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Comments
btw, check this out
http://www.mindarrow.net/rx8presell2/static/rx8presell2.asp?cid=9- 97&mid=1404
The suspension is identical with or with the sport package. The only difference in tuning in any market with any engine is for the V6, and that change is only to compensate for the extra weight.
I also am interested in AWD. On the mazda USA site there is a link that says "contact us". I sent an e-mail a little while ago asking about AWD and another subject. They did reply:
*****************************************************************- - - - - *********************
Thank you for contacting Mazda North American Operations. I appreciate
the opportunity to respond to you.
Starting in March you may order a 2003 MAZDA6s manual shift with a
moonroof as a stand alone option. The website www.mazdausa.com should
be updated with the new build combinations by the end of the month.
I am pleased that you took the time to bring your suggestions to our
attention. Consumer feedback is very important to Mazda, and your
comments have been forwarded to our Product Planning department.
Certainly, we want to offer exciting vehicles, and comments such as
yours help us to achieve that goal.
I hope this is useful information. Please let me know if there is
anything additional I can assist you with.
Again, thank you for contacting Mazda. It has been my pleasure to
assist you. If for any reason this response has not completely
satisfied you, please feel free to reply to this message. You may also
contact our Customer Assistance Center toll-free at 1-800-222-5500.
*****************************************************************- ********************
If more people ask for AWD maybe Mazda will devote more energy to the project and make it available sooner.
Not much else to say except: In a week I'm going to test drive a 6 (if they have any). If they have the 5spd I4 GS w/Sport Package, then that's the one I want to drive, if not I'll drive anything in size 6
I'll also be test-driving A4s (98+99), Maximas (99), 3-series (98) as my cousin needs to get rid of his 00 Z24 as his lease ends and wants something along the lines of a luxury sports sedan. I made the case of why he should consider the 6, but he doesn't have enough $ for a new car, and he's pretty much set on an A4 (and yes I've warned him of the suspension squeeks, brake fade when wet, electrical issues, but he's set on it so we might as well get him one that will hopefully be trouble-free).
Dinu
I know people were throwing their elbows around inside the Mazda6 vs. Accord fourm, but thats why it was shut down.
Your criticisms about the Mazda6 (which you are entirely entitled too) have been recorded - ad naseum - for the record. Why don't you move onto something else?
...deleted on my word, but I wouldn't call it provoking being that we're on the M6 thread. Aren't I allowed to boast about the '6 in the '6 thread? It was a little humor intended only for us fans of the M6 only. Now, if I did that in the Accord, Altima, or Passat forums, that's provoking.
.
Dinu01: it sounds like you're so determined to like the '6 (or just plain excited) that you won't be thinking clearly on the test drive. Clear your mind! As much as I like the '6, it defeats the purpose of the test drive when you've predetermined that you'll like it.
I think 6 sales will start slow and move towards their 80,000 / year goal. I do think options packaging has hurt them some, but more so I believe this is a result of Mazda being an unknown brand. When I bought the car, nobody knew what it was. Now at least some people know of the car- they've seen a write-up in the paper or something. Much like the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", I expect sales to start small, but rave reviews will cause its popularity to spread. Mazda working out their options packaging will surely help, as will crash test results when they finally come in.
Then again, some people don't know what a Passat is, despite being Consumer Report's #1 pick for several years (among other things). 'Sporty' doesn't always sell- even though that has been all the rage lately- so marketing will play a big role in creating a desire for this type of car. Advertising (word of mouth or corporate) tends to sell more than the actual worth of the product, and I don't think Mazda is doing a good job marketing the car.
Does that make it a miss? Well, sorta. It's a miss for Mazda, and a blow to all those whoe like sporty cars. If the '6 succeeds financially, I don't think there is any debate that there will be a market shift towards sportier, more youthful vehicles. If it does not succeed financially, we'll still have it. The car itself is definately a hit. At this price, there is nothing that comes close to its level of both sport and utility without sacrificing comfort. If sales made a vehicle good, we'd the Ford F150 would be the best car 25 years running!
I will NOT buy a 6 before Aug/Sept 04, unless they'll be selling for $10.000 CAD, as I don't have the $ for it till then.
