Help me out. I am looking seriously at 2004 Mazda 6 wagons, but my Dad wants me to get an American car (ie Ford) for greater ease of service. I drive a lot of long distances. If I break down in the middle of nowhere, is the rural mechanic going to be able to fix my Mazda wagon? Or even in town, are the prices for Mazda parts and service really that much higher than they would be for Ford?
I've only ever owned a Ford.
Also, 2004 wagon owners - how reliable has your car been?

 

It depends on the vehicle, but I would guess that since the Mazda6 and Ford Fusion are related, the repair costs may be in line with each other. Having said that, though, a Mazda is a Mazda and a Ford is a Ford. Are you looking a V6 or an I4?

 

Well, I still haven't found the one yet, but I testdrove a V6 manual and loved it, just found the price a little high (at a dealership).

 

I own ford five hundred and mazda 6 v6. The cost of repairing is almost same. It seems like Mazda has more computer problems than ford. Ford is easy to repair if you don't get CVT transmission.

If parking is no problem, Ford five hundred (6sp not CVT) or Tauras X is a better choice for interstate driving. These are full-size cars. Ford Freestyle only with CVT transmission cost more in maintenance.

I like the handling of mazda6 much more than my five hundred. For Mpg, Ford is much better than mazda6s. In city, I drive mazda6. For a long trip, Five hundred is best.

For a mazda6 wagon, I prefer with side airbags.

 

Only the most backwoods areas would still pose a problem for Jap car repairs these days. I live in a rural area and I can take my Mazda to any shop without issue. Now if I had a German car, that still poses a problem here as only specialized mechanics handle those here. I think costs are pretty similar these days also.

 

+1 not to mention "Jap" car is something of a misnomer these days. The 6 the we drive for example is different from the ones they have in Europe and Asia, not to mention built here to begin with. Also, if you look under the hood of the 6 you will see plenty of parts stamped with FOMOCO. Parts are easy to find and the car is no more difficult to work on than any other FWD sedan.

 

My Mazda6 was built in Flat Rock, MI, so I guess it's a Jap car built in the US. My friend has a Ford Fusion (which is basically the twin of the M6), except it is built in Mexico. (figure that one out - buy American just isn't what it's cracked up to be I suppose). I've had Mazda's for 13 yrs. now (Miata's and now the Mazda6 in addition) and have found them of no special difficulty in working on.