Our new wheels

[CyberGuy]

My daughter started commuting to university this September. She inherited my wife's '94 Toyota Camry which left my wife and myself sharing time with our remaining car - an '02 Lexus RX300. Now, in my view the Lexus is expensive and I wanted to keep the milage to a minimum. So we decided to go out an find something I can use for my 30KM commute. Here's what we settled on...

http://www.cyberzen.ca/imgs/mazda6-640.jpg

It is a 2004 Mazda6 GT V6 with a GFX package and euro-style clear taillights.
Looks just like the pic including the custom burn-your-eyeballs yellow paintjob. The only exception is that mine is coming with a body-colored grille rather than the chrome-on-black one (an upgade).

Why did I choose this over its competitors?

Toyota Camry SE: After owning 5 toyotas over the years, I got tired of the tranny's refusal to shift when cold (happens even on my Lexus). Frankly, I need a change.

Nissan Altima 3.5 SE: Felt heavy and ponderous. Really didn't enjoy the feel of it.

Honda Accord EX-V6: This was my first choice. The only reason I didn't go for this one was the 2004s were gone (dealers will bargain harder with their own stock) and I needed delivery in about a week.

Subaru Legacy GT: I loved this car. Too bad it was about $5000 CDN more than the others for a turbo 4. Gobs of power/torque and handles like it was on rails. Too bad you don't even get leather, sunroof or power seats for that price. Expensive.

Mazda6 GT V6 GFX: Even though this car has less torque than the others, it out-handles all of them except the Subaru. The ride, braking and handling are comperable to a low-end BMW, and better than some other european sport sedans.

Zoom-zoom!

[Maro]

Good choice - they are very popular here in Oz :thumb

[KaNaDiAnIcEmAn]

sweet looking car man

[xgodxicex]

awesome choice man, ive herd amazing things about hte Mazda6, including a very nice range of power coming through its gears :Thumb

[Maro]

Have you seen the new limited editon version - very droolworthy

[CyberGuy]

Haven't seen that one. Only the 2004s are available in Canada atm. Would have liked to see one though. Any linkys?

[Maro]

Voila:

Nice

:thumb

[Maro]

And:

(It appears to be aiming for the Liberty B4 style niche).

[CyberGuy]

Yes indeed. That is seriously droolworthy! http://smilies.sofrayt.com/%5E/_950/wonder.gif I really luv those wheels & tires! :heartbeat

Now if Mazda would place a little 'ol turbo on that 3.0L V6 then we would be talking. :devil

[4W4K3]

I would have chosen the Subaru personally. But yah they are pricey. Great choice if it agrees with your budget:)

[raven27]

Nice car hope you like it you are nice .

[CyberGuy]

4 Month update.

Well 4 monghs with my new baby and the newness is wearing off. I'm also finally starting to see some of this car's warts:

Gripe #1 'Drive by Wire'

This car uses a computerized controls between the gas pedal and the engine EFI throttle. There is no mechanical cable. Mazda does this for a number of reasons such as for enabling traction control on a 2-wheel drive car (The computer eases off the gas if the front wheels lose traction), and makes for some interesting gear shifting effects when easing thru the 5 gears in auto mode (it 'lets up' on the gas slightly to shift making the car sound a bit like a 'manual' when it shifts).

While it sounds really cool and high-tech, this can get damn scary it it catches you unawares:

1. You floor the gas and nothing happens for about 3-4 seconds then BAM! all hell breaks loose. This throttle lag is inherent in these cars and takes a LOT of getting use to. You need to plan for at least 3 seconds of throttle lag for the computer to think things over when you floor the car.

2. Kicking in passing gear does not downshift 1 gear, but 2. Even for mild use. You are pushing at the gas steadily harder then suddenly you are revving at 5000 and the engine is roaring bigtime. It is a little unnerving at times and you do get the big eyes from the little old lady you are passing.

Both of these conditions (particularly the first one) can cause accidents if you are not aware of this behavior. It took me a few weeks to finally figure out these two main conditions and properly prepare myself for them.

Gripe #2 Those damned heater controls!

When the temps are hitting -15 or below, trying to turn the temperature knob/ring is really difficult. You almost need 2 hands to turn it until things warm up. Forget about using gloves - no grip. Not the epitome of user friendliness.

Gripe #3 Why on earth did they put the Subwoofer inside the spare tire?

Just a bit of wierdness here. I think the sub would have worked better underneath one of the front seats. Now whenever I pull the spare, I have to unplug the sub too. :banghead

Beyond these gripes, the care runs and handles great!

[Maro]

That's why I only drive Manual cars - I hate the "kick" that Autos give you.

Seriously irritating

[NeatoFanta]

That's why I only drive Manual cars - I hate the "kick" that Autos give you.

Seriously irritating
Haha... the way I drive, manuals can sometimes do that too :lmao

[Sidebinder]

Those are some nice wheels. If I had a choice to buy a new day car which I never will, my 88 box is all I ever wanted honestly. :hail But if I did. I would look at those WRX STi's or move down there with Maro and get a Holden Caprice. :thumb

How ironic, both Australian design. :food

[2JSC]

I would look at those WRX STi's or move down there with Maro and get a Holden Caprice. :thumb

How ironic, both Australian design. :food

Subaru WRX STi is a Japanese car... not australian, and I have no idea why they used the Croc guy for the commercials, I guess it was the Outback wagons that made them do it.

You should have looked into a used Impreza WRX, 2001-2002. You can find them rather cheap with very low miles. You get that performance like from the Legacy GT, but in a smaller package.

And for the images taht Maro showed you, that is the 2005 MazdaSpeed6 that has a Turbo V6 and AWD system. - MazdaSpeed6 (http://www.supercars.net/cars/2005@$Mazdaspeed@$6x.html)

You could have had your Turbo if you waited a little longer. :taunt