Originally posted by brianl703: Right now the Mazda 6 has some things that annoy me, and I expect that Ford will change them:
now we see the truth come out
1)Red dashboard illumination. I want green. I hear ya on this, i wish i had the blue background like the Mazdaspeed MPS Mazda6
2)The stereo is impossible to upgrade (integrated with the climate controls) so I couldn't swap the Sirius tuner/head unit from my Contour into it. some guys are finding ways to tweak the stereo, but as you said - you're pretty much stuck with the stock layout just to keep the display working, etc
2a)The climate controls display console seems to be very fragile, and I've read several reports of it not working after it was R/R'd. no problems here, I'm enjoying auto HVAC for once
3)Mazda parts prices are high compared to Ford parts prices. 3a)You can't order Mazda parts from Bill Jenkins we'll be working to convert Bill here in the upcoming months
4)Not really an annoyance but...Ford is working on a 3.5L engine which is to be available in the Futura in it's 2nd year of production. That alone makes me think that waiting might be the best option.
5)Also not an annoyance...My sister works for a Ford dealer so I could get the D-plan on the Ford Futura. good idea, i was lucky to use the S-Plan on my Mazda - I'm "ahead" of the curve compared to most, usually you drive off the lot are are immediately in negative value - I am however still in the positive use it if you can!
As far as keeping a car, one of my co-workers had a new engine installed in his '93 Chevy Malibu (I think?) so he can drive it for another 10 years. This guy is rumoured to make 6 figures, so it's not as if he couldn't afford a new car.
