2008 Mazda 6i 5-Speed: The Oppo Review

"johnmpc94" (johnmpc94) 07/21/2015 at 14:30 • Filed to: Mazda 6, Mazda, Manual, Oppo Review, Review

5

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Full Disclosure: Mazda wanted me to drive this thing so badly that they made it an attractive enough FWD mid-size car that my brother chose one as his first vehicle.

So, the 2008 Mazda 6. It’s a Ford Fusion (or rather, a Ford Fusion is it). It has a 2.3L I4 with variable-valve timing. It has 3 pedals and 5 forward gears. This is a ‘base-model’ 6i, but is well equipped with power windows, locks, mirrors, keyless entry, and air conditioning. Here’s what I think about it.

Exterior 6/10

The looks of the Mazda 6 are not bad. The facelift it received mid-model helped make the face a little less ugly. The shape is fairly nice, the car looks (and slightly is) low-slung. This one features the spoiler option, which doesn’t sit too high and actually settles the rear of the car up nicely, especially after having seen one without it. The Altezza-style taillights make it stand out a little bit more than other mid-sizers, and are easy to see and discern. Farther down the rear, there’s a style line cut into the bottom of the rear bumper just above the exhaust outlets, with long, slim reflectors on both ends of it. It comes equipped with a dual exhaust (splits into a y underneath the rear seat), and the symmetrical double polished tips fit the vehicle’s styling.

It has 17” 5-spoke swept-style rims, which contrary to the image are not actually chrome, but a very bright alloy. They make the ride a little harsh but fit the space they’re in quite well. The mirrors are actually quite large, but more long and narrow than short and tall. The low-beam headlights are projector-beam, but are not HIDs. However, they make the front look a little more upscale than it actually is. There is also, for some reason, a ‘fake bezel’ in the headlight clusters. In between the low-beam and turn signal is a lens-shaped piece of plasti-chromed nothingness. There’s no light or anything behind it. It’s just made to look like there is. I found this confusing. Lastly are the lower front bumper pieces, which are a plastic mesh which is vaguely chintzy but all-together non-offensive. Overall the car is just a slightly-sporty looking mid-sizer.

Interior 5/10

The interior is a two-tone affair, with black soft-touch material on the dash and upper door panels. Trim panels are covered in a dark metallic gray hard-plastic, which looks and feels cheap. Thankfully it’s metallic shine is not enough that it draws attention to itself. The door handles are light silver metallic plastic, and are easy to find and reach. Air vents (of which there are 5) are an omni-directional affair, in that you may twist and turn each of them in whatever direction your heart desires. They also feel no where near as cheap and fragile as the ones in my NA Miata.

The steering wheel is covered in a ruggedized version of the material that covers the dashboard, and it actually feels okay. It’s ever-so-slightly pliable and comfy in your hands. It has three spokes, and small bolstering around the 2:30 and 9:30 positions, directly above the top spokes. It has steering wheel mounted buttons for radio volume, presets/cd-track, mode/source, and a mute button. The cruise-control is also wheel-mounted, with on/off, cancel, and resume/accel | set/coast. It’s very easy and comfortable to use.

Gauges are a mixed bag. They are easily read, with large white font and lots of space between the numbers. They also (along with everything else in the cabin) light up red at night (with the interior illumination on), which I discovered is much less tiring on the eyes when reading at night. However, the two center gauges (rev-counter and speedometer, respectively) are surrounded by large chrome rings. When driving with your back towards the sun, light reflects off of these (in particular the rev-counter) and makes it almost look like a warning light is popping up on the dash without a second glance. It’s marginally irritating.

Also a mixed bag are the seats. As the picture shows (unless Nibbles eats it), they have moderate bolstering and do hold you in place well (that, and the grippy cloth). The cushion has a good amount of support in it and for being only a six-way adjustable manual seat, the angle on the cushion is just right for me. It has no adjustable lumber, the problem not being a lack of lumbar support but incorrect and un-adjustable positioning. Otherwise the seats are, as you’ve already guessed, mid-size-FWD-tastic, i.e. forgettable. Rear seats are slightly more comfortable than a comparable-age Camry, with marginally less legroom. Armrest and arm-positioning are good, but the back window and C-pillar are less than optimal for road-trip naps.

