Motorweek 2003 Mazda 6 Road Test

[@mervinprone]

My parents had one of these. It was driven almos 300,000 and aside from regular maintenance, drove very nicely and was passed around to various family members, who mistreated and abused it. It still didn’t die, with original engine and a transmission that never had its transmission oil changed. At the end, it was heavily rusted but it was a real joy to drive. Very engaging.

[@thatsentertainment5602]

300, 000 miles or kilometers?

[@mervinprone]

@@thatsentertainment5602 300,000 kms sry should have written that

[@thatsentertainment5602]

Thats ok i may be interested in buying one as a 2nd car.

[@glenharris2773]

My parents had an 04 with the 2.3 4 cyl. It was a fun car, the engine could have used more torque down low, but the chassis was beautifully tuned, engaging, light, fun to drive and reliable, they kept it for 15 years.

[@OleFrogMan]

Put 290,000 miles on an 05 mazda6 with the duratec v6/auto trans model. Had 0 problems aside from wear items and oil changes and a single transmission flush. Only thing I would reccomend you do is to tread the underside of the fenders and rockers with some lineX like coating as they WILL rust out if you live anywhere that it snows

[@icecold8974]

I owned 3 of these. 03 V6 6s speed. Then traded it for an 05 model. My last one was a speed6. I was so bummed with Mazda ruined it with the 2nd generation. They were always reliable and fun cars to own.

[@AndreLaplante-xu1le]

Was a good looking car. Mazdaspeed 6 and I loved my 2009 mazdaspeed3

[@Adrenadriven7]

The mazda6 was the best mid-size car but people just follow big names like accord and camry

[@tyhyhh]

nah i had one wasnt impressed was on par with my accord but less reliable and rusted out

[@Adrenadriven7]

@@tyhyhh no I mean the second gen and third gen

[@ChrisG-gl5st]

That's true and nowadays the Mazda midsize sedan are pretty reliable

[@Adrenadriven7]

@@ChrisG-gl5st not only that it’s fun to drive and the third gen Mazda 6 when it came out had class leading fuel efficiency

[@JOSESANTIAGO-jb8ii]

The mazda 6 2004-2008 V6 3.0L is a Ford Ranger engine with the same V6 engine with a lot of electrical problems.

[@DShu-kx8xk]

Had a 04 Mazda 6 miss that car it was so fun

[@67tomcat]

Still looks great 20 years later. Built in Flat Rock, MI.

[@anewf8724]

I just bought a 2003 Mazda 6 4cyl and it has over 280,000 miles on it and still runs good

[@hduncan2587]

I had a rough 2006 manual wagon, and have a love-hate feeling on the Mazda6. The facelifted models gave the interior a better center stack where the silver was so flushed out by sunlight, and the automatic was a six-speed unit that (in my experience from my last job) did a much better job for keeping the engine peppy, having quicker and smoother shifts, and the chassis had some additional bracing to boot. Sadly, the five speed manuals were all plagued with poor shift linkage that would break off of the transmission (it was mounted via plastic, which becomes brittle), and even worse the fifth gear itself is awful. Awful because they will almost certainly pop-out with wear, making them useless, and awful because even when they work, the short overall gearing means doing around 3,400rpm cruising at 80mph. The six-speed automatic would keep the revs around a sane 2,000rpm at that speed, and of course no concerns of shift linkage or pop-outs. That 3.0L was lovely to rev out. Definitely one of my favorite Duratec V6 set-ups, compared to the (relatively course) 3.5, 3.7, and more pedestrian 3.0L (such as the Escape version). Mazda didn't just give the Duratec their VVT, but also a different airbox with a vacuum operated flap. Taking some of the resonator material out of the airbox helps open up some intake noise. Not quite an SVT Contour (those are definitely my favorite Duratec V6), but similar vein... think of the Mazda6 as the more grown up replacement for the SVT Contour we never got.

[@juusbox]

great car if you find one with a manual transmission, the automatics are kinda lacking

[@gsxellence]

I'm in the process of buying a '04 6s now for $500

[@gsxellence]

I was able to get it for $220 😊

[@hakeemsd70m]

​@@gsxellence How??? 😮

[@gsxellence]

@@hakeemsd70m Hey, it needed some work, mainly that rear pre-cat failed and needed to be towed.. they were nice to work with me on the towing cost that they let me offer $300 and they were so Gracias to Give me $80.00 credit that allowed me to get it for a deal, in assisting with getting repaired. Now all I need to finish doing is clean that rear cat and get her registered and insured; she is working great 🥰.

[@gsxellence]

@@hakeemsd70m videos are up, more to come as I keep working on her 🤗💯 kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWrYp52YmZaeZrc

[@enessharku285]

I have a 2005 2.3 mazda 6 what a fantastic car

[@dustinknuckles4090]

I think the Mazda 6 original was the best looking one they ever made. The 09 was hideous. The newer ones aren't bad but I think they hit the design right on the head from the beginning

[@zzoinks]

Interesting, a fog light can go in the headlight?

[@Llggd]

One of these v6 mazdas tired to catch me in my modded comp g grand prix. I let off the gas when I was busses ahead of him and he did a ricer flyby lol

[@CoasterTurbo]

Nice car but quality lacks behind Accord and Camry, and the 2.3 is so underpowered

[@Krzrrazrrokr]

You’ve probably never even driven or sat inside one

[@CoasterTurbo]

@@Krzrrazrrokr i have driven the 03 2.3 with 4spd, the rear brake rotors had to be replaced out every 20000 miles, other than the styling accord and camry are the better car

[@tyhyhh]

@@Krzrrazrrokr he right accord and camry are better and i had a v6 manual it was fun dont get me wrong

[@nandernugget]

The Camry’s interior at the time was straight out of the mids 90s, outdated even then.

[@christianmonreal9303]

If your comparing to modern competitors than yes 160 hp 4cylinder is lacking, but is was on par for the time the accord made the same 160 hp and the camry made 157hp ,I've driven all 3 and the mazda definitely felt the most like sports car and had a unique interior