Mazda6 Sedan

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Comments

  • stretchsjestretchsje Member Posts: 700
    I bought at the very end of December, and supplies were still nill. Stocks grew during January. Dealers seem to have them now, though, so hopefully February will be better.

    Edit: I got a call from a dealership a few days ago saying they had a '6 in like I requested. I had to explain to him that I went 150 miles away to find one myself- over a month ago. Mean anything?
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    When I went to test drive the 6i about a week ago, the dealer took my phone number and told me he would call me back when he got a leather equipped 6s in, so I could drive it. (I didn't tell him I drove the 6s already at another dealership.) He's yet to call me back. Surprising to me, I thought he would be on the phone the next day.
  • 1wiseguy1wiseguy Member Posts: 120
    I had a similar experience. I went in last month (before the 6 was for sale up here) and got a brochure & spent 20 minutes talking with a sales guy. I even gave him my business card and asked him to call me as soon as the cars arrived, so I could go for a test drive. The cars have been here 2 weeks now and he still hasn't called me.
  • kenokakenoka Member Posts: 218
    Someone a few pages back posted some numbers to justify leasing a 6 vs. financing it. He posted a net difference of about $1000 CDN at the end of three years in the lease's favor. What he didn't take into account is ownership. At the end of a three year loan, you OWN a $17,000 car (using his numbers). After a three year lease, you own exactly nothing. Also, with a lease you are perpetually in fear of damaging the car in any way. You also have to keep track of your mileage or face heavy penalty charges. Yech. No thanks.
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    I was at a Mazda dealer 3 weeks ago and wanted to drive a 5sp 4cyl. They told me they'd call me when some came in. They haven't called yet. I suspect the poor sales #s have to do with a couple of issues combined. I would think that car sales around Holidays might not be that great. Not many people buy automobiles for other people as gifts. Second, not many people know about the Mazda6 yet, compared to say, a Camry or Accord. Inventory levels also affect the sales. Do cars ordered but not delivered count as a sale?
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    Kenoka: That's why I said leasing is not the best idea for most people.

    Todd: You're right. VERY few people knew about the 626 and even less know about the 6. Unless you're an enthusiast you don't know it exists. I haven't seen any commercials besides the ones in movie theatres so far and only a newspaper add - in the Wheels section (that only car nuts like me read).

    Dinu
  • bbaggensbbaggens Member Posts: 21
    I test drove two 6's one auto and one manual and I would never buy an auto after driving both. There is a huge difference and yet you cannot find a manual anywhere. One dealer told me only 15% of the 6's produced would have manual transmissions! For a car that is trying to sell it's sportiness they sure are sending mixed signals. I hope he just meant the initial shippment.
  • bbaggensbbaggens Member Posts: 21
    I have had my eye on the 8 for about a year. When the 6 came out it peaked my curiosity a bit so I went and test drove it. I liked it very much and asked two different dealerships if I would regret buying a 6 when the 8 came out. They both gave me the same story "The 8 will base at 35K and the back seats are not real back seats, like any other sports car". A week later I get an email from Mazda saying I can build my 8 and order it and the base is 25K (10K less than the dealers said) and the leg room listed is less than an inch smaller than a civic which is a far cry from most sports cars back seats. I am glad I did not buy into thier pitch. The 8 (configured as I want it) is only 4K more than the 6 configured as I want it. Needless to say I will be waiting to drive the 8 before I make a decision, but I did like the way the six handled and may still end up buying one (but not from the dealers I already visited).
  • stretchsjestretchsje Member Posts: 700
    The RX-8 may be my dream car. It's just too much $$$ for me- my '6 cost $17,201. For a 6-speed RX-8, that's 75% more!

    Be careful, rotary engines haven't been the most reliable. I've heard the key to long life is religious oil changes. No doubt that, if anything, the rotary is worth it. The RX-8 should be amazing.

    Or, you could get a '6 and a Segway Human Transporter with the saved cash.
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    turbo rotary engines that weren't reliable? I thought the N/A rotary engines were pretty tough? I know I used to see them at J-lube with well over 100,000 miles.
  • stretchsjestretchsje Member Posts: 700
    Turbo or not, they had lubrication problems, making the seals wear out. As far as I know, it's a problem with all rotaries. I'm sure turbos heightened the problem, though.

