Long Distance Trip

The last time I travelled long distance in my Mazda 6 to Malacca, I had a rather scary incident involving the Auto Cruise (link to the story). I had to make another trip to a further state to a town named Batu Pahat in the state of Johor. The trip takes around 500 km two ways and with my problem of falling asleep in the afternoon, I decided to drive quickly at an average speed of 160 km/h. Although proven in the other post regarding the Auto Cruise that the Mazda 6 is very fuel efficient especially when using the Auto Cruise. However, I was a bit skeptical of the mileage I could achieve this time while speeding. I was surprised when I managed to clock 601 km from 53 liters of petrol at an average speed of 160 km/h. This tells me that even at a high speed and without Auto Cruise, the Mazda 6 is definitely something special. I am very confident with what kind of setting where my Mazda 6 can perform efficiently. So confident, that I miscalculated another time. 

On my second trip to Batu Pahat again, I drove like I did the last time and expect similar mileage but this time I used the Auto Cruise more often. Half tank gone and I found out I have better mileage than the first trip by using the Auto Cruise. However, my problem started when I was around 80 km away from home. The same thing that happened during my Malacca Trip occurred again. I was again in the situation where there was no bar left on the fuel gauge and the remaining trip meter has reached 0. I quickly turned on the Auto Cruise and set in at 70 km/h and started rolling. After going on what seems like a very long journey, I started to panic because I could not find any petrol station and I keep getting the feeling that my reserve fuel is almost gone. Praying for the next petrol station to appear, I finally saw a sign that states that the nearest petrol station is 10 km away. I saw hope and keep rolling forward but it seem endless and I panicked again. By the time I finally reached the petrol station, I was relieved and saw that I broke the previous record and totaled 628.5 km with 54 liters of petrol. 

Once again proven that the Mazda 6 deserves a title of one of the most fuel efficient car despite its size and engine size. 2 thumbs up. However, I really wish the "almost out of petrol, rolling to find petrol station" situation will never happen to me again. Definitely can live longer without the stress of such situation.

Auto Cruise

The Auto Cruise or Cruise Control is not a new invention and have been available in cars since the 1950s but not all cars have it. It used to be a luxurious gadget for all the big brands and now it finds itself in almost all kinds of car. I knew about the existence and an idea of what it could do but I have never needed it. So, it was not a big deal for me until I started driving the Mazda 6. The Cruise Control comes as a standard and as a car-nut, I fiddled with it some times. I was impressed from the first time I tried the Cruise Control and I started to see why people especially in Europe love the Cruise Control. Being able to maintain a certain speed without the hassle of keeping the throttle steady and most importantly lower fuel consumption. I already know the Sky-Activ engines are good with fuel economy  and so the Cruise Control should be a very good compliment to it.

One day I had to make a trip down south to a state called Malacca and its around 148 kilometers from my house. Being confident with the Mazda 6's fuel efficiency and wanting to get every kilometers out of a full tank of petrol, I left home with only 1 bar of fuel left on the indicator. I figured with Cruise Control I could get quite a distance before I need to pump petrol and there would be petrol stations along the highway to Malacca. In addition, all new high tech cars are equipped with an indicator of remaining distance you could travel based on current petrol level. I started my journey with full confidence and with my 2 important tools, I was all set. I set my Cruise Control for about 110 km/h and although the indicator displayed I could only go for 18 kilometers but I already drove for almost 35 kilometers, which boost my confidence. 

Soon I reached the zero mark and have no bar left on the fuel gauge. I started to calculate that the full fuel tank can hold 60 liters and I usually only pump 53 liters. So, there should be 7 liters for me to use after I reached the zero mark but just to be safe I lowered the Cruise Control speed to 85 km/h and waited for the next petrol station to appear. However, soon I noticed something was amiss. The highway was passing by mountains and that is a sign where no petrol station will appear and I worried. My worries increased and started to panic. I put the speed to 70 km/h, rolling along the highway and started praying. I really did pray and I turned off the radio and air-cons with my window down. The thoughts of being stranded on the highway crossed my mind several times. After 53 meters of rolling at 70 km/h, I finally found a petrol station by a rest stop. 

It was a risky thing to do I would say. I miscalculated and thought that there would be more petrol stations along the way. However, I did proved that it is in fact that the Mazda 6 is very fuel economical especially with the Cruise Control. I truly think the Cruise Control is a marvel and a useful gadget but I won't be using it much though. On the way back from Malacca, I hit the highway with the Cruise Control at 140 km/h and I arrived back in KL in no time with great mileage. It was a blast and I have learned my lesson. The next time I have to travel far, I will start my journey with a full tank.

