The 2008 Mazda6 is a perfectly middle-of-the-road car. It’s not quite as efficient as a Toyota, but it’s efficient enough. It’s not as powerful as a comparable Ford, but it’s pretty powerful. And it’s not the cheapest car around, but at under $6,000 it’s priced fairly. It’ll get you where you’re going with no fuss or muss.
Is the 2008 Mazda6 a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – The Mazda6 is a solid B+ car across the board. There are faster, stronger, and roomier mid-size sedans out there, but the Mazda6 is solid in every category.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Cabin space is a couple inches shy of its nearest competitors, but the car offers more trunk space than some full-size sedans, so it evens out.
- Reliability 8/10 – You’ll probably get at least 200,000 miles out of the Mazda6 without issue, and you might reach 300,000 with excellent care.
- Safety 8/10 – Adequate safety equipment and good crash test scores make the Mazda6 safer than most cars on the road.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – An i model gets around 21/29 miles to the gallon, which is pretty good for a 2008 mid-size.
- Value 8/10 – It’s built to last and it’s priced to move, with typical listing prices starting in the mid-$5,500 range in the Blue Book.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2008 Mazda6?
Consumer Reports found the 2008 Mazda6 to be a fairly mediocre vehicle overall. They liked the spacious interior and quick acceleration, but found the automatic transmission rough and unresponsive, and the turning radius too wide.
Kelley Blue Book found the Mazda6 to be a fair compromise of style, performance, and practicality. They note that the Camry, Accord, and VW Passat all offer more interior space.
Edmunds liked the Mazda6’s smooth powertrain, fun driving feel, stylish design, and the available hatchback model. They note that the car is both less powerful and less fuel efficient than its competitors, the back seat is a bit tight, and it’s missing some basic features like stability control.
What Common Problems Does the 2008 Mazda6 Have?
The 2008 Mazda6 has generated just 109 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The vast majority of these are for airbags, with drivers reporting that they’ve been left on the waiting list for a recall for years on end.
A handful of powertrain complaints point to transmission slipping, with drivers stating that they experience dragging and jerking when changing gears.
There have been a few complaints of overnight battery drain at mileage as low as 39,000. This usually has to do with corroded cables. Thankfully, rate of incidence is fairly low.
The 2008 Mazda6 has been recalled 6 times in total, which is average for a vehicle launched in 2008.
How Long Will the 2008 Mazda6 Last?
The 2008 Mazda6 is likely to last anywhere from 200,000 to 250,000 miles before the really expensive repairs start to add up. With adequate maintenance you should have no trouble passing the 200k mark, just so long as you find one in good condition to start with.
Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of just $358, less than a dollar a day. The most exensive common repairs include new fuel evaporative canisters starting at around $413, and coolant changes at $332.
Not very reliable because we have had to replace multiple parts and it has been expensive. It is pretty old at this point.
Yes this vehicle is super reliable... I have not have any issues with this car yet. Would totally recommend it to any family members.
It is reliable. I have had some problems with the frame and with the temperature gauge off and on. But it has never died on me and I have never had to have it towed.
Yes, vehicle has been very dependable and has required very little maintenance. Other than regular oil changes, a new power steering pump is the only thing requiring maintenance in the past 2 years.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment tech in the 2008 Mazda6 ranges from basic to impressive. The base model doesn’t include much more than a CD player, but higher trim levels feature 6-disc CD changers and Bose 7-speaker sound systems.
Safety tech in the 2008 Mazda6 is adequate. Anti-lock brakes and traction control come standard, but don’t hold your breath for anything fancier than that.
Is the 2008 Mazda6 a Good Value?
The 2008 Mazda6 is a fair value. The entry-level Value Edition i Sport typically lists for around $5,536, while the high-end Grand Touring goes for around $6,003.
A Value Edition model is really bare-bones, and, now that prices have settled down a bit, you’re not really saving that much money over a Grand Touring edition. In other words, you might as well get the best version of the car you can find, because the price difference will be negligible.
What are the Different Models of the 2008 Mazda6?
The Mazda6 is available in two body styles, sedan and hatchback, two engines, and four trim levels, from the Sport Value Edition to the Grand Touring.
The Sport Value Edition starts you off with:
- Cloth seating
- CD player
- Anti-lock brakes and traction control
- Manual air conditioning
In a standard Sport model you’re adding:
- Remote keyless entry
The Touring edition adds:
- Leather seating
- Heated mirrors
- Heated front seats
- 6-disc CD changer and Bose 7-speaker sound system
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel with mounted audio and cruise controls
Finally, in a Grand Touring model you get all that plus:
- Automatic air conditioning
- Fog lights
- Tilting/sliding sunroof
What Engines Come In the 2008 Mazda6?
- i model Mazda6s come with a 2.3L inline-four engine delivering 156 horsepower and 154 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 5-speed manual or automatic transmission in front wheel drive, and it averages 21/28 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
- In the s models you’ll find a 3.0L V6 engine delivering 212 horsepower and 197 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 6-speed automatic in front wheel drive, and it averages 18/25 miles to the gallon.
What Colors Does the 2008 Mazda6 Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2008 Mazda6?
The 2008 Mazda6 is moderately comfortable. The back seats stretch a decent 54 inches across, the suspension rides smooth, and there are no major issues with the ride.
This year’s competitors tend to offer a little more head and leg room than you’ll get in a Mazda6, but to call the car “cramped” would be an overstatement.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2008 Mazda6 Have?
The 2008 Mazda6 offers 22 cubic feet of trunk space in the sedan, which puts it on the larger end of the four-door spectrum. The hatchback starts you off with 15 cubic feet, and expands to 58, which dang near puts you into compact SUV territory.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
2008 was the first model year in the Mazda6’s 2nd Generation relaunch, running from 2008 to 2013.
2006: Torque was increased to 199 lb.-ft. in the V6 models for 2006.
2007: The Base trim level was removed for 2007.
2008: Mazda debuted the 2nd Gen model with larger wheels and a revised 6-speed automatic transmission. The wagon model was discontinued in 2008.
2009: No major changes in 2009.
2010: A Touring Plus model was added to the lineup for 2010, featuring a moonroof, Bluetooth connectivity, and blind spot monitoring.
How Does the 2008 Mazda6 Compare to the Competition?
The Mazda6’s leading competitor, the Honda Accord, had a pretty lousy year in 2008, with loads of mechanical issues and an expected lifespan of just 150,000 miles, which is really poor for a Honda.
A 2008 Hyundai Sonata tends to list for anywhere from a thousand to two thousand dollars cheaper than a comparable Mazda, but it’s prone to early breakdown, and it’s pretty sparse in the features list.
The 2008 Mazda6 is just a rock solid all-arounder at a fair price. There are faster cars, roomier cars, sportier cars, and more fuel-efficient cars, but the Mazda6 gets you from point A to point B with no major issues, and without breaking the bank.
Do Owners Recommend the 2008 Mazda6?
Yes, we got it 4 years ago. Still runs pretty well. We have had a few pretty expensive repairs and had it in the shop a few times.
Yes it is. It is a great gas saver which is a plus when buying a car. I would totally recommend this vehicle.
Yes - it has decent gas mileage if you drive consistently. I haven't has many mechanical problems. Mostly on the frame.
Yes very dependable and trustworthy with a sporty appeal. Very low maintenance and good gas mileage. Roomy backseat and trunk.
