2 months with my Mazda6

[5isiX]

Well, this has been quite the trip with my poor little Mazda. Already, we've been through so much. I bought a 2004 i5door from a dealer here early August. Fell in love right away. She had just over 23k miles on her.

First things first, i got the car and 3 days later I am involved in an accident, which is techinally my fault, but also not really. Why mazda didn't put ABS standard on the 6 is beyond me. That is one MAJOR downfall to this car. Shit, Late 80s caveliers had ABS. Shitty tires + no abs = OMG no traction in rain.

So, 7 long brutal weeks go by and $8300 in repairs come and go and I have my car back and have been driving it like crazy the past 2 weeks or so I have had it. (Luckily I had to pay only $500 of that $8300)

Some things I have noticed is the severe lack of power in the 1-3k RPM range. Pulling out onto busy streets can be difficult. If there was anything out there to fix it, TELL ME. (other than trading up to a V6 5door) (Yes, I have the ATX. ) But that's life. I deal with it, it was better than what I had before, which was NO CAR. heh Another thing I noticed is that there is a odd vibration on the right hand side of the car. Coming from what seems like the door or somewhere in that area. It only happens when starting to accelerate. It's annoying, I wish it would stop and honestly I dont remember it being there before my car was in the shop. Also at idle, my car has this vibration all throughout the car. Kinda sounds like when you have your back windows open and you get that crazy shudder from the wind and it almost hurts your ears. It feels like that. Only at idle though. Thinking engine mounts are shit? or maybe the idle needs to be tweaked for some reason. (This is another thing I don't quite remember being there before it went to the shop)

So far so good. Smooth ride. Wish the car didn't have so much roll when taking turns though. Could use a lower and stiffer ride. I konw this I can upgrade eventually. Will upgrade to HIDs soon enough. Would also like that CAI that everyone speaks of. Just worried about the whole water getting into the engine thing with that.

So after 24k miles this baby is purring for the most part. I plan to take good care of her. Only the best will be good enough for her. I hear at 30k miles I need to take her to Mazda to have a check up and what not.

Any input would be appreciated, thanks in advance.

[ZoomZoom]

Originally posted by 5isiX@Oct 13 2005, 01:31 PM
Well, this has been quite the trip with my poor little Mazda. Already, we've been through so much.* I bought a 2004 i5door from a dealer here early August. Fell in love right away. She had just over 23k miles on her.

First things first, i got the car and 3 days later I am involved in an accident, which is techinally my fault, but also not really.* Why mazda didn't put ABS standard on the 6 is beyond me.* That is one MAJOR downfall to this car.* Shit, Late 80s caveliers had ABS. Shitty tires + no abs = OMG no traction in rain.

So, 7 long brutal weeks go by and $8300 in repairs come and go and I have my car back and have been driving it like crazy the past 2 weeks or so I have had it.* (Luckily I had to pay only $500 of that $8300)

Some things I have noticed is the severe lack of power in the 1-3k RPM range.* Pulling out onto busy streets can be difficult.* If there was anything out there to fix it, TELL ME. (other than trading up to a V6 5door)* (Yes, I have the ATX. ) But that's life.* I deal with it, it was better than what I had before, which was NO CAR. heh* Another thing I noticed is that there is a odd vibration on the right hand side of the car.* Coming from what seems like the door or somewhere in that area.* It only happens when starting to accelerate.* It's annoying, I wish it would stop and honestly I dont remember it being there before my car was in the shop.* Also at idle, my car has this vibration all throughout the car. Kinda sounds like when you have your back windows open and you get that crazy shudder from the wind and it almost hurts your ears.* It feels like that.* Only at idle though.* Thinking engine mounts are shit?* or maybe the idle needs to be tweaked for some reason. (This is another thing I don't quite remember being there before it went to the shop)

So far so good.* Smooth ride. Wish the car didn't have so much roll when taking turns though. Could use a lower and stiffer ride. I konw this I can upgrade eventually.* Will upgrade to HIDs soon enough.* Would also like that CAI that everyone speaks of.* Just worried about the whole water getting into the engine thing with that.*

So after 24k miles this baby is purring for the most part.* I plan to take good care of her. Only the best will be good enough for her. I hear at 30k miles I need to take her to Mazda to have a check up and what not.

Any input would be appreciated, thanks in advance.

[snapback]532979[/snapback]

I would not blame any accident to any car maker. First thing first, if you wish to have ABS, buy one with it.

