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Comments
No porsche pro that I know of would drive a tiptronic as it's little more than an auto tranny. Now an SMT I could believe as it's a legit manual with clutch plates and the like, just no clutch pedal.
BTW, VW initially launched the Jetta with little emphasis on performance. Over its run through VW has spruced it up considerably...first the turbo 1.8t at 150 HP, then a bump to 180 HP, then a bump to the VR6 to 200 HP. Add in the shift from 15 inchers to sport suspensions, 17s, 6 speeds, stability control and they've clearly aimed to expand the car's audience to people who want fun and fast in an econobox sedan...something missing entirely from the segment. 25% of sales are the 1.8T, another 25% are VR6 and something like 10-12% are TDI, leaving the basic 4 cylinder with the leftovers.
For most people that would be the city limits and out in the country.
That's why auto trannies sell better than 5-speed MTs. Most buyers want a beautifully styled car to be seen in and care less about driving it at its limits. They use it for business and family hauling. Smooth shifts are important to avoid interuption of business conversation on the way to lunch and return. Passengers do not appreciate having to hold on to grab handles and "boy racer" road antics. I know I don't -- it impresses me NOT.
But many buyers are beginning to understand what good "handling" means and know when to drive smoothly and when to drive for the fun of it. They will be the new Mazda customers. Buyers with Audi/BMW tastes and Mazda pocketbooks.
Th 6 isn't a BMW, but it beats the hell out of the alternative in most repects. You can't have it all for $20K, but you can sure come close.
Last week, CNN.com had an article on their web site about manual vs auto trannies. CNN said that 70% of buyers would opt for autos. The next day they posted the rebutals from manual drivers.
The only way to get the BMW experience is to buy a used one or a new one. People here keep talking about reliability, what about BMW's? Not to mention the bigger expense of service and repairs.
fowler3
I haven't driven the Legacy GT, but I wouldn't ever have expected it to sell well based on image, because the Legacy/Outback models are already thought of as outdoors/snow type cars rather than sports sedans. The 626 never established much of an image because it tried to be another Camcord. The 6 is trying to emphasize the fun-to-drive quotient. I guess you can argue that the Altima and Passat are already in that niche, but most of the reviews have said that the 6 fits the image it's trying to project, probably better than the competition.
And while I'm at it, the image Mazda is trying to project is fun-to-drive, not raw power. It's "zoom-zoom," not "my car will blow your car out of the water on the straightaway."
The other factor beyond image is whether 6 owners like their cars. In Consumer Reports' ratings (based on owner surveys), the 626 gets a poor rating for owner satisfaction, despite pretty good reliability. This naturally affects resale value and hurts sales. I haven't compared them, but every review I've read says the 6 is much better than its predecessor, so unless it ends up being terribly unreliable, it's bound to please its owners and sell well.
For those "GOTTA HAVE IT" people.
The 6 has "IT" and unfortunately, will be all to common when others find out. (don't mean to be selfish, but it's like a secret fishing spot, eventually people find out!)
MSN has a community board where you can post pictures for others to view and add pictures.
Do I have any takers?
Sales - No, the 6 won't sell like the Camry or Accord. But, if the positive reviews and owner raves are any indication, it should sell better than the 626. Only time will tell.
Acceleration - No, the 6 isn't quite as fast as the Accord or Altima. Any questions?
Handling - Yes, we know on paper the Accord handles as well. Some of us who have driven the 6 know that there's more to handling than numbers.
Pricing - Yes, we know it's priced about the same as the Accord. You can probably get a better lease deal on an Accord.
Depreciation - No, it won't hold it's value as well as the Accord. Did anyone really think it would?
Now can we move on?
It's a Mazda of Japan site so the models are japanese spec - some colors aren't carried over there (i.e. the Sedan's Redfire and Yellow) , right hand driver's side, side-mirrors with turn signals, and there are more aftermarket mods (most of the interior mods are pretty tacky, if you ask me). But you get a look at the hatch and the wagon and the lip spoiler.
Check it out!
I was forced to sell the A4 as it was getting older and as a student who does not make much money, I could no longer afford the repairs, especially the electrical problems it was developing (I bought it used last year, and I came to realize the previous owners did not take care of it as I did). I absolutely loved the car, it was my dream car since high school. However, in order to afford to go to Europe after I graduate from the Air Force Academy with the rest of my friends instead of pouring more money into the Audi, I was forced to sell it for a new car with a warranty.
After checking out a newer Audi A4 to lease, I walked next door to Mazda as the 6's they had were just off the boat. I was impressed. To me, they were basically an Audi/BMW clone for less money, and minus some of the superfulous options. They offered me a great price for my Audi and a great lease plan, and as the 6 is an absolute blast to drive here in Colorado, I purchased one, fully loaded, V-6.
Th 6 is as close to my beloved late Audi as I have ever driven, greatly more so than the Saturn L, Honda Accord, and Toyota Camry rivals I have driven. It has soul, it has character, and it is not abundant in rental car numbers. Instead of the Accord's "revel in my perfect ergonomics and supremely smooth V-6", it says, "lets play, lets go break some speed laws, and although I'm not the fastest, we will have the most fun!"
I'm glad at least one car company has started to realize that some people, maybe not everyone, but a good number (young people like me, 22) want something quick, reliable, and mostly, fun to drive. The 6 is that and more, it is the spritual successor of the Audi I once owned.
