2003 Mazda 6 6S 2.0 from United Arab Emirates

Summary:

Good buy, worth every penny

Faults:

The dashboard display just faded away and ultimately stopped working.

The a/c condenser had to be changed at 78000 Kms.

The seats are wearing out at an alarming rate.

The car dents easily, and the paint scratches easily and peels off (the paint issue is something which Mazda should look into and fix).

The car makes a clunking noise when coming to a complete stop, or when starting to move.

General Comments:

Overall the car is quite comfortable, and fun to drive.

I had the clunking noise checked by the dealer, and was assured that it isn't a safety issue.

The a/c performs very well (which is required in the Emirates).

The dealer service is excellent.

Mazda have finally learnt how to make their vehicles, reliable, and stylish. I would buy another one in a heart beat.

I wish Mazda would do something about their paint work.

I did have the paint peeling issue on my 323.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd January, 2007

2003 Mazda 6 s 3.0 from North America

Summary:

Couldn't break this amazing car if I tried. LOVE IT. Looooove it

Faults:

1 Headlight & 1 Fog-light bulb went a couple months ago. Easily replaced under warranty.

Starter slightly grinding on cold mornings. Replaced (under warranty) just to be safe.

General Comments:

Couldn't be happier with this car. It handles like nobody's business when you put the right kind of rubber on its feet. Reliability is almost an insult to me - I drive this car like I hate it. Like I'm being chased by the cops. The fact that NOTHING major has broken on it yet? I feel defeated. Three years of thrashing and still nothing has gone wrong with this bulletproof beast. It's been my favorite car, by far. Warranty's expiring soon so I'm getting a little nervous. Not sure if I should keep killing it and hope for the best or just break down and get the Mazdaspeed 6 (droooool). I just love when someone asks my opinion of this car, I could talk people's ears off about what a great value this is. Mazda has made a real gem here.

Highly, HIGHLY recommended.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th October, 2006

2003 Mazda 6 I 2.3 from North America

Summary:

I would NEVER recommend this car to anyone, ever

Faults:

The transmission would only shift into neutral at 42,000 miles. The transmission was replaced. This did not fix the problem. They instead replaced the front axle assembly.

At 64,000 miles, the battery light came on. I took it to Mazda on July 19th. July 20th, they checked the alternator output and the PCM. They assured me the car was fine. I went to pick it up, and the car wouldn't start. They then decided it was the alternator, which they replaces at a 125% mark-up. On the first test drive, the power train failed. They then decided it was the PCM. After they replaced that, on the first test drive, the RCM failed, along with the power windows, all the bulbs in the head lamps and the air conditioning blower.

General Comments:

The Mazda6 is a very comfortable, smooth ride and it has a spacious interior. However, those are the only good things I can say about this car. I have had nothing, but problems with this car in the 2 years I've owned it, each one more substantial, and more costly than the next. Every time I bring it to Mazda for a repair, they can't find anything wrong and fix whatever seems to be the best bet. This, invariably, causes more serious problems with the car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 3rd August, 2006

5th Aug 2006, 11:53

Since your 6 is out of warranty, I assume because of your mileage, take it somewhere else. Dealerships are famous for "fixing" cars and charging an arm and a leg for it. Go to one of those guaranteed national shops for a change. They do work right, usually the first time, because if they mess up the first time, they have to repair it again at no charge (only if they guarantee their work). The 6 is a durable little car, as long as it's not being "fixed" by the dealer. My buddy's RX-8 has been to the dealer 6 times and had 2 engines put in it. Finally, after being smart, he went somewhere else and no problems since.

4th Oct 2006, 15:10

Maybe not strictly relevant to Mazdas, but when I worked for BAE Systems they used to have many company Rovers and they had an appalling reliability record when serviced by a Rover main dealer.

This changed when a former employee who had retrained and become a mobile car mechanic started doing the servicing for about 2/3 of the labour cost. In fact the Rovers were regarded as being as reliable as any mass produced car.

The only problem is that if you do this with a new car you clobber the warranty and this will make the car difficult to sell on.

3rd Jan 2007, 08:49

Sorry to hear about the problems with your 6. I own a 2003 Mazda 6 (automatic) myself, and iam quite pleased with the performance. I have a friend who owns a 2003 6, manual transmission and has similar issues with the vehicle. He is so fed up of making trips to the service center. Now he is banging his head, thinking as to why he didn't go for an automatic. You may have got a lemon, hope things work out for you.