Secondly, my dad has been driving for 35 years. There has been zero accidents to him. All his cars are without ABS, so do many other cars on the road.

Third, cars with ABS do get in accident too. And, what do you think Diable insists on not installing ABS on their beloved sportcars in the first place?

I think it is more about driving skills of the driver first, then, other assistance from the car, not the otherway around.

But, sorry to hear your accident.

Side point: 1-3rpm range weak?? Try the similar Honda and Camry lower level, you will feel the same. Today's cars are over 200hp. 160hp isn't really anything. Sounds like time for you to trade in, really, if you think that it is the only way to solve the problem.

[turbox0]

man poor guy

[5isiX]

Originally posted by ZoomZoom@Oct 16 2005, 01:23 PM
I would not blame any accident to any car maker.* First thing first, if you wish to have ABS, buy one with it.

Secondly, my dad has been driving for 35 years.* There has been zero accidents to him.* All his cars are without ABS, so do many other cars on the road.

Third, cars with ABS do get in accident too.* And, what do you think Diable insists on not installing ABS on their beloved sportcars in the first place?

I think it is more about driving skills of the driver first, then, other assistance from the car, not the otherway around.

But, sorry to hear your accident.

Side point:* 1-3rpm range weak??* Try the similar Honda and Camry lower level, you will feel the same.* Today's cars are over 200hp.* 160hp isn't really anything.* Sounds like time for you to trade in, really, if you think that it is the only way to solve the problem.

[snapback]534979[/snapback]

Input appreciated, I almost had forgotten I posted this. Anyhow, I see your point loud and clear about the ABS. I may be young and a stupid driver at times. Although I honestly consider myself a pretty damn good driver for my age. Considering the situation i was in, I believe ABS would have saved $8300 in damages at this point in time. While sitting there in the rain waiting for the cop I had seem a few more accidents occur, all not as major as mine. And plenty of close calls, why close? Cuz in my opinion, of the ABS. ABS helps more than it hurts.

As far as the weak range. 160 is low, compared to most sedans like this have around 200 or so, some cases alot higher than that. But after all I did buy the i model and thats what I expect. I just wish it was a tad more punchier in the low end.

Conclusion, looking for a sporty seda, get the 6i if thats all you can afford, if you want a sporty performing sedan, get the 6s with manual.

Also, I'll trade in, if and when I can. haha

[Mz6GreyGhost]

Sorry about the accident.

It's not a matter of whether or not your car has ABS or not, but more of what you know to drive with. Cars with ABS are completely different machines than cars without, and if you learned to drive on one, it's difficult to transition smoothly to a car without. Without ABS, you're taught to be firm on the brakes WITHOUT locking them, as well as pumping them. With ABS, you're taught to slam on the brakes and keep it there, pretty much the exact opposite action...

I suggest you take out your 6 to an empty parking lot or backroad, especially when it's wet, and practice panic-stops. After some practice, you'll get more comfortable with the braking, and will be better able to control your car when an emergency arises.

Don't ever assume a car has ABS either. As said before, there are still a lot of cars out there without ABS.

Hope your future is a lot brighter with your 6...

[Trouble1986]

some 6's came w/o abs? wtf? lol I never knew that

[chikoo]

The only car I have driven with ABS is my current 6s. Never had the ABS activated in the 3years i have it, even when driving in snow for two years.

And I have been driving since the last 20 years. No accidents till date, save one where I was driving on a dark country road with no street lights and hit the back of a truck broken down in the middle of the road.

Moral of the story:
1. Check your tire tread everyday visually
2. Check air pressure everytime you go out
3. Keep your eyes on the road. Anticipate other drivers actions
4. Keep safe distance between vehicles on the road
5. Don't talk on the cellphone, unless you have handsfree/bluetooth. In those cases, only recieve calls. do not dial. It is very distracting.

6. Practice hard braking on empty roads so that you fully understand what the car can or cannot do under those circumstances.

[wpeng0]

I thought ABS is a standard except for 6i seden basic....

[SnakeEyes]

5isiX, sorry to hear about the accident. At least you're ok and all in one piece.

Originally posted by wpeng0@Nov 3 2005, 11:40 AM
I thought ABS is a standard except for 6i seden basic....

[snapback]549294[/snapback]

In Ontario, Canada (and most likely the whole of Canada) ABS was standard equipment along with all those other safety equipment like TCS, EBFD. Heck, it was one of the major reasons I decided on the 6 asside from the sexy looks.
Think the only real safety upgrade here was the extra side airbags.