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2. Brakes noise when turning and stopping. Installed updated front Caliper hardware per service bulletin. Seems to have fixed it, at least for the 3 days since they did this.
3. Noise with automatic shift lever. Lubricated shift linkage. FYI: short time after I bought car the Manual-matic part was sticking and they said the factory had not put in lubricant on some cars. Seems to be ok now.
4. Right Rear bumper protrudes where it meets the right rear 1/4 panel. Removed and re-installed properly. Still not perfect, but better.
I also had the leak at the trans-axle short time after bought.
I think I have now have had enough of the "first year" problems.
No, but you imply that. Otherwise, what's your point in quoting sales numbers for otherwise comparable cars? Unless you want to prove which car is more popular, which we already know.
"I think the point is that Mazda either didn't meet or barely met their own sales projections for the 6 even with the use of special financing and rebates."
Which is it, "didn't meet" or "barely met"? I guess it depends which source you trust for the real sales goals (BTW, you would have to be a Mazda insider to know the actual sales goals). And I think you're confusing sales goals with "sales projections".
Sales goals. Sales projections. Same thing. Why would Mazda's goal be any less or any more than their sales projections and vice versa.
but like the build quality of the m3s breakable side mirrors, nav, the same seating as the rx-8, standard clear tail lights and better looking rims.
now if the m6i/s is a higher model then the m3s why does m3s have higher model stuff then the m6i/s
As for S-Plan pricing, I can't think of anything negative about it. It is practically impossible to get that kind of price through negotiations. A plus side of the S-Plan is that you can get that price on Mazda6's equipped with the Sport Package. Rebates don't apply to Sport Package-equipped cars, although the special financing might. And remember, if you take the special financing, you can't take the rebate, and vice-versa. Good luck!
In the past week, I have been seeing more Mazda3s on the road than Mazda6s, all of them hatchbacks. If Mazda finds that they have to offer rebates and 0% financing to move the 6, the last thing they want to do is add more options. Perhaps they will in the future if Mazda6 sales pick up, but so far, sales in the U.S. have been less than what Mazda was predicting. We'll see what happens.
On paper, the Mazda3 is highly competitive in size, power, equipment, and price compared to its competitors. The Mazda6 doesn't stack up as well compared to the competition. Behind-the-wheel comparisons are a completely different story... but Mazda has to get the people into the dealerships before that happens. That's where aggressive marketing campaigns come into play...
I think what Mazda might want to do with the 6 is put a more upscale center stack in it in terms of interior plasic's. I mean the 6 is a good car but the 3 is in Jetta territory now which isn't good for the 6. With the last generation of 626's and Protege's Mazda did focus more on marketing the Protege more than the 626. That has to change with the 6.
Conclusion: better catchy commercials for the 6. Mazda just doesn't keep their commercials fresh and running like the Japanese Big 3 do. They must do that in order to be competitive in the US. Mazda never kept commercials on the Millenia running and it was defunct.
Plus, if the 3 is a smash, Mazda can make a reasonable case to make the 6 bigger.
An even better idea, IMHO, is a third sedan, bigger and mure luxo than the 6, to replace (at least conceptually) the Millenia. That way, the 6 and (9?) would somewhat blanket the Camcord in size and content.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
But, better value can be thrown to either the 3 or 6 depending on what you want. If you want the practicality of a hatchback, then the 3s 5-door has the 6 beat until the 6 hatchback hits the market. If you value overall performance, then the 3's lighter weight and better engine tuning destroys the 6i. The 6s is barely quicker than a 3s, especially when equipped with an automatic, and the 3 still has the handling advantage. If aftermarket tuning is your forté, the 3 will have more parts available. Styling is subjective, but the 3 is definitely the flashier car.
This may be a sore subject, but the 3's engines and transmissions are built in Japan, along with its assembly. The 6's engine is built in Mexico or U.S., transmissions from Japan, and assembly in the U.S. Traditionally, Mazda's most reliable and highest quality cars and trucks are built in Japan. The 626, MX-6, Truck, and Tribute (all built in the U.S.) have had less than steller (though not bad) quality and reliability. The 6 is still up in the air, but it has had its share of issues that the Japanese-built 6's and Atenza's haven't had.
As mazda6s stated above, you need to just get in and drive the two of them back-to-back. What appeals to you more? The 6's extra refinement and room? The 3's extra performance and flash? The 6's available V6, power seat, and traction control? The3's available HID/nav/TPMS/break-away mirrors?
For $19,605 you can get a 3s hatchback or sedan (MTX) with leather, ABS, SAB, SAC, moonroof, 6-CD, sport package, fog lights, 17" wheels, and electroluminescent gauges. A 6i with that equipment will run you $24,515; a 6s $26,060 (the 6's will have power/heated seats and traction control). For an extra $2,940 on the 3, you can add all of the stuff that the 6 really should be available with... navigation, xenon HID, and tire pressure monitoring. Hmmm... what was I saying about the 6 being a better value?
Bottom line: The best value and most satisfaction lies in the car you like the best. Buy what your heart beats fastest for... you can't go wrong either way.
I'm a little leary about taking either of our vehicles on such a long ...a 97 Stratus with 72K and a 00 JGC with 94K currently.
I'm sure Hertz will have an automatic with the 4-cylinder engine...how does the 160hp engine do in the mountains? I was surprised how sluggish my JGC was with the 195hp 6-cyl last year...my Dad's Pontiac Vibe with the little 123hp did better...
