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Mazda6 Hatchback

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Comments

  • kenokakenoka Member Posts: 218
    I'm sure Canada will get their share. Thanks for the conversion bpi. I wonder what the real horsepower numbers will be.
  • thereptile1thereptile1 Member Posts: 2
    If you are reading this it means that you are looking for feedback from fans, enthusiasts and potential buyers. I am a potential buyer who will be looking for a new vehicle next May. Please, please, please, make sure that you have ample hatchbacks avaliable by the end of May to ease my transition into one. Thank you for the opportunity to make my opinions known via my good friends at Edmunds.
  • civicwcivicw Member Posts: 135
    Retire the Product Planning or Marketing dorks who decided to launch the sedan way before the sedan-look hatchback.

    This is a no-brainer. The sedan-look hatchback will be unique in a market filled with boring Camcord sedans, and is the best of both worlds: sedan look with more utility.

    When the hatchback is launched, resist the temptation to pack them with loads of "options", Toyota style. Instead, sell them like Honda, fully equipped at a reasonable price, in no more than 2 trim levels. Make it easier for the customer to buy. Then watch those sales REALLY take off.
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    AMEN!

    Carmakers have avoided hatches and wagons like the plague for the last decade or so in the US. In my youth (I am 46), I owned two hatches, and adored them both for their utility, even if they WERE an AMC Gremlin and a Pontiac T-1000 (Chevette clone). My parents owned a wagon, and we loved it. To some extent, this manufacturer aversion may have been in response to boomers resenting the wagons their parents had (the mini-van of that day) and the CHEAP econohatches we boomers had as kids.

    Note that Mazda has tried to make the hatch look exactly like the sedan. I want a hatch, and I wish I didn't have to wait a year to get it.

    Then again, except for a Ford Focus or VW Golf, what other hatch is still out there? And I need more than a subcompact.

    Virtually everybody that makes cars offers a sedan. Hatches and wagons are few and far between. For about the past 20 years, the largest US made wagaon has been the Taurus/Sable! And hatches nearly completely disappeared.

    That's the reason why so many of us are so excited to see Mazda doing good stuff, like the Protege5 and the Mazda6 wagons and hatches.

    Bring 'em on! Best of all, bring us CHOICES!
  • abpelch1abpelch1 Member Posts: 48
    Follow this link & download the convert program. It is free & invaluable. Very useful for converting european specs to ours. This thing will convert anything!http://www.joshmadison.com/software/convert/
    P.S. Can't wait for the 6 hatch!
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    This one has a piece of news many of us will not like, if true. The hatch and wagon (with available all wheel drive) are due in a year OR SO. Sigh.


    Otherwise a great article:


    http://www.detnews.com/2002/autosinsider/0210/18/b01-615423.htm

  • gtyler2000gtyler2000 Member Posts: 17
    I've had a Ford Taurus sedan for the past five years and have decided that my next car will not have a trunk. Any slightly large box just does not fit! I'd rather not get a wagon and all the SUV vehicles are just not what I want for a commuter car.

    The Mazda6 is going to be the only hatchback large enough for me. I would really like to know when we can expect these cars. I think that this car can do for Mazda what the Outback has done for Subaru. All they need is some good marketing and a clever commercial. I can see it now- two cars parked next to each other; one Honda sedan and one Mazda6 hatchback; they both bought a new TV and are trying to load it in their cars...

    Well, a friend of mine says he has some contacts in Mazda that could get some information for me. I would like to send along some comments from all of the people reading this discussion. Just maybe if they see the demand, we can get a good response.

    I think the Mazda6 is the best looking five door hatchback I have ever seen. Mazda would do well to capitalize on this.

    Please post what you would like Mazda to hear about the Mazda6 hatchback and I'll do my best to pass it on. I cannot make any promises, however.
  • regfootballregfootball Member Posts: 2,166
    I totally agree with a lot of your post gtyler. I would like the 6, but with the choice of wagon or hatch. I would love a bright yellow 6 hatch.

