Camry...I did. Now on to the Accord...to be honest, I never tested the Accord EX sedan. I should have to fair to the Camry. My guess was that I would find the sedan somewhat more refined in some areas (like handling, interior appointments) but less desirable in others (price, exterior styling). I went to the top and tested the manual 6 speed V6 Accord Coupe. It looks like you can get this one way...loaded. That is quite a drawback to me overall with Honda. They pretty much package cars a certain way and all you pick is the color. If you thought the Mazda option packages were confusing at least you have some choices there. So, back to the Accord Coupe. I enjoyed the inerior the best of all the cars though it was the most snug fitting (a bit too much for me but probably just right for you). Good points 1) power 2)shifting (aahhhhh...it was a delight) 3)interior styling and quality of materials. The bad points 1)torque steer (though no where near as bas as the Maxima) 2)layout of controls and readability of gauges (I think I could have gotten used to it) 3)lack of rear seat room 4)exterior styling!!! What were they thinking...let's take a high quality car and make it look like an econobox? The tail looks OK but the front...whoa! 5) Price. This dealer was the most inflexible. Pretty much sticker and that's that. So Honda doesn't cut it for me. Down to the Mazda6. Good points 1)exterior styling 2)handling 3)price. Bad points 1)shifting 2)low end power 3)mileage. Mazda was one of the few cars where I could at least order the car pretty much the way I wanted it so I could at least fit in it (as in NO SUNROOF). The driving position was pretty good IF I had leather seats (I need the power seat to get the seating where I have the headroom and the thigh support that I want). With the leather you get those red gauges too, shades of Audi I suppose. No torque steer and very predictable and pleasant to drive. A snug fit for me and NOT loose around the elbows. I also noticed what I though was a mushy gas pedal. I have read that some folks said it was a delay of about .5 seconds and that grounding the throttle body improved the responsiveness of the throttle (it's an electronic throttle). And the shifter needs something for sure. One thing I found aggravating was color choices. I liked the yellow of the 2003 but it is discontinued for 2004. So I ended up liking the redfire metallic. But then the 5-door came out and you can't get that in redfire metallic. I may just get the sedan to get the color I want. The spoiler makes the trunk lid difficult to open because of the added weight. I agree with you comments on the arm rest and console facia. More substance needed for both. The dealer had a Mazda6 on a lift for display and I took a good look. Some sloppy welding evident. Parts on the exhaust system already showing signs of rust. 4(!?) cats on the car! Why four? Oil changes will be somewhat messy and you will need to wait for the car to cool down before accessing the filter because one of the cats is right there. Changing the accessory belt on the front of the engine looks tough. If it wasn't for the engine cover, the lack of organization in the engine compartment would be more evident. Wires and hoses all over the place (the Honda was most impressive here...very clean under the hood). All in all though, the Mazda FIT me. I could get what I wanted on it (for the most part), it was pleasant and fun to drive (for the most part) and the price was very reasonable.
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Apr 07 '04
10:27 am PDT
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poor review (Reply to this comment)
by spottty
mkaresh,you have reviewed almost every car I like and each one get, (a) a poor score and proper bashing,or (b) a review that sounds good at first but then agin get bashed.
spotty
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Apr 01 '04
12:30 pm PST
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Good, honest pro-and con- assessment.... (Reply to this comment)
by NFP
...though I'm pleased with the value for money aspect of my 2004 6S. And it is fun enough to drive for me.
cheers,
nick
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Mar 24 '04
10:39 am PST
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Re: The Mazda Dealer (Reply to this comment)
by mkaresh, in Cars & Motorsports
As stated in my review, I drove the 6 right before deciding to buy the P5. The dealer I bought the car from was plenty nice the whole time. Another dealer I've often visited before was less pleasant, partly because they'd decided I was never going to buy a car. Since they carry five brands, I got a bit overexposed there. I almost bought from them anyway, but they could not get the car I wanted.
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Nov 17 '03
8:31 pm PST
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The Mazda Dealer (Reply to this comment)
by kenikov
I know it may be vexatious that I ask so many odd and seemingly pointless questions, so I hope you don't mind (if you do, please do tell).
I was just wondering, out of curiosity if you drove up to the Mazda dealer in your new Mazda Protege5. If so, was the treatment at the dealership different? Were they a bit nicer?
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Nov 17 '03
8:04 pm PST
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