His Turn

There are 4 rims on the Mazda 6 and two of them especially the right side are damaged. One is carved out and one has a thin but long line. The reasons behind these are just pot holes and blind spot. I can thank the city hall for leaving the road filled with dangerous holes that could do more than peel the paint of our rims. In addition, the Mazda 6 is really a big car so there are bound to be limits of the side mirrors. Hence my two rims not in pristine condition and that is not all. Due to some incident with a taxi driver, my driver side door handle is scratched as well. It all started when I was driving home from work one night and this taxi was trying to move into my lane although I am already in the lane. He got a little too close and a scratch was made and he just stopped there, fearing I might ask him to reimburse me. I realize the meteor gray color I picked for the Mazda 6 is a good color that makes small scratches not that visible from a distance.

Now you may ask what happen to the guy who was careful with his car and spends his sundays touching up the car, cleaning it inside out and polish out scratches. Well he is still here but is having a hard time adjusting to the Mazda 6. It is because I am used to the way that the Celica drives for 3 years that without me realizing it, I tried to drive the Mazda 6 like the Celica which may not be the best way to drive the Mazda 6. So, I might be sloppy with the new car because I still drive the same way as I did in the past. This car really starts to make driving just a mean of transport and it no longer excites me. Skill and focus not as strong as before and that could ultimately be the reason I am not that careful while driving it. I am really afraid that I would lose my edginess after getting tame by a luxury large sedan. In addition, squeezing to park in my office parking area with 2 other large cars is not easy and might caused scratches here and there.

Left Rear - damaged with tyre cut

Left Front door handle

Left Front - scratch

Scratch on side mirror

Comparison Part 2

2013 MAZDA 6 VS 2005 TOYOTA CELICA

Brakes

It is no surprise when I notice the Mazda 6 have a single pot (piston) brake caliper in the front because this is the current spec of majority cars on the road from big cars to small compact cars. So, what differs from a big car's brake and compact car's is the size of the rotors. The larger the rotor the more likely the larger the piston is but I am surprised at the size of the rotors for the Mazda 6. Being a large sedan with high weight and quite high power, it has small brakes that sometimes I feel it is difficult to brake at high speed and the car might sway a bit. At low to medium speed it works just fine. In the Celica, the original brakes have larger rotors than the Mazda 6 however, it has what I call "for slowing down" brakes instead of a "for stopping brakes" that most car have. So, it takes a longer time to slow down to the extend that I usually could not stop well unless I down shift or hit the pedal to the metal. That was the reason why I upgraded the brakes to a 4 pot caliper with huge rotors. If compared with stock brakes the Mazda wins hands down but compare to the performance brakes, there is no surprise there. Still I would prefer larger brake rotors for the Mazda 6.

Interior

The interior design is definitely on the classy and luxurious side with leather seats, leather steering wheel and black not so cheap looking plastic. The seats and interior have red stitching that gives it a hint of sportiness to it. The 2013 model comes with GPS and many high tech buttons for its gadgets. The steering wheel come with buttons that comes in handy when your hand is on the wheel. There is even a rear aircond vent. Definitely something that I am not used to but can get accustomed to and after a while you could not help but wonder where are the buttons for other older cars. The Celica is part of a JDM concept of functional but low cost interior. You will only get all the basics. No GPS, no buttons on steering wheel and no gadgets. Just a steering wheel, a cluster meter, a gear knob, seats, aircond and huge amount of cheap plastic. Since I grew up in JDMs, I quite enjoy the plastics as long as it is black in color. Basically when you drive a JDM sports car, speed and performance is all ask for.

Luxurious VS Functional Dash

Comfort

A D-segment sedan must definitely be comfortable due to the target buyers. The Mazda 6 is very comfortable to the point that I could feel sleepy anytime I drive it. Car height is appropriate and suspensions is on the soft side. The rear seats are very comfortable and wheelbase is quite long making the car very acceptable by its passengers. The seats are leather, giving it a very luxurious feeling and very soft. The front seats have a premium design with full leather but also provide supports to minimize body roll with bigger side cushion to hug you all the way. Even with a sedan of similar size, the whole interior feels very large. However it seems with its side mirror design, the wind sound is very strong. Meanwhile, sports car always have a bad image where it have a harsh ride thanks to lower ride with stiffer suspensions. Take my father for instance will never ever imagine himself driving a sports car as a daily drive because he thinks the ride will be so bumpy that his spine will not be able to take it. In his case, his opinion have been influence by his friends about their ride and the fact that my Celica takes a lot to get used to. My Celica has stiff suspension and sits really low. It makes the car bumpy and the seat is quite small because of its support for sporty driving but still comfortable seats once you get used to it.

