2009 Mazda 6: Open Thread

BTW, can we get a suspension walkaround please!

I own a 2007 6i Touring 5-door w/ automatic and plan to keep it least 10 years. It has 54,000 miles on it and has had no problems. The only thing I regret is the poor quality of the factory leather. I'd like to buy a 6 again when I'm ready. I've sseen everal in the Detroit area where I live, but they were more common in Maryland/Dc area where I had a job a year ago.
Could you give me your 0-60 numbers for the 4 with an automatic again and your current gas mileage average. And comment on the quality of the leather and interior.
I think the new 6 is a great sedan with sleek lines and Mazda makes excellent cars with a sporty personality.
They should market and sell or market their cars as an alternative to a BMW and not to try to follow the crowd.

For the life of me, I can't comprehend buying a car this size with a 4 cylinder engine. Of course, it's going to be boring. I have an '09 6s GT. With the 272 hp V6, the car really comes to life. The fun factor increses exponentially. The 4 cylinder car is a compromise. You buy it because you want cheaper, you don't care about performance, or you think a handful of mpg's is going to make a difference at the end of the week (wow an extra trip to McD's!). Buy this car with the V6 and you get class-leading power, acceleration, and guts to go with the attitude.

When you provide your numbers and walk around information, could you compare yours to the V6 version. I think their is a jump between the two, which makes a difference to those people interested in going "zoom zoom" (had to say it).

I haven't experienced it myself but I've heard a few things about the car.
How is the automatic transmission? Does it seem to shift slow or take a second longer to shift into low gears from a stop? Do the automatic wipers, light and dimming mirrors work properly and consistently? How's your bluetooth connectivity?

Lastly, how do you guys set your seats using the power seats when you go from car to car, and do some cars do a better job of this feature than others?

I like the (fake) tailpipes on that V6. Looks sharp.
I would like to know how this compares to a 4 cylinder sonata, accord, camry. I would like a comparison test with some time on the track please

My 09 6i gt (stock tires etc) is my 3rd mazda sedan. First two lasted over 10 yrs each & > 120k miles w/a lot of commuting/around town miles & only one recurring issue (dr window gear would wear). My top 3 positive & negative "impressions" with just over 1k on this car are as follows (and as you can see they seem to fall into two categories):

Pros - performance.
Gearbox - near BMW -
handling - a close to neutral as you'll get in FWD.
level of electronics & so far they have worked without issue (auto headlights, wipers, Bluetooth etc)

Cons - quality
hiccup/hesitation mostly when engine cold - not since late 70s has this been an issue in any car I driven. Still being diagnosed by Mazda (? pedal, DBW sensor/programming, VVI issue?). This really impacts ride (drivetrain lash)
Poor prep by selling dealer
Front window seal along dash is coming out of place

As far as adamb1 comments of v6 over 4 - I disagree - for 90% of the drives that 90% of people take the 4 is more than enough and I would not trade the standard for the v6 speed. I honestly feel connected to this car when shifting. I've driven nearly every European brand of car including some gray markets back in the day & this gearbox is as good as any of them.

Nice looking but sure dont see many on the road....how about some sales figures?

How is the automatic transmission? Does it seem to shift slow or take a second longer to shift into low gears from a stop?

No complaints about the A/T with the V6. It down shifts quickly. When the car senses that you are driving on a curvy road, the A/T will down shift, usually to 3rd, when you break enterring a corner. This allows you to exit corners with authority. Of course, you can always put the A/T into manual mode which works well but, of course, isn't as fun as a real M/T. I have noticed under light accelaration, the car upshifts quickly from 1st to 2nd. But there is plenty of torque available to keep rolling.

Do the automatic wipers, light and dimming mirrors work properly and consistently? How's your bluetooth connectivity?

Auto wipers work well on my car. I keep them set on the most sensitive setting as I like a clear windshield. I have no complaint on the wipers. Haven't experienced and "fantom wiping." They respond well to mist and light rain too.

Lights come on predictably at the factory setting. They can be programmed to come on earlier if you want them on more often. I have never touched the auto lights. Auto dimming mirrors have worked without fail or complaint in my car.

I have been pleased with the bluetooth connectivity. It works great with my phone and paring was easy. Download of phone book to the car was easy too. One complaint. On-screen dialing only works when the car is not moving. I would like it to work when moving in case my wife wants to make a call. This could be done with the voice-activated feature. But, I see tha more as a novelty. I haven't taken the time to learn the commands and it doesn't seem to respond to me well. Maybe it's the southern accent.

