RE: Unforced induction into wagon theory | PH Footnote
Discussion
Mazda are funny with their engines - had a Mazda 3 Sport too with 150bhp NA engine and really enjoyed driving the car as a simple everyday package but the engine always felt like it should be stronger. This 6 really appeals but fear it would feel similarly under powered - not underpowered maybe but just not enough for such a fun drive/ chassis.
Great car, great brand and the engines are fine for all but those who don't enjoy manual gearboxes and on Mazda's case one of the finest manual boxes around. I'm biased as a previous RX8 owner but I've also owned various brands of estate from 115bhp diesel Ford Mondeo's to 535d BMWs, and too much is made of the power. On the right road, hustling a slightly underpowered Ford barge is just as much fun as the 329bhp BMW, and in corners there isn't a lot in it anyway as handling dynamics are far more important. I have no problem with 165bhp without turbos, I much prefer working an engine myself through an excellent gearbox. I think the Mazda 6 is very underrated and a great used buy.
Jonesy69 said:
Great car, great brand and the engines are fine for all but those who don't enjoy manual gearboxes and on Mazda's case one of the finest manual boxes around. I'm biased as a previous RX8 owner but I've also owned various brands of estate from 115bhp diesel Ford Mondeo's to 535d BMWs, and too much is made of the power. On the right road, hustling a slightly underpowered Ford barge is just as much fun as the 329bhp BMW, and in corners there isn't a lot in it anyway as handling dynamics are far more important. I have no problem with 165bhp without turbos, I much prefer working an engine myself through an excellent gearbox. I think the Mazda 6 is very underrated and a great used buy.
Previous rx8 and ND2 mx5 owner here. The engine/gearbox combinations in both those cars were spot on. A 165bhp NA in something as heavy as a mazda 6 tourer is simply not enough. We are talking almost 50% heavier than the mx5. And I'd only describe the mx5 as brisk rather than outright fast. nomank said:
The choice on offer in estates is extremely limited. Have done the SUV thing and I think estates/tourers are the way forward for me but trying to find something in my budget (5-10k) that is petrol, auto and reliable is nigh on impossible (but i'll be quizzing ZX10RN when i'm ready 
so may end up going down the smokers barge route (think Honda Legend/Lexus LS)...
I wish you hadn't said that as it's reminded me that, having had a 3.0 petrol Subaru Outback, I really fancied getting one of the (very rare) 3.6 models that followed it and I'm now looking at them again. Petrol, auto, reliable, £8k: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207167... ...just make sure you're sitting down before you see the annual tax and mpg figures! so may end up going down the smokers barge route (think Honda Legend/Lexus LS)...I feel I ought to like Mazda's like this, but, oddly, I never really have. Yet I liked Saabs, which were also a little left-field. It is nice to read a sensibly written article about a sensible car. I'm on my third (consecutive) estate: SAAB 9-3 TiD 120, Auris TS Hybrid, and now Corolla TS 2L Hybrid. Love the all-round practicality of these "smaller" estates. Though it's hybrid/auto, the Corolla is a good match for this Mazda 6. And I'm averaging ~56mpg (fill-up to fill-up). And it doesn't feel sluggish, even fully loaded and 3-up.
nomank said:
The choice on offer in estates is extremely limited. Have done the SUV thing and I think estates/tourers are the way forward for me but trying to find something in my budget (5-10k) that is petrol, auto and reliable is nigh on impossible
I am very happy with my Skoda Octavia Petrol turbo auto 1.4 estate. Just done 1,000 miles in sixdays in it. Five cloth seats too.
Probably a bit too much power (150 BHP) for heavily speed camera-ed roads, but 50 mpg
without trying and £30 annual road tax makes me smile.
It's been back to the dealers for unexpected repair work precisely zero times.
So much more reliable than the BMW E91 that preceded it.
My mate Ian is on his third Octavia and I can completely understand his opinion.
I'll probably get the 1.1 petrol turbo and make sure it's got cruise control next time.
Good cars.