Fuel Efficiency

Mazda made it their selling point to have good fuel efficiency with its new Skyactiv engine series. The result is a 520 km from 53L of petrol and I achieved a highest mileage of 580 km. Many consumer are stuck with the idea where bigger displacement engine usually are more thirsty but Mazda's Skyactiv engines prove its worthiness. Most of the people's reaction when I told them the mileage I get is huge because with a 2.5L engine, they expect a lower mileage. However, there is a catch. It needs to be driven smoothly and a high mixture of highway driving to achieve such mileage. That happen to me in the first few weeks of getting the car but now from time to time my hard, fast driving side comes out and now I can only get 480 km. The gearbox driving mode that I use also affects the mileage. When engaging in manual tiptronic shift mode, the engine becomes more thirsty and the best compromise is the direct manual mode where is is drive mode but with paddle shift. Shifts as you like but still good mileage. Being a sports car, the Celica gets around 420 km from 50L of petrol and that is a quite decent figure given its performance. This is a mileage I usually get even with driving at great speed in manual mode as how a sports car should be driven. However, being a sports car low fuel efficiency is a norm. The Mazda 6 is definitely more fuel efficient against its rivals that are much heavier and uses a conventional engine.

Left - Celica with 50L petrol highest mileage
Right - Mazda 6 with 53L petrol highest mileage

Conclusion

I happen to watched a web episode of a local car review show that features the Mazda 6 and its rivals in the local scene. The Mazda 6 came in second after the local Honda Accord, losing in terms of less tech gadgets and smaller room space. I take it that besides those two features, the Mazda 6 is superior than of the Accord. I will have to say the Mazda 6 is really good looking on the outside. It is fierce and sporty with the giant grill and sharp headlights but still have the executive and elegant feel to it. On the inside, it might not have the same rear legroom as the Accord but for someone my age and friends from the same age group, the Mazda 6 is already like a king's chair in the rear. In addition, the only gadget that I find the Accord wins is its dual screens but is that necessary. Thus, my conclusion is the Mazda 6 is very spacious, comfortable with a hint of sportiness. Most importantly, giving it is a D-Segment sedan, it is the most driver oriented car in the segment. Just what someone that is after performance and spec rather than comfort like me would choose.

Comparison Part 1

2013 MAZDA 6 VS 2005 TOYOTA CELICA

Engine

Mazda came up with a new engine of its own known as the Skyactiv series that is said to have high power but with good fuel efficiency. This is made possible by mainly increasing the compression ratio of the engine. My Mazda 6 comes with the Skyactiv 2.5L, 4 piston NA engine that produces 185 hp and 250 Nm of torque. It also have one the highest compression ratio of 13:1 for mass produced cars. When you drive the car, the acceleration is quite decent for a D-segment sedan but with its weight it does feel a bit sluggish especially when you are stuck in a traffic jam and want to change lanes. Besides the weight, it could be the result of using a drive-by-wire throttle body like most modern cars that usually have lower response. In my opinion, the engine shines most when you hit the right rpm before you change gear (around 3,200 rpm) and at top speed. I remember cruising down a highway at 160 km/h and with a step to the pedal, the car easily accelerates to 180 km/h with ease. It gives the idea that it could still run all the way. In comparison, the Celica has a smaller but slightly more powerful engine. Overall, I would say the Celica beats the Mazda 6 in the lower rpm range because it uses a more traditional drive-by-cable throttle body that gives quick response as soon as you touch the pedal. In addition, the Celica is 400 kg lighter and has a lower stance making it more aerodynamic and better acceleration. However, at high speed such as 160 km/h it feels like it has given everything and takes more to reach higher speed.