Lastly, how do you guys set your seats using the power seats when you go from car to car, and do some cars do a better job of this feature than others?

Memory seats on the 6 work well. Set it with position 1 for my wife, 2 for me. (Hint, wives like having position #1 on the memory seats. Makes them feel special). Weak point; the car only automatically adjusts the seat for the driver who opens the door if the door is locked. This wouldn't be an issue if the car were parked outside at an apartment complex or parking garage as it would always be locked. However, ours stays parked in our garage. It's only ever locked in there by mistake. So, I have to get in and hold the button to get to my seat position.

"As far as adamb1 comments of v6 over 4 - I disagree - for 90% of the drives that 90% of people take the 4 is more than enough and I would not trade the standard for the v6 speed. I honestly feel connected to this car when shifting. I've driven nearly every European brand of car including some gray markets back in the day & this gearbox is as good as any of them."

I do live in Middle Tennessee. So, driving here means cruising 75-80 mph on interstates that can climb 5-7 pct grades that are 5-10 miles long. Secondary roads are often equally hilly. So, rowing a 4 cylinder to keep it in the power band instead of effortlessly powering up the mountains just isn't fun to me.

Adamb1 - I've only been in your area only once for business ( can't remember the name of the town) but I do recall those grades & I can understand why the 6 would be an advantage for that type of drive. We have some hills here in Maine but not at those speeds for those distances. Some backroads can be rollercoasterish but between the quality of the road and their age/design - things are slower and tighter. Now if they made the 6w/ a standard I'd have had a more difficult decision. Though I think the manual is losing ground as I don't think you can buy a pure GT level w/manual in 2010. I think I'd have to option out a Touring.

I seem to get the impression that this generation is less agile than the previous generation ... I like the precision in my '04 Mz6i, much more than the '09 G37x sedan (which feels in control but not a willing partner in the twisties). The 6i feels incredibly slow in comparison, but I still have more fun with it overall. It has 94k miles -- abused through the pot-hole-plagued streets of Boston, has only recently developed some rattles in the passenger side dash.

So, does the new one feel as agile as the previous generation? I don't care for the extra room in the new one... Is there hope that a Mazdaspeed6 might be made?

Adamb1- I was a little taken aback about your comments about ppl buying i4's because they dont value performance, but in your situation with the typical commute in the 75+ mph @ 5% grade, the V6 does seem to make more sense. Touche.

Ones painted white can make it three counties in south Florida before being caught.

http://www.wptv.com/Photo.aspx?content_id=33de9db7-f1c6-48c0-9ed6-43cfc5b099c8

How does the Bluetooth handsfree option work? With iPhone if possible. otehrwise some general comments. Thank you

saw some new ones on the road -- xenons definitely look good on them.

the 4-cylinder has more than enough power and torque to get you into plenty of trouble (and have FUN while you're doing it). in this type of car, (i.e., FWD "family" sedan) I put a LOT more weight on being able to drive 480 highway miles before the low-fuel light comes on, than extra torque-steer-inducing power. i hear the 6-cyl was terrible on gas. not enjoying to shift because there's a hill? get an auto.

"i hear the 6-cyl was terrible on gas."

Not really. I've averaged 20.5 mpg for full ownership time. Have gotten 26.5 during full day on the interstate @75 mph. See a lot of 18 mpg around town.

"not enjoying to shift because there's a hill? get an auto."

Not too lazy to shift. It gets old listening to a 4 cyl @ 5,000 rpm + just to make adequate power.

I'm slowly seeing more and more of these on the road. One of my professors just got a new one (a black V6 GT) and it is pretty sexy, especially with the xenons.

I mentioned this earlier, but Donna (and other editors), as the owner of a previous gen MS6 I'm curious to know how you feel about the old gen 6 compared to this new one. I'm in the market for either a new GT V6 or an old GT V6 (I'd like a V6 one in addition to my MS6). Can we get a driving dynamics/acceleration/etc. comparison before your 6 is put out to pasture?

Thanks :)

Here's the sale's figures (from the Mazda Newsroom at mazdausa.com):

October 2009 sales: 2,975
October 2008 sales: 4,040

That's a 27% decrease.

2008 sales, Jan-Oct: 49,277
2009 sales, Jan-Oct: 29,973

That's a 35% decrease.

The numbers so far for 2009 are pretty dismal. Mazda sold a total of 60,276 MAZDA6s in 2008, one of their best numbers ever. They do point out that sales for November are up 25% from October, indicating that this is simply a first year, new car, bad economy issue and that the 6's sales are "gaining momentum". Hopefully that trend continues.