Mike_Wood said:
How about a Focus? I have a 182ps STLine X. 1.5 engine pulls well from just over 1000 rpm and sounds great. Massive in the back with no lip. Swallows 2 bikes and a weeks worth of kit without thinking about it and in no way feels underpowered at gvw. Over 50mpg on a run and have had over 60 when not in a rush
Do Ford still sell that?Love the look of the Mazda 6 Estate and I'm sure being a Mazda it'll handle nicely[1]...but its just too damn slow.
If they'd put a decent engine in I'd have bought one but fastest (that we get) appears to be the 2.2 diesel (which I don't need and wouldn't want).
Also bizarrely the sedan is longer than the estate, and not by an irrelevantly small amount either, 6cm longer (and an 8cm longer wheelbase).
[1] Also being a Mazda I'm sure it'll rust appallingly.
If they'd put a decent engine in I'd have bought one but fastest (that we get) appears to be the 2.2 diesel (which I don't need and wouldn't want).
Also bizarrely the sedan is longer than the estate, and not by an irrelevantly small amount either, 6cm longer (and an 8cm longer wheelbase).
[1] Also being a Mazda I'm sure it'll rust appallingly.
There's a new Mazda 6 due next year on a completely new RWD platform. Saloon and estate again, I think, with a 3.0 straight 6 mild hybrid with their new compression ignition technology.
It sounds absolutely perfect...so of course the latest noises suggest it may not come to Europe.
Remember when Europe used to be a valued market?
It sounds absolutely perfect...so of course the latest noises suggest it may not come to Europe.
Remember when Europe used to be a valued market?
SweptVolume said:
There's a new Mazda 6 due next year on a completely new RWD platform. Saloon and estate again, I think, with a 3.0 straight 6 mild hybrid with their new compression ignition technology.
It sounds absolutely perfect...so of course the latest noises suggest it may not come to Europe.
Remember when Europe used to be a valued market?
Have you got a formal source for that? Last I had seen Mazda had confirmed this summer it was cancelled without any replacement plans. It sounds absolutely perfect...so of course the latest noises suggest it may not come to Europe.
Remember when Europe used to be a valued market?
As far as all the official roll out is concerned cx60 (2022) and cx80 (2023) for Europe and USA have the local cx50 (2022) and will get the new cx90 (2023).
Be interested to see if they have announced something new for 24/25 in the 6 range.
Edited by Flumpo on Thursday 22 September 16:29
satfinal said:
Number 1 rule of estate design, do not do this
Do this (flat opening to the boot, and more square opening)
I am another estate lover (~30 years of estates) & as satfinal shows imo this falls flat (or rather it doesn't Do this (flat opening to the boot, and more square opening)
) as a load carrier & hence was discarded the last 2 times that I went out to buy...Flumpo said:
SweptVolume said:
There's a new Mazda 6 due next year on a completely new RWD platform. Saloon and estate again, I think, with a 3.0 straight 6 mild hybrid with their new compression ignition technology.
It sounds absolutely perfect...so of course the latest noises suggest it may not come to Europe.
Remember when Europe used to be a valued market?
Have you got a formal source for that? Last I had seen Mazda had confirmed this summer it was cancelled without any replacement plans. It sounds absolutely perfect...so of course the latest noises suggest it may not come to Europe.
Remember when Europe used to be a valued market?
As far as all the official roll out is concerned cx60 (2022) and cx80 (2023) for Europe and USA have the local cx50 (2022) and will get the new cx90 (2023).
Be interested to see if they have announced something new for 24/25 in the 6 range.
Edited by Flumpo on Thursday 22 September 16:29
Mea culpa.
Follow stupid Porsche, they tend to create cars that everybody loves but no body want because the cannot afford them! Their latest model the all electric Taycan. 4 door two or four wheel drive ultra fast coupe. Then the they do a long wheelbase unit with a bigger battery for a longer range. Then they jack it up give bigger wheels and call it Gran Turismo. That a PUV which is an inspirational and aspirational SUV. The only way you can go up from that is when the thoroughbred Fezza goes all save the planet. Audi proved that Estates are great so it's down you to prove your so great great at what do your company is falling over themselves to buy(lease) the latest highspeed dynamic handling rep mobile. You've just got convince the kids that going to school in Mom's Mini Van is just not cool.
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