After 24 used cars this was my first new one!
Written: Dec 08 '04 (Updated Dec 08 '04)
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Pros: Value, healthy 220 HP V6, decent handling, Great styling inside and out
Cons: Mass-produced, leading to many "twin" encounters. Side air-bags NOT standard equipment.
The Bottom Line: Best overall value in it's class for power, styling, quality, and reliability.
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| epinionated's Full Review: 2004 Mazda Mazda6 |
Well, finally, after owning 24 used cars - usually cool ones like Porsche 911s, BMW M3, Corvette, etc. - I decided it was time for a nice (new) family sedan.
First Impressions:
With involvement (and utter domination) in many regional and national racing series with a variety of platforms, Mazda has made a name for themselves as a sporty, hip, stylish, and practical choice in this crowded new car space. They have transformed their entire lineup into an exciting and performance-oriented brand that seems to have shed the foreign Ford stepchild image.
A little over a year ago I picked out a classic Silver V6 sedan with the Sports Package and 5-speed tranny. The '04 is a great looking package - with no "tacked-on" front and rear pieces like the '03 models. The ground effects have been smoothly integrated with the bumpers. The rear spoiler is also a tasteful touch which adds needed visual balance to the rear end. The fit and finish are impeccable. Doors thud closed (ala BMW 3 series); interior controls are thoughtfully arranged and pleasingly tactile. Materials are a good balance of practical and up-scale. Visual displays are sporty in appearance and where you'd expect them to be. Ergonomically, the arrangement makes sense. The leather-wrapped steering wheel has excellent feel and the well-designed controls on the wheel are easy to use. You really miss them when you drive something else - especially, the mute button for the stereo.
Engine Performance, Handling, and Braking:
The peppy DURATEC V6 (standard in the Taurus and others) gets a tricked-out 24 Valve head from Mazda with a sporty dual exhaust system to match. The power seems a little reluctant to make an appearance until about 4000 rpm when it comes in full song. The exhaust note under hard acceleration is pleasing yet not tinny or too loud - a timbre reminiscent of a late-model 330i. With 220 HP on tap, there's not another serious competitor within a few thousand dollars that can come close.
After autocrossing this car in the rain and winning first place overall at a regional autocross I can tell you that this car has serious potential for competition if that's something you are interested in. If you're familiar with how front wheel drive cars handle at the limit, you will love this one. Turn off the traction control under dry conditions and the car simply excels. It's uncharacteristically tail happy when pushed while trail braking through a tight corner. For those who prefer a rear-wheel drive car at the limit - this tendency brings smiles galore at the track.
The brakes, however, are not as pleasing under pressure. After a 2-day track event at Virginia International Raceway's South Course the stock pads had little life left. Under the high temperatures, the stock material glazed on the rotors a bit leading to a pulsating pedal from slightly warping the rotors. After machining a bit off the rotors the following week, the solid pedal feel bounced back. I highly recommend switching to track pads if you are planning any aggressive driving in this car. When searching for aftermarket pads, the ONLY place that had any front pads was CarboTech. A follow-up event at the same track with a new set of the Panther Plus compound pads made all the difference, allowing me to dive into the corners deeper and trail brake with more confidence. As you might have guessed, that additional performance comes at the cost of more dust and squeaking (not to mention about 2x the stock replacement pad cost).
Price and Warranty:
After test driving the Audi A4 (1.8T) and Acura TSX, both seemed a little underpowered when compared to the capable "6", yet the price on the Mazda was about $6-7K less! With an "S" plan discount (available through some employers and auto clubs) I paid just over $21K for my well-equipped Mazda 6 (V6, Sports Package). With the warranty on Mazda now running 4 years/50K miles it's a great overall package with little downside. In my experience the Mazda Dealership has outstanding customer service and has been among the best experiences at any dealership. Watch out for the resale value, though. Because there's a glut of these (and other similar) models out there, the first year depreciation is about 28% - so you should hang on to a good thing.
Happy Motoring...
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 21300
Condition: New
Model Year: 2004
Model and Options: V6 Sports Package
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Epinions.com ID:
epinionated
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Location: Salem, VA
Reviews written: 49
Trusted by: 85 members
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