ANYTHING to do with the MAZDA 6...

[IIISeries]

Originally posted by med_mx6
sorry for the unrelated question: are fog lights getting phased out with all these new fancy-technology headlight systems? anybody hear of / notice this?

If you are referring to the 6, it actually does have foglights, theyre just included in the headlight cluster.

[Claeren]

I think that is why he is asking. He probably should have asked something like, "are seperate fog light units being phased out now that they are being integrated into the actualy headlight cluster?"

It would seem so, which is unfortunate in that i like the way a good headlight/foglight combination looks, like on the MX6 LS, although i see the advantages as well....

Claeren.

[med_mx6]

Originally posted by Claeren
I think that is why he is asking. He probably should have asked something like, "are seperate fog light units being phased out now that they are being integrated into the actualy headlight cluster?"
Claeren.

yeah, that's what i meant, but i get a vague feeling that the '6' isn't the only car to have integrated head/foglights. am i wrong? on the '6' headlight assembly, the four lamps are low / hi / turn / fog? is the fog light just a lower low beam then?
what am i seeing here: fog and low beams, i assume?

[med_mx6]

sweet Bergenholtz Mazda6!!

[Claeren]

Here is an Canadian article, fresh off the press, about Mazda's intended, real life, (as opposed to the dreams and concepts from before) direction with the Mazda 6 and the Mazdaspeed line, enjoy:

From - http://www.autonet.ca/AutonetStories...m?storyID=7024

-----------------------------------------
Mazda hinting at
high-performance Mazda6:
report
By Staff
Nov 11, 2002

Could a high-performance version of the upcoming
Mazda6 be somewhere down the road? Automotive
News seems to think so.

An article published Nov. 11 reported that the
Mazda6 MPS concept unveiled at the Paris Auto
Show in September 2002 hints at the direction in
which the automaker would like to take the vehicle.

The Mazda6 MPS features all-wheel drive, revised
bodywork and a turbo-charged 2.3 litre four cylinder
engine that generates 280 horsepower and 266
pounds-feet (lb. ft.) of torque, which is mated to a
six-speed manual transmission.

The Mazda MPS uses a new type of traction
system called active torque control, which splits
power between the front and rear wheels, according
to Automotive News. That system is combined with
a limited-slip differential, stability control and 18-inch
wheels, and the double-wishbone suspension has
been significantly stiffened. The MPS concept is
started by pressing a button.

The only Mazda6 model that could be modified
would be the five-door hatchback, according to
Robert Davis, vice-president of product planning at
Mazda's North American Operations, who was
cited in the article.

Currently, the only model in Mazda's performance
line, MAZDASPEED, is the MAZDASPEED
Protegé, which has a turbocharged 2.0 litre
four-cylinder engine, different front and rear fascia
moldings, rear spoiler, sport-styled interior
accessories, and17-inch wheels.

Mazda will launch the Mazda6 sedan and hatchback
in December 2002.
-------------------------------------------

Claeren.

[PoorMan]

i saw one up close and personal at the Seattle Auto show. They look very nice.

[roachedone]

I drove one of the new 6 yesterday at a "Zoom Zone Driving Event" with a few other people from our dealership, and all I can say is I wasn't impressed with the four cly. Seemed to dog at lower rpms, and did not have the power or the feel I thought it would. Next week, we are suposed to receive 2 of the 3.0 liter 6's.
I'll have to wait and see how they are on power. Otherwise, seems like a nice car.

[med_mx6]

saw the 6 at jay marks mazda last night...

i couldn't help but think it's a new car trend now... bloatedness. like the camry and es300 got bloated, the new 6 is bloated. jay marks had five 6's out, but the last one was parked next to a 2002 millenia. given the choice b/n a 2002 millenia and a 2003 '6, i take the millenia any day.

anyway, the interior looks very clean. a good compromise between cheapy plastic and unnecessary expensive gadgets. everything about the car looks well fit and finished, but personally i don't like the look. oh well, i wasn't gonna buy one anyway... i just hope the rx-8 doesn't look bloated too.

with a sticker price of 19,900 for the 4-cyl, i hope this car (and mazda as a whole) does well!

[Galway]

Was at my parents last week for Thanksgiving and had nothing better to do so my mom and I went down to the Mazda dealership to test drive a 6. I must say I was very impressed. It had about every feature you need on a car. Heated leather seats, sunroof, 60/40 fold down seats, climate control, power seats... On top of that it handled nicely and actually was a pretty quick car.

I think it isn't quite sporty enough to make me happy, but my mom loved it. After I got done driving it she insisted on doing so as well. Later that afternoon she was talking about trading in her lexus for a 6.

The Mazda6 might not have the blinging look of a luxury car (lexus, infinity, acura), but it has all the features you would want in one and a sticker around $23000 I would sure give the Mazda6 serious consideration if I was considering a 4dr sedan.

Now if those damn Mazdaspeed Proteges would come in I could have some real fun at the Mazda dealership.

[Galway]

Just a couple other things that were nice.

Integrated stereo controls into the steering wheel (This is probably imposibble to get to work with an aftermarket stereo. Although just installing an aftermarket stereo could be really hard).

Headlights are totally pimp.

The trunk hinges fold into the body of the car rather then the caben of the trunk so you can fill the trunk to the brim and not have to worry about the hinges clearing your crap.

Mazdas new 4 year warranty.

[Wheelie]

I just got back from a day of driving the Mazda 6 and it's competitors ( yeah I work for a Mazda dealer ! Service Manager ). I drove the V6 auto, V6 5 speed and the 4cyl 5 speed. The competition were the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord V6, Nissan Altima V6 . The Camry was dull, boring, plain..etc... lull ya right to sleep. The Accord was nice, sweet engine, decent handling, didn't care much for the looks. The Altima I kinda liked. The looks were good, handling was decent, suspension was noisey over bumps ! , apparently a common complaint. The motor was awesome though !! , gobs of power, ya need the traction control with the V6 engine ! The handling on the mazda 6 was awesome, simply awesome. Steady as a rock, precise, one of the best handling cars I have drove that still gave a decent ride. The engine had good power but not as much as I had expected. The Alrtima had more punch at all rpm. The Mazda 6 5 speed V6 was my favorite of course, easy clutch smooth shifter. I couldn't find much I didn't like about the 6. I work in the end of the dealer were we fix them and I am cringing seeing all the Ford influence in the engine and electronics. Give me the Japanese only cars !! The Protege is still made in Japan and its our toughest most reliable model. The Tribute being on the other end of the scale. The 4cyl 5speed worked decent , more power than the 2.0L 5 speed 626. I don't know the final gear ratio but it's gotta be high. At about 50 mphr in 5th it was turning about 2200 rpm, and it would hardly pull at all. They gave us some good technical information, mostly on the suspension, I'll try to scan it and post it soon.

[Akisan2]

[P_Diddy81_99]

Here are some pics i found of one hooked up. Personally I think it looks good. What do you think?

[Blind Freddie]

i think this is a picture of Mazda 6 MPS, the 2.3 turbo 6-speed 4 wheel drive.

[P_Diddy81_99]

Originally posted by Blind Freddie
i think this is a picture of Mazda 6 MPS, the 2.3 turbo 6-speed 4 wheel drive.

Actually, the company that makes this kit is call KENSTYLE. I've never heard of these guys but this looks cool. The side skirts add a nice stance to the vehicle.