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Author Topic: Mazda 6i - Driver's car?  (Read 8868 times)

Offline dugrant153

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Mazda 6i - Driver's car?
« on: October 20, 2004, 10:07:53 pm »
I was looking at the Mazda 6i cuz... well, it's got super sexy lines!! I like it a lot!

However, I'mt hinking of the 2.3L 4-cylinder engine because of the gas draw from the V6.

I also see that it weighs a lot. 3000 lbs! wow!

Should I go for something lighter and smaller for more sporty driving? Or does this car still handle like a true sports sedan, even with the i4?
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Smainville

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Mazda 6i - Driver's car?
« Reply #1 on: October 21, 2004, 06:26:24 am »
A true sports sedan might be stretching it, but it is the most spirited and fun to drive of all similar models.  Have you tried it yet?
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Offline davidm

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Mazda 6i - Driver's car?
« Reply #2 on: October 21, 2004, 12:59:24 pm »
Many people prefer the i4 to the V6 in character.  It is a FWD sedan with sporty intentions, but it is not designed to hang with the classic sports sedans - 3-series, IS300, G35, etc..  Still, I like the best of the bunch its designed to compete with (Accord, Camry, Altima).

Lighter is always better, but finding a sedan under 3000lbs today would be, dare I say, impossible!?!
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Offline ghost

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Mazda 6i - Driver's car?
« Reply #3 on: October 21, 2004, 03:50:57 pm »
IIRC Rx-8 is a hair below 3000lbs. It has 4 doors and insurance company list it as a sedan...
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Offline davidm

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Mazda 6i - Driver's car?
« Reply #4 on: October 21, 2004, 04:33:15 pm »
Ok, ya got me.  A "true" sedan under 3000 lbs is pretty near impossible to find - anyone finds one point me to it as I'll buy it!

Another reason I like the RX-8 alot and thought hard about it.  Couldn't convince the wife it was practical enough and that I would put bikes on the roof.
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Offline Oz

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Mazda 6i - Driver's car?
« Reply #5 on: October 21, 2004, 08:07:57 pm »
It handles better than any other similar sized sedan in the price range.

If you care more about gas mileage go with the 6i. But I found that it lacks low end torque.

Infact the way that the 6s engine is tuned, you get most of your torque after 2nd gear with 3K+ RPMs. For a FWD car under 30K that handles like a RWD (absolutely minimal torque steer) the 6 is a steal.

Stock, the 6 isnt a car for those that want high power in a straight line. There is a new MAF customizer and intake out that adds 25ish HP to the wheels. Im seriosuly considering it for spring.
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Offline dugrant153

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Mazda 6i - Driver's car?
« Reply #6 on: October 21, 2004, 09:47:19 pm »
I haven't tried driving it, but I did drive the 3i (the Mazda 3 GS here in Canada). I did find it plenty fun once you get the RPMS up and its still potent when you push it to go up a hill. When I was going up a steep hill that most cars struggle with, the Mazda 3 just pushed on.

Now this brings me to the Mazda 6 4-cylinder. I'm not looking for something that'll beat Mustangs in a drag race. But I am looking for something that can carve tight twisty roads and autocross courses, but it still nimble (or atleast powerful) enough to hang out there. Obviously not with the super high end luxury cars :-)

What I like about the MAzda6 =  
1) Space. MAzda 3 didn't have a lot of it. Trunk opening was super small. And Mazda 3 has this huge C-pillar (A-pillar) that blocks your shoulderchecking view... a big minus for me.
2) Looks. Not everyone likes it, but I do. it's the nicest car on the road.  
3) Gas mileage. Not sure whether it's good at this, but Canadiandriver was stating... uhh... just a hair under 10L/100km in city for the i4.
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Offline HeliDriver

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Mazda 6i - Driver's car?
« Reply #7 on: October 21, 2004, 09:49:02 pm »
Better get out your chequebook, Davidm. A fully loaded Honda Civic Si Sedan comes in at 2663 lbs, according to the Honda website.

