CTC Review: 2009 Mazda6 GS-I4

[wing]

Dude I type like 100 words a minute actually typing them out is not an issue.

[rrocket]

Yea..but you could do your blog while you are playing Forza or GT5.....

[airbalancer]

was program Dragon Speak 
http://www.nuance.com/naturallyspeaking/

[rrocket]

^^I don't know.  All I know is he talked and it typed.  He said it works with his e-mail too.  Was awesome.  Sorry I don't remember what it was called though.  I was too "wow cool" to even bother asking.....(dummy that I am)...


That could be it though...because he said it was "expensive" and at $200, that qualifies...

[wing]

Dragon speak is pretty good, I used it probably 5-6 years ago I can only assume it is a million times better now!

Back on topic...

[carcrazy]

Wing, I hope you don't mind if I suggest that perhaps, in the First Day blog, instead of listing the common features (BTW the side bar idea is great or even a link to the manufacturer's specs should do it) you list the ones that are unique or rare in the class. For instance, Mazda6 comes standard with 17" alloy, driver& passenger UP/DOWN power windows, steering wheel audio controls, etc.
Also, if you conclude that the materials or fit-and-finish are not as good, please state exactly where the fault is so the potential buyer can check it out while in the showroom. Very few reviewers do this.

[rrocket]

Very few reviewers do this.

Very few reviewers say ANYTHING bad for fear of upsetting the manufacturers and maybe not being able to get some future special car.  I think that's why many people like Top Gear...because they REALLY let you know when a car is a POS. 

[Just Bob]

Very few reviewers do this.

Very few reviewers say ANYTHING bad for fear of upsetting the manufacturers and maybe not being able to get some future special car.  I think that's why many people like Top Gear...because they REALLY let you know when a car is a POS. 

That's how JC made his name, he was the first car journo in the UK to do this, and it made him millions!

[rrocket]

That's how JC made his name, he was the first car journo in the UK to do this, and it made him millions!

Wonder if this could make Wing a Zillionaire?  (though I hear he is already...)

[vdk]

is Mazda using Contis too?   

[Mitlov]

Very few reviewers do this.

Very few reviewers say ANYTHING bad for fear of upsetting the manufacturers and maybe not being able to get some future special car.  I think that's why many people like Top Gear...because they REALLY let you know when a car is a POS. 

Of course, the trick with Top Gear is that they call EVERY car rubbish, even the brilliant ones

[MKII]

For the guys that don't think about the large audience as guest viewers that come to CT, I think wing has developed a very good system for his weekly blog.
For example if you look at the current viewers anytime there are a much higher percentage of guest viewing then members all the time.
 At this moment 99 Guests, 15 Users (3 Hidden) .
My point is for the guests I am sure they get more real information as far as trim levels and what is included in such trim levels from wings blog, then the manufacturers website, or from a USA based blog site were the equipment and spec levels are different.
And driving the car for a few days will give a better all around impression of what you like and don't like. I appreciate that wing waits and does his day 3 driving impressions.

I would think when wing writes his views on the driving and living with the vehicle experience on day 3, its a very good reason for those guests to tune in again and visit CT again.

 

[carcrazy]

Very few reviewers do this.

Very few reviewers say ANYTHING bad for fear of upsetting the manufacturers and maybe not being able to get some future special car.  I think that's why many people like Top Gear...because they REALLY let you know when a car is a POS. 

Right. I especially "love" those First Drives reviews that follow manufacturer paid events, sometimes overseas. They all sound alike since they are only a repost of the PR materials and pictures. Useless.

What sets Wing’s blog apart is its highly interactive format. He has the car for the week, posts daily and we have the opportunity to ask questions and actually get answers, plus all the discussions around. 

I'm yet to find a site that truly analyzes, objectively, side by side, all the cars, (and trims) in each segment like an educated buyer would do. This way, the uneducated buyers would get educated too without doing all the work that goes in and perhaps they never do. I do this all the time as a hobby and I know that a significant part that would go in a project like this could be done using web information and the cars in the dealership showrooms/lots. The only piece that is more difficult to get is the performance numbers.

I, for one, think about the general public and not worry about the people hanging here and elsewhere on the Internet forums all day long talking about cars.

[Brigitte]

Saw a 2009 V6 on my way home tonight.  Looks nothing like a Camry in person.  Quite sexy, from the flared front fenders (say that three times fast  ) right down to the dual, elongated-triangle exhaust tips. 

[Just Bob]

"fox force five" "fox force five"
 

[airbalancer]

"fox force five" "fox force five"
 

[gosteelerz]

Very few reviewers do this.

Very few reviewers say ANYTHING bad for fear of upsetting the manufacturers and maybe not being able to get some future special car.  I think that's why many people like Top Gear...because they REALLY let you know when a car is a POS. 

The worst offender has to be the Toronto Sun.  I don't think they grade anything less than a b-.

[Leviathan]

"fox force five" "fox force five"
 

                                  MIA
                       Three tomatoes are walking down the
                       street, a poppa tomato, a momma
                       tomato, and a little baby tomato.
                       The baby tomato is lagging behind
                       the poppa and momma tomato.  The
                       poppa tomato gets mad, goes over to
                       the momma tomato and stamps on
                       him --
                            (STAMPS on the ground)
                       -- and says: catch up.

They both smile, but neither laugh.

                                  MIA
                       See ya 'round, Vince.

[Just Bob]

Ha ha ha.

[Jaeger]

Day 3 review - now that's what I'm talkin' about - thanks.

Hats of to Mazda - I think they have done a really nice job with this vehicle and I hope they are rewarded with strong sales.

Jaeger