So...sell me on renting the Mazda6...:)
i think you'll really enjoy driving the 6 on a long road trip
Non enthusiasts will buy a safe choice and when they hear 'Mazda6', they think of the old 626 and say "no"
you always want to sell a product that's desirable for reasons beyond basic needs :-)
well driving fun may be a basic requirement for the car enthusiasts on this forum ;-)
Why don't you ask Mazda? It is the one equipping its base 6i with those low-rent hubcaps.
but I agree, most of the base 6i's I've seen on the road has at least the 16" alloys on them as optional equipments.
the picture on Edmunds should display the 'best side' of the 6.
If you get to Colorado Springs, drive the road up Pike's Peak, but don't take the family as it's a little dangerous (shear drop with no guard rails in some places). Or, for a safer adventure, take the cogwheel train up the Peak and take the family, you'll never forget it.
I don't understand why Mazda sells a 6 with wheel covers. They should really make the 16" alloys as standard equipment. I could understand if they wanted to sell the 16" alloys as an accessory for extra profit, but they only offer the 17's (you can order the 16's from parts, but for the same price you can buy ultra-lightweight multi-piece racing alloys and the associated Z-rated rubber).
I can't stand the way the plastic wheel covers look on the 6. They don't match the car at all and are definitely better suited (and very similar to) for the bulky-looking 626. Unfortunately, I have to stare at them almost every day. The dealership had such a great price on the car, I figured I could buy wheels and the appearance package and still stay under $20k. Unfortunately, problems appeared and that plan went out the window. I have a Hyundai Elantra loaner right now (mighty impressive and powerful for its price), and its plastic wheel covers actually look quite good and you could easily mistake them for alloys (at night).
That's what I did. I made no assumptions going into my new car buying process when I actually began nearly a year or more ago... While I had owned a 323 hatchback while in grad school, I didn't have any warm fuzzy feelings for the car (it was utilitarian, it did the job). I've been driving a Nissan Maxima, so obviously I took a look at their offerings. Honda, Acura, VW, Mitsu, and even Hyundai.
When I finished my research and test drives, it was clear that the 6 wasn't like most of the other cars I drove. It had a fun driving form factor that just couldn't be matched! It felt like a true driver's car, and not in the way of some VW marketing slogan. It felt connected to the road without being harsh, and the cornering was just superb. The Mazda engineers really nailed the experience on the head with this one.
Do I have nitpicks about the car? Sure I do, but then again, I'd have that with any car. After living without any cupholders for the past 7 years, I can overlook just about anything if the driving experience doesn't disappoint. And I can honestly say, in the Mazda6, you won't be disappointed.
About wheel covers you can always replace them. I don't think thats a big deal.
Who knows? You might get rid of what you're driving and get a 6 for yourself...
ps, jstandefer i see you like the "crazy options", you make a good point
Ford's biggest challenge is to bring the Mazda nameplate to near-premium status, much in the way that VW is becoming. I think we'll see a return of the RX-7 and possibly an RX-3. It is interesting to see Mazda finally shy away from trying to compete head on with the Japanese Big-3. Less emphasis is being placed on bigger-is-better, while more emphasis is being placed on performance and style.
The new Mazda3 (in S form) really doesn't compete with much on the market anymore. It's more expensive than a compact, but cheaper than a mid-size. It packs the performance advantages of the smaller, lighter platform and combines that with the refinement and upscale features of a midsize. I think we'll see the 6 begin to slot between a midsize and a near-luxury sedan. Think of it fitting between the Camry and ES330, or the Accord and TL. Unfortunately, it's going to be a roller coaster ride, but I hope it works.
To those of you who have recently ordered cars from the factory as opposed to buying one off a dealer's lot: how much time did it take between your order going into the system and arrival of the vehicle at the dealer?
My self-interested motive in asking the question is that I'm afraid the attractive incentives now available on the 6 might have disappeared if my car arrives after March 1st.
Thanks much
On ordering, you probably know that dealers only have a short time window each month during which they can order cars. So, if you miss that by a day, you have almost a full month before the order will actually be placed. Then it may be several weeks before it gets built, assuming it's an option combo they can build at that time. Then you gotta wait for delivery. This is why nobody can give you a time frame that's even an approximation.
BTW, what are all the outstanding recalls on the 6?
Nissan a couple years ago got alot of press in Business Magazines just like GM is now. When you name drop the likes of Carl Ghosn or Bob Lutz in a magazine people pay attention. Mazda doesn't have one of those guys to name drop in a magazine article. Mark Fields was the cloeset thing you could name drop in a magazine article but now he's leading Ford's luxury divisions: Lincoln, and Volvo. Fields did a great job at Mazda while he was there.
With the new CEO, I think the musical chairs will stop. They are putting the Japanese back into Mazda, and that's a good thing.
Right now, I'm torn between the seeming reliability of the 6 and the Jetta. Did anyone compare these two cars and choose one over the other? If so, what swayed you in one direction or another? How's the handling of the Jetta compared to the 6??
Thanks for your help!
The late 90's Maximas were still fairly popular, but Altima and Sentra sales tanked. Renault's bailout enabled them to release the 2002 Altima sooner than planned.
Also, I totally agree about the 98-01 Altima beeing nerdy. I bought a '97 for the same price as a '99, since I can't stand the 2nd generation.
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Back to Mazda, yeah the 95 Protege was hideous and had the blandest interior, too. The 626 was a snooze fest. I think the old car's poor reception is hurting sales of new base 6i's. Buyers of 4 cylinder sedans think of Cam-cord when shopping and that 'Mazda6 = 626'. Too bad.