Early yesterday morning, our long-term 2009 Mazda 6 i Grand Touring passed the 10,000-mile mark during a commute into Southern California's Inland Empire. At the time, I was cruising at 75 mph and enjoying the big red sedan's nicely damped ride -- it's controlled over the bumps but never too harsh. I was also listening to Morning Edition, so I wasn't fretting over the lack of bass and separation from the optional, and underwhelming, Bose audio system ($1,760 when bundled with the moonroof).
When the Mazda 6 hit 9,998 miles, I searched for an exit so that I could safely document the approaching milestone. We ended up at this lovely funeral home in the Covina hills.
Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 10,021 miles
Monocrom says:
12:19 AM, 04/22/09
Perhaps it was the Cosmos... telling you to get the V6... If you want to feel alive. ;)
1speedbike says:
01:23 AM, 04/22/09
Wait, so when you hit 9,998 miles, you went 23 miles looking for a... funeral home?? lol!
though mazda is one of my favorite brands. "fun-to-drive" factor is always an important aspect, which is why i prefer mazda/bmw/cadillac (cts/v) etc, and I'm sure fun-to-drive factor is an implicit factor in most people. even when they don't admit it..
stephen987 says:
02:34 AM, 04/22/09
10k in less than five months is a pretty good pace for a car that seems to be getting mostly negative comments from the Edmunds gang.
adavis2493 says:
04:17 AM, 04/22/09
Is it just me, or do other people still think this car looks extremely strange from the front.
dougtheeng says:
05:39 AM, 04/22/09
"10k in less than five months is a pretty good pace for a car that seems to be getting mostly negative comments from the Edmunds gang."
I think most of the negativity is from these comments, and the repeated cry about "you should have gotten the V6". Ironically, if they had the V6, I'm sure people would be screaming for the 4-cyl.
1487 says:
05:46 AM, 04/22/09
I like the front. The side view is OK but the overhangs are too long. The wheels are terrible on the I-4 model.
JoeM says:
06:05 AM, 04/22/09
Sorry, but can't resist. Did you feel a little "stiff" when you hit 10k. Second the opinion on finding the funeral home. At least their customers don't complain and they are the last folks to let you down.
Ok, now that I've got that piece of "cornpone" out of my system, a few comments. Mileage or not plus factoring in other reviews, the V-6 seems the better choice in this car. If the actual mileage figure the EPA gives for the four is pessimistic, can we assume the 6 is as well.
I've heard pros and cons on the Bose system. My question to you would be how does this system compare with the top of the line systems in the Accord, Camry, Altima, Malibu and Focus/Milan? It also seems like "greedy guts" that you can only get the sunroof with the Bose system.
Still sold on this car and want one, however.
stovt001 says:
08:55 AM, 04/22/09
Yeah Covina!
I used to think the new Mazda6 looked a little weird, but I think its growing on me and now I think it looks kinda good. Either that or the new Mazda3 just changed my standard for what looks weird.
Sounds like the only real complaint is that the 4 cyl isn't very good. OK, if you must have a 4 cyl midsize, don't get the Mazda6. If you must have the Mazda6, get the V6. This is what the LT blog is for.
zoomzoom22 says:
12:41 PM, 04/22/09
I know that the 4 cylinder is more economical and it is the engine that most people will buy, but you guys had a V6 Accord, Camry, Aura, Altima, and Sonata and I wish that you didn't get the 4 cylinder 6. It seems like the majority of your negative comments stem from this; I guess that's because you guys are used to V6 powered sedans. Why you skimped out on the GT 6 with the V6 and those gorgeous 18 inchers (the wheels here are, as 1487 said, hideous) while then buying ANOTHER powerful, fast BMW is beyond me.
zoomzoom22 says:
12:43 PM, 04/22/09
The 6 looks good from all angles, especially in black and with the V6 trimmings.
estreka says:
12:44 PM, 04/22/09
You're really impassioned with this Mazda, aren't ya Erin?
hondacura4 says:
02:17 PM, 04/22/09
I like the front and side profile but like most Japanese cars (especially Infiniti's), I hate the rear end.
altimadude00 says:
06:04 PM, 04/22/09
zoomzoom-- I own an Altima 4-cyl, and I find the engine totally adequate for my needs. It wasn't so long ago that V6s had 175hp. The 200-something HP V6 was just too much (not to mention the price difference).
I guess if you have a penchant for acceleration and speed and power, the V6 was your automatic choice.