Cars ???

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Aaroona

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#157011 14-Aug-2008 18:54

1gkar:
scottjpalmer:
. . . the wheels caused a constant drone on the stone chip surface . . .

Sounds like an issue you can have with any car - usually the tyre's fault not the fault of the car.
How do you know that? Also, car-drive noise is usually related to the quality of a vehicles' sound insulation. Apparently, it is a known restriction. The Dog & Lemon Guide writes, "The only real downside is the Mazda6 is that the cabin is not as quiet as we would like".

Admittedly, it is just one person's opinion, like mine: and like yours. I never passed a judgement, I simply stated what my senses quantified.

Agreed.

It all comes doewn to personal opinion.

Personally, we've had over 6 of these cars (all different types I might add) Station wagon, Sports, Sedan. They have all not been too bad. The worse I thought was the Station wagon due to the actual size of it.

But the Sedan and Sports were quite alright, I thought.

1gkar

722 posts

Ultimate Geek

#157018 14-Aug-2008 19:05

Aaroona:
1gkar: Also, with the 6, you cannot fit a custom stereo head unit as the factory one is behind the plastic fascia with just a slot in it. I listen to mp3s via CDs. If you use an Ipod-type device then you should be okay as I think they have an auxilliary jack.

While this is true, I have to disagree.
This Mazda 6 (aka Atenza) we imported for a cumstomer, while being behind this plastic plate you speak of, it came with a 40GB hard drive built in, so you could load your music on it via CD or iPod. Or you could just listen to it directly from the iPod.

Also came with DVD player, TV, GPS system. And a couple of other extras.

So it depends on what options you get.
So while you may not be able to REPLACE the stereo with a CUSTOM one. You most definitely do have options..

Is this true for all Mazda6s? Or just the one you imported?

I would be curious, because if it's all, then Mazda are defintely doing themselves out of business. I read the owner's manual (in English) & it did not state anything about an in-built hard-drive. I'm not critisizing the Mazda, just looking for accurate answers. It did sway my purchase away from the Mazda.

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Aaroona

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#157020 14-Aug-2008 19:08

1gkar:
Aaroona:
1gkar: Also, with the 6, you cannot fit a custom stereo head unit as the factory one is behind the plastic fascia with just a slot in it. I listen to mp3s via CDs. If you use an Ipod-type device then you should be okay as I think they have an auxilliary jack.

While this is true, I have to disagree.
This Mazda 6 (aka Atenza) we imported for a cumstomer, while being behind this plastic plate you speak of, it came with a 40GB hard drive built in, so you could load your music on it via CD or iPod. Or you could just listen to it directly from the iPod.

Also came with DVD player, TV, GPS system. And a couple of other extras.

So it depends on what options you get.
So while you may not be able to REPLACE the stereo with a CUSTOM one. You most definitely do have options..
Is this true for all Mazda6s? Or just the one you imported?

I would be curious, because if it's all, then Mazda are defintely doing themselves out of business. I read the owner's manual (in English) & it did not state anything about an in-built hard-drive. I'm not critisizing the Mazda, just looking for accurate answers. It did sway my purchase away from the Mazda.

No it most definitely won't be with ALL mazda 6's. However, it is apprantly an option.
But, that car I mention was an example of what it was equipped with. And it was all still with the Mazda gear, it wasnt a different stereo at all.

1gkar

722 posts

Ultimate Geek

#157041 14-Aug-2008 20:05

As I said, Mazda are doing themselves... If they don't supply all relevant information, prospective purchasers could be swayed across to other makes, like myself. It's all I will on the matter, as we seem to have hijacked the post.

slyguy

47 posts

Geek

#157042 14-Aug-2008 20:18

Hijack away! I can tell you I've got no complaints with these forums

All this talk of the Mazda's (that and a lot of background research) has pretty much swayed me down that path, for what i can get in terms of value for money...

I've got around $15k to play with, and i can see a few cars in auckland area on AutoTrader for that kind of money, but wanted to know, with times being financially a bit on the tough side at the moment, am i likely to be able to haggle a bit (something us brits generally dont do well at, but i love !)

Cheers

JoeBloggs

355 posts

Ultimate Geek

#157196 15-Aug-2008 13:23

Generally the tyres are responsible for road noise. Even with minimal insulation you won't hear road noise with a soft compound tyre. However has you get lower profiles and harder compounds, road noise increases and only heavy insulation will dampen the sound.

