The Mazda 6's are quite good looking even better than their Toyota counterparts for the year 2004-2006. But what I'll like to know is how they match in areas of fuel economy, maintenance costs and reliabilty. Another key area is the ability of Naija mechanics to properly work on them.

Lord_Reed,
Don't compare death with sleep
Toyota na baba o!!!

Lord_Reed,

I really dont know where Mazda Corp. went wrong in their marketing, but thier cars are super. So many people have comfused my 626, 1999 model for a Toyota Avalon.

Nigerians obviously prefer Toyotas, and Hondas, but the mechanics are at a disadvantage with all late model vehicles because they dont have the necessay Service information and Tools (This is same for all cars)

Fuel efficiency and Reliabilty are about the same, but Toyata should have more parts in Nigeria. (purchase price of Mazda 6 will definately be lower that that of a Toyota Camry)

I will vote for the Mazda 6 (zoom, zoom, , zoom). I have a quote for the 2009 model, just waiting to see how the economy will turn out. For the records, I did not even check the price nor test-drove that over-priced box called Camry

@Kafin How much trouble is it to maintain ur 626?

I am fascinated by the various designes if mazda 626. As a matter of fact, I am interested in purchasing any of the 1999-2003 models of the car, but I do not have any information regarding the availability of parts, cost of mentainance, fuel econonmy etc. Besides the cars are so cheap compared to their Toyota and Honda counterparts. Can anybody please throw more light on the issues mentioned above? Thanks.

First, I have to let you know that there is a problem with the Automatic Transmission used on the 1998 - 2002 Mazda 626 models. I have heard mechanics complain bitterly about the Automatic Transmission in the 1998 - 1999, a friend of mine who owns a 2002 model does not have any problems with his (currently at 150K Km). The story was that Mazda's partnership with Ford made it necessary for Mazda to use the automatic transmission manufactured by Ford in these models. (Yeah some Ford's automatic transmission has a story; they go bad between 90Km to 110Km).

My 626 is LX trim, 4 cylinders 2.0liters with Manual transmission, 80K Miles (app 135K Km). I heard about the fact that the automatic transmission was manufactured by Ford, and took the manual.

Till date, I have not done any major repairs on the car; I still have the Original Clutch, Alternator, Starter and timing-belt. I recently changed the Original Ignition wires and the Coolant at 75K Miles. I have always changed the Engine Oil and filter every three months. Changed the air filter 4 or 5 times so far.

The important thing to note is that a used-car is only as good as the maintenance it has received in its lifetime. Get a good mechanic to test the car before you pay. Also watch out for cars (like mine) with original components, as they are due to be changed soon. This is most important for cars around the 120k km.

@Nicols. Definitely stay away from those with automatic transmission. Those familiar with the Nigerian market will have a better idea about the availability of parts, but because the car is not so common I will expect that the parts will also not be readily available, which translate into high-cost to maintain. If the engine-system is in good condition (there is nothing confusing the Powertrain Control Module, and thus preventing it from trimming the amount of fuel that is injected into the cylinders), fuel economy will be same as for Hondas and Toyotas.
Please let me know how much the Mazda 626, 1998 – 2002 models and Mazda 6, 2003 – 2007 are being sold for (both manual and automatic transmission).

By the way how much will a "good Mechanics" charge for the following services in Nigeria:
Regular Engine Oil and filter Change,
Coolant Drain and Refill,
Change Automatic Transmission Oil and Filter
Labor to replace the Starter/Alternator (they used to simply replace the carbon-brush and Diode/Regulator back in the days)
Labor to replace an engine
Labor to replace the Transmission
Estimated hourly/Daily labor rate
Cost to read OBD II trouble codes
Average price of Oxygen Sensor

@Kafin thanks for ur comment. I take it that u are not in Naija now rite?

Nigerians and their love for TOyota and Honda sef. Those cars aint nothing compared to the numerous options available. TO me the Mazda 6 from 2004+ is a Toyota killer anyday. THere are many other cars that are more fun to drive, look better and feel better than the TOyota and Hondas. In the US today the Camry is not even in the 1st 3 most preferred car in the mid-size sedan category. Let us live free.

@soji Well u should know why we prefer such cars: There is after sales service be it the road side variety or the big auto store type. We need to keep these cars moving beyond the 1st few months of purchase. It would make no sense to own a car that can't be properly serviced unless u are 1 of those who can afford to fly in the parts and the manpower. However I do also understand the need for choice which is why I put up this topic. The Mazda 6's have very nice styling but dat can't be all that would recommend them so if u know more please enliten us.

TOYOTA VERSUS MAZDA

Yeah

I have a 2004 model mazda but its manual gear and I want to convert it to automatic so would it be okay and how much is the automatic gear box.need help and answers asap please

I am thinking of shipping a 2008 Mazda 6 to Nigeria to use it there. I have be using it here in the US, and I love the car so much. The question now is, will I find the parts in Nigeria? If yes, how expensive are they?

I drive a mazda mpv 2002 model.
From experience its very reliable. I will chose it over toyota sienna of same year over and over again.
One of the problem with mazda is accessibility of the engine component. It is tightly packed under the hood.
Cheers

mazda products are generally strong and fuel efficient. i am currently using a 1998 mazda 626, (mazda boot). the only major problem is dat the auto transmission is not good, i had to convert it to manual. dis is the same for most of such brand especially 1998-2002. otherwise the car run great. i guess toyota product of dis category doesnt hav much of transmission probs. but the fuel economy is lesser compare to mazda

emergency2:
mazda products are generally strong and fuel efficient. i am currently using a 1998 mazda 626, (mazda boot). the only major problem is dat the auto transmission is not good, i had to convert it to manual. dis is the same for most of such brand especially 1998-2002. otherwise the car run great. i guess toyota product of dis category doesnt hav much of transmission probs. but the fuel economy is lesser compare to mazda

hello brother, pls how much did you use to convert then?