Possible Mazda 6 wagon purchase

Hey all, So in the next six months we'll be buying a newer car for my wife. She knows nothing about what she wants except it needs to be a wagon. She's seen the Older Mazda 6 wagons and really likes them.

I'm starting to shop online for an 06'-07' model simply because I want the newest model possibly. I'm guessing there were only a few '07 wagons made hence including 06' in my search.

I've read the different threads on this site and a few owner reviews @ Edmunds and I'm some what concerned about the reliability of the 6 after they have aged and have a few miles on them. I noticed people mentioning frequent alignments and new tires needed (guessing due to control arm/ball joint issues) , also the pre-cat issue is a concern as well.

I'll be looking for an automatic. Is the 6spd auto good, bad? What can you tell me about the 3.0 v6? I know it's a Ford motor tweeked by Mazda. Any concerns I should have with maintenance items on the engine?

Thanks Dan

Hello? Anyone?

Sorry I can't help but I was looking for one a few months ago and there was none for sale within like 3 or 4 states. Good luck tho, they are sexy looking wagons.

I too can give no insight on the Mazda6 but 2 years ago we bought a Mazda5 as the spiritual replacement for a Volvo 850 wagon. We have been happy.

I've got a 2008 5 door hatch V6/6sp auto as a DD. 72k miles, not the first bit of trouble. Nice steering wheel, turn in, seats. Nothing awesome but better than an average mid-size car. About 22-23 MPG mixed, 29 all highway.

I picked one out for my Mom. She loves it!

It has been trouble free / fast / cheap / and hauls more than some small trucks.

You will love it!

Rob R.

i have an '03 sedan v6 manual with 164k on the odo. i bought it 3 years ago at 125k with a couple of issues:

• front wheel bearings were noisy. replaced front wheel bearings at 125k.
• had an issue with fuel pump starving in right turns with 1/4-tank or less so i had to replace the fuel pump assembly.
• at about 145k the water pump belt idler bearing failed so i lost my water pump drive belt. updated to later spec by throwing the idler away and using a "stretch to install" water pump drive belt.
• since about 150k i get "pre-cat 1 efficiency low" DTC, but the car runs great so i don't worry about it.
• headliner is falling down like a mid-'80s GM
• still on original clutch!

check out the 5-door hatch, as they might be easier to find than the wagon. unless you have specific cargo reasons for needing the wagon shape.

A few issues cropped up on my wife's '04. Power steering pump started leaking. I think a poor design related to heat dissipation on required all new coil packs on the first tune up (new packs had a stress relief in them), Bose stero had a channel issue playing CDs for a long time. Rear cargo cover spring "sprung" and won't retract, this is a common issue with rebuilds commonly available, and the center dash cubby storage hinge broke, which wouldn't be such an issue if it weren't spring loaded and required taking the whole center console out to replace it.

The bad aside it still has been a very good car overall. The V6 has good punch, and the auto doesn't feel very "slushy" as long as you let it do the shifting. Manual gear selection for spirited driving requires to take in account for the 5 second delay between when you tell it to shift and when it does.

Feels very unwagonlike, although the sexy curved hatch can cause some weird packing issues, unlike the more flat and utilitarian hatches like a VW or a Volvo.

If I had to do it again I would. Good luck hunting.

ah yes, i forgot that i recently replaced all six ignition coils. i probably forgot because i got the replacements for free from a friend at MSD.

I'm hoping most of the issues I've heard about them having was resolved by Mazda before 06'. Now I just have to hope one pops up relatively close to home.

I have a '05 with the 2.3L 5-speed. Never had any major problems with it. Very good looking cars IMO. I've only seen a few wagons around town.

Well, you are in luck. I believe the wagons were only sold at auto/v6 combos. As I recall, there weren't any huge issues with that combo. Manual v6 cars had a few issues , IIRC. Overall, pretty solid cars but they are rare.

I have an 06 Mazda 6 wagon v6/5 spd currently sitting at ~170,000 kms (105,000 miles). No issues so far, other than the rear tailgate latch mechanism is sticking. (I'm waiting for the road salt to wash away before I clean it). Car is comfortable, great cruiser on the highway, and still sporty when I want to play. Gas mileage isn't great (~ 29 mpg at 75 mph), but as my neighbour suggests, I'm paying for the "zoom-zoom".

If they imported the newer style wagon that's available in Europe now, I'd be standing in line..

Not sure how to post pics here but there are images of 2014 Mazda6 wagon out there and I like it. If it comes with a decent towing capabilty, I'm on it!

ggarrard wrote: Gas mileage isn't great (~ 29 mpg at 75 mph),

In my world, 29mpg is great!

pinchvalve wrote:

ggarrard wrote: Gas mileage isn't great (~ 29 mpg at 75 mph),

In my world, 29mpg is great!

29 mpg is good for those considering the EPA rated them at 26 mpg hwy when they were new.

In reply to sanman:

You can get them V6 5 speed, just hard to find.

I test drove one once. I had really really wanted to like it but the experience was meh. I think they look great on the outside and are a good size. The interior was really bland and the motor was uninspiring. Plus the fuel economy sucks. I suggest you at least try a Saab 2.0T sportcombi. It will be nicer in everyway and cheaper. Easily modded to 270+hp. The downside is some parts are hard to find, mostly body parts, but consumables are plentiful. Reliability is above average. The 2007 Anniversary Edition is the model to look for.

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote:

pinchvalve wrote:

ggarrard wrote: Gas mileage isn't great (~ 29 mpg at 75 mph),

In my world, 29mpg is great!

29 mpg is good for those considering the EPA rated them at 26 mpg hwy when they were new.

29 MPG would be awesome. This car is for my wife so there's no chance she'd have it up to 75. It's also got to be an auto. The wife can't drive stick.

FWIW my wife often gets well over 75 and still manages 28 mpg or so on the highway road trips. Her lead foot in city driving drags it down to 17 mpg.

neckromacr wrote: FWIW my wife often gets well over 75 and still manages 28 mpg or so on the highway road trips. Her lead foot in city driving drags it down to 17 mpg.

My wife is 40 and drives like she's 80.