GTS must it have been on in a while.

(02-06-2015 07:06 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  GTS must it have been on in a while.

Yea, I don't want to be completely annoying about it, but he seems to know cars pretty well, and does know this one. Soooo.

I've done plenty on my own, just want some input from someone that owns one. See what's up.

A good resource would be a Mazda forum. I'm sure you can find one of those.

(02-06-2015 07:10 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  A good resource would be a Mazda forum. I'm sure you can find one of those.

Yea, been all over them. Just figured I'd get some input from someone I "know". I've repaired a T & C van from forums, an expedition, explorer, saturn, taurus, sienna, accord, pilot, outback, rav, and even a john deere, all from online sources. So know them well.

Just thought I'd ask for his input, thats all.

Last bump, going to look at this car in the A.M. GTS, if you don't want to chime in, then that's fine, let it run off the page.

Gonna bump this one last time as there's been a GTS sighting.

So at my mechanics shop right now is a M6, with the V6, sport package, kinda nice, power "stuff", bumpin stereo, '07 with new timing belt/chain, whichever it is. Seems pretty solid, as an owner any thoughts?

Not gonna come back here and whine if its a dog, but just thought I'd inquire from someone who knows this car a bit.
Oh, 91k miles. Kids first car.

I've only had two cars -- both used.

1994 Mitsubishi Galant. It was a voluntary repo for dirt cheap. It was my HS and college beater. I started quickly falling apart at 160,000 miles. I got it around 90K. In the span of 15,000 miles the rear main seal began to leak, it began to burn oil, it had an electric short requiring you to pull the headlight fuse after you parked it, and the actual driver seat mount sheared. It really fell apart alarmingly quickly at the end.

2005 Mazda6 Sport 5door. Used at 50k. Fully loaded, no accidents, no faults. But I had to RELENTLESSLY shop to find the one I wanted in the skew I wanted at the quality I wanted at the price I wanted. It took probably 3 months. It would have taken a year for me to find a Mazdaspeed6 from that generation. I'm just shy of 100K now, and sadly eating a new transmission. But this the last time I'll be fooled on the "service bulletin instead of recall" front. I'll demand service bulletin access on all future purchases. I purchased the shop manual, Chilton manual, and Haynes manual for the 6. I intend to do all future maintenance myself.

(02-05-2015 09:30 PM)JMUDunk Wrote:  So, GTS, let me run a couple by you here since you own one-
So I'm still looking, had one car in my sights and *poof* the guy tells me when in their shop going through their inspection they find the crank shaft is bent, won't be selling it. (How the hell do you bend the crankshaft?!? And then how can they not know it?)

Anyway, so got one I like Mazda3 S Hatchback, '06, black, 5500 bucks, but it's a manual (I wouldn't own one of these that wasn't) and he doesn't want that.

So kept looking. Now two in my sights, comparable mileage, around 90-95k miles, both below blue book.

1. 2007 Mazda 6s Sport- Value edition(?). V6 cyl, 212 hp, 6000 bucks, seems nice enough. 6 speed automatic

2.2007 Mazda 6i sport. I4 cyl, 165 HP, 5000 bucks. Good shape, few less miles but I am assuming the extra cash is for the larger engine and different trans. 5 speed automatic

So is either of these the model you have? Any thoughts?

My brother had a 626 from around '93 until last Spring, his 17 yo son was driving it when it finally just dropped dead. But it was well into 300k miles territory, the mileage doesn't scare me in the least unless there's something inherently wrong with the car line/model itself. I drove his 626 back when a few times and really liked it, so can only assume they've improved from there.

Any thoughts? Anything to look out for? Thanks!

That automatic is the same generation 6 I have. Same engine. You said 6 speed automatic HELLO same transmission. Oh and look -- you're just 2K shy of my mileage, where the transmission started to slip. Here's the service bulletin: http://www.6crew.com/files/tsb/05-016-06-1725.pdf Here's what you're going to want to find out on that 6:

Is that transmission the original from the factory? If it ISN'T ... what is the exact date of manufacture? You DO NOT want somebody to slide in a junkyard Aisin (Japanese automotive subcontractor who did the transmission) with the valve body defect on you. Drive it up a steep hill with light throttle. You do not want to have any bucking, rocking, or gear slip. And then while on the light throttle up the hill ... floor it. You want to have it drop down a gear or even two to jump into the power band and have it cleanly and quickly rev through the gears and haul.

In both cases .... Here are the 2007 Mazda6 service bulletins. Take note of the major ones (drive train) and verify neither is subject to the bulletin.

https://www.automd.com/tsb/mazda_m/mazda6_mm/2007_y/

I have no idea what a value edition is ..... that wasn't around in my '05 model. Maybe it is an entry level trim skew (no leather, no sunroof, etc.)

