[Robopie]

There's a black 2004 Mazda6 S V6 that I am going to test drive for a day from the dealership. It has 37k miles. Automatic with Manual selection (Manumatic?). Hatchback. It has automatic temperature control for the HVAC system.

I am a truck person, never had a car in my life and love to modify things. I have decided that the V6 with hatchback will fit my needs. (not interested in 4cyl at all, so don't bother...)

The advice I need from you folks is what should I look for when I have the car with me for the entire day?

I have plenty of time to seriously look at it, so some feedback would be appreciated into what I have to look for - any problem areas? any quirks? defects that are valuable to know? Any TSB's/Recalls for '04 model?

thanks.

 

[mk706]

i've owned three mazda 6s' including a 2004 M6s sedan & 2005 M6s hatch. i can honestly say they've been terrific cars. no major problems or complaints.

 

[Robopie]

i've owned three mazda 6s' including a 2004 M6s sedan & 2005 M6s hatch. i can honestly say they've been terrific cars. no major problems or complaints.
[/b]

Thanks, Good to hear!

I don't mean to nitpick, but what were the minor problems (if any) that you had?

 

[doublebass120]

Rattles!

 

[Robopie]

Rattles!
[/b]

ok thanks - can you elaborate more, please? like where do they usually occur and are they easy to solve?

 

[mk706]

with the 2004 i had some dash rattles. between the dealer and me they were silenced. the 2005 has had no issues other than the TSB for the front breaks. the breaks wore unevenly. at around 12k miles the dealer replaced the front rotors & pads. there's a TSB for this and it was all done under warranty.

the 2004 was traded in for the speed6. i wouldn't have upgraded without confidence in the car.

 

[sl1200]

A list of all TSBs for the Mazda 6 can be found here. For the record I believe the 04 automatic is the Jatco 5-speed unit which is generally considered inferior to the 05 6-speed unit. Do some searches, but it is suggested that if you have the 5-speed auto and are going to drive it aggressively an external transmission cooler is in order. I have an 04 6S MTX and have had no issues with it other than a back window rattle that I haven't gotten around to taking it in for (mine has 45K miles).

 

[msumlin]

We have a 2004 5-door and a 2004 Wagon, to date no issues, both are MTX.

 

[Robopie]

ok, so I'd defintely have to put a tranny cooler if it'd be driven hard, no problem. I have the 24k gvw B&M cooler on my truck and it made a world of difference.

keep the feedback coming! thanks.

(msumlin, thats a cool avatar... what kind of racing is that - SCCA? where can i find more pics?)

just thought of something...

is it possible to just drive to the dealer and see what kind of TSB's and repairs have been done on the car? will they share that information?

 

[msumlin]

ok, so I'd defintely have to put a tranny cooler if it'd be driven hard, no problem. I have the 24k gvw B&M cooler on my truck and it made a world of difference.

keep the feedback coming! thanks.

(msumlin, thats a cool avatar... what kind of racing is that - SCCA? where can i find more pics?)

just thought of something...

is it possible to just drive to the dealer and see what kind of TSB's and repairs have been done on the car? will they share that information?
[/b]

The Avatar is of the Tindol Motorsports Mazda 6's, Chris Tindol is a good friend and we are close to his entire team, as well as the Tri-Point team and its drivers.

A dealer can tell you about all of the TSB's if they have or have not been done.

The pics are from SCCA, the SWC series you can go to www.world-challenge.com and find some pics.

We go to the majority of the events, went to 7 out of 10 last year! We're going to all the events, this year. If you are interested in going to events in your area, let me know. I set up meets for our membership to attend the races, Mazdaspeed Motorsports provides me tickets to the races.

 

[Robopie]

I have it with me for the night. goin to give the car a look-over and then decide if I want it. so far I'm loving it...

 

[msumlin]

I have it with me for the night. goin to give the car a look-over and then decide if I want it. so far I'm loving it...
[/b]

Go for it! Once you drive it, it is hard to give it back. Drive it hard and push it, the car will love it.

 

[Robopie]

drove it fast in manual mode down an isolated stretch of curvy road here, and I had to do an emergency stop becuase a raccoon ran across the road.. the mazda performed superbly and quickly stopped.

if it was in my truck, the raccoon's dead - no way in hell i'd stop in time (well, giving it some thought, I'd never have been able to go that fast anyway....).


1) the windshield fogs up easy, on the exterior side. The 6 has automatic AC. Is this fixable?
2) drivers side headlight housing is fogging, is this fixable?

 

[Kaiboy808]

drove it fast in manual mode down an isolated stretch of curvy road here, and I had to do an emergency stop becuase a raccoon ran across the road.. the mazda performed superbly and quickly stopped.

if it was in my truck, the raccoon's dead - no way in hell i'd stop in time (well, giving it some thought, I'd never have been able to go that fast anyway....).
1) the windshield fogs up easy, on the exterior side. The 6 has automatic AC. Is this fixable?
2) drivers side headlight housing is fogging, is this fixable?
[/b]

I'm glad to see your interest in this vehicle you came to the right place to ask your quesitons!! This club is great at helping!

I own a 05 V6 Mazda 6 AT and the only problems I have come across are my windshield fogging up often, and really bad shifts at high temps. Your headlights, if fogging, should be replaced under warranty. Your factory warranty covering all parts should be until 50k I believe.

The transmission at idle runs at about or around 180degrees fahrenheit, so if you could imagine what it runs at while you're driving then yea. One thing this car lacks in is torque, I must tell you though, it is by far one of the funnest cars I have ever drove! The suspension is AMAZING and she can get up and go still if you want to! The V6 in a 1/4 mile, AT, can run around a high 15 stock if you have a good start. The MT guys can run low 15's stock as well.

By looking at the picture, it appears you have an appearance package, and also a nice onyx black, or perhaps black mica 6. I'm not sure but it's either one of those. Many mods are available to our car from CP-E as well as a turbo for the V6 slowly making it around the curb to catch up with the 4cyl as well as MS6 gang. Good Luck with your decision!

Here are some links you may want to visit if you're interested in aftermarket parts/accessories.

Revolution Motorsports

CP-E

 

[msumlin]

drove it fast in manual mode down an isolated stretch of curvy road here, and I had to do an emergency stop becuase a raccoon ran across the road.. the mazda performed superbly and quickly stopped.

if it was in my truck, the raccoon's dead - no way in hell i'd stop in time (well, giving it some thought, I'd never have been able to go that fast anyway....).
1) the windshield fogs up easy, on the exterior side. The 6 has automatic AC. Is this fixable?
2) drivers side headlight housing is fogging, is this fixable?
[/b]

The widshield is easily taken care of, just hit the recirc button and the fogging will dissapear. As far as the light, I have never had any issues, maybe another member can chime in on that one.

 

[Robopie]

Deal fell apart, we couldnt agree on price. (dealer also wanted $600 in ridiculous fees).

 

[Kaiboy808]

Deal fell apart, we couldnt agree on price. (dealer also wanted $600 in ridiculous fees).
[/b]

Bummer, you should go back right before the New Year and see if they dropped the price on it. I garuntee you can get a deal then if it's still there.

 

[Robopie]

Bummer, you should go back right before the New Year and see if they dropped the price on it. I garuntee you can get a deal then if it's still there.
[/b]

Car's already been sitting in the lot since early october. I doubt they'd keep it that long before putting it into auction.

 

[msumlin]

What's your location? It is possible one of our members could refer you to a better dealership.

 

[Robopie]

What's your location? It is possible one of our members could refer you to a better dealership.
[/b]

Tampa, FL area.