Evolv

iTrader: (1)

Wow, nice write up, you should apply at Car & Driver, they suck.

Now, if you can, test drive a MazdaSpeed and get back with that. The dealers here won't let them off their lot for test drives. I think they believe they are Ferrari's.

Wing

FritzMan, you pretty much had the same impressions as me on the Mazda 6. I find it odd that most of the seating is grey, it is kind of cheap looking.

I was hoping I could get a white car with black leather interior and the GFX trim, but that's a no go, the white cars are grey leather and IMO that's just cheezy looking.

As far as driving pleasure the 6 delivers, as far as interior quality and looks it lacks a little, compare it to the Acura TSX (about $2k more) and it's no contest the TSX is much better on the inside, but the 6 is more fun.

FritzMan

Funny you mention that Wing, I was thinking of stopping by Camco to see what the TSX looks like in the flesh. Who knows, maybe even a test drive. If anything, it's the closest competitor to the RX-8, although more skewed to luxury (which I already have a Volvo to spoil me on family outings). Anyone notice that the EPA for the TSX 5-speed auto is better than the 6-speed?

As for the MazdaSpeed Protege, apparently there is/was a yellow one at Bank Street which already has 40km on it from demoing. I was pretty diappointed when I read that Mazda didn't improve what I felt were some of the most glaring weaknesses of the Pro. Namely, crappy seats (no side bolsters and absolutely zero lower back support), crappy gearing (come on, 3500 RPM @ 110 kph?), and no side airbags although they're offered in the States. The one thing they did add which was sorely needed was a LSD. Besides my complaints, I'll bet the MSP is a hoot to throw around - my ES/GT certainly is better than I expected.

mac

Just came back from Camco to pay off the Teg (end of lease). I decided to test drive the TSX.

As far as looks are concerned; meh! It only looks good from the front, the rest is oh-hum boring. The fit and feel of the interior is top notch but that caramel colour fake wood trim takes a little gettting used to. The silver accents on the steering wheel feels out of place with the rest of the car. The leather is very good (very soft and great finish, I would prefer if it was a little thicker - less suceptible to tears) but the choice of colours is crap (beige for most colours, black (white car) and black with blue inserts for black. The seats are very comfortable, and tuck you in snug as bug.

The power assist stearing is a little too present but the ABS doesn't activate until you hit the brakes hard or the car detects slippage (actually that may be the TCS kicking in). The ride is a little firmer then I was expecting (good thing) but it stills drive like a sedan. It has enough omph to get you going, the fact that it is a 4 banger is a little moot except for the exhaust note. It switches to a high pitch when you get above 6k. It isn't an annoying sound (a lot like my Teg) but not that satisfying sound of a V6. I wasn't able to test the handling 'cause all the old geisers come out on Saturdays and block up the roads Have to do that some other day.

With my nit picking aside, currently the TSX is 2nd on my list (assuming I can find a colour combination that I can live with). The RX-8 is still at the top but only a test drive will decide. If I don't like the RX-8 or there are too many reports of initial production problems and I can't find a colour combo of a TSX that I like, the Mazda6 is next on my list (tied with a 2 year old Volvo S60 T5).

If you do go to Camco, ask for Paul, tell him Louis sent you. Great guy, knows his cars and understands what a real sales professional is supposed to be. He's also the manager (not to be confused with the GM) so you can deal directly with him and not be left there dangling. BTW don't mention you're looking at the RX-8 he'll try to convince you it's crap

Wing

Mac, haha I think all the salesman at camco try to convince you that anything they don't sell is crap..... actually don't all salesman do that?

Anyway, just a side note, went and looked at the Mazda 6 at performance mazda today. They had a fully loaded GFX package (yellow) in the showroom. SWEET! I liked the TSX it was nice, but I liked the drive more in the 6. But Carling only had the crappy 6 with no GFX and no leather and no auto climate etc.

After sitting in the 6 for an hour or so at performance mazda I was really pleased. This may be my car! I'm of course waiting to see the 8 and I'll then drool over it. But I like the 6 and could settle for it, if you want to call that settling. The saleman kind of peeved me off, he was very helpfull but then left all of a sudden and then said it was "too" busy for a test drive, RIGHT. He said I'll take you out if your buying today. LOL yeah like I'll buy on emotion, the day I buy a car will be the day I walk in and say, yes I'd like to order one of these, with x options. I won't even look at the thing because I'll know it inside and out and have tested it more than once!

I don't want to buy right after a test drive because emotions get into it. It wasn't even busy 2 other sales guys came over to help when he was gone.


I also drove a BMW 320i today, they only had an auto to test it was ho-hum as well. I liked it but I think the 6 was better.

mac

Hey Wing,

I've yet to hear a salesman come out and say "That's a great car but... it is a rotary which means that there are few garages that are able to do repairs, it has a small trunk opening. The TSX on the other hand has a full trunk lid, folding rear seats, 4 real doors, the TSX has been out for a couple of years in Europe (but I would refrain from saying that it's a re-badged Honda). All valid points but doesn't stoop to mud slinging. One thing that the TSX test drive did prove was that I will be very happy with the performance of the RX-8.

...............TSX.........RX8
weight.....1465kg...1384 kg
HP........... 200........250
Torque......166........159

I suspect that the TSX will beat the RX8 in interior fit and finish but I hope I'm wrong.

Sales people at Performance Mazda don't know squat about their products. They also tried the same spiel of "can't take it for a spin unless you are buying it first". They tried again with the RX-8, what a load of crap! I emailed the GM about the bad sales experience I had there. He replied with the usual apologies and saying that these guys are just starting and are repeating the company mantra. He told me to come and see him when the times come and that I could test drive the RX8, if there was a car available.

The ones at Bank Street made me feel like I needed a shower when I got home.

I will probably go to Montreal if I have to for a test drive (Mazda is very popular there, they have bigger dealerships thus will have at least 1 demo).

Like I said, the Mazda 6 is a great car, if I get skittish with the 2 mentioned above or I take a financial hit, that is the next in line.