Seriously, I don’t know how anybody can drive this car for a year and a half, as I have, and not be nearly 100% satisfied with it. It’s like driving a BMW 3 series at half the cost. And twice the reliability (yes, sorry to point out that BMWs and Audi’s are notoriously unreliable, even in this day and age).

The Mazda 6 has been nothing but a pleasure in 43,000 miles. No unscheduled maintenance. Nothing that has broken in the car, no fit and finish issues. No rattles, no squeaks. This is one solidly, well-built car! I love the Mazda 6 and am seriously thinking about the Mazdaspeed 6 in my future.

Sorry folks, no S-Plan pricing yet on the Mazda6. If you’re a dealer who has this pricing available (or any 2006 invoice pricing), please send me a PDF or fax it to me (email me for the fax number) and I’ll post it here…

Well, the 30,000 mile checkup of my Mazda 6s (at 36,000 miles, oops!) went smoothly. I got a free rental car and they found nothing wrong with the car that needed fixing. Well, actually, there was the one thing… The passenger-side brake shoe warning piece of metal had come loose and that’s what was causing the squealing. They replaced it under warranty and no more squealing from that wheel!

Now at 38,000 miles, and still, nothing much to report for my Mazda6.

I do a lot of hauling of Home Depot materials in this car. I thought the hatchback would serve me better, but I have to say, I have yet come across anything that I couldn’t haul in this car that I would’ve been able to in the 5-door version of the Mazda 6. You can cruise at 80 MPH and barely even notice it, it’s that smooth and quiet (not that I would ever cruise any higher than the posted speed limit, mind you!).

I love this car!

So it’s time to go in for my 30,000 mile service maintenance, the first major maintenance for the car (even though I’m approaching 36,000, ah well!). I call around to the two closest dealers to where I work. One quotes $365, the other, $540. The $365 one also offers a free rental car and gives the car a wash when done. Gee, which dealer do you think is going to get my business?

Sometimes I don’t understand dealers. It’s a simple thing to do a competitive market analysis and do one every quarter or heck, even just once a year. Call around to your competitors, see what their pricing and services are like. See the experience from the eyes of a customer, not a competitor. Then understand that even though the $365 dealer is about 15 miles further away, I will gladly take them anyday over the closer dealer. The $365 dealer is making an effort to win my business.

Mazda should take note. Not every dealer is the same, I understand that. But you should encourage your dealer network to have more standardized pricing on factory-recommended service intervals.

I’ll also get my front, passenger-side wheel squeaking taken care of when I go in on Thursday. It should be a minor brake adjustment that I shouldn’t be charged for.

Before winter comes, I’ll also need to get a new set of tires, as mine are wearing down. Any recommendations for good winter performance, low road noise, and more on the “touring” side than the “sport” harsh ride side (although I’ll happily take the middle)??? Post in comments or email me. Thanks!