First Drive: 2009 Mazda 6

[senseamp]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: senseamp

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: raildogg
I also get between 27-30 MPG on my Honda Accord V6.

I would like a 4 cylinder car to get above 30MPG. That is the reason why I am not considering Mazda 3 anymore.

I'm averaging over 30mpg combined (55%/45% city/hwy) with my '08 Focus. The Mazda3 is based on the Euro MK2 Focus platform (aka 'C1' chassis). The current US Focus is a rework of the older MK1 / 1.5 Focus platform, and as such, weighs considerably less. Anyway, worth a look. I thought about Mazda3, but the fuel economy of the 2.3 is pretty poor, and the 2.0 with all that extra weight doesn't seem like a great idea either.

It's not the weight, it's the gearing that's hurting fuel economy.
It got a 2.3L engine, but I think they use the gearbox from the 1.6L and 2L versions, even though they could gear it taller due to more torque.

That's a fair element to consider as well, but surely the weight has some impact.

2008 Focus Coupe ~ 2550lbs
2008 Focus Sedan ~2600lbs

2008 Mazda3 2.0 Sedan ~2900lbs
2008 Mazda3 2.3 Sedan ~2950lbs

^^ using Edmunds, which may not be 100% accurate, but I've seen the same '08 Focus weight numbers at multiple sites.

In the city, yes, but highway not so much, it's the gearing and aerodynamics.

 

[Arkaign]

Fair enough. They're both pretty nice cars for the money. Any word on gearing or other changes with the forthcoming new Mazda3 gen?

 

[coldmeat]

The front end looks like an RX-8. It doesn't suit a sedan.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: vi edit

At 6' I've had to shove the seat back to the end of the rails on pretty any Japanese car I've owned. And when I do that, I cut into any room that the back seat had.

It's interesting that you mention it because my Passat seat actually traveled so far back that me feet couldn't even reach the pedals. And when I was in a comfortable driving position there was a pile of leg room behind me.

It's not about being fat, which was my point. It's about adding legroom inches which is something that I appreciate.

something i've noticed on all the japanese cars that i've driven is that the tilt steering wheel only tilts down. you can't tilt it up like on an american car and give yourself some extra legroom under the wheel. it also means that you may be forced into a position further away from the wheel than you might otherwise.

(note, i know the wheel goes both up and down, my point is that the wheel only has about half the travel of any american car i've driven)

 

[Howard]

Too bad they had to tinker with the exterior of the Japanese model. That one looks sweet.

 

[Throckmorton]

Originally posted by: redgtxdi
Well, I have to knock the dark interior. Having owned both types, I love a lighter interior. Whether grey or tan, too dark gets dirty (think dusty) faster, hotter in summer and I dunno.....maybe it's the contrast, but it just starts to wear on the eyes after a while. (just imo)


BUT...........


NO MORE TEZZ-ASS TAIL LIGHTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Finally (for the love of all things holy) somebody ditched 'em!!!!!!!


Hopefully this is the start of a trend!!

It's not just IYO. An earth tone colored interior reduces mental fatigue vs black or grey. This is why a lot of planes now have beige interior.

 

[dug777]

Looks fugly compared to the one we get

 

[andylawcc]

Originally posted by: coldmeat
The front end looks like an RX-8. It doesn't suit a sedan.

quite on the contrary, it makes it look better.

interior and exterior are winnars! and horsepower numbers are finally on par with competition. the only thing is the rather poor fuel economy, which seems to be plaguing not only the 6 but also the others too (I was shock to see Accord's K24 4 banger gets less than 30 mpg on highway).

I don't think the car manufacturer are going in the right direction with the "more hp, less mpg". In a family sedan I suppose no one would give a sh1t if it can go 0-60 in less than 8 seconds, but I guess them big auto company did their research right.

 

[andylawcc]

also, the Ford's 3.5 V6 got bumped to 3.7? I hope that engine would trickle down (or up) to all the Ford cars.

 

[Shawn]

Ugly. I liked the old design better.

 

[owlface]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
What does the Euro version look like?

It's too bad that fat people dictate that we get bigger cars here in the USA.

I would be fine with a smaller, nimbler, more efficient Euro version.

America has people that bigger not only in width, but also in height. I am 6'4" and I currently drive a Camry. Even with the seat all the way back, the bottom of my thighs don't touch the seat cushion. After about half an hour of driving my lower back begins to go numb. I welcome larger cars.