    I don't think many are reading this topic compared to the 6 topic in the sedans section, but i know many share what we feel...you might wanna post in that topic as well to get more response.
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    As nice as the sedan looks, I'll wait for the hatch and wagon for the additional utility. The hatch looks very nice too, but the wagon looks a better fit for stuffing big boxes or my bikes into.
  • sickasadogsickasadog Member Posts: 12
    gtyler, what i would like the hatch to have is folding outside mirrors, stability control, side turn lights (like VW's), fog lights under the bumper (opposed to intergrated in the headlight assembly), power seats with memory, auto-up feature on the power windows, and adjustable head rests for the rear seats. i understand that 6's destined for other countries already have a lot of these features so i don't understand why the US sedan are lacking a lot of them.

    you think you can tell your friend to make sure most of theses features show up on the hatch when it arrives here?
  • beartrax79beartrax79 Member Posts: 13
    mmm... red 6 hatch... tasty.

    if they wouldn't mind throwing paddles on the wheel for the manumatics, that'd be sweet as well. it'd push along that sporty image a bit further, possibly pulling people out of the IS300 market...

    zoom-zoom!
  • beartrax79beartrax79 Member Posts: 13
    the back of my brain must still be churning... I just pulled away from the computer, got about 3 steps, and then realized that I have no idea what transmission(s) will be on the hatch. anyone have any ideas?
  • beachnutbeachnut Member Posts: 291
    and make it a red one too! I'm willing to wait ....
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    Either one looks pretty hot to me.

    Knock on wood, my cars have all been bright red and not a single ticket in either on yet (jinxing myself here, I know). Then again, they're both economy-type compacts, so maybe they slip beneath the radar (that, and I don't excessively speed...just keep up with the faster traffic).
  • tigirl713tigirl713 Member Posts: 3
    I'm searching for a sporty-looking car that's comfortable for all passengers and has a spacious cargo. So I decided on hatchbacks and would like one that resembles a sedan/coupe.

    I've looked at the Hyundai Tiburon but felt cramped when I sat in it (figured others would too since I'm 5'1"). Plus the rear entry was difficult. Then I came across the Mazda 6 hatchback. I like how it still looks like the sedan unlike the Honda Civic and Ford Focus hatchbacks. I was just wondering if anyone knew the price of the Mazda 6 hatchback. Would it be about the same price as the sedan?
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    no one seems to know when the hachback will be imported. Of course the price is not finalized either.
  • taddisontaddison Member Posts: 99
    It looks like the hatchback won't be available for a while. Some reports have said next spring/summer, others January 2004. I would imagine the price will be similar to the sedan, but there's no official pricing on it yet.

    If you can't wait that long, did you check out the Elantra GT while you were looking at Hyundais? It looks more like a sedan than a wagon, and it's bigger than the Tiburon but not as sporty-looking. Not enough headroom for me (6'1", long torso), but should be fine for you and most other people.
  • bluong1bluong1 Member Posts: 1,927
    according to those who testdrove the Mazda 6 Sedans, the new comer is not that big, especially for the headroom. It even lower than the Protege/Protege5.
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    ...call the shape of the P5 like that of a doghouse.

    Well, put me in the doghouse then, 'cause I fit!

    Not that I didn't fit into the 6 (w/o moonroof anyway), but there definitely is less headroom in it than in the Protege. It's cozier; reminds me of the late 80s RX-7.

    Here's hoping they keep the doghouse shape for the Mazda3. ;)
  • novicecarguy1novicecarguy1 Member Posts: 6
    "We have something wonderful to share with you about the MAZDA6!

    We forwarded each and every comment, about the MAZDA6 build combinations, to those people who make the decisions about product planning. "

    The e-mail went on to say the hatchback will be
    available in the US in "a little while".

    e-mails do pay off!?! we'll see.
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    And telling the sales staff at the dealerships that you're waiting for the hatch and wagon helps too, nice as the sedan is.
  • gtyler2000gtyler2000 Member Posts: 17
    I copied this from a post in the main Mazda 6 discussion. It sounds like that we'll get the hatchback and wagon if the sedan stays on schedule. So, as long as it sells close to expectation and doesn't have some sort of recall, I'll have my hatchback before summer!!

    ----------------------------

    Dear Maxime,

    Great news! We know that you're excited about other versions of the MAZDA6, so we wanted to share our newest information. Our prior communications indicated that we did not yet have official confirmation that other MAZDA6 versions would be built in the United States.

    We are now happy to announce the MAZDA6 hatchback and wagon models will indeed be built for the U.S. market. We don't yet have an ETA on build
    times, but we know that it'll be at least a little while after the MAZDA6 sedan has been in-market.

    If you'd like to receive future updates like these, please just let us know.

    Zoom-Zoom!

    Regards,

    Jennifer Gray
    Specialist, Customer Assistance E-Business

    The Mazda6 - Mazda's all-new sports sedan! Drive it. You'll know.
  • revkarevka Member Posts: 1,750
    Thanks for the news! If you have a chance, feel free to also share (copy/paste) that in our Upcoming Hatches discussion. ;-)

     

    Revka

    Hatchbacks & Wagons Host
  • gtyler2000gtyler2000 Member Posts: 17
    It just occurred to me that you don't have any pictures of this car. It is the best looking hatchback ever made, and there are picutres on the mazda site:


    Rear View

    Top View

    Side View

    Take a look and judge for yourself.
  • novicecarguy1novicecarguy1 Member Posts: 6
    Are there any other picks or sites to get more
    shots of it. Those seem to be the only ones
    floating around. Any guess when they may hit the
    dealers?
  • groovypippingroovypippin Member Posts: 264
    This may be a bit on the optimistic side, but Mazda Canada execs are predicting that the hatch and wagon verisons of the mazda6 will be in Canadian showrooms by next Fall.

