After having my Mazda 6 for a month now, I am more used to the car and I still love it and have no regrets. After having a 1st AND 2nd generation Mazda 6 (S Grand Touring on both), I think Mazda really fell short in terms of execution with a lot of the features of the car, and I find them really annoying. I also want to add that the operation of the 2nd generation navigation system is where Mazda REALLY jumped the shark and went backwards! Here are my pet peeves and major likes, what are yours?
Pet Peeves
o After turning the vehicle off, I am only able to raise the drivers side window. I need to have the ignition on to close the rest of the windows and moon-roof. Every other car in the world allows you to close all windows after the ignition is off.
o I have the M6 Grand Touring with the auto-dimming mirrors, but the passenger sided mirror does not dim. WTF Mazda?
o The navigation system, bluetooth, iphone-ipod integration - all of the above, and we all know the complaints about this.
o Lack of storage space in the door - could have used door pockets as there is plenty of real-estate there.
o Glove compartment has no resistance. When you open, it just crashes open and really needs a governor to smoothly open it.
o When folding down rear seats from the trunk, you need to hit the latch, then go to the back door and push the seat down. In the 2nd, and 3rd generation 6's and when you hit the latch, the seats were spring loaded and flopped down automatically. Really comes in handy when you are trying to keep a shopping cart from hitting your car or having it roll away in the parking lot.
o My car is equipped with remote auto-start, and it requires a separate and HUGE key fob. The separate key fob does not operation as a smart key, so you need two huge fobs in your pocket if you want to use remote autostart. No, I am not happy to see you, it is just a huge key fob in my pocket! (rofl2). A friend of mine has a Chevy Suburban, and he can autostart from his normal size FOB. Mazda could have done that too!
o Voice commnands seem to be illogical. maybe I need to get used to it better, but making a phone call seems to be a real pain. After finally getting the system to dial the phone from your phonebook or a direct dialed number, you still have to push the phone button to complete the call. I find myself using the keypad on the screen to do everything and not using voice commands.
o hood latch - really hard to find the secondary lock on the hood to open it.
o Fuel door opener latch location - kind of inconvenient, all I can say here and starting to feel really picky.
o Rear backup camera - the outlines dont move/steer you in the right direction like other manufacturers backup cameras do. Dont get me wrong, I know how to back up without the camera, but a friend of mine brought this to my attention that his Altima does this. ouch! Not sure if this is because I dont have park assist, but it should be built in to the S GT
Here is where I think they did an excellent job
o Active cruise control - love it, love it, love it! Did not think I would use it much, but wow, what a smart feature.
o MPG - LOVE the balance of performance and MPG. I am averaging 30.5 mpg and am not driving like an AARP member. Not trying to qualify for Nascar either.
o Quality of materials, fit and finish, and the almond leather with black highlights with red stitching. Feels like a very high-end vehicle.
o Transmission - smooth shifting, very responsive to my driving need and almost a zen experience, and love the paddle shifters for taking manual control when merging in heavy traffic, etc.
o Overall fit an finish of the entire vehicle.
o turning radius is great.
o Dash layout, temperature controls locations, vent locations, gauge layout/look, information screen, (although take a couple of point off for small navigation screen)
o Power vs. performance vs. mileage - perfect balance.
o smart keyless entry system (other than above)
Pet Peeves
o After turning the vehicle off, I am only able to raise the drivers side window. I need to have the ignition on to close the rest of the windows and moon-roof. Every other car in the world allows you to close all windows after the ignition is off.
o I have the M6 Grand Touring with the auto-dimming mirrors, but the passenger sided mirror does not dim. WTF Mazda?
o The navigation system, bluetooth, iphone-ipod integration - all of the above, and we all know the complaints about this.
o Lack of storage space in the door - could have used door pockets as there is plenty of real-estate there.
o Glove compartment has no resistance. When you open, it just crashes open and really needs a governor to smoothly open it.
o When folding down rear seats from the trunk, you need to hit the latch, then go to the back door and push the seat down. In the 2nd, and 3rd generation 6's and when you hit the latch, the seats were spring loaded and flopped down automatically. Really comes in handy when you are trying to keep a shopping cart from hitting your car or having it roll away in the parking lot.
o My car is equipped with remote auto-start, and it requires a separate and HUGE key fob. The separate key fob does not operation as a smart key, so you need two huge fobs in your pocket if you want to use remote autostart. No, I am not happy to see you, it is just a huge key fob in my pocket! (rofl2). A friend of mine has a Chevy Suburban, and he can autostart from his normal size FOB. Mazda could have done that too!
o Voice commnands seem to be illogical. maybe I need to get used to it better, but making a phone call seems to be a real pain. After finally getting the system to dial the phone from your phonebook or a direct dialed number, you still have to push the phone button to complete the call. I find myself using the keypad on the screen to do everything and not using voice commands.
o hood latch - really hard to find the secondary lock on the hood to open it.
o Fuel door opener latch location - kind of inconvenient, all I can say here and starting to feel really picky.
o Rear backup camera - the outlines dont move/steer you in the right direction like other manufacturers backup cameras do. Dont get me wrong, I know how to back up without the camera, but a friend of mine brought this to my attention that his Altima does this. ouch! Not sure if this is because I dont have park assist, but it should be built in to the S GT
Here is where I think they did an excellent job
o Active cruise control - love it, love it, love it! Did not think I would use it much, but wow, what a smart feature.
o MPG - LOVE the balance of performance and MPG. I am averaging 30.5 mpg and am not driving like an AARP member. Not trying to qualify for Nascar either.
o Quality of materials, fit and finish, and the almond leather with black highlights with red stitching. Feels like a very high-end vehicle.
o Transmission - smooth shifting, very responsive to my driving need and almost a zen experience, and love the paddle shifters for taking manual control when merging in heavy traffic, etc.
o Overall fit an finish of the entire vehicle.
o turning radius is great.
o Dash layout, temperature controls locations, vent locations, gauge layout/look, information screen, (although take a couple of point off for small navigation screen)
o Power vs. performance vs. mileage - perfect balance.
o smart keyless entry system (other than above)
