Budget alternative to the E39 is the Mazda 6 for Red Jr. This one is pretty nice to be as old as it is, low mileage, nice interior.
What issues with these? Presumably same Ford 3.0 that I've logged 175k miles on in the MPV.
The car has a CEL. Seller says P0171, lean condition. Maybe a vacuum leak?
Other thing is a funny sort of rubbing feeling in the steering. Pretty subtle, but noticeable. Seller thinks it's rack bushings, but these don't seem terribly likely to me. Anything else it could be? Struts? Steering column?
Thanks for the sage advice, and all others!
I’m a huge fan of first-gen Mazda6. My 2003 V6 Manual car treated me very well. Bought at 120k, sold at 165k.
120k: front wheel bearings
140k: water pump belt tensioner failed. Pro tip: ditch tensioner, install stretch-fit belt as Mazda did in 2006-up.
other weak spots are cracks in PCV leading to lean codes, weak front cats leading to P0420 and P0421, and that’s about it.
I had one but with an auto. Seem to recall access to the rear bank of the engine was a PITA, so that vacuum leak may not be fun to find (which is why it's there and not fixed). Also look carefully for rust on the subframe - especially with a report of an odd feeling in the steering.
Oh yeah, COP coils at about 150k. IMO, Rear bank not so bad once intake is off.
Yeah, I've done coils from about 100k on the MPV. Did the rear bank all at one time. Replaced the fronts as they failed. Last one made it over 160k. They don't scare me.
I always liked the way those cars looked. And 220 hp with a manual gearbox should be pretty fun to drive.
...I wish the Fusion had come with a V6 manual option, I probably would've owned one by now if it did.
I like those, considered hunting for a wagon version but still haven't had to replace my current wagon.
One thing I recall when I was investigating the V6 Mazda 6, was that the ceramic cats were known for breaking up.
Since they were very close to the cylinder heads, people were reporting that the ceramic fragments got into the cylinders and destroyed the engine. I'm not sure how that's possible, but I came across this in a few different places. It's supposed to be one reason that people put headers on these engines.
The other thing I remember isn't relevant to you, but to anyone else reading this discussion that's looking at an automatic it will be. It uses a proprietary automatic transmission fluid. Putting the wrong fluid in it will destroy the transmission. It wasn't unusual for me to see them on Craigslist for sale cheap with a bad transmission.
Any ideas on what's up with the steering? I know I haven't done a good job of describing it. With large inputs at the wheel, it feels like a "rubbing" sensation. Seller says rack bushings, but I don't think the sensation is consistent with that diagnosis. Seems like it would give or clunk or something, this is continuous. Strut mount? Steering column? The rack and pinion itself? How durable are these?
I owned a 04 v6 5sp mazda6.
I paid too much for it, and put too much into it. if you can get it for cheap, its a great car. 2012 they were worth 6-7k. 2 years later they were worth 3500. Not my favorite ownership experience. Wheel bearings, struts had to be replaced at 85k. I don't remember any other issues. The best shift I've ever driven. My wife who had never driven a manual had an easy time driving it.
If it's not rotted in half, and the price is right, go for it. They were nice cars back when they were new.
On the steering, it sounds like it's steering rack related to me, but that's a tough one. Maybe the clock spring in the column is screwed up, or possibly the steering shaft?
In reply to Tony Sestito :
Yeah, there's a youtube vid of some guy greasing the telescopic steering shaft, but I'm not sure that would do it. I don't guess putting a new rack in it would be much fun.
I don't have much experience with the v6 ones. When it's running, my mps is a brilliant car.
I love them. Test drove a few, a 4 cyl and two V6s, but they always had been neglected so I walked. I still want one, they handle well and are a good size for a small family, especially in wagon form. The cat issue made me nervous, but I've also heard it's uncommon. Can't help you with the steering, I'm afraid.
There is someone on here called KatyB that knows a ton about them. You might PM her about the steering.
So, I'm still kicking this thing around in my head. Worst case, I put a rack in it. Anybody know ballpark figure to have somebody do that work? I'm guessing I couldn't do it myself, although I've pulled a rack out of an RX-7 in a junkyard. This being FWD I suspect is an order of magnitude more difficult.
In reply to 1988RedT2 :
There was a major rust issue with the 6s. Inspect it carefully as it caused steering to fail. I don’t know if your year was part of the problem but any steering issue with a 6 needs to be approached with extreme caution. I believe the fix was a complete front cradle replacement.
That was only a problem on the second gen from what I understand.
