Test Drove a 2014 Mazda 6 with manual trans today.

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: jigen
It has Yokohama Advan A83 tires on them. Are these a good tire?


Probably not. They're a summer tire with a tread wear rating of only 280. So they may last 10-15k miles, and being an OEM tire, probably aren't super sticky. At least the Dunlops on the 6 tested by Motor Trend weren't. The Michelin Primacys on the Accord delivered better skidpad performance.

So there are likely better tires out there. These get it out the door, though.

 

[SteveSRT8]

I hope everyone realizes why Yoko got the Mazda bid...

 

[dwcopple]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
with a tread wear rating of only 280.

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: dwcopple
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
with a tread wear rating of only 280.

Yeah, my CX-5 had Yoko Geolandars which were only 280 rated as well. Though they gripped like nobodies business.

 

[jigen]

Took some pics on the way home.

This link should work. Google usually uploads decent quality.

https://plus.google.com/photos/103320501...=CJuQruTrxoS5FA

You can just click on each picture and it will go through each one.

 

[maketracks]

What parts does this car share from the Ford stable?

 

[jrustles]

Originally Posted By: maketracks
What parts does this car share from the Ford stable?


Probably Zero, reflecting on their current business relationship. Before, Ford was acting as an OEM part supplier for Mazda (in the same way as Denso, Mitsubishi Electronics, Sumitomo, Bosch etc etc). You will find *all* Ford-supplied OEM parts all over the Mazda3, Mazda6 etc to be proudly stamped with FoMoCo. Even the NGK spark plugs that Ford supplied were instead branded FoMoCo. Because of that, many people were mistakenly led to believe that Ford did all the muscle work and engineering, while Mazda just fiddled around and made cute Mazda versions of Fords which is almost completely backwards. The Mazda versions were always the first to be released, and that was for a reason.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Originally Posted By: jrustles
Originally Posted By: maketracks
What parts does this car share from the Ford stable?


Probably Zero, reflecting on their current business relationship. Before, Ford was acting as an OEM part supplier for Mazda (in the same way as Denso, Mitsubishi Electronics, Sumitomo, Bosch etc etc). You will find *all* Ford-supplied OEM parts all over the Mazda3, Mazda6 etc to be proudly stamped with FoMoCo. Even the NGK spark plugs that Ford supplied were instead branded FoMoCo. Because of that, many people were mistakenly led to believe that Ford did all the muscle work and engineering, while Mazda just fiddled around and made cute Mazda versions of Fords which is almost completely backwards. The Mazda versions were always the first to be released, and that was for a reason.


You got it - Mazda designed a lot that Ford used. The first generation Fusion was the (then) current Mazda 6 ... the original focus shared a bit with the Mazda 3 (engine, 4 speed AT, motor mounts), the engine.

I believe Mazda had the "duratec" engine out for a few years as the MZR before Ford started using it for their I4s. The Duratec I4s are a MAzda design, the Duratec V6s are Ford.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: jigen
Took some pics on the way home.

Nice, but what the heck is this thing you put on the steering wheel???

 

[bladecutter]

Congrats on the Mazda 6!

I hope you have many hundreds of thousands of miles with nothing but fun drives.

BC.

 

[jigen]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: jigen
Took some pics on the way home.

Nice, but what the heck is this thing you put on the steering wheel???

Lol we went over this ugly thing before! The one thing with mazdas, for me at least, is the steering wheels are too thin. I am using this to bulk it out a bit. It's too big though, I need something else lol.

 

[surfstar]

Pretty cool to have an OEM front splitter on the car (cuz it looks nice too) - I wonder how much it helps with aero? Must do something for hwy mpg along with all the other little skyactiv tweaks.

 

[jrustles]

Originally Posted By: Miller88

You got it - Mazda designed a lot that Ford used. The first generation Fusion was the (then) current Mazda 6 ... the original focus shared a bit with the Mazda 3 (engine, 4 speed AT, motor mounts), the engine.

I believe Mazda had the "duratec" engine out for a few years as the MZR before Ford started using it for their I4s. The Duratec I4s are a MAzda design, the Duratec V6s are Ford.


Yup. And that arrangement's been going on for along time!!

Here's an 83' Ford Laser. Look familiar?

And it continued, even for North American models

The 5-door 91+ Escort is this car, an '89 323F with some different sheet metal and lights.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mazda_323f_green_rear_20080301.jpg

This last generation Fusion is the first time Ford has not used the Mazda G-platform.

Originally Posted By: jigen
Took some pics on the way home.

This link should work. Google usually uploads decent quality.

https://plus.google.com/photos/103320501...=CJuQruTrxoS5FA

You can just click on each picture and it will go through each one.


Nice score jigen, Looks real slick!

 

[97tbird]

Nice pics Jigen - very nice color! Congrats! I guess yours and my wife's are the first '14 Mazda 6s associated with bitog

will try to post some of wife's 6 probably towards the wk end

Need to get weather-proof floor mats - those can be pricey.
Yeah you need a different cover for the wheel if you must use one - i can see it though, I also like wheels thick and grippy. Wife might not care so IDK if I am going to put one on the 6 or not.

 

[jigen]

Thanks 97tbird and of course same to you.

I have to say this was the best car buying experience I ever had. Doing everything online over email is the way to go. Numbers were worked, paperwork was ready, no haggling numbers. It was all done in less than 2 hours. I even told them to skip the detail prep since it will take extra time, lol.

Weather mats are like 100 bucks online, pretty pricey IMO. As for the wheel cover, yeah I'm gonna do a little research. It's the first thing I noticed when driving the car. The wheel was just too thin.

Decide on what oil you're using? I am thinking if any local dealers sell the Mazda 0w20 for a reasonable price I will do that, if not, Walmart jugs of the cheapest 0w20.

 

[jigen]

Also I am hoping this fuel gauge needs a calibration period since this can't be accurate:

113.6 miles on this first tank of gas and I am only one notch down on the fuel gauge. -_-

 

[97tbird]

I found this alternative to weather tech/factory mats...these are also custom fit...and half the price of the weather techs...
-might consider these after some research...

http://www.carid.com/2014-mazda-6-floor-mats/lloyd-floor-mats-161257.html

 

[antiqueshell]

Originally Posted By: jigen
Also I am hoping this fuel gauge needs a calibration period since this can't be accurate:


113.6 miles on this first tank of gas and I am only one notch down on the fuel gauge. -_-


Congrats on your new car. I am really excited about this new Mazda. What made me a real fan as opposed to just liking them, is that the CEO flat out stated that Mazda will not dumb down the fun to drive element to meet US metrics. It is [censored] rare for ANY top brass to say such things today, a truly old school way of doing things to be sure.

Mazda today reminds me of the the great days of Honda back in the 80s and 90s. Mr. Honda would be proud of Mazda and not so proud of his own name sake today.



I wouldn't worry about it. If they need to they can always flash it with a new calibration.

Remember this is a brand new model no matter which make you buy there are always going to be niggles, a slightly optimistic fuel gauge is not too serious.

 

[97tbird]

2014s are reporting pretty good avg MPGs considering these cars are not even broken in yet:

http://www.fuelly.com/car/mazda/6/2014

 

[jigen]

Very true! Can't wait to start tracking the mileage!

The manual actually talks about the fuel gauge having a calibration adjustment period.

So far I am following the normal rules for the first 500 miles. No real hwy and consistent rpms. I am trying to keep the rpms varied but never taking them past 4000 rpms.

Basically whatever I get this tank I will crush after the break-in period.

Mazda lists oil changes for severe driving at 5k miles and 4 months. Looks like I will be doing 3 changes a year.