    Which, actually, doesn't make sense, because rotaries are used in some aircraft where reliability is extremely important. Rotaries use far fewer moving parts, which makes a case for them being more reliable.
  • melikamelika Member Posts: 14
    I am very glad to hear that since I am not in a hurry to buy the 6. I still need to sell my A4. The ground EFX package is definitely not for me, but I do want all the safety stuff, homelink, and moonroof. I live in Florida and definetly do not need heated seats and mirrors. Also, I'd rather have gray leather. So, I will contact our dealer and tell them what I want. Here in Orlando, we have the largest Mazda dealer outside Boston. It's called Corey Fairbanks and they have about 15 6s in different trim levels and colors on the lot. It was cool. I didn't even want to test drive the "i" because the interior was ugly!! Sorry, guys.
  • bbaggensbbaggens Member Posts: 21
    I think that is good advice but I am a nut for hp and the only 6 I like is the s. Also this is the first car I get to buy where I have the money to get what I want and not settle on "practical". So I configured the 6s with sport package, moonroof, leather, and true manual (the auto does not do the car justice) and the price was ~23800. For the 8 with all the options I want, moon roof, sport package, premium sound, etc... it was ~29500 so I guess that is close to 6K difference but I don't think that is that much in the long run if you are getting what you want.

    Also I am just ticked that the sales people misrepresented the car so badly as that is the place you would expect to get the most reliable information.

    The other factor is you can get a 6 below MSRP and I don't know what demand will do to prices of the 8???? I would guess it will have more to do with how people perceive the car. If it is perceived as a Sedan (heaven forbid) it may have to sell close to MSRP but if it is perceived as a sports car I will have to pony up a bit of extra money to get it right away.

    That is assuming its worth that much more than the 6. If I buy today it is the 6.
  • aromasaromas Member Posts: 314
    I wouldn't worry about the low sales figures, Who's going to buy a car right after Christmas(besides me). Alot of people do not know about it yet as I have told alot of friends I bought a 6 and they just give a puzzled look(a what?). Same thing with the new Altima, nobody knew about it for a couple of months but then sales took off. I saw a gazillion posters of the 6 at the Go Train station and on the trains today so the word is getting out in Toronto.

    Well if sales are lower than expected then at least my car will draw more stares on the road(have to look for a silver lining somewhere), I don't think the Canadian sales figures will be as proportionately as bad as Mazda has always done much better here. I see Tributes everywhere, not many Escapes and they have alot of competition as well.(Rav4, Forester, CRV)
    My sales experience here was good as both dealers I visited called me when the 6 arrrived in the showroom. One salesman left 3 messages.
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    I can hear it now....
    "That hasn't slowed the Accord..."
  • civicwcivicw Member Posts: 135
    I think Mazda needs a different approach to marketing the 6. Mediocre cars like the Mitsubishi Galant are outselling the 6 by a huge margin (although some of that is due to Mitsubishi always pushing 0/0/0 deals).

    A few suggestions:

    1. Make side-curtain airbags and ABS standard, just like the Passat and promote the idea that SAFETY IS NOT AN OPTION WITH ZOOM-ZOOM!

    2. Simplify trim levels, just like Honda with zero factory options. Yes, I know this won't satisfy everyone, but customers will know upfront what they can/cannot definitely get and this will also reduce manufacturing cost.

    3. Aggressively promote price and/or financing just like Mitsubishi. Even though the 6 is simply the best mid-size sedan, it's like launching a new brand and that needs all the incentives possible.

    4. Import if necessary, but start selling the unique hatch NOW. This is a no-brainer: more utility in a sedan-look vehicle.
  • aromasaromas Member Posts: 314
    I know I know I can hear the Honda peons typing now. Funny thing is I've only seen 2 new Accords on the road(1 today) in Toronto and my job takes me all over the city. Either the sales aren't great here or the cars are so ugly I haven't noticed.
     
    Any Canadians out there know what the new Accords sales figures are here? If they're high then all the owners must be hiding them in their garage. (not a bad idea we have enough eyesores in the city)
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    HE HE!

    I've seen a few, but very few that is. I rode in one and while the interior is nice, the ride is a bit bumpy (worse than the PRO I think) and the looks are... well we all know how they are.

    Dinu
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    way more (as a % of all vehicles bought) than in the US, so it won't surprise me to see many 6s here.