(Yeah, yeah, I know.... you meant a "real" sedan...)
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Offline saint11

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Mazda 6i - Driver's car?
« Reply #8 on: October 21, 2004, 10:18:30 pm »
a civic is a compact man!  

i have a 6. its pretty sporty.
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Offline WW

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Mazda 6i - Driver's car?
« Reply #9 on: October 22, 2004, 02:32:31 am »
Well, the Civic Si is MARKETED as a sports sedan so why not?
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Offline ghost

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Mazda 6i - Driver's car?
« Reply #10 on: October 22, 2004, 12:39:41 pm »
then might as well add the Lancer, Chevy stuff, corolla, any Kia, Elantra... the sky's the limit in the world of compacts.
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S60

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Mazda 6i - Driver's car?
« Reply #11 on: October 22, 2004, 01:08:36 pm »
The Mazda 6 is one of the best handling FWD autos
to be had IMHO.
Mazda I believe used the A4 as a benchmark when developing the suspension,  
and did a hell of a good job.
Of course for you RWD drivers it cannot match your needs.

Mazda6 is indeed a sporty driver, and seems to fullfil your needs Dugrant.
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Offline davidm

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Mazda 6i - Driver's car?
« Reply #12 on: October 22, 2004, 01:52:42 pm »
I forgot to add my RWD requirement to my criteria ...

That said, I was quite impressed with the Mazda6 handling for a FWD sedan.  Although, I much prefered the engine, handling, and transmission of the TSX, but that's a fair bit more money than the 6i.
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Offline ghost

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Mazda 6i - Driver's car?
« Reply #13 on: October 22, 2004, 03:44:11 pm »
I think it looks plain pretty amongst the current FWD sedans. I'd get the 6 Sport but my friend beat me to it. So I gotta get the upcoming Porsche sedan.

(Message edited by ghost on October 22, 2004)
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Offline dugrant153

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Mazda 6i - Driver's car?
« Reply #14 on: October 22, 2004, 06:32:20 pm »
Well, after test driving the Mazda 3 a few months back, I decided to take a look at the Mazda 6i.  

Pros:  
-Sporty, tight (Almost said "toit", like that guy from Austin Powers) suspension.  
-Great interior material.  
-Loads of fun after 3000 rpm.  
-Spacious interior and trunk.  
-The 6-y look!!!  
-Dials easy to find.  
-I can shoulder check on this thing!!! (No huge A-pillar blind spot like the Mazda 3).  

Cons:  
-Mileage?  
-Not a lot of power before 2500 rpm.  
-Automatic not for hardcore junkies  
-manumatic portion of the automatic transmission was sticky and notchy.  

Basically, I do like the car. I turned off TCS half way through the drive and didn't notice a difference. The road was wet, but I guess I wasn't going fast enough to really make things "fun".  

Anyways, my main beef is the lack of power in the "normal city driving range" (700-2500 rpm). Unlike the Ralliart I test drove, this car needed to stay in a lower gear to get up hills and what not. It was fine once you hit 3000rpm (then it felt almost like a kick in the pants and you'd go FLYING) but below that, it almost... "struggled".  

Anyways, the car's great  Is the car a lot faster (And better on gas) with the 5-spd?
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Offline Oz

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Mazda 6i - Driver's car?
« Reply #15 on: October 22, 2004, 07:35:33 pm »
The new '05 has a 6 speed atx that supposedly eats less HP and has better ratios.

Lack of low end torque is nothing new in 4 banger midsizers. A lot of 4 banger owners at mazda6club are actually pretty hapy with their vehicles.

If you really want an enthusiast Mazda 6, look into a V6. It eats TSXs for lunch.
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S60

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Mazda 6i - Driver's car?
« Reply #16 on: October 22, 2004, 07:47:29 pm »
The manual tranny brings the 2.3 to life.
Do yourself a favour and test drive the car
with the MT
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Offline Black Hatch

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Mazda 6i - Driver's car?
« Reply #17 on: October 22, 2004, 08:08:23 pm »
Well.. oops i came to this discussion late.
I have the automatic... and i agree its abit weak
But its fine for normal driving..  

The 160hp I4 on the mazda6 is comparable to  
the 160hp on the Accord
the 165hp on the Legacy
the 157hp on the Camry
(though the Altima is up to 175hp)

I think the mazda6 is the best value for a sports sedan...  
its closest competition would be the TSX at 10k more. (Come to think of it it looks almost identical to a TSX)
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Offline saint11

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Mazda 6i - Driver's car?
« Reply #18 on: October 22, 2004, 10:40:46 pm »
since i have an accord, 6 and legacy i'll add my 2 cents. all 4 cyls

legacy and accord are very smooth and they feel torquier. while the 6 is not. the 6 tho, will out handle those cars with no problem.
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Offline WW

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« Reply #19 on: October 23, 2004, 12:57:07 am »
Does the Mazda 6 really out handle the Legacy?
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