I recently saw the 6 at the AutoShow in Toronto, both the sedan model (available for purchase now --- built in Flat Rock) and the wagon and hatch (both were right hand drive Japanese market vehicles on display as "future models"). My two buddies and I made the same observations (independently) that the quality of finish seemed to be noticeably better on the Japanese made models. For example, the rubber trim around the door windows was smooth with no ripples on the Hatch/Wagon whereas fit on the sedans was not the best with flared corners and uneven lines (note that there were three US built 6 sedans on display and all three were similar in this regard). Even the quality (feel and texture) of the plastics seemed to be better on the Japanese built models. We weren't looking to fault the US built 6s we just all noticed the differences. Anyone else able to see both versions to compare?
As for the interior, we were somewhat disappointed at the feel of the plastics. We also noticed excessive flex in the door panels. The circular air vents are neat but they seem to be used on every second Japanese or Korean model out there. The center console also left us with mixed reactions. The buttons and knobs felt smooth in operation but the finish and feel of the plastics took away from the overall effect. I came out thinking that the concepts were good but the build quality was questionable.
My buddies and I are all driving german cars right now ('97 A4, '99 A4 and a '99 Golf VR6) so we were interested to see if there was anything in the hype around the 6 comparing to german or european design or "feel". Maybe the 6 drives more like a european car and I think the 6 is greatly improved over previous offerings with regards to fit, finish, materials, design, etc., however Mazda has a ways to go to match these "lower end" german vehicles. I appreciate that the 6 is less expensive than the A4 however it's not far off the Passat which for a 5 year old model is still a benchmark for this class of car with regards to finish and interior appointments.
I've been looking for a second vehicle for the wife and kid and I thought the 6 wagon nailed it when I first read about it. Now I feel like I need to lower my standards a bit. I don't want to take anything away from the 6 on the driving side of things. That's next in my evaluation (hopefully soon). I guess all the great reports on this forum left me expecting more on the overall quality of build.
Just my $0.02 (Canadian $ which is about US$0.01)
D
As for the interior, we were somewhat disappointed at the feel of the plastics. We also noticed excessive flex in the door panels. The circular air vents are neat but they seem to be used on every second Japanese or Korean model out there. The center console also left us with mixed reactions. The buttons and knobs felt smooth in operation but the finish and feel of the plastics took away from the overall effect. I came out thinking that the concepts were good but the build quality was questionable.
My buddies and I are all driving german cars right now ('97 A4, '99 A4 and a '99 Golf VR6) so we were interested to see if there was anything in the hype around the 6 comparing to german or european design or "feel". Maybe the 6 drives more like a european car and I think the 6 is greatly improved over previous offerings with regards to fit, finish, materials, design, etc., however Mazda has a ways to go to match these "lower end" german vehicles. I appreciate that the 6 is less expensive than the A4 however it's not far off the Passat which for a 5 year old model is still a benchmark for this class of car with regards to finish and interior appointments.
I've been looking for a second vehicle for the wife and kid and I thought the 6 wagon nailed it when I first read about it. Now I feel like I need to lower my standards a bit. I don't want to take anything away from the 6 on the driving side of things. That's next in my evaluation (hopefully soon). I guess all the great reports on this forum left me expecting more on the overall quality of build.
Just my $0.02 (Canadian $ which is about US$0.01)
D