GTP Cool Wall - First Generation Mazda Mazda6

[Bram Turismo]

Define incredibly unreliable? While Mazdas of this generation had a number of electronic niggles, they weren't particularly notable for blowing up in the hands of old ladies. If we're talking about the suspension bushes and engine mounts... I'd believe that...

Which engine?

Which engine it was, I can't tell since it's been a while now since she sold the Mazda and got the Toyota. As far as the car, she was happy. She was just fed up with the unreliable Ford engine that made her car go in for repairs every other week. In fact, in all the time she owned the car and we met her, she drove her white '91 Corolla because the Mazda was in the garage. I think I've actually seen the Mazda only twice or three times...

 

[Rotary Junkie]

Which engine it was, I can't tell since it's been a while now since she sold the Mazda and got the Toyota. As far as the car, she was happy. She was just fed up with the unreliable Ford engine that made her car go in for repairs every other week. In fact, in all the time she owned the car and we met her, she drove her white '91 Corolla because the Mazda was in the garage. I think I've actually seen the Mazda only twice or three times...

Must've been a very bad lemon of a car then, seeing as even the most ragged on Sixes here don't die all too easily unless heavily tuned or turbo'd.

 

[homeforsummer]

Must've been a very bad lemon of a car then, seeing as even the most ragged on Sixes here don't die all too easily unless heavily tuned or turbo'd.

Agreed. I'd not heard of any particular problems with any 6s.

 

[Bones Brigade]

hey now, it looks like some reason has come over the boards. There have been quite a bit of "cool" votes since I last looked. Might not be quite time to close the door on this.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

hey now, it looks like some reason has come over the boards. There have been quite a bit of "cool" votes since I last looked. Might not be quite time to close the door on this.

Yeah, unfortunately it is closed and IIRC closed at 35/4X cool/uncool.

 

[TheCracker]

Agreed. I'd not heard of any particular problems with any 6s.

I only know 2 people with Mazda 6's. Both had issues with water getting into the headlights and messing with the electrics so the cars wouldn't start. Both guys hated them, one is stuck with his until the lease agreement runs out and the other was over the moon when his got written off by a drunk driver crashing into it whilst parked outside his house. He spent almost as much time in courtesy cars as he did in his 6 with the amount of time it spent in and out of the dealers with various issues.

 

[homeforsummer]

I only know 2 people with Mazda 6's. Both had issues with water getting into the headlights and messing with the electrics so the cars wouldn't start. Both guys hated them, one is stuck with his until the lease agreement runs out and the other was over the moon when his got written off by a drunk driver crashing into it whilst parked outside his house. He spent almost as much time in courtesy cars as he did in his 6 with the amount of time it spent in and out of the dealers with various issues.

Your mates seem to have dogs' luck. I recall you mentioning one with a duff Mitsubishi FTO when I'd only ever heard good things about those, too...

 

[TheCracker]

Your mates seem to have dogs' luck. I recall you mentioning one with a duff Mitsubishi FTO when I'd only ever heard good things about those, too...

Seems that way!

To be fair, the FTO was an import and cheap so probably had a previous history. Mazda 6's do seem to suffer from headlight issues though.

 

[Gil]

I only know 2 people with Mazda 6's. Both had issues with water getting into the headlights and messing with the electrics so the cars wouldn't start. Both guys hated them, one is stuck with his until the lease agreement runs out and the other was over the moon when his got written off by a drunk driver crashing into it whilst parked outside his house. He spent almost as much time in courtesy cars as he did in his 6 with the amount of time it spent in and out of the dealers with various issues.

I have to agree with Homeforsummer.
Both of our 6's are good cars.
I have noticed that the little grills under the headlights come out with little provication. But since they only cost about 5 bucks to replace it's not that big a deal.
Both cars are reasonably well maintained. And the only time one of them has spent any downtime in the shop was after my son hit a large racoon, the inner fender liner had to be replaced and the airbag needed to be serviced.
Because of the nature of that service, I had to leave the car while they waited for parts. But they rented me a very nice CX-7.

My wife's car leads a dog's life, as she often drives more than a hundred miles in a day, and has made several 1200 mile weekends to Colorado Springs while her mom was sick. The car has held up like a champ.
Nearly 50,000 miles in less than 2 years.

 

[homeforsummer]

But they rented me a very nice CX-7.

Jammy git, I love those things I wouldn't have wanted to give it back afterwards...

 

[Gil]

It was a bottom rung model. No electric seats, no multi-disc CD. and FWD.
I found it to be roomy for 4, and a pretty nice ride.
I would put it on the short list if I was looking for a AWD small SUV.
The turbo 4 made more than adequate power, and the newer ones don't require Premium Grade fuel.