Acceleration 6/10

As equipped with the 2.3L I4 L3-VE (which Ford markets as the Duratec), it’s rated at 156hp @ 6500rpm (redline) and 154lb-ft @ 4000rpm. It’s DOHC, lower compression (only 9.7:1). Mazda equipped this one with a dual-muffler setup, with a single (but decent-sized) pipe going into a y underneath the rear seats into two mufflers. When really giving it the go it sounds much better (and much more powerful) than the beigemobile powerplant that it is. The gearing is fairly close, ratios being (1->5) 3.31, 1.84, 1.23, 0.97, & 0.76. In order to make it feel peppy, Mazda outfitted it with (and I can’t believe this myself) a 4.39 axle ratio. This means that it pulls very hard through the first 2.5 gears, easily chirping tires in 2nd on the way through. This also means that 70mph = 3000rpm. Ouch. Gas mileage follows this form, at an EPA estimated 21 city/29 highway. I averaged just a hair into 30mpg bringing it home from Tulsa, doing 75mph at most (and averaging 70mph). Official 0-60 time is 6.9s, Realistically it’s around 7.4. Not too bad.

Brakes 6/10

It has 4-wheel discs and ABS, both of which means that it stops the roughly 3100lb car adequately. Pedal feel is decent, if a bit long on travel (you go an inch or so in before it gets down to business). Worthy of note, however, is the handbrake. In my infinite wisdom, I dropped the clutch in first while it was parked, thinking it was in neutral. The car moved less than a foot (with much noise and tire squeal) and thankfully didn’t charge headfirst into the Eldorado we’re trying to sell. +1 for good parking brake.

Ride 6/10

The ride is just cushy enough that you don’t mind taking a few-hundred mile trip in it (I didn’t mind). The larger diameter wheels and ‘sporty’ suspension mean that every expansion joint, every rock, every tiny, squishy worm you run over, you feel. It’s not necessarily harsh, but it is thoroughly communicative. There is no excess movement upon contact with larger bumps; it just seems to soak up just enough of the impact without feeling flobbery.

Handling 6.5/10

For something that is wrong-wheel-drive, the handling is actually really good for this vehicle, especially in it’s segment. There’s little body roll, no discernible (as-of-yet) understeer, and very little plow. The steering is very communicative and direct, with a shorter-ratio rack that equates to just a hair more lock-to-lock than my Miata, and it’s very stable on-center. Overall, it’s not too far off-base to say it acts like a bigger, heavier, FWD Miata. So if the Miata is roughly a 9/10 or 10/10, then this is 6.5. Good but just not good enough to be a 7.

Gearbox 7/10

This is, however, good enough to warrant a 7/10. The clutch is actually just slightly heavier than my Miata, if a little less communicative. It strikes the (almost) perfect balance between light for stop-and-go and heavy for hooning duties. It’s also very forgiving, and very smooth. The gearbox has relatively short throws, and the lever itself is positioned well to make it feel like it belongs there. The factory shift knob is made of the same material as the dash and steering wheel, and is topped with a chrome bezel denoting shift pattern. It feels good in the hand. The gearbox is very crisp and precise, something that pleasantly surprised me. I would almost say it would give my Miata a run for its money (if you haven’t gathered by now, my NA is my benchmark for all things sporty/fun/manual).

Toys 4/10

It is not amazingly equipped, being the base model and all. As stated previously, it has power locks, windows (front windows are auto up/down), mirrors, keyless entry, and cruise control. It has a manually adjustable driver’s seat. It does have a radio, and the radio’s screen is separate from it’s control panel. I like this. It makes it very easy to read while driving down the road, because you merely have to glance down at the dash-top and see song, source, time, and outside temp. Oh yeah, it reads outside temperature. Oooh, I know of a toy it has: switchblade key. But..., it’s a Mazda switchblade key, which means it’s only 7 years old and falling apart. It is still cool, and fun to play with.