    Dinu
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    I can't figure out why, but they do. It must be the lower monthly payments. Maybe they're used to their cars falling apart after only a few years, or maybe they just like getting something new every few years.

    Both my next door neighbors (one on each side) lease their vehicles. The only ones purchased are the beaters bought by their kids (and only on one side, the two on the other are leasing theirs after they bought then sold their first cars...both used).

    We, on the other hand, don't lease. We save and then buy and hold for about 10 years. Different priorities.

    Of course, this means I'm 6 years from my next vehicle, and my wife is 10 years off. Auto mfrs hate to hear that. However, the RX-8, 6 hatch/wagon or 3 wagon might shorten my cycle somewhat. ;)

    I've seen more 6 in my area. Of course, the dealers in my area were all willing to deal (including S-plan) right off. But I bet some are putting off their purchase until Mazda NA finally makes the hatch and wagon available. Nice as the 6 sedan is, I know my next daily driver will be a 5dr hatch or wagon (I'm making an exception for the RX-8, if I fit into it), not a sedan.
  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
    like not changing oil frequently, or flush coolants at set intervals. But if you take care of those maintenance items, it'll love you long time, and you'll love it back ;-)
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    There you go with your rotary zen sh...stuff. hehehe

    Once you drive one and get a sense for winding out an engine to no end, replacing it every 100k is nothing but normal budgeted maintenance: the cost of a good time.
  • aromasaromas Member Posts: 314
    I do agree that Mazda does have to lower financing rates to help boost sales(at least to the same level as their other cars) One word of advice to any Torontonians buying a 6, wait until March as the dealer told me that new financing rates come in then and I'm sure they will be lower.

    I'm starting to waver on the lip spoiler though. I can't get a clear picture of one. The brouchure has a bad angle of it. Has anybody seen a side shot of a 6 with it or better yet on the road. Does it suit the car? It seems the car looks better clean without the GFX so I wouldn't want to ruin the look without knowing beforehand what it looks like with the lip especially if I have to put on a STO6 sticker. I have no patience to wait to see one on the road in Toronto with it.
  • aromasaromas Member Posts: 314
    If they can write off some of the cost of the lease from their job then it is advantageous for them.(not to mention you can drive the crap out of it and not care)

    My current car is leased(although I can't write it off) thinking that by the time the tires and brakes need replacing I would have traded it in. Boy was I wrong, had to replace the tires last year and the brakes after 2 years(I was driving the crap out of it)I'm just hoping that the battery or exhaust doesn't go before I turn it in next month.

    I know the Mazda dealer wanted me to lease very badly to a point where we almost got into an argument. He should be happy that I bought one of their cars and didn't wait for the discounting.
  • jason777jason777 Member Posts: 56
    I researched alot of cars extensively including the Honda Accord EX V6.

    I was very impressed with the honda, but after alot of looking into it I found that alot of them have problems, yes you heard right, a honda with problems.

    Vibrating steering wheel when idle
    Bad eggs smell inside of car
    steering pulling in different directions

    I drove a couple of the hondas and found the above problems in various Honda Ex's.

    I also read several other people on here talking about the same thing, when I read that I thought the Honda is out.

    Availability on the Honda EX V6 here is Canada is very bad, due to a strike which took place in America.

    When I checked out the Mazda and could hardly find any fault with it, I had to order it.

    The lease price is high, but I like to change cars every three years, I love new toys!

    So for me leasing is the cheapest option.

    The mazda for me was more fun to drive than the honda and to me it felt just as good build quality if not better.

    But everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

    Jason.
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    That being said when I ordered the Protege I called the sales guy every 2 days to ask him where the car is. It was at sea, then in Vancouver at the port, then on rail, then on the truck to the dealer, then in the svc bay (they installed a spoiler for me and painted it - PERFECT match!), then I got to see it. This took about 10 days. 10 long days though...

    As for the spoiler, personally I'm not a fan of the lip spoiler - I like the spoiler that sits higher off the trunk with the integrated light. Of course if you were to offer me your 6 for a day, lip spoiler or no spoiler I would not say no. It's impolite after all :)

    Dinu
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    They quoted a guy from Morries...
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    When I read Morries I was thinking you'll be pointing that out pretty soon for everyone to know.