Gearbox

Fitting with the Skyactiv engines, Mazda also develops its own Skyactiv Drive Auto Transmission. According to Mazda, the Skyactiv Drive combines all the advantages of other auto transmission such as CVTs, Dual Clutches and Step Auto. Hearing that, I can't help but feel impressed and look forward to what this Skyactiv Drive could do. In my opinion, the proper gearbox would be a gearbox that comes with 6 speeds and I am definitely glad that the Mazda 6 has 6 speeds. I feel the Skyactiv Drive is tailored made for the engine because of how well it works together. The gear change is smooth and feels natural whether in D mode or manually changing in manual mode with the gear stalk or paddle shifters. However having said that, the gear ratio is not exactly close and even throughout the 6 gears. Some gears are nearer some are far apart but then again this is a close ratio sports car gearbox. It does give a sense that its main purpose is to save fuel so it feels a little reluctant to speed up especially at low rpm. The Celica on the other hand uses a traditional auto gearbox with only 4 speeds that is definitely not enough for a sports car, leaving me wanting more gears when I race the car and also manual shifting on the gear lever. However because it is for a sports car, the gear change is very smooth and despite the lack of gears it does its job really well especially in manual mode that gives you the sportiness you need.

Manual Shifting possible with Mazda 6

Handling

Having a sports car that is not exactly really quick as a daily drive, handling becomes a key point. I once driven in a race track with other faster sports car and super cars and in the straights I could only see their exhaust fumes but when come to a corner, I was right behind them. That is when I started to appreciate good handling cars. So whenever I test drive a car, I will surely test its handling. The Mazda 6 is known to have a slightly stiffer suspension in the D-segment car range. This is an advantage against its rival for me. Other D-segment cars including the Mercedes E Class focus very much on comfort and thus have very soft suspension which is not to my liking. What the Mazda 6 provides is a comfortable ride but with a hint of sportiness. At some point, I am always reminded of how lucky that the Mazda 6 is not completely on the soft side. One of the reason I chose and could live with the Mazda 6.  Definitely a sporty sedan and just what I would want if I am at that executive age. My Celica is a good handling street car and cornering is one of its best feature. The stiff suspension, low stance and thicker anti roll bar really make the car sticks to the ground and I can maneuver through most corners easily. Thus, making me want more out of the Mazda 6 but quickly remind myself that it is not a sports car. We must also not forget about the steering wheel as it also affects the handling. Usually a light and small steering wheel means better response. The Mazda 6 has a smaller and lighter steering comparing to the Celica. So, it feels much better to maneuver the car. In this aspect the Mazda 6 wins but if you add in weight and suspension stiffness, the Celica is still better.

The Latest Ride

Hi everyone. It has been a long time since I last post something here. I have been really busy with work and finally have some time to update this blog. First of all, the Celica. Since the demod project, it has been prepared for sale and have been parked at my office's front. There has been one interested person that viewed the car but due to the price and difficulty to secure a loan. Clearly it is going to be a long drag. I have only been starting the engine and it has not been driven for almost 3 months. Every time I look at the Celica I have mixed feelings. On one side I could not face the Celica only remembering how it became a week ride after I demod. Meanwhile on the other side I feel sorry that I have abandoned it. All I can hope for is that it could find its way to a new owner and be completely used like before.

You might wonder what have I been driving if I have not touched the Celica for almost 3 months and the answer is non other than my new ride. It is exactly as reported here on the blog and introducing for the first time on this blog, my latest ride, the Mazda 6. It is a 2.5L version of the large sedan equipped with many gadgets and 19 inch rims. It has to be the biggest among its JDM rival.As usual when I am driving a new car, I have been comparing everything regarding the Mazda 6 and the Celica from the handling to the fuel efficiency. After 3 months of driving the Mazda 6, I obviously realized the pros and cons of the new Mazda 6 and how it fares against my Celica. If compared to the modded Celica, it would definitely be a something hard to follow for the Mazda 6.

Many of my friends ask me which is better and all (beside other Celica and sports car owner) expected me to say the Mazda to be a better car. All that is because most of them thinks that the 2014 model will be much better in terms of technology and being a D-Segment large sedan it is very comfortable but they fail to remember that I used to drive a sports car. So, my priority is not how comfortable the seats and suspension are and definitely not how high tech it is. I can say the Mazda 6 belongs to a sporty sedan category instead of your usual comfortable sedan but still not quite the sports car. However, at the stock stage the Celica, it really have its cons and that is the reason I only drive the Mazda 6 now. I will put up a comparison of the Mazda 6 next as soon as I get some time to write about it.

First Chip

With Celica Front

With Celica Rear

Test Drive: Mazda 6, Sealed the Deal

I sneaked out one afternoon and went to a nearby Mazda showroom to look at the brand new Mazda 6. This particular showroom is a small one and I remember my previous experience here where it is difficult to get a test drive unit due to the lack of units available. I found the showroom unit and the moment I lay my eyes on it, I was mesmerized. I have seen the car on brochures and the internet but when you see it physically, it gives an entirely different feeling to it. I tried my luck, knowing that it will not be possible and asked for a test drive. The sales representative told me each unit they have there is sold but he could arrange one the next day if I could confirm about the test drive. So, I just took a brochure and left. Then, I was told that a friend of a friend owns a Mazda 6 and could arrange for me to meet and get a test drive.

