Belzebutt

I went to a wedding and the maid of honour has a new Mazda 6, she let me take it for a spin. The car: white hatchback V6, automatic, fully equipped the price was about $34000 I'm told, which compares to the TSX, but if you add the body kit to match the looks the TSX is more expensive.

Here are my impressions:
- Automatic is a 6sp which very cool
- Sport shift seems quick shifting
- V6 seems very powerful, lots of low-end grunt, I even made the tires squeel while changing with the SS in 2nd gear!
- Hatchback seems like an awesome concept. I love how you open the back and get all this space
- Exterior-wise, how come Mazda's body kit has the spoiler integrated into the back/front bumpers and Acura's is a bolt-on??

The interior is where this car suffers the most:
- Plastic surfaces are shiny and look much lower class than TSX
- Orange instrument lighting doesn't look nearly as good and is less readable
- Steering wheel doesn't feel as good, has seams where your hands go
- Shifter isn't as comfortable and shifts the "wrong" way while both activating manual mode (away from the driver) and the +/- are the wrong way

Basically, TSX is a lower power higher class more refined car, Mazda 6 is a good value and good performance. I think this may have been my 2nd choice if I didn't get the TSX.

Motohip

I agree that the shifter should shift into SS mode by pulling it toward the driver, but the up shift should be back, and the downshift should be forward. It's the TSX that is the "wrong way."

observer

And your justification is . . . ?

Motohip

The natural force that is put on the driver. When you accelerate, you are being pushed back and so you should pull back on the shifter to up-shift. When you brake for a turn, you are being forced forward and also need to downshift to get power out of the turn, so you would naturally push the shifter forward.

I'm not trying to start an argument, I was just trying to point out there there isn't necessarily a "wrong" way.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

Unless you're driving a race car (or unless you have the strength of an ant), there is never enough g-force to justify this.

gundamZZ

i think that is the "correct way" way too.....just for reference, almost all arcade games with this type of shifter use this way.....not to say thatz a reliable reference but still makes sense to me....

CJams

I test drove a mazda 6 when I first started looking at cars (comming from a truck). The thing I didn't like about the car was, it just didn't feel solid. It felt cheap to me. The throttle had a slow response. It lagged when I mashed the throttle. Took a minute before anything kicked in. I did like the the body style though. As a matter of fact the TSX with an OEM body kit reminds me of the Mazda 6.

The car just didn't feel solid to me.

iceboy1

i agree with you

jlukja

I also agree. The TSX shifting is counterintuitive for me. When I first got it I shifted the "wrong way" a couple of times before I got used to it.

scl23

Most shifting systems that are forward / backward use forward = speed up, backward = slow down or reverse. Airplanes, boats, tractors, lawn mowers....

Dan Martin

In rally cars when they don't use the paddles, it's always pull back for + and forward for -.

I guess there's really no right way, and it's pretty easy to change. You just have to swap two wires around.

jlukja

Its the wires in my head that are the problem.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

This is true, Mr. Bond...

Motohip

Wow, a lot of people agree with me.

Do I smell a poll to see who's right and who's wrong?

corbs

Which two? Care to do a write up? I've stopped using the SS because I can never get it right, I always want to up shift by pulling back.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

:cough:idiot:cough:

Dan Martin

If Dom wants to be a test subject, then sure!

I don't have a 5AT so I wouldn't be able to give it a go. I have looked it up in the Helms manual and it looks completely doable. Astro even did it in his TL...

GIBSON6594

vwong

I also think that the Honda's way is the wrong way. Mazda has it right in their 6.

Tsx536

I'm use to the way it is though. If I were to change it, it would just mess me up.

Belzebutt

Ok get back on topic, the +/- direction has been done to death.

05_TSX_GP

Damn! Found this too late, now I can't give my on SS +/-



OK... fine... how's the sound system on the 6 then? How many speakers does it have? In-dash changer?

Dkrudop

A Mazda6 for $34,000.00?? Have they raised the price a LOT since '04? It seems to me that when I "built" one on the Mazda website, it topped out at around 27k....and that was with EVERYTHING.

05_TSX_GP

USD vs CAD

jlukja

lol, and the $CDN to $US exchange rate might have something to do with it.

Edit: Too slow, by 05_TSX_GP

me_kevinly

the mazda 6 isnt a bad car
i use to own one (4 cylinder, hatchback) before i switch to my Euro (tsx)
the build quality is slightly not as good as the Euro

05_TSX_GP

I own Bond!!!

05_TSX_GP

This board in general has good healthy respect for even directly competing cars. Most here would agree with you that Mazda 6 is a good car. Its strength is in areas that TSX can be improved upon, vice versa

Newplay1

6 hatch is not bad but looks alittle dated already... Sorta like Toyota Celica look'd good for about a year and eh... discontinue that sh*tzzz

JDubble97

Did the $34,000 Mazda 6 you drove have XM or navigation? If so, is it voice opreated?

corbs

Hey come on, it's very counterintuitive, everyone says so.

Plus I make no claims for superior intelligence (see my "User Title"), but at least I know the difference between CAD and USD.

On TOPIC: Are there any more reports on the 6's reliability thus far?