    Dinu
    PS: Another USELESS post from work.
  • aromasaromas Member Posts: 314
    Apparently the way sales are going Dinu, my car is going to stick out like a sore thumb. Chances are if you see a silver 6 on the road it'll be me. If you see me just stick your head out of the window and say "HEY IT'S ME DINU" and we'll go for a spin.
  • dinu01dinu01 Member Posts: 2,586
    1. It's the financing - 5.9% for 48 mths.
    2. Barely any advertising.
    3. The Accord/Camry market is hard to penetrate.
    4. Misinformation: Mazda=Ford

    And yeah, I'll be sure to wave/yell/scream if I see you.

    Dinu
  • jmessjmess Member Posts: 677
    Looks like the wife will be forced to buy the Accord after all. If you want a moon roof on a 6i you get slapped pretty hard. What are the product marketing folks smoking at Mazda.

    (from Mazada6 build page at Maz website)
    ***************************************************
    You have selected the Power Moonroof, $700

    This requires the addition of
    Comfort Package
    BOSE® Audio Package
    Sport Package
    Leather Seat Upholstery

    Adding all of these items will increase the MSRP of the vehicle by a total of $3275 <---------------
    **************************************************

    The dealer is trying to talk us into an aftermarket moonroof. I just have a real emotional problem with somebody taking a metal saw to the roof of our new car. I also don't want to deal with another company if there is any problems in the future with the roof.

    As mentioned above, if we went with the 6s and want side air bags (which we do) we get stuck with the same $3K+ bundle of options we don't want.

    You don't win new buyers over to your brand with option bundles that appeal to about 10% of the market. Talk about a sales prevention strategy?
  • stretchsjestretchsje Member Posts: 700
    If you get an aftermarket moonroof, it will typically come with a lifetime warranty- better than OEM. Still worried? Consider this: Toyota doesn't do factory moonroofs on Camry's, they only do aftermarket moonroofs- but they are transparent to the buyer.

    Similarly, you can get a moonroof on the Mazda6 as a port installed option without the extra baggage. All this means is you'll have to order the car.

    Personally, if the price is right, I'd say you're better off with the aftermarket moonroof (who knows- it may be the same part #), especially if it comes with a lifetime warranty.
  • brucec35brucec35 Member Posts: 246
    Try classicsofttrim.com . I think they do a lot of dealers' high end aftermarket leather and sunroofs. This might also be an option for anyone wanting leather w/o some of the options they might make you take with that.

    Sunroofs are something I couldn't care less about, but people love em, don't they? My 2003 Saab 9-3 has one, but I've used it maybe once.

    Or, you could always just roll a window down for free.
  • aromasaromas Member Posts: 314
    Beware of aftermarket moonroofs. My buddy owns a body shop and says you are asking for trouble if you put one in after the fact. High % tend to leak and after a few years it's hard to find parts if anything needs to be replaced. Even if you have a lifetime warrenty it's still a pain to not know whether you'll get wet going thru the carwash.

    I wanted a moonroof as well on my 6 but it only came with the upgraded Bose(which I could accept) but also the GFX package(which I definately don't want). Mazda does really need to rearrange their packages. They might have lost a sale with me if I didn't love the way this damn car drives!
  • fowler3fowler3 Member Posts: 1,919
    on these pages. I have read on this board, way back in the 4000-something posts, that an aftermarket moonroof doesn't have the additional framing and stiffening a factory moonroof has. Is this true?

    If the salesman doesn't call back: You may have told him you aren't ready to buy.; He's lazy and doesn't know the finer points of salesmanship.; It may be his first job selling cars.; or it's a dealer who doesn't give a damn.

    When a salesman doesn't return my call, or fails to call after leaving my name and number, I do NOT buy from that dealer no matter how anxious I am to get the car.

    Newcar31: You asked if an ordered car is considered sold by the factory? An article on USAToday.com, "Car Glut Coming", states "all cars shipped are considered sold". So an ordered car would also be "sold" because the buyer signed a contract he can't walk away from. Whether you take delivery or not you owe the dealer x-amount $$$.

    Never sign a contract at one dealership and, another dealer calls and says he has the car you want, and you buy from him. Big legal battle coming up, lawyer's fees, court costs, etc.

    fowler3
  • doying5doying5 Member Posts: 83
    Happens at Port for Mazda too. A specific crew goes out there and cuts the holes and installs them along with some other accessories. This is pretty standard practice. The key for your roof after market is to buy it from a company that has been around for a long time and that offers a life time warranty against leakage.