P.S. Unfortunately, the only V-6 6's available in Colorado were auto's, and by the time an ordered one came in, I would be stationed in Europe. I like my tiptronic, although I really wanted a stick, but I feel for the American populace, it suits the 6 just fine, and can be just as fun as a stick, just not as quick.
Email me by clicking on my username.
-Alt
They build it in a factory that can produce 300,000 cars a year. Let's hope it sells better than 1/6 of capacity.
"Are we seeing the same people post the same old opinions over and over. So let's summarize and then move on, shall we?"
Well for one thing there is nothing to move on to since the only thing the 6 has that differentiates it from the crowd is handling. The same thing that supposedly the MPV has and the Tribute too in the commercials. Hasn't helped them much.
If we were to summarize and move on this forum would be over in two posts.
The local JAG can calrify the terms of the lease and explain why for active military buying is often the better choice.
And I, too, get the idea he is taking leave in Europe. Else why on earth would one buy a car stateside then go overseas?
myphantom6, should I email you for the web address, or can you post it? Or is there also another spot on the web to see the stuff (other than the other countries' Mazda sites)?
Your comment on long term resale value is probably the important factor here. Are you leasing? If so, the A4 is probably a more known quantity now. Would you be getting a quattro or FWD? In SoCal, FWD may be just fine in resale; in most parts of the country you'll take a big hit by not getting quattro. So the A4 and the 6 may not be comparably priced--you can easily get up to $30K with a new A4 1.8Q. But if you're leasing, the better residual on an A4 1.8Q probably makes it a better deal than a loaded 6. I think both cars have good warranities for 4 years.
Now, if you're buying, I think a 6 has the potential to be a lot better value long term.
Let us know what you decide!
Sure, the factory could handle 300000, but if the suppliers are all set up for a maximum of 80000, then that's all you could build, isn't it?
"If we were to summarize and move on this forum would be over in two posts."
Whatever. Arguing in this forum is like talking to a wall. You can do it, but it's pointless.
There is a wonderful place this board can move to, but it's going to take some time. The transition from speculation to ownership is required. Most people in here are debating about buying one, or talking about what they 'think' the 6 is/isn't.
As owners multiply I'd love to see this forum transform into people talking about their personal, long-term experiences and things like the modifications they'll do or have done or places they took the car. A true community for 6 owners. I could care less about the 'this car is better than that' conversations. That issue came to and end for me when I ordered one.
Time will tell, but I doubt the transition to true community will happen. Most here seem content to bicker and play the 'this is better than that' game or play armchair quarterback with Mazda's marketing. Besides, other boards I've found that are dedicated to the 6 are infinitely better places for real-world information.
Buy one. Don't buy one. Then shut up. It's that simple.
That, and the fact that some of us are waiting for the hatch or wagon. In my own case, I'm waiting for a 16 year-old driver to be fully trained and turn his permit into a license and then drive the car I am currently driving.
Yeah, the 6 is fun to drive.
I put on new tires.
I got a ticket today.
You want a 6 Owners Forum, then go to one, there are at least 5 of them on Edmunds. As best I can tell this 6 board is for everyone, for any discussion concering the 6 not just for those who are Owners of a 6.
Um, that's not even close then.
A loaded Mazda6 can be had for about 22k before TTL. A ED BMW 325i with the same equipment (leather, moonroof, sport suspension, 17s) will run nearer to 28k or more.
The same thing is happening to the Element though. HUGE surcharges on an unknown product.
Are you talking about overseas or hear in the states?
This is a question for everyone.
Is the a place (besides MSN communities.com), where you can post pictures for others to see? In the communities you have to log on and have new visitors "log in" in order to show photos. It' really not that hard but I was just wondering if there's something out there that's easier?
Pages take 4 minutes to load just to get here.
Spent 30 minutes waiting and waiting.
fowler3
That's where the developers will look for feedback.
(The slow thing should be temporary and has to do with fully implementing the changes, btw.)
I will probably buy a 6 next year. The Miata's garage-mate does not need to be a hard charger; I have the Miata for that. I think the garage-mate's first requirement will be refinement. I want a refined, smooth, comfortable sedan that can be driven aggressively, but doesn't have to give me that extension-of-the-body feel I get from the Miata. Isolation is unwanted in the Miata, but somewhat wanted in the garage-mate. I don't know if the 6 will be a MT or an AT. It depends entirely on the test drives. If the 6 MT is precise and the clutch is light and it just feels good I will get the MT. If it is clunky and rough I will definitely get an AT. In the event of a tie...
Reliability. I have seen so many people have so much trouble with ATs. I have had so much trouble myself. And NOBODY knows how to fix them. They are like some lost technology that we inherited from aliens that nobody understands. I've never known anyone to have much trouble with MTs. Just the occasional clutch replacement. I am convinced MTs are inherently more reliable than ATs and I certainly appreciate the fact they weigh less.
PS.
My dad just bought a new Accord - 4 cyl, 5-spd-AT. Very refined, it may beat the 6 on refinement. It wasn't much fun to drive. The steering didn't seem very "connected," the chassis/suspension just didn't feel very snubbed down. I certainly prefer the dash/center column of the Accord. But it is an ugly car from so many angles and I expect the 6 will be nearly as refined and more fun to drive.
My friend's wife just bought a 6, 4 cyl, MT, sport package (talk about ugly). I wonder if she would trade me for the Miata for a week...
"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 also asked why the Power Moonroof and Leather/Comfort Package were a "all or nothing" combo, in a reply email. Haven't heard back on that yet.
But I doubt you'll want that.
Dinu
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