Does anyone own a Mazda 6? The yellow ones look really nice, its a shame they dont have a high performance version.

I was looking at them about the same time as the Octy - was rather disappointed by the

performance figures, even from the 2.5 V6.

Having seen them in the flesh, I think they're not really that great to look at, and the

rear light clusters have way to much "white" on them. Not that I have a thing about rear

light clusters or anything...

And if the adverts are to be believed, the high performance version of it is the MX-5! :p

Rob.

Its the usual UK marketing problem i'm afraid.

There is a normally aspirated 220bhp V6 in the states (I think Car and Driver tested it to 60 in 6.5)

and I'm guessing that the 280bhp MPS AWD variant will be a turbo-charged version of the same engine?

IF IF IF they bring it to the UK !

PS I never forgave Mazda GB when they killed off the 323 4x4 Turbo in 1989 and didn't bring in the new model GTR that they sold everywhere else. I had to go to Subaru though so not all bad !

Also considered it for a while - it's a well-made car that looks pretty good for a Japanese car, almost up there with the new Accord, although I'd pick the Accord over the Mazda6 any day, for many reasons.

Two things made me decide against the 6:

1. Combined Ford/Mazda mega-dealerships in Holland, that managed to drive the friendly Mazda people out and replace them with the typical anonymous, uninterested, uncaring Ford salesmen. I'd hate to be a Ford customer!

2. The ordinary engine delivered at the same price level of my 4x4. The expensive 2.3 AWD version is only delivered as an automatic and, as I understand it, completely and utterly bombs as a performance machine, making it a totally useless exercise of a car. Has anyone ever driven one?

The only thing that would put me off a Mazda is that annoying "zoom, zoom, zoom" music on the TV advert... Its a bit sad but the advert's on TV make an impression on me. (Just like that new Honda ad where the bits all move along perfectly) - Thats why I like my Dad's new Accord sport.

I found the Mazda adverts offputting too - the "Zum zum zum" nonsense and a kid

on a tricycle wouldn't convince me to buy a car. And the whole "born from the

spirit of the MX-5" thing...if they can make a lardy FWD family saloon/hatch feel

like a tiny RWD roadster, then they are clearly operating in a different physical

world to other car manufacturers!

Judging by the performance figures (2.3l "Sport" - o-65 in over 9 seconds, top

speed 133mph) they haven't managed this, and considering this model

manages 30.3mpg it's not even particularly economical!

Rob.

No biased posting here then.

daytripper,

I know of a car thats faster, more economical, cheaper to insure,

better equipment, better build quality, looks sharper, wider choice of modals etc, etc. See if you can guess who the manufacturer is.

I think the Mazda 6 is trying too hard to be a Lexus IS200/300 sedan , look at those light clusters !! At least the Nova boys will like them when they get their teenage slappers pregnant and need a bigger car , coz they wont have to buy some 'Lexus style' rear lights out of Max Power for them!

As an owner of an MX5 I feel I have to respond!

OK then maybe I dont... no I do...

I think Mazda use the "sport" moniker in the same way as many other manufacturers do... to denote a sportier interior, say like Ford use Zetec etc. The Mazda6 (sic) Sport is a good handling car but definitely isn't up with the MX5... the connections are just marketing bulls**t.

However, as Fabpreza mentioned, if we ever get the MPS version (2.0 4x4 turbo), then it does have potential (the MPS version is Mazda's real sporting moniker). As for the 2.3 AWD auto it's a case of a good car ruined by a transmission.

Cheers

PS before anybody suggests I'm gullible mine's a proper pop-up lights MX5 with pop-up lights that I've had since '98

Dmac1969vRS Wrote

they get their teenage slappers pregnant and need a bigger car

Duncan ! I'm sure they are very nice girls ...........................................perhaps you're right

The Mazda 6 is probably a very good car , as was the Xedos , but that didn't sell either , but IIRC did get pole position in a British Touring car race at Snetterton , in the hands of Patrick Watts .

Was it also Patrick Watts who rolled one spectacularly at Donington or am I plain tired and confused ?

Fabpreza Wrote

Was it also Patrick Watts who rolled one spectacularly at Donington or am I plain tired and confused ?

No , I'm sure you are right , he was a very quick if over enthuiastic driver

LOL at Dmac's response. I really like the rear clusters.

But must admit the advert is one of the crappest ever!

Anyone remember the 2.8Injection capri advert? now thats an advert.

No, but then i'am only 25

Which advert was it that went " And it goes like...." (cue lightning noises and a bolt of lightning hitting the rear of the car!) it was either the XR3i (mk 3 escy shape) or the 2.8i! Oh happy days , when a fast Ford and the new Duran Duran LP was all you needed to pull birds (apparently...lol!)

Ps , didnt the Xedos 6 race in horrible yellow/purple colour scheme? I seem to remember seeing it at Knockhill , about the same time as the Ecurie Ecosse Cavaliers of Bobby Verdon-Roe and David Leslie (they done a road version of this based on the SRi , i wonder how many survive?)

LOL and goes like -was the 2.8 injection advert.

If they only started making mk3 capris again...

Day tripper

Ill have a Diamond white one , with half leather recaros but id substitute the 13 inch alloys with a set of Brookie 15s , and order a Janspeed manifold and exhaust kit before i even had the car! The last 2.8i Special i had (D500 WCN if anyone sees it) was a white one , never got round to changing the exhaust or wheels on it , even the ford digital rad/cas was still in it (as it was in my Brooklands)

I wont be driving my capri for a while now as the rear axle is complely gone and insurance ends in june. I took some pics the otherday is there any where to upload them on the net?

Dmac1969vRs Wrote

Ps , didnt the Xedos 6 race in horrible yellow/purple colour scheme?

Duncan , yes you're spot on , but it obviously stood out if you can remember that .

Delcac Wrote

No, but then i'am only 25

Des , Memory loss in older people is a sad thing and come to think of it I was 25 once as well

Mellow

Yes I can remember the car well , I always liked the road version a bit as well , I think it was the novelty factor of it having a 2 litre V6 , one of the smallest V6s id heard of at the time. The bigger Xedos (ecks-zay-dos?) 9 didnt look as nice , and must be as rare as hens teeth now (and worth about the same!)

Ker-zay-doss but no-one bothers about the Ker bit.

The MX3 V6 1.8 alsways impressed me - not for the power or acceleration but because it cornered flat and the engine was uncannily quiet and smooth at the redline. One of those cars that you could leave it in third and bounce of the limiter between bends...erm...allegedly (it wasn't my car)

I used to really like my Mazda 4x4 Turbo as well - getting all emotional now. At least Mazda are finding their way again. (MX5), 6, 6 MPS, RX8, 3 MPS ??

im proably the youngest on here!

Would get a 2.8Injection special turbo with brooklands, turbo tail and in gloss black.

No, but then i'am only 25

...............but how many?

Originally posted by DGW in this post

...............but how many?

Errr what? :confused: