Reading Topic: Cheap Mazda Parts

i had a rear grip handle pull out...but nothing was broken, so i think it was more the moonroof installers putting it back incorrectly than anything else

i only experienced the fuse cover falling off once...i just jammed it back in and it hasn't budged since

 

Reading Topic: Cheap Mazda Parts

Same problems that I had. The pointless ( I mean...wtf, why is it even there) handle pocket in the trunk fell off in about a week, I didnt even realize what it was for about a month, I just let it roll around in my glove box till I finally saw the gaping hole in the trunk, and ya, the fuse box cover really is a one time deal, I took it off once, and it never wants to stay closed anymore.

 

Reading Topic: Cheap Mazda Parts

nothing yet. 'cept the fuse box which I took 30 minutes to fit it the way it should really be. it has not come off in the last 10 months now.

I broke the glovebox latch when I used it as a handle to hold myself from sliding too far back when the car was uphill. my fault. not mazdas.

if you use your car, not abuse. it should be fine.

 

Replying to Topic 'Cheap Mazda Parts'

I haven't had anything break but there are certainly some cheap parts in action compared to my wife's similarly priced Accord.

My complaints include...

Cheap plastic on the armrests, flimsy sun visors and attaching plastic, no padding on the armrests, cheap plastic all under the armrest storage, and have you noticed how thin and flimsy the floor mats are? Cheap non-folding side-view mirrors, cheap plastic of the coin box, the list goes on.

The only thing that's not cheap is the hinge mechanism for the trunk opening which is hydraulic versus arm type to invade less trunk space. But that was probably cause of the Euro design and they couldn't replace it with a cheap part for us Americans.

 

Reading Topic: Cheap Mazda Parts

Only complaint I have is the cargo net which I have which broke twice now already. I understand there is a new part out, which we have in my fiancees car and have had no issues with the thing at all. My fiancees sunglasses holder sticks, but she had an aftermarket sunroof installed and the reason it sticks is the aftermarket installer never put the whole assembly back in right, so it is warped, thus the sticking. Not Mazda's fault there. I have never had any of those issues in my 6. All I know is my mother's 03 Accord had more from the factory defects (3) than my 6s, my dads 6s and my fiancees 6i (2 combined). If you want to compare the Accord to the 6s, which I have access to both so I do from time to time, the trunk on the Accord feels like a Pepsi can when you shut it. The trunk isn't even finished and the hinges go so far in the trunk you can't use the full cargo space. Some of the materials in the interior are nothing to write home about either, but it is one of the better interiors in its class. On the road though, comparing the drive of the two cars, my fiancees 6i auto to my mothers Accord LX Coupe Auto, no contest. That is what the Mazda 6 is about and maybe there are a few compromises there as a result. I have had people tell me my 6's interior seems like it is from a more expensive car than it is in.

 

Reading Topic: Cheap Mazda Parts

Well the car certainly looks and feels great on the surface. The leather seats and fit/finish of the dash is great. But the abundance of those smaller cheap parts are still pretty annoying. I have also gotten to know my car pretty intimately due to installing various sound system components, and the cheap feel to the underlying materials is kind of scary.

There are many parts under the seats, dash, and trimming that are held in place or connected by nothing more than tape or 1 time use clips.

Chikoo, I certainly have not abused mine, well only the engine and brakes but not the interior. If closing my trunk is abusing it, or watching netting clips fall out on their own is abusing it, then there's a problem.

 

Reading Topic: Cheap Mazda Parts

my sunglass holder started sticking after about 2 or 3 times opening it. No mods or aftermarket installs either

 

Reading Topic: Cheap Mazda Parts

I used to do lots of audio install work and I have to say that the 6 doesn't seem any different from any other car I have seen out there. My friends and I took apart the interiors of many different kinds of cars back in the day. The focus now adays is to make cars easier to build so that the quality goes up. The easier the task to assemble something is and the easier it is to do the same thing precisely, the better the results is the theory.

On the sunglasses holder, if the main piece is not in flush, if it is warped in any way it will cause the holder to stick. The other problem could be a rough edge on the drop down door. If it were me I would figure it out and fix it, but you can also make your dealership fix it as cosmetic as it seams.

 

Reading Topic: Cheap Mazda Parts

Well I've done quite a bit of installs as well, not a professional installer or anything, but every car I've ever owned I've put a system into, and I did a lot of my friends cars. The material underneath does seem about on par with average, but greatly contrasts with the 'solid' feel you get when everything is together. Going behind the scenes reveals all that 'solid' surface appearance is still held together no better than what you would expect out of a much cheaper car.

 

Replying to Topic 'Cheap Mazda Parts'

nothing really broken, but a lot of rattling on my doors and center console area.

 

Reading Topic: Cheap Mazda Parts

inside trunk handle fell out the very first time I opened the trunk.

the seat rail end caps fall off all the time.

I think those are the only two problems, aside from all the rattles.

 

Replying to Topic 'Cheap Mazda Parts'

Originally posted by diesel5599


            Well I've done quite a bit of installs as well, not a professional installer or anything, but every car I've ever owned I've put a system into, and I did a lot of my friends cars. The material underneath does seem about on par with average, but greatly contrasts with the 'solid' feel you get when everything is together. Going behind the scenes reveals all that 'solid' surface appearance is still held together no better than what you would expect out of a much cheaper car.

Oh I don't disagree. The series of plastic pins and little clips that hold together cars do look cheap. But, the average car consumer isn't taking the car apart and never knows of any of this stuff, so they make the part they can see presentable as they can and the rest of the car easy to build. I find that most cars aren't designed to take apart too many times either as these pins and clips get loose or break and never fit rigth after too much being disturbed.

 

Reading Topic: Cheap Mazda Parts

They should invent an aftermarket 'trim' kit, so that after you take apart your car, part of putting it back together is to replace all of the one time use plastic parts with new ones. Its annoying to get everything back together only to find nothing fits as tight as it used to, and pieces fall out if you touch them.

 

Reading Topic: Cheap Mazda Parts

I guess I may in the minority. I consider the interior to be up to anything in its class. The only maker that may have it outmaterialed is the Passat, but its total lack of ambience kills it.

I don't think the plastic on the armrests and bin covers is cheap. They look good, feel substantial, and operate smoothly. The very light padding on the armrest is the comfortable amount, and is consistent with the sports image of the 6. While the Accord may be cushier (think Buick), it does not mean higher quality or more upscale.

I agree a "reclip" kit should ba available for reassembling dash and door panels.

 

Reading Topic: Cheap Mazda Parts

I have less than 5000 miles on my new 6s (luxury, 1SE, moonroof, BOSE) and have found that the cushioning in the upper portion of the driver's seat is compressed and no longer firm (I should mention that I am an average weight, so my size is not the issue).

Anyone have a similar problem? I would hope that the seats wouldnt show that much wear after a month of ownership.

 

Replying to Topic 'Cheap Mazda Parts'

Originally posted by flcn636


            I have less than 5000 miles on my new 6s (luxury, 1SE, moonroof, BOSE) and have found that the cushioning in the upper portion of the driver's seat is compressed and no longer firm (I should mention that I am an average weight, so my size is not the issue).  

Anyone have a similar problem? I would hope that the seats wouldnt show that much wear after a month of ownership.

No, not at all and I have had mine a year and 3 months and driven 25k+.

 

Replying to Topic 'Cheap Mazda Parts'

Originally posted by flcn636


            I have less than 5000 miles on my new 6s (luxury, 1SE, moonroof, BOSE) and have found that the cushioning in the upper portion of the driver's seat is compressed and no longer firm (I should mention that I am an average weight, so my size is not the issue).  

Anyone have a similar problem? I would hope that the seats wouldnt show that much wear after a month of ownership.

the seats contour according to your body shape, in order to give you a better fit. I like it. Another reason why I don't like brand new seats and why the MZ6 is now more comfortable than when it was new.

 

Reading Topic: Cheap Mazda Parts

do the parts feel cheap because they are more environment friendly?

http://www.azom.com/details.asp?ArticleID=1113

Mazda Develops New Injection Moulding Process
====================================
Mazda Motor Corporation has developed an injection moulding process that uses a new high-strength plastic to manufacture parts that are stronger, lighter and less expensive to produce.

The front end and door module carriers on Mazda's all-new midsize Atenza/Mazda 6, unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in October, employ this new long-glass fibre reinforced polypropylene material, resulting in dramatic weight savings, in turn benefiting customers. Lighter weight contributes to improved fuel economy and Mazda plans to gradually expand the use of this material across its entire model lineup.

"This material also is highly recyclable. In the years ahead, Mazda will use this new technology for a generation of new vehicles."

 

Reading Topic: Reading Topic: Cheap Mazda Parts

No, I think they feel cheap because they fall apart. The plastic itself seems about on par, but the fact that it doesn't stay attached to what it is supposed to is my complaint.


I have not had any problems with the seats, they actually feel great. When I first got the car the seats were so stiff it felt like I was sitting on a leather covered rock, but now they are a lot more comfortable. They have not faded one bit after 28K miles, nor do they have those permanent 'wrinkles' that leather gets after awhile.

 

I got my 6 on a friday night late. So Saturday I took it out for a drive. The change drawer to the left of the steering wheel flew apart. It was not put together correctly to begin with. I figured it out and put it together. No other problems so far.

 

I got my 6 on a friday night late. So Saturday I took it out for a drive. The change drawer to the left of the steering wheel flew apart. It was not put together correctly to begin with. I figured it out and put it together. No other problems so far.

 

cheap parts

1) fuse box cover- tried to fix it the "right way" after it constantly falls off- stupid plastic clips on the cover broke off... bleh

2) stick shift knob tarnished ALREADY

3) radio buttons on steering wheel starting to visibly wear (only 15k miles)

 

cheap parts...

1) ash tray spring broken - so it doesn't stay up and it kinda flops around-

2) change draw on lower left seems real flimsy.... just waitin for it to break as well-

otherwise no complaints.....

except now that I think about it- I got the 6i hatch with the Bose... anyone notice the bose sub is rinky-dink and is in a plastic box mounted to the doughnut???

I test drove a hatch w/out the Bose and I saw the sedans sub which looks decent...
the plastic boxed sub makes me gag to think about it...

<_<

 

Another cheap part
My sun visor on the driver side keeps flaping down.
It wont fold up all the way.
Mazda is replacing it under warranty.

 

I'm not sure, but so far almost everyone who has posted a problem here drives either a 6i or a 6s correct?

I know the 6s is made in the USA... is the 6i?

The rest of the world receives all of their mazda 6 from plants in japan. would this explain the difference in build quality and tolerances?

And no- i'm not here to start a debate about who's is better- i'm just curious.

For the record i've had my 6 (aussie spec- luxury hatch check it out at www.mazda.com.au) since june 2003 and done almost 40000km... car is on its second set of tyres and second set of front pads. So far nothing is broken missing or loose (touch wood) and my leather seats are just as comfy as the day i first sat in them...