Well, as stated, i'm new! and new to Mazda. I have a question about a used car.

Well, after having my 99 outback for 2 years, the engine died, and it wouldn't be worth replacing, since it also needed a new tranny. I'll be taking out a 3k loan, and paying the rest straight foward.

They want $6,400 for a 2004 Mazda 6s sports wagon, autmoatic with 106k on the dash. It also comes with a thule roof rack (perfect since I ride bmx) and a extra set of winter wheels with almost new yokomo tires. My moms scared that something will go horribly wrong with this car, since my last import was terrible.

My moms finace keeps leaning towards american made cars, like chevy, ford, dodge, etc. and as I looked up, I noticed the 6's are made in America.

He then goes on to say "well mazda parts are still japenese, which means there still exspesnive and harder to find". The guy with the car also had the extended warrenty, and chances are if I purchase the car i'd renew the warrenty since it would be better in the long run. I've been told already to check the third gear for slippage, and the heating/AC.

My question is, does this seem like a good buy? I can give the link to the car if anyone needs it, which i'm sure you will. I just love the sporty look and i'm also interesed in the optional maunal slap stick aswell that comes as an addition. Some insight and thought on this deal and or car would be more appreicated, and sorry for all the text!

-Zach

 

I've got (actually my wife has) a 2004 Mazda6 Sportwagon. Just passed 85K miles with few issues noted. The parts haven't been than more expensive than a typical car. Many of the parts on the Mazda6 are the same one's used for the Ford Fusion/Milan/MKZ as it is a shared vehicle platform. Any autoparts store carries them. It's built in Flatrock, MI and is assembled with a large portion of the parts being domestically tooled and manufactured here in the US. (I worked on that program launch back in 2002+)

The price sounds low (which is good), but that sends up a red flag for me (as does someone warning you to check out 3rd gear.) 106K miles isn't really that many, so I'm surprised it has those problems. Sounds like it may have lead a fairly hard life and maybe wasn't maintained as well as it could have been. Any car, if not maintained properly, will cause you trouble.

 

I tihnk you might have gotten a few things i've said confused.

Someone told me that the auto trannys on mazda6's sometimes have trouble with slippage, and they told me to get it over the 3rd gear to see if it slips when test driving the vehicle. The guy who owns it owns a HUGE company, and even called me from China to talk to my about the car. He said all the routine service has been done by mazda, since he had the warrenty, and the pump and belt have been replaced.

What smaller issues have you seen with your wifes? And thanks for the info. on ford and mazda being so simliar. My mom and her Fiance think this car is compeltey from Japan.

 

The Mazda6 in Europe and Japan are made in Hofu, Japan. The North American version is built in Michigan. As far as an import goes, you can't get more American. (As a Ford employee, I agree that you need to try to maximize the domestic content of your purchase.)

Other than the typical wear items (spark plugs, brakes). I had an early failure of the fan control module (replaced @ 40,000 miles under a recall - no problems since.) I also had an ignition coil go out at ~80,000 miles. Those are the only problems we've had. It's been a great car.

The parts for the brakes and plugs were all available at Autozone and were in the same range as parts for other cars ($70/rotor, $30/pair of brake pads, $5/plug) Service parts for the North American Mazda6 are sourced to the same domestic US companies that make the production parts.