| little-al |
We are shopping for a second car to compliment the Pilot. This would be my commuter/work car, but still needs to be able to haul all 5 of us in a pinch, including the baby and all her "gear" :rolleyes:
So, we have narrowed down the choices to the Subaru Forester XT, but the requirement for premium gas, and relatively low MPG may nix that... although I really dig the AWD :cool:
The family didn't care for the CR-V. And we are also considering the Accord... which is very very nice, but I really wanted the cargo capacity of a small SUV/Wagon.
...so, then along comes the Mazda6 Wagon.
I've only been able to find an '05 "base" Wagon to check out an drive so far, so the jury is still out.
The fit-finish and interior is not quite up to the standards of the Accord, but it did still seem nice. I've yet to see a leather well-optioned one though.
So, I'm just curious if anyone here has any experience/perspective on the '05 or '06 Mazda6, especially the wagon.
Thanks
al |
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| CMasten |
quote:
Originally posted by little-al
We are shopping for a second car to compliment the Pilot. This would be my commuter/work car, but still needs to be able to haul all 5 of us in a pinch, including the baby and all her "gear" :rolleyes:
So, we have narrowed down the choices to the Subaru Forester XT, but the requirement for premium gas, and relatively low MPG may nix that... although I really dig the AWD :cool:
The family didn't care for the CR-V. And we are also considering the Accord... which is very very nice, but I really wanted the cargo capacity of a small SUV/Wagon.
...so, then along comes the Mazda6 Wagon.
I've only been able to find an '05 "base" Wagon to check out an drive so far, so the jury is still out.
The fit-finish and interior is not quite up to the standards of the Accord, but it did still seem nice. I've yet to see a leather well-optioned one though.
So, I'm just curious if anyone here has any experience/perspective on the '05 or '06 Mazda6, especially the wagon.
Thanks
al
Have you considered the Honda Odyssey? Drives very differently than a Pilot, has lots of room (for some reason we always get more in the van..) and the wife loves it. The new 06s are nice but I am sure you can get a great deal on an 05 also. There are quite a few members here that have both. |
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| Caf2461 |
Might want to consider an 05 or 04 second hand. Judging from what I see in my area, they drop $10K in value once they drive off the lot. I've been seeing 04's with less than 20K miles for under $15K and they have a 4 year 50,000 mile warrantee. I've been looking for the sport wagon with 6 cyl and 5 speed, something like this:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...ce=&cardist=830 |
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| tallgood |
quote:
Originally posted by little-al
We are shopping for a second car to compliment the Pilot. This would be my commuter/work car, but still needs to be able to haul all 5 of us in a pinch, including the baby and all her "gear" :rolleyes:
So, we have narrowed down the choices to the Subaru Forester XT, but the requirement for premium gas, and relatively low MPG may nix that... although I really dig the AWD :cool:
The family didn't care for the CR-V. And we are also considering the Accord... which is very very nice, but I really wanted the cargo capacity of a small SUV/Wagon.
...so, then along comes the Mazda6 Wagon.
I've only been able to find an '05 "base" Wagon to check out an drive so far, so the jury is still out.
The fit-finish and interior is not quite up to the standards of the Accord, but it did still seem nice. I've yet to see a leather well-optioned one though.
So, I'm just curious if anyone here has any experience/perspective on the '05 or '06 Mazda6, especially the wagon.
Thanks
al
If I were not driving or buying a Honda. Mazda would be my next choice. Very well made cars. And the Mazda 6 wagon is a very neat looking car. |
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| Sportymonk |
When I started looking for a replacement for my Impala, wanting more cargo room, I looked at the Mazda6 Wagon. Love the looks but is was a little too small. If it was a little bigger .... Read somewhere on my research in the car magazines that the hatchback actually has a fraction more cargo room than the wagon which IIRC surprised even them. But the difference wasn't great and the styling of the hatchback is better IMHO.
Drawbacks other than on the small side, it has a lot of Ford in it. Ford owns 33% of Mazda and the Mazda SUV and the Ford Escape are the same vehicle and the Mazda 3 shares significant components with Ford vehicles. If you don't mind the Ford influence, the wagon is probably a good choice but I needed more room and towing capacity. |
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| little-al |
quote:
Originally posted by CMasten
Have you considered the Honda Odyssey? Drives very differently than a Pilot, has lots of room (for some reason we always get more in the van..) and the wife loves it. The new 06s are nice but I am sure you can get a great deal on an 05 also. There are quite a few members here that have both.