Dinu
PS: And I'll do my best to ignore certain posters that should be posting in other forums.
Buy a used Toyota MR2 so that I can live through you and you can live through me
Gee35coupe: The difference is that we're not using sales to justify the car being good (or bad). Sales are only being used to discuss popularity, not quality.
Dinu
They were a handful in the rain too. Hard to find one that hasn't been wrecked.
My Yellow S was born on the 31st of last month and is due to be delivered this week, so there's one more.
Mazda is launching a new product in what has to be the hardest selling environment in 20 years. A probable war and a stalled economy doesn't help sales period, much less a new lesser-known brand.
Once people start to see them in the flesh, they'll go looking for them.
In all other markets (that I know of), the '6 has exceeded its sales numbers (often by 200%). Mazda's profits are up 50% from last year. So on a global level, the car has already been an enormous success.
"Bulk of profit for Japanese manufacturers comes from N.A."
Per Charlie Hughes, President of Mazda's North American Operations:
"The numbers show we're on track [with the 6] better than Nissan Altima was at this time, but it takes time to reach a critical mass,"
With any new product, you have to give it time. Awareness and trust are not created in a day. Week or month. More marketing to come in March and April.
I'd say it's more of a general fondness. I'm madly in love with my wife.
That said, this not an appropriate conversation to have here. Email me if you wish to pursue it.
I will clarify one thing here -- I did *not* say you should "police yourselves". What I said (or at least meant, I don't have time to look it up right now) is that I can't keep two people from talking about the Accord if people other than those two are going to do so.
IOW, I can't prohibit a subject based on who is posting about it. It has to apply to everyone.
If you don't like what someone says, you are free to ignore it. If you think that someone has crossed a line with a post, please email me and I'll check it out as soon as I can.
But no matter how provoked you are by a message, you may not respond by slamming the poster. If you can't find a way to respond civilly, then you need to not respond at all.
I hope this makes sense. As always, drop me an email if you have any questions about this sort of thing.
Thanks.
Pat
Mike
Either that, or the advertisements just started working today. I think I remember seeing 4.9% financing for the '6 mentioned a page back, and the Honda is planning to offer 2.9% on the Accord (so says the Accord forum). Dunno about the terms- I'd never finance, so I usually skip that stuff.
You can also now get Premium and ABS/TCS on the base model without buying any other options, if you don't care about the SAB/SAC.
When I bought the car, I was underwhelmed by its acceleration and sorta wished for the V6. I was sold on the i4 by fuel economy, it's light weight, and price- not acceleration. Things have since changed, and I'm quite happy with it now.
I live in stop-and-go city, and it has enough torque for me. Then again, when I do take it on the highway, it is hardly zoom-zoom. I never have to down shift, but sometimes want to do it just for passing fun. Still, going into 4th gear doesn't provide the same oomph that a 3-2 downshift would, so it's less exciting. Third gear is good to nearly 90mph, but redlining the fast makes me nervous.
The i4 versus V6 debate can be answered by the type of driving you do. Has anyone noticed this dramatic improvement on the V6 as well? Have any publications added a Mazda6 to their long-term test fleets? Most cars are faster after a few years, but I expect this will be doubly so with the '6. Too bad my stopwatch isn't a reliable test :-/
Anyways on a brighter note the salesman swore on his grave that north america will be getting the wagon later this year, and that it will be on display at most of the canadian autoshow's, i cant wait to see it in person!!!!
Look's like i will be in my new wagon by the end of the year!!! Oh and yes the mazda 6 look's great in person!!!!
http://www.avtoin.com/zeneva2002/slike/Mazda%206%20SW.jpg
Go to sleep Leroy...er...a...Leon.
Sounds like something Clark Griswold would do. Or, maybe if the sun ever went out...
Mercury will be getting a Mazda6 derivative car the same year...no details where it will be built yet...but there was a mention of an AWD version...mmmmmm
Rich
That would be way cool. The V6 should be in its second revision by then- I'd want more torque for AWD. Maybe they'll make a '6 coupe as a Cougar?
Doubtful.