Test Drove a 2014 Mazda 6 with manual trans today.

[surfstar]

Just figure out how many miles until the higher mpg of the Mazda breaks even with the extra $2k cost. 5 years?
If you don't need a CUV, get the Mazda if you drive enough miles yearly. If you need a CUV for skiing, camping, etc, then the Mazda might come up short. Or buy two cheap used vehicles instead.

 

[jigen]

I'd save $600 a year in gas. That's nothing too crazy IMO.

 

[dwcopple]

Originally Posted By: jigen
I'd save $600 a year in gas. That's nothing too crazy IMO.
Insurance may be cheaper on the 6 as well

 

[surfstar]

Originally Posted By: jigen
I'd save $600 a year in gas. That's nothing too crazy IMO.


Well, you could justify the switch by saying in 40 months, you'll break even and after that you're money ahead. Also depends on insurance as stated above. A "2014" Mazda6 may be worth more in future years b/c its two models years newer than your current vehicle, also.

So basically, the financials could be argued in its favor - the question is do you really want a new 6? Well, do ya, punk?

Longer test drive is in order...

 

[97tbird]

Going to the dealership to talk prices on a Mazda 6 Touring+tech package in a few min

(for wifey)
we'll see how it goes.

 

[Vikas]

How much did you pay for the Tigiuana (sp?)? The trade-in value that dealer is giving you seems to be too good to be true. Are you sure when the actual time comes to sign on the dotted line, he will not dump few surprises in your lap?

 

[jigen]

Of course, I don't believe it completely to be honest. They are also a VW dealer if that helps. I can see them using these big Mazda incentives to make your trade look better than it is.

But, we'll see.

 

[97tbird]

Well we bought it for wife:

2014 Mazda 6 Touring with Tech package. (auto)
Blue Reflex Mica - exactly and the only color we had mind.

MSRP as equipped was 27,290 and our Out the Door final price (including all fees and taxes, registration/documentation fees etc etc) Including an extended warranty for 7 months/120,000 miles was 28,290

(we were able to put down a pretty good down payment, which made the financing a lot easier and we ended up pretty much exactly as we had planned - going through True Car Certficate knocked out almost $900 and so we got the extended warranty for added piece of mind. We keep our cars long)

An official 'new car' post will be made later - official delivery takes place on Wednesday.

Just 3 quick iphone exterior pics for now:

 

[Quattro Pete]

Congrats. Are u leaving the elantra as trade in?

 

[97tbird]

Thanks - will post more detailed pics and features later on a separate post of course.

About the Elantra :
No - we will sell either the Elantra or the Tbird privately and keep one as a spare vehicle. I am realizing that I have less and less time to spend on the Tbird and it's no economical beater. It will take about 5x as much money (or possibly even 6x 7x) as its current value to bring it to my 'project/show' car that I once envisioned...

Although Elantra has 30k more miles than the Tbird, it's almost all highway miles and it's a physically 'newer' car, and it can be 'refreshened' easier as I know exactly what it needs - Tbird is more complex to rejuvenate AND maintain..So, Elantra would be the more sensible beater/spare car, so I might get rid of the Tbird.

Oh btw, no Gesichts-Buch posts until I make an official announcement with an album

 

[97tbird]

btw - the ext warranty is for 7 YEARS/120,000 miles, not 7 months (brain glitch)

 

[dwcopple]

you bought the warranty from the dealer???

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: dwcopple
you bought the warranty from the dealer???

Umm.. that's not necessarily a bad idea. Dealer warranty typically is closer to bumper-to-bumper coverage than any aftermarket warranty. Too many horror stories with these aftermarket warranty companies.

 

[97tbird]

yeah that's exactly what I thought too, and it really was like only $200 when you considered the savings we got.

 

[97tbird]

I just saw this online:
even if they don't win, it's pretty impressive I think

judging by the company this car keeps...

Quote:
..We're honored to announce that our all-new, SKYACTIV 2014 Mazda6 has been selected as one of three finalists (alongside only the Aston Martin Vanquish and Jaguar F-Type) in a very prestigious competition: The World Car Awards' 2013 World Car Design of the Year. ..


Oh and they just added this :

Quote:
....in an attempt to help push vehicle safety to a higher level, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety created a stricter Top Safety Pick+ rating last year, which incorporates a brutal small overlap test and requires cars to get Good ratings in four out of the five categories (and no less than Acceptable in the fifth).

Joining the list of the safest cars of 2013:
2013 Volvo XC60,
Lincoln MKZ,
Honda Civic (sedan and coupe)
2]014 Mazda6
have all received the coveted TSP+ rating.

 

[Spazdog]

Aww man....you are killing me with those pics.

Must stay away from Mazda dealer. My 8 year old 140,000 mile 6 is just fine. I like not having payments. Must stay away from Mazda dealer......

Mazda desperately needed this to stay a niche player. They've been slightly behind Subaru. (and way ahead of Mitsubishi) If they do this right, they could surpass Subaru.

 

[mechanicx]

I could be wrong but it seems like the media is really singing the praise of the Mazda6 now that it's no longer made in the US and not by the UAW

. I liked the 6 better when it was being made in the US. It was a nice car then, but I don't remember the media praising it much. At least not to the degree they are now. Just think, if the Accord and Camry US plants were unionized, suddenly the media wouldn't like them much anymore lol.

Congrats on the new 6. It looks nice.

 

[97tbird]

I liked the very first Mazda 6 but hated the 2nd gen. I like the 3 again, more than I did the 1st.
So for me, 3rd (this) > 1st > 2nd.

 

[jigen]

Love the color! When shopping manuals, having a color preference gets tough. I am only seeing SIlver and White. The Liquid Silver actually looks nice on this thing.

 

[badtlc]

They finally made the Mazda6 a 6 again. The previous generation was just hideous. I'm not sure if I like this new one more than the generation that ended in 2007, but I definitely like it as much.