Dyson

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tifoso

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#157442 16-Aug-2008 17:10

Thought I would add my comments about the Mazda 6. My father has had two so far and currently has a 2006 NZ new Mazda 6 Ltd (bought new). Great car. I've just bought a new 2008 Mazda 6 Ltd sporthatch. Its even better. All the gadgets you could wish for except satnav. This isn't something I miss as I can find my way home after a day at work (or a night on the turps

). The Bose stereo is great, dual zone climate air is now a must-have and being able to control the heating, stereo and trip computer from the steering wheel is quite a neat feature. The Ltd model also has flappy paddles for the tiptonic gearbox and on the open road they're great to use. Handling is good and the car is very quiet inside - even on coarse chip tarseal. One of the things I had done straight away was fill the tyres with nitrogen and this has made a noticeable difference to noise levels and ride quality.

Our other car is a 2002 Legacy GT30 wagon. We bought it fresh off the boat last December and initially I thought it was a nice car but it pales in comparison to the new Mazda 6. Ok so the BH Legacy dates from 1998 and the Mazda 6 is a 2008 car so there is 10 years improvement in technology but I'm disappointed with the way the Legacy has aged in the 6 months we've had it. But it's what I expect from a JUC. Buy NZ new if you can.

tonyhughes

Hawkes Bay
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#157461 16-Aug-2008 21:10

Aaroona: I've never been too keen on bigger engine cars, and I think personally (IMHO), Fords and Holdens are relatively standard in the way of features. (stock standard anyway).

But thats jusy my assesment. I find that I can get all the power that i need and more, from a 2.0lt. So to me, a V6 or V8 would be a waste of money..

Everyone to their own.

But definitely the Altezza's and Atenza's (a.k.a Mazda 6 in NZ) are fantastic vehicles.

Nothing to disagree with there.

My SS has what you would call the bare minimum of features. For the same money, a Merc or a Beema or a Toyota is luxury by comparison. I just wanted something big, loud and in your face (in hindsight, a mirror would have done the job).

slyguy

47 posts

Geek

#159842 26-Aug-2008 11:58

Thanks for all the help with this guys..

I've ended up with.... a Mazda Atenza Wagon, 2004, 37k (certified), 2.3, erm, red.... I'd love to tell you the other bits, but I can't read the manual..

Bought through Turners Car Auctions in Auckland, and got what I felt was a pretty good deal for a car with low K's ($16,400).

I now just need to get a band expander, or a new stereo.... tempted down the new stereo (and bezel etc) route so i can add a modern stereo with Ipod interface etc..

Can anyone recommend a place where i can get that kind of thing sorted (i'm much more of a pay someone else to do it, rather than try myself and break it, and then end up paying someone else to do it anyway, kinda person).

nate

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#159845 26-Aug-2008 12:09

slyguy: I now just need to get a band expander, or a new stereo.... tempted down the new stereo (and bezel etc) route so i can add a modern stereo with Ipod interface etc..

Can anyone recommend a place where i can get that kind of thing sorted (i'm much more of a pay someone else to do it, rather than try myself and break it, and then end up paying someone else to do it anyway, kinda person).

iPod controllers are great, after I bought my Mazda I had a new iPod friendly head unit installed. As for somewhere to pickup gear try SuperCheapAuto or Repco then find an installer. If you want both installation and the gear, try Rapid Radio.

You may also want to start a new topic with this as the title, as stereo installation is OT

sleemanj

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#159862 26-Aug-2008 13:00

slyguy: train station... However, it seems that you guys have got quite a process to allow me to ride a bike of pretty much any kind over there, what with Learner,
then restricted etc.. If I understand correctly, i'd be looking at a 50cc bike to start with, after taking a small test, and i'm 100KG..... so can't see that mix going too well :)

You can ride up to 250cc on a learner bike licence (this is changing in a year or two to a set list of bikes, some larger than 250 will be allowed and some 250 which will be excluded because of high power to weight), you can ride a 50cc scooter on a car licence (even learner car). That said, bike commuting in winter is no fun.

---
James Sleeman
I sell lots of stuff for electronic enthusiasts...

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