We did look at the Odyssey, but that is well beyond our budget for the second vehicle. With the features we want, it is pricier than the Pilot :eek: Plus if one visits the Odyssey forum, the reports of not just bad.... but abyssmal... MPG are a real concern :(
I am aware of the Ford influence with Mazda, and that is a slight concern. But we had a 2000 Protege, and that was an excellent vehicle in every way. Plus, through my employer, I get a ~2% under invoice deal with all Ford affiliates which allows additional rebates(if available).
So, that makes the Mazda very attractive ;)
But the Accord is really the standard to beat, and the Mazda is obviously not quite as nice as far as fit/finish. The Accord seems to be a little pricier for the V6(the Mazda6 Wagon only comes as a V6) but not tremendously so.
So I'm just going to have to do some more test-driving and window-shopping it seems.
But any further feedback regarding MPG, reliability, long-term durability(squeaks, rattles, etc..) are much appreciated :D
...and I'll definitely have to look into the used market as mentioned. Although that is not a leather equipped model linked above, that is quite a good price. Great idea.
Thanks
al |
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| PNW-Pilot |
quote:
Originally posted by Sportymonk
When I started looking for a replacement for my Impala, wanting more cargo room, I looked at the Mazda6 Wagon. Love the looks but is was a little too small. If it was a little bigger .... Read somewhere on my research in the car magazines that the hatchback actually has a fraction more cargo room than the wagon which IIRC surprised even them. But the difference wasn't great and the styling of the hatchback is better IMHO.
Drawbacks other than on the small side, it has a lot of Ford in it. Ford owns 33% of Mazda and the Mazda SUV and the Ford Escape are the same vehicle and the Mazda 3 shares significant components with Ford vehicles. If you don't mind the Ford influence, the wagon is probably a good choice but I needed more room and towing capacity.
He's right on Ford owning mazda, but in the case of the mazda 6 and mazda 3 they are derived from europeans volvo/ford platforms and have nothing in common with the US ford cars. The mazda 6 has been rated pretty reliable.
Frankly your kinda limited in chocies. I'm in exactly the same boat, need to replace the leased Acura and want a wagon and something to commute in. Looking at Matrix and mazda 3, if it fits the tiwns and their "gear" as well as the Acura has I'm sold on whatever looks better or is a better deal.
Heading to the auto show in November here, I always recommend them as you can test out equipment into them with out a sales weasel around bothering you. Not sure your buy date but most shows are oct-Feb, might want to consider waiting until you get to visit one. |
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| CMasten |
quote:
Originally posted by little-al
We did look at the Odyssey, but that is well beyond our budget for the second vehicle. With the features we want, it is pricier than the Pilot :eek: Plus if one visits the Odyssey forum, the reports of not just bad.... but abyssmal... MPG are a real concern :(
I am aware of the Ford influence with Mazda, and that is a slight concern. But we had a 2000 Protege, and that was an excellent vehicle in every way. Plus, through my employer, I get a ~2% under invoice deal with all Ford affiliates which allows additional rebates(if available).
So, that makes the Mazda very attractive ;)
But the Accord is really the standard to beat, and the Mazda is obviously not quite as nice as far as fit/finish. The Accord seems to be a little pricier for the V6(the Mazda6 Wagon only comes as a V6) but not tremendously so.
So I'm just going to have to do some more test-driving and window-shopping it seems.
But any further feedback regarding MPG, reliability, long-term durability(squeaks, rattles, etc..) are much appreciated :D
...and I'll definitely have to look into the used market as mentioned. Although that is not a leather equipped model linked above, that is quite a good price. Great idea.
Thanks
al
We have an 02/03 and average 18/19 city and 23/25 on the highway, almost exactly what I get with the Pilot lately. A neighbor just picked up an 03 with 20K miles for $18,900 I have no idea what the Mazada gets for mileage, but I can tell you that even a used Ody will serve you well, be dependable and is 4x5star rated.. plus it holds a ton :) My Honda passion is showing again... |
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| Sportymonk |
Well if you really want a wagon, I have one to show you that is a great Honda but it hasn't been in this country since 1997 but I still see some in great shape.
Look here.
http://www.honda.de/content/car/15113_20416.html
Click on Gallarie when you get there.
Why won't they bring this in? |
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