2003 Mazda 6 S from North America

Summary:

I really do not think this car is a good investment

Faults:

The car initially had a great ride. Starting around 7,000 miles my car keep making a racket every time I turned it on. Eventually after 3 return trips to the dealer it was fixed until around 28,900. It is now in the shop for this again. I was told Mazda knows this is a problem. They are now installing a new starter.

My other problem is the automatic transmission. My first clutch went at 10,000 miles. I was just told by the service department it was a factory defect so they did replace it. Now again I need a new clutch. My auto mechanic feels this is bogus, the clutch should be holding up for at least 50,000 miles. I am really annoyed with the dealership. I would not recommend this car unless you have plenty of money for repairs.

I had purchased the sport package. The paint is peeling on all the pieces. The dealership said this is normal wear.

General Comments:

The car was very expensive for a vehicle that spends more time in the shop then on the road.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 20th May, 2005

23rd May 2005, 00:46

A clutch with an automatic transmission??

I am a little confused...

30th May 2005, 08:14

Are you sure you know what car we are talking about?

3rd Jun 2005, 12:14

Wow, this sounds like either.

A) the Dealership is a piece of (bad word goes here)

Or.

B) you don't know how to drive.

To other submitors, even the automatic tranny has a clutch pad, but of course operated by the computer rather than the driver.

Look up your local state lemon law and go from there. Definitely contact Mazda directly and bring it up to their attention!

Good luck!

26th Dec 2006, 15:11

In summary, there are similarities with manual trannies and conventional automatics. I've seen an opened Mazda automatic tranny and there were about 20 separate clutch plates. So the fact remains that both use "clutches"; just in a different way and for some different functions. Yes, the torque converter is unique to the conventional auto, but no transmission shifts gears without employing a clutch of some sort. The exception is the new rash of CVT's; Constant Velocity Transmission. "No shift shock" means power is not transmitted abruptly, be it in a planetary gear set and clutch packs or operator controlled clutch plate.

3rd Jan 2007, 08:31

I purchased a second hand 2003 Mazda 6 S in Feb of 2006. The car does have its drawbacks, but the ones you are facing are extraordinary. There are a few things which are inherent about this vehicle, like the cheap interior plastic which scuffs very easily, and the easily denting body and paint work. The dealer for mazda is excellent here, in fact, I get calls from the dealer every now and then inquiring about the vehicles condition. When and if I do take the car to the dealer, I get a a friendly, courteous, and ROYAL treatment everytime. Hope things work out for you.

2003 Mazda 6 TS2 2.0L from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Reasonable handling, good comfort levels

Faults:

One the front wheels have had to be balanced three times now (at my expense) as car veers to the right. Dealer assures me no other car has had this problem.

The front passenger window very often opens with a "clunk" which occasionally is so loud that I fear it will break

The metallic coating from the top of the gear knob has peeled away (at 18 months old 12,000 miles) Mazda claim no other car has had this problem and I have made excessive use of the gears.

General Comments:

Although a reasonable car in most cases, the niggles and poor dealer service means I'll have to consider seriously before I buy another Mazda, which is a shame because this is the fourth Mazda I have driven.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 30th December, 2004

7th Jun 2005, 11:11

Surprised at your comment on dealers. I had an MX-5 until very recently (then the baby arrived) and although the car itself was a peach, the dealers will be my lasting memory of the ownership experience. They were utterly faultless, and treated me as a valued customer. After years of Ford, VW and Vauxhall ownership, I can honestly say I have never experienced this before.

25th Nov 2005, 05:19

You're not the only one that had this problem with the gear shift knob.. Not to my car, but to another fellow. Changed it under warranty, anyway.

17th Dec 2005, 03:30

I agree that Mazda dealers could improve their service to its customers. I own an MX5 and found them useless when it came to spares. I was going to buy a Mazda 6 but the sales department didn't seem interested so I bought a Honda instead, which was a mistake, but that's another story.

7th Apr 2006, 20:00

I have the same window clunking sound from both front windows. Especially when its cold, it sounds like the glass will break. Also, my shift knob is starting to wear off, but it's an auto.