I hesitate at my dad's decision to buy a large/executive/luxury sedan for my next car because these cars always give me the impression that it suits older gentleman that prefers a comfortable ride. As for me, I do not want any of those luxuries and instead, I want a powerful, road hugging, handling machine. So, finding one that fulfills my requirement is a very long shot. Having that in mind, I did not have much expectation when I went for the test drive. During the test drive, I was grinning and smiling from ear to ear as I did not expect the kind of ride the Mazda 6 gave me. In short, the test drive sealed the deal. I was set on getting one despite not testing other cars. The next day, I gave my dad the thumbs up approval for the Mazda 6 and he ordered one.

I will tell you why it sealed the deal. First of all, it is already obvious the looks inside and outside is sporty and an eye candy. First I tested the power of the Mazda 6's 2.5 L SkyActiv engine. It is a 4 cylinder engine that produces 185 hp and 250 Nm of torque. Bear in mind that I tested the 2.5 L V6 from the Lexus IS 250 and to my surprise the Mazda 6 seems faster than the Lexus. The torque can be felt when stepping on full throttle and it is responsive even at wrong gear. Next I tried its manual mode with the gear lever shifting and the paddle shift on the steering. I had bad experience with my dad's Benz' manual mode and nowadays it is a trend to have it so not many are refined enough. The Mazda 6 have nice gear ratio and the shifting is smooth for a large sedan with 6 speed.

After that, I tested the suspension setting of the Mazda 6. It is promoted to have sporty setting for a car of its class. I quickly steered left and right on a straight road and a big flyover u-turn to test its handling. You can tell there is a slight stiffness that I like but still not enough. However, considering a car in this segment to have the slight stiffness, it is better than nothing. The brakes seem to be able to stop the car at most speed. It is no 4 pot like my Celica but I guess it does its job. Overall built seems good and its spacious. A little too big in overall width and length. All of the above points made me smile like a young boy at a candy store while driving the car. Definitely, a good car. Can't wait for mine to arrive.

Mazda 6

When I was 17, I got my driving license and my dad asked me what sort of car do I fancy. At that time I did not know anything regarding cars. So, I began noticing cars on the road while I drive to see what will catch my eye. All I knew was that I like sedans and lights where there is a row circular lights in a housing. One day while I was driving my old Corolla, I saw a car that fits the description and I could not get enough of it but sadly I did not catch the name of the car from its emblem. Then I saw the same car in a newspaper ad and told my dad about it. He told me I could not get it because it is a big sedan with 2.0 L or 2.3 L engine which is too big for a new driver like me to handle. Nevertheless, the first model of Mazda 6 becomes a car that I will keep an eye on for its progress.

The Mazda 6 has always been a little different compared to its rival such as the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. It gives of a more of a sporty look than the rivals that give of a more mature feeling. It is more well build and if you look deeper into it, you will realize that all Mazda were fully imported from Japan. Meanwhile its rival are mainly assembled locally or made in the neighbor country, Thailand. When the second generation came out, again it retains its advantage over the rivals with more gadgets and sport oriented vehicle. Although it ditched the lights I adored, in place is another sporty design. I continue to admire the bold design that Mazda goes with and it definitely stands out compare to its rival. In addition, there are plenty of extra goodies that could be found in the Mazda 6 and not its rival. Everytime I think of a car for when I am in my mid 30s, the Mazda 6 will definitely be my choice.

The latest model of Mazda 6 changed the game for Japanese D-Segment cars. Similarly with previous 2 models, the Mazda 6 took a giant leap ahead from its rivals. This time the size and wheelbase have increased so much that it is now at the same size as a Mercedes Benz W212 E Class and without a doubt the BMW F10 5 series as well. It is bigger, roomier and much more sleek than any of its boxy rivals. In addition to that, Mazda came up with its own SkyActiv engine aiming to increase power and fuel efficiency couple with many, many new technology such as i-Stop and i-Eloop just to name a few examples. It is not something that I would expect from a Japanese maker. However, although it is all good but from my research the latest Mazda 6 is around RM 10,000 costlier and a price tag of near RM 200,000. Asian drivers would definitely have a hard time to decide on purchasing one because of the extra. For me, a better car is much more important. Mazda 6 would be my choice for a Japanese D-Segment car.