All-new 2003 Mazda 6s zigs, zags with zip and zest.

By Bill Keller
Online Editor

Picked up the keys from Bodiford on Friday night, hurried home and, for such a small-looking sedan, loaded an overly spacious trunk. If more space is needed, two straps release and drop the split bench rear seat backs forward for more space - all from within the trunk.

My wife and I jumped in and adjusted leather clad bucket seats, I had an 8 way power adjustable in the drivers seat, my wife had manual adjusters. My first impression was the seat was a little too firm but after 150 miles. I was still comfortable, a rarity for me. She cooed over the extra cup holder in the door... why she has to travel with both water and soda bottles is beyond me.

Put 2 CDs in the 6 disc front loading changer in the dash, adjusted the tilt and telescopic 3 spoke steering wheel, started the car and pulled into traffic.

We were driving the Mazda 6s with sport, premium, and comfort packages. A 220 h.p. V6 with variable valve timing 3.0 liter.

Our model was equipped with a short throw 5 speed manual transmission. Options included , a moonroof, heated front leather seats, Bose 8 speaker audio system, and a sports package, which includes 17" alloy 5 spoke wheels, sport front and rear bumpers, sill extensions and a rear spoiler . Our evaluation car was painted a dark metallic, Lapis Blue, and the interior was black leather, the only interior choice for the sport package. Our car also had the optional side air bags and side air curtains, options I never want to test out.

Driving the 6s was a delight and I found myself comparing it favorably to more expensive sedans that I had driven. The front suspension is an Independent, double-wishbone, with coil springs and stabilizer bar and the rear suspension is an Independent, E-type multi-link, with coil springs and stabilizer bar. The sport in the Mazda sport sedan must be the fact that on uneven pavement this is translated to the driver but on good roads it was a non issue. The 9 miles of milled surface that we drove on was an sensory experience on several levels.

Response in the higher revs was quick and smooth, red-line is @ 6500 rpm, but at lower rpms it wasn't quite as responsive. I tried some 0-60 tests but my watch kept sliding off the dash. I wish I had more curves as this car seemed to enjoy accelerating around the bends, remaining flat and stable, with precise rack and pinion with power assisted steering. We didn't have a race track but I could not get the car to misbehave on the few curves I did try throwing the car around.

We had a chance to drive throught some rain, the wet only made the trip more enjoyable, the wipers carved great sheets of water off the windshield and our Michelin P215/50VR-17's stayed glued to the pavement.

I am really not sure what the fascination with a hole in the roof is, vent cigar smoke? Our power moonroof operated with two switches, one to slide the glass open and shut and the other to raise and lower the back of the glass. Surprising how much headroom we had as I have seen a sliding roof take up precious inches of headroom.

Interior layout was clean and simple with red backlit dials (sport edition only) illuminating the tach, speedometer, temp gauge and the fuel level. There is a drivers information LCD readout over the main console which itself, is finished in a titanium look. It houses the audio system, and climate controls.

The Mazda 6s has a lotta eyeball, the lines are pleasing and the fit and finish were excellent. I have mixed emotions about the tailights, what is with all those circles, oh well I don't have to look at them from the drivers seat and anyone I passed didn't have to stare at them too long either.

The factory warranty is 48 months or 50,000 miles, quite unheard of at this price point, with most manufacturers offering only 36/36.

For more information contact your local Mazda dealer or visit www.mazdausa.com

MSRP base $21100 as tested Mazda6s $25345. Prices and options vary, see dealer for details.

LIFE'S A TRIP -- Enjoy the Drive. Be a safe and courteous driver, obey all highway laws, never drive impaired buckle everyone up. Copyright (c) 2003, The Weekend Drive, All Rights Reserved.