Faults:

Brand new expensive car - Mazda 6 - is not well made.

Battery died under 45,000, which I was told was very unusual - it was some electrical short.

The WORST thing about the car was that there were transmission problems that appeared while driving on the highway around 5,000 miles the first time. Car would clunk into gear and also got stuck in neutral (this is an automatic and I was merging onto highway). It was still under warranty, but Mazda USA and local dealership gave me the run around. They acted like they had never heard of it before. I couldn't wait to get rid of the car and will never own another Mazda. They are in denial about the seriousness of their transmission issues. My recommendation, based on my experience.

General Comments:

Do not purchase a Mazda before researching transmission problems first.

Faults:

At 34,000 miles, I drove the car for 40 miles and then stopped the engine at a rest area for 5 minutes. When I went to re-start the engine, the gauges were going crazy and no power was flowing to the car or radio. I had to tow the car back to the dealer, who replaced the battery altogether and mentioned that the acid level in the battery was low.

The lumbar cable became loose on the drivers side seat at 38,000 miles. The passenger windows on a rare occasion do not open with the driver switch.

General Comments:

Biggest disappointment is that the engine stutters between first and second gear, and RPMs dip in fourth gear as an unexplainable drop of power. There seems to be transmission hesitation in shifting gears, which lunges the car forward in surges.

I am currently looking to replace my car, as I am nearing my warranty and I do not wish to have any transmission replaced.

Faults:

Nothing, its brand new.

General Comments:

This is a great car. The best handling car in its class. A bit smaller than its other mid-size competitors but never too small. Great sporty seats which compromise comfort slightly but still a comfortable car. Very safe as well, it has 8 airbags. Quick too with 215 hp. Slightly cheap feeling interior, but I will always choose this over an Accord or Camry. The new (2008+) 6 is bigger and more comfortable, but trades that room for some of its zoom.

Faults:

Had to replace front brakes and rotors within 3,000 miles. Lumbar support cable replaced at around 7,000 miles. Check engine light came on around 10,000 miles. Dealer told me the gas cap was loose, which I find hard to believe. I've been pumping gas for 20 years and am very cognizant of loose gas caps triggering engine light. Intake manifold gaskets had to be replaced around 18,000 miles. Now at 26,000 miles the EGR solenoid and purge valve are being replaced. Now I've gotten into it with dealer because the paint on 3 of the 4 door moldings has faded. The dealer replaced 1 under warranty and claims the other 2 are damaged because of the soap I use. Apparently Mothers soap only affects some of the moldings and not others. Come on.

General Comments:

The car looks good and has a sporty feel to it. I think the fuel economy is poor in comparison to Toyota's or Honda's with the same size engines. The navigation is difficult to use.