    Wouldn't that be nice.
  • choe13choe13 Member Posts: 348
    The sedan version looks great, and hey its a "sedan" that pleases majority of the public. But the hatchback version, suprisingly is not a hatchback of the current trend for example like its brother protoge 5(which is a true hatchback), but comparable to the high end sedan/hatchback design of a lexus is300 sedan. Though the lexus is300 uses this design for minor perfomance enhancement since its a rear wheel drive vehicle(mostly uses this construction for visual appeal anyways),in contrast, a front drive car such as the mazda 6 will benefit from every way in performance enhancement using the hatchback design. Why you ask? because it further adds weight to the back of the car, yet providing closer 50/50 balance, which gives it an overall better driving dynamics. Needless to say, it also provides an upscale look, and if i haven't mentioned it, its far from a true hatchback look(ie saab 900). In conclusion other than if you have an eagle eye to distinguish a sedan and hatchback and hate hatchbaks with a passion, there isn't a better choice than the mazda 6 hatchback, for pure value.
  • zaimonzaimon Member Posts: 124
    but i'd take the utility (and coolness) of the hatch anyday over the sedan. Add AWD and the hatch is all mine!
  • rotarykidrotarykid Member Posts: 191
    I will be buying the hatch in classic red to match my 2000 mpv of the same color. Although the MPV with its factory ground effects (gfx package) looks sharp, its strictly for the nanny to drive!
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    That's nice. Provided classic red is even one of the color choices! :)
  • ensoccer589ensoccer589 Member Posts: 26
    is it just me or does the hatchback look just like the sedan?
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    Almost! To me that is much of the beauty of it. I am having trouble deciding which I would rather have, the hatch or the wagon. I like both!
  • shado4shado4 Member Posts: 287
    ...has the added benefit of a rear window wiper/washer, I believe. Trust me...it's a very nice feature to have in very bad rain or snow conditions!
  • boxfanboxfan Member Posts: 180
    Yeah, all cars should have the rear wiper. I don't know why hatchbacks and wagons have them but sedans don't. Do you get more rain on the back window with a more vertical window? In the case of the 6 hatch vs sedan there's not much difference in the angle of the back window.
  • 204meca204meca Member Posts: 369
    I have been following this thread from the start. The M6 hatch sounds wonderful. Unfortunately, I could not wait for it's someday arrival. So I bought one of the few 4 door hatches available in the U.S.

    Dare I say it - a Hyundai Elantra GT! While the Elantra certainly ain't an M6 it is a well appointed, has decent performance and comfort for very little money. I really like it! I hope that U.S. consumers will discover that hatchbacks are not just cheap cars, but rather cars with wonderful versatility.
  • choe13choe13 Member Posts: 348
    First time i heard there was going to be a hatch version, immiately the protoge 5 came to my mind. ITs a great car, but i personally don't like the looks of a small wagon built. So right than when i saw the mazda wagons picture along with two other sedan version pictures, i thought that had to be the hatch. But it was labelled as the mazda 6 wagon, and went back to study the sedans closer, and one had a wiper! all this time i thought i was looking at the sedan version, i was really looking at the hatch version!(stupid yellow color , hard to make distinction) When i realized this, i was thinking out loud, this is a hatch?!?! haha , i'm sure we all got fooled, and can appreiacte how mazda designed this hatch. It is a serious looker, and has that sort of is300, audi a4 appeal with a more muscular looking end body. I do still like the way the trunk closes on the mazda 6 sedan better, but i will take the hatch for its unhatch like design and i'm sure learn to apprecaite the functionality it provieds . Though if i had it made in my world, i would design it like the hatch, and let the trunk open like a sedan.
  • kenokakenoka Member Posts: 218
    That would provide a smaller trunk opening and actually less cargo space. I like many others think that the hatch offers the best compromise between looks and utility. The wagon is very handsome, but the hatch is sleek and sexy. I hope they offer an AWD option on the V6 hatch. That would make it irresistable for me.
  • ashutoshsmashutoshsm Member Posts: 1,007
    A hatch with a trunk that opened like a sedan's would be (insert drumroll) ... a SEDAN!
  • mazdamarlamazdamarla Member Posts: 350
    I just emailed Mazda USA about releasing the Hatchback sooner rather than later in the States.
    Here is their reply:

    "Thanks for your interest in the upcoming MAZDA6 hatchback! The MAZDA6 hatchback will be available in the U.S.. The exact launch date of the hatchback is not known at this time, but you may expect to see it in the 2004 model year. I will pass on your comments to our Product Planning Department. "

    I've seen 2 dates mentioned here in Edmunds forums...summer '03 or December '03. Anyone know which is more likely?
  • zaimonzaimon Member Posts: 124
    I would hope that Mazda release the hatch for summer, but am not expecting a miracle. I heard the official release is Dec. 1, 2003, so unless I hear something else, I'll go with that (especially with the release of the sedan as Dec 1, 2002); plus I'll be able to save up more for a better down payment. Of course, if the hatch does come for summer (Mazda released the Tribute, i think, July 1, 2000 as a 2001 model) then I'll be happily surprised, if poorer!

    Putting more fuel to the fire, I was at the San Francisco Auto show in November and there were several executives there. I asked about the hatch and the wagon and all they gave me was "very soon".
  • orangelebaronorangelebaron Member Posts: 435
    "Very soon" means by next week to me.
    This is New York.
    Give me my hatch. In metallic burnt orange..with heated folding mirrors. Tu-tone oyster grey leather too.
    Am I asking too much?
  • mazdamarlamazdamarla Member Posts: 350
    When I emailed Mazda I also asked why you MUST have BOTH Moonroof AND the Leather/Comfort Package, as I would rather not get the leather, but want the moonroof.

    Here is their reply....let's cross our fingers that the options will change a bit. :)

    "Currently, Mazda is taking all of the customers' comments regarding the combination packages. Mazda is listening to our customers. All these comments have been passed to our Product Planning Department. Please check back with our website in April for any new combination packages."

    Soooooo...everyone who wants the Options/Packages reconfigured, email Mazda!!
  • tigirl713tigirl713 Member Posts: 3
    Yeah I want the moonroof also and prefer cloth interior. What's the email address for contacting Mazda concerning option packages?
  • mazdamarlamazdamarla Member Posts: 350
    this is the email address that I got the response back from, and I replied to it asking another question and got another response. So this should work. They are closed today (MLK Day), but you'll get an auto-reply until they respond personally. :)

    MUSA@mazdausa.com
  • mazdamarlamazdamarla Member Posts: 350
    I swear, I did! I don't remember exactly WHAT about it, but it is vaguely coming back to me. How bad do I want this new car? lol. I have printed out some cool color pictures of it and have them in my cubicle to moon at inbetween projects at work.

    Geez I hope they release the Hatchback sooner rather than later.

    Come on - everyone email Mazda and tell 'em to get the Hatchback stateside! ;):D Then I can make my FINAL decision as to Sedan vs. Hatch and be done with it already!

    MUSA@mazdausa.com
  • mazda6smazda6s Member Posts: 1,901
    "I have printed out some cool color pictures of it and have them in my cubicle to moon at inbetween projects at work. "

    I see you've lost all control of yourself. I thought only guys did stuff like that. :)
  • mazdamarlamazdamarla Member Posts: 350
    I know....sad, isn't it? ;-) See, by putting pics of the Hatch up, I'm hoping that'll quell my temptation to just go out and buy the sedan right now. I want to wait for the Hatch...I just don't want to wait a whole 'nother YEAR for it!

    I told my husband last night...."I want cup holders. I want a break-away gas pedal. I want air bags and side curtain airbags. I WANT MY ZOOM ZOOM." He just rolled his eyes. :D

    hee hee
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    Yep, we can definitely see you've been assimilated to the evil Zoom-Zoom Empire!

    Welcome aboard!

    Dinu
  • rekrucrrekrucr Member Posts: 6
    I just received an email from Ashley Inman, Specialist, Customer Assistance E-Business, MUSA@mazdausa.com
    " The Mazda 6 Hatchback & Wagon will be available in the 1st quarter of 2004." BUMMER!!!!
  • markjennmarkjenn Member Posts: 1,142
    Customer support people generally are told to under promise, especially with respect to availability of new product. They also may be told to be pessimistic to avoid having someone defer a decision to buy a sedan now - people seldom defer their buying decision for a full year because by then, something else has come along and caught their eye.

    My guess is that Mazda has a +/- two month window right now centered in the Nov/Dec time frame. They may also want flexibility to delay introduction for market conditions or simply to avoid the dead Thanksgiving to Christmas season.

    IOW, I doubt this information conflicts with the late-2003 information we already have.

    - Mark
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