Audio 6/10

Again, the exhaust is dual muffler (but not proper dual exhaust) and makes a lovely noise for a very beige four-cylinder. It palls in comparison to the audio system it’s equipped with. For the fact that its the standard audio, it’s amazing. Bass punch is crisp and easily felt, and highs are done with minimal distortion. Mids are forgettable, but this is a stereo that’s designed for the youths and their ‘pop’ ‘music’, so they’ll never notice. It’s an AM/FM/CD head unit, with no AUX port (at least, not yet). It plays CDs well. Radio signal is static-y and gets quite poor reception (I blame that on the half-mast-like antenna mounted to the back of the roof). The Mazda-designed head unit supposedly supports upgrades to the stock unit (like adding AUX, CD-Changer, Satelite Radio...), but I haven’t really investigated the options yet.

Value 6/10

We paid a fair KBB retail for it, from a large pre-owned dealer. We had shopped for similarly-equipped Camrys, but for the same price range we were looking at worse-condition, many more miles, etc. To get a similar equipment/condition/mileage Camry, we would have easily paid $1500-2000 more than we gave for this. That, in my mind, makes this a good value. We’re getting a Camry-like (Japan-based, USA-built, mixed-parts) vehicle that’s slightly more sporty and is proving to be no-less reliable for 20-25% discount.

58.5/100

Engine: 2.3L L3-VE Inline-4 with VVT

Power: 156 hp/ 154 lb-ft

Transmission: 5-speed manual (Mazda G5M)

0-60 Time: 6.9s official/ 7.4 estimated

Top Speed: It’s done 90 so far. Probably tops out around 125 or so.

Drivetrain: Fail-Wheel-Drive

Curb Weight: Roughly 3,100 pounds (numbers vary from 3,091 - 3,121)

MPG: 21 city/ 29 highway

MSRP: $20,000 when new

64Mali > johnmpc94 07/21/2015 at 15:00

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I love that year 6. I actually had 2 of them. The antenna on there is not the stock one, could be a CX9 Stubby.

E30Kid > johnmpc94 07/21/2015 at 15:03

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Why the I4 over the V6?

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > johnmpc94 07/21/2015 at 15:11

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Ive always thought the Mazda 3 and Mazda 6 in that model year range were pretty awesome for basic cars. Mazdaspeed3 was definitely a car I really was considering for a while but the torquesteer and ricer status kinda scared me off. I would love to see an AWD MS3 to compete with the wrx-sti and Focus-rs.

johnmpc94 > E30Kid 07/21/2015 at 15:21

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Couldn’t find a V6 with a manual anywhere near Arkansas where I live. And the I4 is adequate. Also, I had found an ‘08 Altima 3.5SE 6-speed, but it was 6+ hrs away, over budget, and with about 40k more miles.

johnmpc94 > 64Mali 07/21/2015 at 15:22

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I had wondered about that. Part of me thought the idiot kid who works at the dealer ran it through the auto-wash without considering it, and tore it up. Does the Stubby increase reception?

64Mali > johnmpc94 07/21/2015 at 15:25

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I think the stubby was a tiny bit worse. I can go see if I still have a stock antenna hanging around. I have a few leftover parts from my old one after it was totaled. There is a decent aftermarket availability for that car, and tons of resources.

E30Kid > johnmpc94 07/21/2015 at 15:30

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Yeah, I bet the I4 gets better gas mileage as well. In most scenarios, I would pick the lower powered manual model over a higher-hp auto too

johnmpc94 > E30Kid 07/21/2015 at 15:35

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The gas mileage isn’t much better than the V6 thanks to the absurdly-high axle ratio. I mean, I thought my Miata’s was bad at a 4.1, but justified it because M.I.A.T.A. But a 4.39 in a family car? What was Mazda/Ford thinking?

johnmpc94 > 64Mali 07/21/2015 at 15:37

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The one on it feels like someone took and chopped a mast antenna in half then stuck it where a stubby (or what I would describe as stubby) one would go. I can’t tell if it’s factory or not, but it’s lackluster to say the least.

johnmpc94 > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 07/21/2015 at 15:40