Sclass88

My friend has a 03 Mazda 6 4AT. For the money, it is a very nice car. He bought his used with 5K miles on it for about $18K (not OTD). The interior looks cheap compared to my TSX or my sisters 03 Accord EX. However, the 6 is directed at a slightly different demographic than the Accord or TSX. I have noticed that the 6 has better leg room in the backseat than does the TSX but not a great deal. I've driven his 6 a few times and when I switched over to SS mode, I was shocked that he only had 4 gears but that has since changed. It goes pretty good and there isnt a HUGE difference in power compared to my TSX but a slight one. The stock Bose stereo in the 6 is not NEARLY as good as the stock system in the TSX. The bass is very weak.

All in all, if I was going to choose between the 6 and the Accord, I would probably choose the 6 because its more sporty than the Accord. However, the TSX covers both the sport and luxary feel all in one.

drewba

During my initial investigation into new cars, I found it down the list (I don't remember which list) right near the VW Passat. Since I was coming from a lemon of a Passat, I crossed the 6 off my list right there.

05_TSX_GP

Our sound system is better than the Bose in the 6??? Mazda 6 has Bose as stock stereo?!?

By the way, probably been asked gazillion times, I just never saw the answer... what make is our stock "Acura Premium" sound system?

GIBSON6594

The speakers are pioneer, navi headunit is alpine, not sure of the non-navi head unit though

05_TSX_GP

Thanks for the info... anyone knows what make the non-Nav head unit is?? That's what I have, curious to know now

Motohip

It's also Alpine.

05_TSX_GP

Now what else can we talk about the Mazda 6? hmm... what colours are available?

amadeus303

iTrader: (2)

I came from a fully loaded 2003 Mazda6 5MT sedan when I bought my 6MT Nav TSX. I owned the car for about a year and a half, which I bought new. Here are some of my observations between the 2 vehicles:

Cons of the 6 vs. the TSX

- I like the way both cars' interiors look, but the Mazda6 interior quality is nowhere near the fit and finish of the TSX. The metallic aluminum looking pieces in the 6 scratch VERY easily. The aluminum top of the manny trans shift knob in the 6 is NOTORIOUS for tarnishing and turning brown, although I didn't experience this problem as severely as others because I grip my shifter from the side, rather than the top. Storage compartments didn’t feel as “solid”; for example, when I lifted up the lid on my arm rest console, it didn’t have a lot of “weight” to it --- almost like it was hollow.

- The “cool” function of the auto climate control system is much weaker than the TSX. There’d be days when it was 90+ degrees outside; it would take quite some time for the interior of the car to cool down. The “hot” function did work well. The rear defroster and heated side mirrors seemed to take FOREVER to adequately melt ice/frost away in the winter months. Sometimes, I would just start driving and hope I didn’t need to change lanes quickly.

- To answer someone’s question, the Bose system (head unit and speakers) is not standard equipment… and it sucks. I do consider myself an audiophile, so maybe I’m being a little bit harsh… but I don’t think so! The treble was muted, and the bass had absolutely no punch, regardless of the subwoofer mounted in the trunk. In hindsight, I probably wouldn’t have paid for the option, except I wanted a 6-disc in-dash changer, which was not available on any of the other sound systems.

Pros for the 6 vs. the TSX

- The leather wasn’t as compliant as the TSX, *but* it definitely didn’t wrinkle or crease as quickly as the TSX. I drive A LOT (25k-30k a year), and the leather in my 6 looked almost as good as the first day I brought her home.

- There was more power available at lower RPMs. I don’t drive my TSX WOT all the time… Sure, when the VTEC kicks in, it’s a different story, but I’m talking about normal everyday driving. The TSX has to rev somewhat high in my opinion; the 6’s power was much more readily available. Neither car is very quick off the line though…

- In my personal opinion, the 6 handled SO much better than the TSX in *stock* form. I felt ridiculously confident when cornering. It’s no Mini Cooper, but I don’t get the same feeling driving in my TSX. I feel more body roll, dive, and squat than I remember when driving my Mazda. The suspension was firmer in the 6, and that probably was the biggest difference. For those that might suggest that the TSX tires might have something to do with that, keep in mind that the 6 and TSX use the same OEM rubber.

So what’s the $1 million dollar question? Why did I go to a TSX from a 6? Well? I was looking for a new car that had some sportiness to it, but also gave me a lot of the creature comforts that are offered on higher end vehicles. In my “younger” years, I would’ve probably had my money down on an Evo or STI in a split second, but now, I want more than just a pocket rocket. I’m only 27 now, and shopped around with other TSX competitors (BMW 325, MB 230 Kompressor Sedan, Audi A4 1.8T Quattro, Infiniti G35 Coupe), as well as other TSX non-competitors (Honda S2000, Mini Cooper S Works, etc.).

If I had to do it again, I still would’ve bought the Mazda6. It was an affordable sporty sedan (every option $23k OTD) that offered a V-6 manual transmission. I still really dig the styling on the car, and still steal a glance sometimes when I see one drive by. The stick shift was also very competent; the gates were well defined, and the “feel” was very smooth. Personally, nothing I’ve ever driven has ever rivaled the silky smooth transmission on the TSX. It’s the smoothest shifter I’ve ever used… but I can’t hold that against the 6. All in all, I chose the TSX because it’s a great compromise of performance, style, and luxury for a great price… and also saw it as a “step up” from my 6. What else can you buy with a 6-spd manny trans, moonroof, nav system, 6-disc in-dash changer, leather interior, homelink system, etc. for under $28k?

There’s my 50 cents…

05_TSX_GP

Couple weeks ago I commented how likes to make long posts... WHY? I am still n00b-ish here, but I don't recall making such long posts... have I?

Nonetheless good fair comparo write-up