You're paying less for what you get in the v6 because it isn't that fuel efficient (naturally aspirated 3.0L ... and before Mazda rolled out SKYACTIV). You'll be in the mid 20's usually on mileage. Upper teens if you drive like a hooligan. Lower 30's if you drive carefully. I wouldn't call the I4 slow by any means, especially compared to boring Toyotas/Hondas. But it certainly is in a league below the v6.

If that v6 is a 5-door like mine .... and you trust the driver to taken good care of it .... I'd get it. I really think it is a future cult classic car. If it were up to me, I'd get the v6. The v6 is a legit drivers car, and great fun. If you have the 5door, super versatile too. The I4 is going to be cheaper to run, cheaper to maintain, and cheaper to repair if you suspect the future driver won't take care of it or it getting it as a HS/college beater to throw many miles on quickly.

I encourage to read the service bulletins before proceeding regardless.

Lastly, if you are in a rough area of easy transit to Asheville - Charlotte - Greensboro - Spartanburg - Greenville - Columbia - Atlanta ...... I'd be willing to, if you can get the seller to, meet somewhere half way between us and sit in for a bit of driving. I know the car (particularly the v6) very well. And, fingers crossed, I get my own back with the new transmission today.

Oh ... lastly .... I don't know of those have aux-in on the head unit, but my '05 did not. Conveniently, since all Mazdas in that time frame had the exact same head unit, you could buy "AUXMOD" (google it) which plugged into the back of the head unit and emulated a tape deck. But gave you an aux in line. The car thinks you're playing a cassette, but the little circuit board pumps in whatever you have over aux into the head unit.

Also also: http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/2007-Mazda-...iews-c7345

(02-10-2015 04:53 AM)georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:  Also also: http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/2007-Mazda-...iews-c7345

Great stuff, GTS, many thanks. This is the kinda "inside ball" I thought you might be able to provide, so I appreciate you taking the time.
We went and picked it up for a driev and a drop off at my mechanic to see what he thought.

I would guess you are correct on the value car thing, no leather, no sunroof. Black interior which is kinda different, red lights on dash and stereo etc. I put it through some "challenges" and while I didn't notice any gear shifts, as in the number on the dash changing, it did seem to cycle up and down pretty smoothly, but I wasn't doing anything specific. I'll try your specific test and see what happens when I get it back.

The mileage was incorrect. The dealership owner was using it as his car for a little time so it's right at 101 now.

**Mechanic JUST called me back, the car had been washed but not steam cleaned and that's a good thing, it doesn't allow for hiding anything. No leaks or buildup on anything underneath, "if the transmission has been changed it wasn't done anytime recently" and in his driving and listening no strange sounds or noises, nothing noticed in shifting etc. Minimal oil leak on right side of somewhere, but over a good long time as he put it.

I'm going to check these service bulletins and the carfax, maybe I'll post a copy or some of the Fax thing on here and you can tak ea look.


I'll do the google and see what the 5-door is, is that a hatchback? I didn't see that anywhere, so if so that's a new one on me. This has a trunk, and a decent one at that. The only other different type/look I've seen out there has been the spoiler on top.

Thanks for the offer, but I'm in the Richmond Va area, be a bit of a haul to Central NC, but I appreciate it.

double post ignre...

5 door is indeed a hatchback. But it doesn't come to a flat rear like most hatchbacks. It is sort of a "stealth" hatchback.

(02-10-2015 04:37 AM)georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:  

(02-05-2015 09:30 PM)JMUDunk Wrote:  So, GTS, let me run a couple by you here since you own one-
So I'm still looking, had one car in my sights and *poof* the guy tells me when in their shop going through their inspection they find the crank shaft is bent, won't be selling it. (How the hell do you bend the crankshaft?!? And then how can they not know it?)

Anyway, so got one I like Mazda3 S Hatchback, '06, black, 5500 bucks, but it's a manual (I wouldn't own one of these that wasn't) and he doesn't want that.

So kept looking. Now two in my sights, comparable mileage, around 90-95k miles, both below blue book.

1. 2007 Mazda 6s Sport- Value edition(?). V6 cyl, 212 hp, 6000 bucks, seems nice enough. 6 speed automatic

2.2007 Mazda 6i sport. I4 cyl, 165 HP, 5000 bucks. Good shape, few less miles but I am assuming the extra cash is for the larger engine and different trans. 5 speed automatic

So is either of these the model you have? Any thoughts?

My brother had a 626 from around '93 until last Spring, his 17 yo son was driving it when it finally just dropped dead. But it was well into 300k miles territory, the mileage doesn't scare me in the least unless there's something inherently wrong with the car line/model itself. I drove his 626 back when a few times and really liked it, so can only assume they've improved from there.

Any thoughts? Anything to look out for? Thanks!

