Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Mis-rated power - How about the (1999?) SVT Mustang Cobra. Good case in point - it wasn't just that the dynoed power was not what it should have been, it was more importantly that folks taking this thing down the drag strip weren't getting et's and top speeds much better than the plain old GTs.
Jerry, you had some good points with regards to the MS3. I still think the limited edition stuff is crap, and being offered in only two colors. They should release it as their "SVT" alternative, and make it a regular production, not limited. Well, not as limited as they are. Either way, it will generate publicity, and more importanly will actually be available to all (and in colors you'd want to be seen in) as opposed to the select few who are actually willing to fork over MSRP+ for the car. Isn't that the whole point here, to sell cars? To expand Mazda's customer base. They should be making and selling cars that not only interest everybody, but are priced so that everyone is willing to buy them. Not just Mazda diehards. Just my thoughts.
Steve
That, and they've got to back up this Zoom-Zoom image or that kid will be out of a job.
1. Image
Every manufacturer needs an image car. Dodge has the Viper. Acura has the NSX. Chevrolet has the Corvette. The Mazdaspeed Protege will serve as the image car for a brief few months before the RX-8 hits the market. Another part of the image car is the Zoom Zoom campaign. The MP3 is a terrific handler, but when most people think of Zoom Zoom, they think power and speed. The aftermarket tuners have not been very kind to the Protege, even though it is starting to become the next Civic for modifications. Having the Mazdaspeed Protege will boost the aftermarket by building more demand for Protege performance accessories. And, as dsm6 pointed out, it is a great launching point for Mazdaspeed accessories and apparel.
2. Racing
Even though Mazda keeps insisting they are not getting back into racing, you have to wonder about a few things... the rotary engine is coming back, and just not in a single model... Mazda's sponsorship of Laguna Seca, North America's premier raceway... renewed interest in the 24 Hours at Le Mans... a big push in parts at Mazda Motorsports... and 1,500 units, I believe, is the minimum number of vehicles produced required to race it as a production vehicle... interesting...
-Larry
What I am trying to say is that my ES does not HUNT for gears, as many others describe in their vehicles.
Question is:
Is the ES equipped with Slope control?
-Larry
http://www.auto.com/industry/ford20_20020620.htm
Meade
Now, would I pay 22k for a Speed? I might, but we know you won't be able to get it for that anyway. When the WRX came out you couldn't find one (around here anyway) that wasn't loaded with every dealer tack on available. It was one of the reasons I didn't get one. Now it's easier, but they were not there when I needed a new car.
The LSD should be great. My Pro is the first front driver I've had in almost 10 years and while the car handles well, you can't get any power down coming out of hard right handers. The tire just breaks loose. It's a small segment Mazda is aiming at with perf parts anyway. Look at us, see how many posts said great the parts are available but "I'm not spending 4,000 for the turbo kit." The fact that the parts are available is enough for me. It just shows Mazda's continued market plan of offering the best overall performance from their cars from our commuter Pros to the RX8. While I might not buy a Mazda6 or afford an RX8, it's nice that see Mazda being consistent in their approach. Keep up the good work Mazda.
Many Volvo lovers drool when the name is spoken.
and the same callway fine tunes Corvettes.
Paul, my Millenia has a persistant rattle in the roof somewhere. We have been trying to get this fixed for months and seemed like we had, until recently anyways. Of course when I take the technician around, no rattle. Another example of Murphy's law. Hopefully we can take it by again soon when it is acting up and see if they can track it down.
As far as I am concerned (and anyone who follows the auto industry as insanely as I do), the most exciting name to be thrown around in this package is not Callaway, not Garret, not Tokico, not Racing Beat... it is Mazdaspeed! Mazdaspeed has been around since 1967 as the premier tuner of Mazda vehicles and was used by Mazda to enhance their very successful racing programs. A couple of years back, Mazdaspeed was absorbed into Mazda. What was Mazdaspeed's biggest accomplishment? The Le Mans winning 787B in 1991.
Check out this link for a brief history of Mazdaspeed. It's in PDF, so you need Adobe's free Acrobat Reader software to read it (most computers have it).
https://www.racingbeat.com/pdf/history.pdf
Ok...but does that mean the place of FINAL assembly was Japan or USA? To me, I would still say Japan, but is that right?
Also, does that mean that the MP3 has LESS Japanese content than the P5/Sedan?
The mods are most likely not Japanese so the content %ages are slightly different than the ES.
http://www.protegetech.com/Ed_Review/2002midyear.html
He talks about the "sport-matic" tranny. Hope that helps.
#872 of 877 Colors... by ickes_mobile Jun 20, 2002 (08:51 pm)
The MAZDA6 will be available in 10 colors: Grace Green, Deep Blue, Gun Metallic, Sparkling Silver, Dark Red Metallic, Black, Star Shine, Snow Flake Pearl, Classic Red, and Sunny Yellow.
Source: Mazda USA website...
Later!
Tom