I convinced my friend to drink the Mazda Koolaid. He is picking up a 2020 Mazda 6 GS today with 55,000 kms on it. From what I seen it looks to be in great shape.
Sadly it does not have a navigation SD card in it. As noted a few times in this Forum Mazda wants over $500 for the card but Amazon has the for $30 to $60. I have some questions and concerns about 3rd party cards. I was wondering if anyone has some hands on experience.
With regards to Amazon SD cads
- Many comments in Amazon reviews state that even if the SD card states it is a 2023 version they find the maps to be out of date. Some mention new roads that existed 3 years prior not showing up.
- I have read that around 2021 Mazda change the Mazda Toolbox that updates maps the reject any none OEM SD card. So I think you will not be able to update the maps.
What about Navi-World SD cards
- There is a company called Navi World. They sell SD cards and claim it includes 3 years of updates. I have not investigated that claim. I am not sure that claim is valid now that Mazda locked their system from updating non-OEM cards. Maybe Navi-World provide the updates?
- They cost a bit more but if you really can get updates it is worth it.
- It is weird that they charge less to send you a physical SD card than they charge you to send you a downloadable file to your own SD Card. That does not seem to make sense.