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.
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.
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
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.
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.
@@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 🥰.
@@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
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
