2009 Mazda6 i Grand Touring: Ghost in the Machine

has anyone driven the car or does everyone just sit in it in the parking lot?

I see a screen swap in your future. Since it seems to happen in all modes - i.e. all applications - then it likely isn't something related to programming. If that were the case, then every screen in every Mazda6 (or is it Mazda Mazda6?) would consistently exhibit the same behavior. Sounds like a unique defect, and as things go with black boxes like this, dealers are more inclined to replace the part.

I can't help but wonder about a future where cars stuffed to the gills with electronics go dark or wonky with growing frequency. It's one thing to upgrade your iPod when it goes on the fritz after 18 months. But a car? The future isn't happy.

Wonderful foreign reliability and quality. Those things never go wrong.

stovt, I'm unconvinced that this is indicative of "foreign reliability and quality". A little nav screen glitch does not mean the car is a resounding failure.

"Wonderful foreign reliability and quality. Those things never go wrong."

The same foreign brand/make LCD would go into a GM or Ford product, lol. American companies don't make things like LCDs....

I wonder how much debate there was when GE shut down its television division? Were there rallies of patriotism then, or did everyone happily continue buying Sony?

stovt...actually domestic reliability and quality. Ford owns Mazda. It just looks like a bad LCD, time to go back to Mazda

This navi is the same Denso unit that's in the Toyota/Lexus range, so I'm sure this is just a glitch with this unit as it's been in the CX-7/9 with no widespread issues like these so to speak.

"stovt...actually domestic reliability and quality. Ford owns Mazda. It just looks like a bad LCD, time to go back to Mazda"

Actually, Ford owns just 33.4% of Mazda, and they are reducing their ownership to just over 13 percent. Oh, and the Mazda6 is assembled at Auto Alliance International in Flint, Michigan, alongside the Ford Mustang (as were the Mazda MX-6, Ford Probe, Mazda 626, and Mercury Cougar). This is one of the few UAW transplant factories.

Sounds like a simple glitch and/or bad screen. The resolution looks pretty low though- text seems grainy.

Sounds like a bad screen to me, programming wouldn't do this to you. I see a complete head-unit swap in your future (I seriously doubt the dealer has the resources to actually replace *just* the LCD)

Ya! Buy screens made in the USA!
...Are there any screens made in the USA?

Ford doesn't own Mazda at all now. And I'm just saying, if we'll nitpick any little problem as proof positive that all domestic cars are nothing but complete pieces of crap, it has to go both ways. This wouldn't be accepted in the Aura. Why should we accept it in a Mazda? Just because Mazda is Japanese? Puh-leeze.

stovt001

You can make that comment when the steering starts clunking.

"Ford doesn't own Mazda at all now."

I hate repeating myself... Ford still owns just over 13% of Mazda.

Would this have been acceptable in the Aura? It's really more of a cosmetic blemish than anything else... the display is still fully functional. I say it would have been acceptable in the Aura, if that would have been one of just a few problems (are any vehicles produced that are 100% defect free?). But the Aura spent 33 days out of service... that's Lemon Law territory here in California (30 days is the magic number). A problem like this would probably have been the straw that broke the camel's back.

Personally, I like the Aura. There was only one problem... I looked at the new Malibu in the same afternoon. It was clear that all of the lessons learned from the Aura were implemented in the Malibu. I doubt most consumers have any major problems with their Aura during the first few years... I'm sure the Edmunds car was a fluke. If I was in the market for a new mid-size sedan, the Aura and Malibu would be on my short list, along with this Mazda6. But the new Fusion Hybrid has my interest piqued.

This Mazda6, specifically designed for the USA market, is still built in Flat Rock Michigan, with a "UAW" sticker on its window. Built by unionized Americans, right in the same factory as the Ford Mustang.

As un-American as the Ford Mustang is.
Except its headlights work. I had a rental Ford Mustang and I could not see crap at night with its god awful head lights...

I agree with jstandefer. And for the record, I find my 08 Malibu LTZ's handling, steering feel, and braking to be top-notch, pretty much as described for the 6 here. If I were thinking of shopping for a new midsized sedan in the next six months to a year, it'd be a toss-up between:

- 2010 Ford Fusion Sport (3.5l equipped)
- Malibu LTZ 3.6 (what I have now)
- Mazda 6s

in that order. The Fusion seems to be hitting all the right buttons for me now, in terms of styling, feature content, and powertrain. The Malibu has both styling and powertrain. While the 6 has feature content and powertrain. With nearly all else being equal now, I rank styling a high priority (don't care for some of the softness of the new 6, the rx8 inspired front fenders, or the funky cut exhaust outlets). Powertrain is next, but all three have this covered well. Finally there's feature content, and while I love my Bu, both the others have this over it (in the current version, anyway- really needs the availability of built-in nav, and dual zone auto climate control, in addition to the now existing bluetooth and soon-to-arrive USB connectivity). Hence my ranking.

The new Fusion definitely has me intrigued. The Malibu looks better inside and out but the Fusion has more features for the dollar. I see absolutely no reason to buy and Accord, Carmy or Altima when I get a Fusion with more bang for the buck and superior styling. The only thing I don't like are the 18" rims on the sport model.

I saw two 6s last night. Nice looking but the fender flares ruin the design. However, at least they didn't butcher the front end like the did on the new 3.