It’s to replace the aging 626, my opinion the car looks pretty "TIGHT" what do yall think!

 

I like it. I like it a lot. I'm pleased they decided NOT to bring over those ugly foreign market tail lights.

 

Have a look at this link also

http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/sho...threadid=13858

 

I liked it so much I'm getting a 6 S GT

 

From a looks standpoint I love the Mazda6. Once again, it looks better than any of the other mid-sized cars out there (I think the Protege looks better than any of the small size cars out there).

I say this with unfortunate unhappiness, as Toyota and Honda build excellent cars; in some ways better than Mazda does (like in quietness, component integrity; i.e. they have fewer rattles and crap than Mazda does). All of this, yet they continue to build cars that are butt-*** ugly-- Or at least boring.

That said, three of the primary concerns I have about the Mazda6 include:

1. The possibility of rattles. My Protege is plain and simple a damned rattle trap. I swear, I'm selling this car as soon as practical if not for that reason alone. I flat out God damned hate rattles and will not tolerate them for any reason; especially in a car that's only a year old. I've been very angry with Mazda about that, and it doesn't fill me with confidence about the build quality of the Mazda6. We'll have to see.

2. Reliability. I understand Ford had influence and input in the design of the Mazda6. That does NOT bode well for reliability given Ford's proven pathetic track record in such things. We'll have to wait a year to collect enough data to know if the Mazda6 is reliable or not. I won't buy a car unless it's at least "Better than average". Anything less is unacceptable. Period.

3. Noise. Mazda cares comparatively little about noise levels in their vehicles. The Protege, aside from rattles, is an extremely noisy car-- From engine drone to road noise... It shocks me how little effort they put into matching the industry standard on noise control. That's why the Protege is by far the noisiest, least refined car among the major Japanese auto makers. Sentra, Corolla, Civic... Hell, even the Hyundai Elantra is quieter than the Protege. That sucks ***, and I've heard bad things about the Mazda6's noise control, also. That's not cool. We'll have to see it in person to make that final determination, though.

These are all issues that I demand be met for the next car I buy. If it fails in any of these areas I will never buy a Mazda6. I'll compromise and buy a Camry or something. It doesn't look nearly as cool and surely doesn't handle as well, but at least it won't drive you completely crazy with all the racket. And Toyota is flat out unrivaled in reliability across their ENTIRE vehicle line. The only car that they make that's average in reliability is the RAV4. That's a phenomenal record.

I'm really hopeful for the Mazda6, though-- It looks awesome, and if Mazda can just fix the noise issues and prove reliability then they could have a real winner on their hands. And hopefully in mine as well if I can afford one!

 

Mazda6 is a 100% Mazda-designed vehicle, with some parts sourced from Ford inventory (namely the Duratec-derived engine) IIRC...

no rattles in my 2000 ES (unless you count the coins in my ashtray )

can't judge on quietness since I'm partially deaf from the Mazdaspeed muffler I put on my Pro j/k

 

Let's see...over the last twelve years, I've owned three Honda Accords, two VW Passats, one Ford Contour, two Mercury Mystiques, one Mercury Sable and my two Proteges. My 02 ES is every bit as quiet as either Honda, or Contour/Mystique. It is nowhere near as quiet as either Passat. With that stated, I am sure my Proteges are much better built, and more reliable than either VW, or Ford product I've owned. My first two Accords were a 91 and a 92. The last was a 97. The two early models were built much better, and were a lot more fun to drive. Honda is starting to slip.

As for the new 6. I think Mazda is going to have a huge hit with this car. Every bit as much as what VW has with the new Passat, but much cheaper to operate, and more reliable!

It certainly is high on my list when it comes time to get a new car!

 

All I have to say about the Mazda6 that I like is 3.0 Duratech. Hmmmmmm.