 

[BigSmooth]

I think the current design has aged very well. This new one looks pretty good also. Are the hatchback/wagon being discontinued for the U.S.?

 

[PricklyPete]

Originally posted by: vi edit

At 6' I've had to shove the seat back to the end of the rails on pretty any Japanese car I've owned. And when I do that, I cut into any room that the back seat had.

It's interesting that you mention it because my Passat seat actually traveled so far back that me feet couldn't even reach the pedals. And when I was in a comfortable driving position there was a pile of leg room behind me.

It's not about being fat, which was my point. It's about adding legroom inches which is something that I appreciate.

I've noticed that German cars always provide more than enough room for my 6'5" frame regardless of their size. I've been driving as rentals a lot of Golfs, Passats, A3's, A4's, 3 Series, and C classes and all of them more than accommodate my size. The back seat most certainly suffers...but that is still not an issue with me as I don't have kids and the rare times I have back seat occupants...I can adjust a bit and they can just deal with it for the short haul.

Now I've had the very opposite experience with Japanese cars. Many times I barely fit and there is never any "side" room for my legs...they are nearly always bumping against things they are not supposed to be bumping up against. When I was looking 6+ years back for a midsize Japanese car, nearly half of them I immediately crossed off my list just because I didn't like how I fit in the drivers seat. I remember being particularly disappointed by the accord of the time (not last generation...the one before).

 

[PricklyPete]

Originally posted by: redgtxdi
Well, I have to knock the dark interior. Having owned both types, I love a lighter interior. Whether grey or tan, too dark gets dirty (think dusty) faster, hotter in summer and I dunno.....maybe it's the contrast, but it just starts to wear on the eyes after a while. (just imo)

Couldn't disagree more...I love Audi interiors and they are definitely dark...but they do it right. That being said...different strokes for different folks.

 

[PricklyPete]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: raildogg
I also get between 27-30 MPG on my Honda Accord V6.

I would like a 4 cylinder car to get above 30MPG. That is the reason why I am not considering Mazda 3 anymore.

I'm averaging over 30mpg combined (55%/45% city/hwy) with my '08 Focus. The Mazda3 is based on the Euro MK2 Focus platform (aka 'C1' chassis). The current US Focus is a rework of the older MK1 / 1.5 Focus platform, and as such, weighs considerably less. Anyway, worth a look. I thought about Mazda3, but the fuel economy of the 2.3 is pretty poor, and the 2.0 with all that extra weight doesn't seem like a great idea either.

Not to derail this thread...but didn't you used to drive an M5?

 

[StageLeft]

These are class-leading numbers, but the fuel mileage figures drop to 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway

That is absolutely egregious city gas mileage, shocking actually.

 

[PricklyPete]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

These are class-leading numbers, but the fuel mileage figures drop to 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway

That is absolutely egregious city gas mileage, shocking actually.

Agreed...it is definitely a lot worse than I would like as well...even a 335 with 300 horses gets better than that (19/26 if I remember correctly).

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: BigSmooth
I think the current design has aged very well. This new one looks pretty good also. Are the hatchback/wagon being discontinued for the U.S.?

I hope the hatch isn't.. I love my mom's 5 door, just wish the v6 gave better fuel economy. the 2.3L is a bit underpowered for my tastes.

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Fair enough. They're both pretty nice cars for the money. Any word on gearing or other changes with the forthcoming new Mazda3 gen?

I hope so... I hate the 1st-2nd gearing. It sucks quite a bit in rush hour. But I have averaged about 27mpg since the life of my car, a mix of about 65-70% highway/30-35% city.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: PricklyPete

Originally posted by: Skoorb

These are class-leading numbers, but the fuel mileage figures drop to 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway

That is absolutely egregious city gas mileage, shocking actually.

Agreed...it is definitely a lot worse than I would like as well...even a 335 with 300 horses gets better than that (19/26 if I remember correctly).

It's 2 mpg worse than a maxima of about the same weight and only a dozen horses less. 2 mpg less than an avalon with same weight/horsepower.

 

[senseamp]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: PricklyPete

Originally posted by: Skoorb

These are class-leading numbers, but the fuel mileage figures drop to 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway

That is absolutely egregious city gas mileage, shocking actually.

Agreed...it is definitely a lot worse than I would like as well...even a 335 with 300 horses gets better than that (19/26 if I remember correctly).

It's 2 mpg worse than a maxima of about the same weight and only a dozen horses less. 2 mpg less than an avalon with same weight/horsepower.

Maxima and Avalon have 3.5L engines, this has a 3.7L