    The old roofs used to leak all the time but technology is a wonderfull thing.

    Get the roof aftermarket and save the money.
  • otoluvaotoluva Member Posts: 196
    My local Mazda dealer is advertising the 6i at $269 for 48 months and no money down (taxes,registration excluded) How does that sound?
  • neo2004neo2004 Member Posts: 2
    Aromas wrote: "I wanted a moonroof as well on my 6 but it only came with the upgraded Bose(which I could accept) but also the GFX package(which I definately don't want). Mazda does really need to rearrange their packages. They might have lost a sale with me if I didn't love the way this damn car drives!"

    I agree with you on this item. I was willing to "live with" the GFX package for the GT-I4, but am unwilling to go with the black leather interior. I've emailed Mazda Canada and asked them to reconsider their option packages.

    Still waiting to hear back from them. Hope to hear from them soon. If not, maybe the Acura TSX will be worthing waiting for.

    Neo2004
  • stretchsjestretchsje Member Posts: 700
    Yeah, like doying5 said, moonroofs are a port installed option. A hole gets cut in your virgin roof one way or another, so don't feel uneasy about getting it cut for a nice aftermarket one.

    Or, conversely, get it as a port installed option. Repeat after me: You do not have to conform to Mazda's factory option groups!!!
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    What I meant was when a new car is ordered in a given month, say, December and isn't delivered until January, does it count towards December's sales or January's?
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    They are put in at the factory. Aftermarket roofs have a black frame around the lip of the roof. Factory roofs have the reinforcement inside the roof. It's built into the roof of the car at the factory. Factory roofs have drainage systems and the headliner is specially made for the car. Toyota Camry's are made at the factory in Kentucky with roofs.

    Additionally even if the roof is installed at the factory I'd rather have the clean factory look and not the raised aftermarket one.

    And one last thing if they put the roof in at the port, why do ALL aftermarket moon roofs have that lip. You'd think some aftermarket supplier would have figured out how to eliminate the lip/frame.

    By the way at least the January sales of the 6 DID increase from last month and HAVE been steadily increasing each month.
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    Mazda does not do port installed sunroofs. Dianne, check with your inventory manager. If you are getting sunroofs done they are either factory or aftermarket.

    As far as cars being considered sold when shipped, they are wholesaled to the dealer as soon as they are shipped. However, as far as retail sales are concerned, the sale is recorded when the retail customer takes delivery. Until that point, the car is not considered sold.
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    you beat me to it, dang you...

    and your last comment only partially redeems you. :-)
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    They sold 3700 Elements last month. Hows that? :)
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    You will be taken back to the fires of Mordor from wence you came.
  • stretchsjestretchsje Member Posts: 700
    If that's the case, the Toyota dealer went way out of his way to flat out lie to me, my wife, and her family last year. According to him, we got the EXACT same thing as the factory would install, but installed at the dealership- and with a lifetime warranty. The sunroof company came to the dealership to install it- the dealership didn't install it themselves. He said the all Camry's were done this way- but the sunroof company installed some themselves before they shipped, and that was the only difference.

    Serves me right for trusting one. No offense to the good ones out there...

    In regards to the Mazda moonroof being a PIO- you can still order a car with a moonroof as a port installed option. If memory serves me correct (there's my disclaimer!), it was listed in the dealer's computer as available as a PIO, and the dealer did call Mazda directly to confirm the computer program's correctness. This conflicts with what you are saying... where's the inconsistantcy here?
  • melikamelika Member Posts: 14
    I heard Pontiac forces their employees to drive them around so that it looks like people actually buy that POS! I can't believe they are still in business.
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    glad I don't work for Pontiac!

    I actually doubt they make them drive them unless you are talking about their field staff who might have a company demo car. What the companies do sometimes is offer deals that make it ultra cheap to lease one for a period of time. It's a quick way to boost the retail figures in a time of need too.
  • jbchapmanjbchapman Member Posts: 21
    [Yeah, off-topic, I know] My '96 Accord started getting the CEL at around 89,000 miles. It took about a year and 4 service visits before they finally fixed it permanently. Other than that, I had no mechanical problems with my accord. At 120,000 miles, I finally traded it in for a Mazda6.
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