That automatic is the same generation 6 I have. Same engine. You said 6 speed automatic HELLO same transmission. Oh and look -- you're just 2K shy of my mileage, where the transmission started to slip. Here's the service bulletin: http://www.6crew.com/files/tsb/05-016-06-1725.pdf Here's what you're going to want to find out on that 6:

Is that transmission the original from the factory? If it ISN'T ... what is the exact date of manufacture? You DO NOT want somebody to slide in a junkyard Aisin (Japanese automotive subcontractor who did the transmission) with the valve body defect on you. Drive it up a steep hill with light throttle. You do not want to have any bucking, rocking, or gear slip. And then while on the light throttle up the hill ... floor it. You want to have it drop down a gear or even two to jump into the power band and have it cleanly and quickly rev through the gears and haul.

In both cases .... Here are the 2007 Mazda6 service bulletins. Take note of the major ones (drive train) and verify neither is subject to the bulletin.

https://www.automd.com/tsb/mazda_m/mazda6_mm/2007_y/

I have no idea what a value edition is ..... that wasn't around in my '05 model. Maybe it is an entry level trim skew (no leather, no sunroof, etc.)

You're paying less for what you get in the v6 because it isn't that fuel efficient (naturally aspirated 3.0L ... and before Mazda rolled out SKYACTIV). You'll be in the mid 20's usually on mileage. Upper teens if you drive like a hooligan. Lower 30's if you drive carefully. I wouldn't call the I4 slow by any means, especially compared to boring Toyotas/Hondas. But it certainly is in a league below the v6.

If that v6 is a 5-door like mine .... and you trust the driver to taken good care of it .... I'd get it. I really think it is a future cult classic car. If it were up to me, I'd get the v6. The v6 is a legit drivers car, and great fun. If you have the 5door, super versatile too. The I4 is going to be cheaper to run, cheaper to maintain, and cheaper to repair if you suspect the future driver won't take care of it or it getting it as a HS/college beater to throw many miles on quickly.

I encourage to read the service bulletins before proceeding regardless.

So, we ended up getting it. I did indeed read most of the service bulletins, none of those items appear to be an issue here. The exterior light issue is fine, the timing chain looks like new, and my mechanic actually said "for what they're asking I would buy it" He NEVER says stuff like that. It always "Well, I'm not going to get into all that, you have to make that decision." About a repair or not, or "I'm not going to recommend one over another" or something similar.

Part 1. I took him the Carfax- he had said the car hadn't been steamcleaned and what he saw suggested to him that some of the wear on the bottom may have been because it had been up North for some time. No rust or real damage just what you'd expect to see from salt, sand etc. Well, it was basically a local trade-in, Goochland Va so that didn't make much sense to me, BUT. There it was on the CarFax, original purchase- Ann Arbor Mi. Ha! So that was pretty impressive, to me at least. The other interesting tidbit on there was that it was noted Sold to: private party for Government use.

The owners son at the lot had made a casual comment that he thought it was an FBI car and that was why there was an aftermarket toggle on the dash. I took that with a grain of salt, but there it was. As soon as the mechanic read that when I pointed it out, he practically threw the Fax back to me and said, well then there's all you need to know about service records. Everything's been done on this car on time and without any concern about cost. These guys have an open credit line and they get checked out constantly. I took that as a pretty solid positive. The State cops that I've known and driven with tend to drive their vehicles pretty hard, but that didn't seem to worry him too much.

Part 2. I did the "tests" you suggested. Three things stood out.

First, we don't really have steep enough inclines in remote areas to start at a very low speed and get it all the way to "6". I either run out of hill or I'm 20++ over the limit already...haha, can't do this in a neighborhood, that's for sure.

Second, no hesitation, gurgle, stall, or anything else. It dropped, then whoosh, hit whatever gear it was shooting for and off I went. See if this is about right- "normal" accel (off a light, not trying to provoke that cop next to me etc) shifts at around 2200-2400 rpms, maybe a bit higher, very smooth. Coming off a light and straight to a 70 MPH Interstate on ramp- shifting around 4000 rpm, drops climbs right back up drops steady, smooth and no lurch or jerking.
Dropping the hammer- peaked out around 5200 I think then dropped nice and easy while still flying ahead, shifts through to 6 then I'm waaay over the limit, have to back off and coast. haha

Third thing I noticed- It has a tendency to pin that asss to the back of the seat... Keep in mind my last few cars have been, in order- Ford Expedition, lumbering along in your living room comes to mind. Taking over the wifes old T & C swag wagon. Peppy little bugger, will surprise you but not really cut out for cornering or well anything... most recent Ford Freestyle crossover, love this rig, but problems with the CVT and 190k miles will send it to an early grave.

Needless to say, not a lot of "performance" in that group, so this is a BIG change. I really have to watch it!

So, anyway, I bought it. It will be my sons car but damn if I won't be stealing on evenings and weekends!

Thanks again for your input, I hope we get many years out of this thing. Like I said, my brothers 626 went 22 years before it finally bit it.

Sorry for the missive, but I think there is a lot of good information in all this that might also help out some others on here if the time to look for another ride comes up. Many things I wouldn't have thought to do, or to look for.

Fingers crossed.

Oh, and Zoom-Zoom