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I liked the 1st-gen Mazdaspeed3, but the second one is grossly over the top. Someone at my university has an electric blue one complete with fart can exhaust and custom wheels and tires, and a bunch of vanity stickers slathered all over it. After seeing it, I’d be ashamed to own one lest I be compared. My brother and I almost drove an ‘06 Mazdaspeed6, but the dealer sold it literally within 2 hours before we could see it. I’m kinda sad I didn’t get to drive it now.

jariten1781 > johnmpc94 07/21/2015 at 15:45

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Be careful with that handbrake though, I had an 04 for a decade and ~7 years in the cable snapped sending the car rolling out of the parking lot into the street where it was hit by a bus. No corrosion or anything, just snapped at the point where the cable splits to go to both back wheels.

mazda616 > johnmpc94 07/21/2015 at 16:00

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The 3.0 V6 offered in these is kind of a crapshoot, anyway. Tend to have issues early on. My friend has an ‘04 6i with the 2.3 and she just passed 330,000 miles on the original engine and transmission.

RazoE > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 07/21/2015 at 16:06

1

My mazdaspeed3 definitely has torque steer (well, they all do), but it’s not too bad. Of all the turbo pocket rockets (Neon SRT 4, Caliber SRT4 Cobalt SS, HHR SS, etc) it’s definitely the most mature and stealthy, devoid of scoops and giant wings.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > johnmpc94 07/21/2015 at 16:06

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Haha yeah the 2010-2013 mazdaspeed3 with the smiley face Mazda was throwing on everything just looks absurd. It kinda has a cartoonish evil grin to it though which I kinda like. Way too over the top but its crazy enough for me to enjoy looking at. At least until it gets riced out even more..

johnmpc94 > RazoE 07/21/2015 at 16:26

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Yeah, I know FWD torque steer. My toy before the Miata was a ‘95 Volvo 850 Turbo. It was always fun getting yanked sideways halfway through the curve when the turbo finally spooled up...

johnmpc94 > mazda616 07/21/2015 at 16:31

1

That’s good to hear. The 2.3 is based on a Mazda engine and called a Duratec when Ford uses it. The 3.0 V6 is a Duratec (and not a great one, either) that Mazda threw in there for us North American folks.

johnmpc94 > jariten1781 07/21/2015 at 16:35

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That sounds horrible, but hopefully it was just a freak occurrence. I’m gonna check the cables for any issues, but my brother follows my dad’s habit of leaving the vehicle in gear when parked, which is why I nearly smacked the Caddy (I leave it in Neutral when parked).

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > johnmpc94 07/21/2015 at 16:49

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cool review, and good first car. always have liked the 6, especially in 'speed6 form!

mazda616 > johnmpc94 07/21/2015 at 19:15

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I have an ‘08 Mazda3 with the 2.3 as well. It's been a great motor for me as well. Gas mileage isn't stellar around town but I usually see 29-31 on the highway.

jariten1781 > johnmpc94 07/21/2015 at 19:27

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Yup, I was a ‘parking brake on in neutral’ until that day...never again. The car barely missed a bus stand where there were 4-5 people hiding from the rain so it could have been a lot worse. It also took them like 45 minutes to find me (since it rolled off long after I was in a store) so the bus driver/cops were not happy. It was also RT1 in VA during rush hour so I caused a nice 7 mile back up.

But other than that the car was pretty great. No major problems in the 10 years I owned it. Minor things your brother will want to look out for: drivers door lock can freeze locked...just be ready. Induction hose on mine cracked about 9 years in and through a CEL, front rotors were always toast when the pads were spent so budget for rotors at brake job times, rears, on the other hand I only had to replace the pads once in the 10 years I had it; oh and the windows bust a lot so get used to pulling the door cards. Luckily the parts are cheap and the job is pretty easy.

64Mali > johnmpc94 07/21/2015 at 20:03

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The CX9 stubby was smooth and looked stock. Given what I’ve been seeing with mods it wouldn’t surprise me if someone cut the antenna.

64Mali > johnmpc94 07/21/2015 at 20:04

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Mazdaspeed 6 is such a nice car. Awd and so much fun.