After 6+ years and 27k miles, I just traded in my 8 for a 2010 Mazda 6iGT in black cherry with beige/blk leather interior. I know that it is a totally different class of ride but more in tune to the roads we have here and my needs at this point.

I really had no issues with the 8 and no strong motivator to move on other than it felt like the right time for a change. The 6 is a real pretty car, roomy and a reasonably quiet, smooth highway ride. It's even quiet enough at 80 mph for the bluetooth speakerphone's voice recognition to work without a problem. Have put a few hundred mostly highway miles on it so far and it looks like it'll get somewhere around the rated 30 mpg, maybe a bit more.

The 8 was in perfect condition, so if you know anyone in the market around Bradenton FL, it's on the dealer's lot. They didn't even have to prep it and there were already some people scoping it out.

One thing that I've already discovered, the 6 sites aren't as friendly, helpful or active as this one. I guess that's to be expected since it's not an enthusiast car. I'll probably keep checking in here now and then (old habits die hard) and I'll be posting a couple of my remaining 8 goodies over in classified section one of these days real soon.

So long for now. Good luck and happiness in the new year.

 

Good luck and great that you're staying in the Mazda family. You sure didn't rack up the miles in those 6 years - must have been a 2nd or 3rd car.

The 8 is one of those cars that loves you the more you love it. Of course, we are a bunch of dedicated diehards...

 

[QUOTE=CarAndDriver;3376919]You sure didn't rack up the miles in those 6 years - must have been a 2nd or 3rd car.
QUOTE]

I travel on business Monday through Friday. I get to drive whatever Avis hands over the keys for all week long. Even on many weekends it would sit in the garage since it was the third car.

Someone is going to get a great almost new car for a bargain price. I wish that all the smack about the 04's would go away. Other than the recalls which were performed as necessary, I only had one problem which was the result of the dealer damaging a wiring connector after upgrading the starter motor. Not all 04's were troublesome.

 

The Black Cherry Metallic sure is nice and as you would expect I appreciate that choice.

The current Mazda6 is definitely improved, if larger, over its already very good predecessor.

I can echo that a recent visit to Mazda6 sites, for a part for my daughter's car, was far less gratifying then coming here, but as you cite not an enthusiast's car.

Enjoy!

 

You made a good choice economically.

 

You must enjoy getting to drive the whole Ford rental fleet from Avis: Focus, Taurus, Fusion, etc.

 

good choice i think the 6 is def best in class ... maybe only second to the ford taurus sho

 

Your dog looks like mine with a different paint job. What kind of hound is she? My dog (avatar) is the actual beachdog. She can dig a hole in the sand 3 feet deep in seconds. Just loves going after ghost crabs.

 

Actually, I've driven Taurus's for 18 years starting with a '92 SHO. I hated getting rid of that but I needed an SUV for towing. There has been a Taurus or Sable in my driveway ever since because we used them as fleet cars in my company.

I have driven so many Avis Fusions and I actually liked them and fgured the 6 would be similar, just a lot better. Never had a focus. When you rent on a business account they typically give you the worst gas guzzler they have on the lot whenever possible. I've been "upgraded" to crew cab F150's on a number of occasions.

 

i'm not crazy about the way the ford Fusion looks... i figure, if i have to stare and justify why it looks good, then it really doesn't look all that good...

sorry to see u go, but hope u enjoy the 6...

 

The Fusion is definitely the most competitive midsize the Americans have put out in years, especially with latest refresh. The Focus is completely forgettable - the new one should be much better and the new Fiesta is better.

I hear you about upgrades to bigger gas guzzlers like Crown Vics, SUVs, trucks, etc. when traveling solo and light.

So any mods for the 6? Easy mods like LEDs? I bet you'll switch to summer tires when the stock AS tires wear out.

Don't freeze out there in Orlando....

 

No mods to the 6 yet. The mudguards just came in so I have to install those. Maybe the iPod integration module if I can find out if it will use the info display on the dash correctly.