Mazda6 Sedan

carguy58

Just make the ABS and Airbags standard already. Honda does. The Protege doesn't have these crazy option packages. If somebody wants a "sport package" on a car they'll order it from a special magazine. Who wants the cladding? I don't think anybody does. Throwout the cladding option. Yes the cladding is personal taste but its a useless option. The only thing people would really want is the spoiler. The spoiler can be dealer installed. As for the moonroof my parents have oredered that option before and my Dad hardly even used it on his 93 Mitsubishi Eclipse. I don't think my Mom uses it that often on her Pontiac. Mazda should be more friendly with stand alone options that can be ordered through the factory. It sounds like people just want a few stand alone options and not alot of different options all over the board.

markjenn

Our Feb 2004 HB date is, I believe, based on a customer relations person's email and is the worst estimate we've gotten from several sources. Mazda orginally said fall, and I still view Oct/Nov as the most likely. We should have "hard data" by spring.

If the hatchback body style is critical, it is hard to beat one of the originals: a VW Golf. Reliabilty isn't as good as Mazda, but it may be good enough, the powertrain options (1.8T and VR6) are solid, the interior furnishings are probably best in class, and the boxy shape gets you a lot of interior room. The 6 will be a much more current design though.

- Mark

gee35coupe

It's not antagonistic. It's the truth. Of course some people don't like the truth but have to get over it. Acura said they are making all of the cars loaded. That's just the way it is. There is no other way to put it. Acura isn't looking for people who "don't need leather or dual zone climate". If you don't need those ooptions you don't need that car.

You don't want your car loaded? Buy something else since that's the only way they come. All Honda cars are built that way. It would be hard to convince them there is a problem with that.

mazdamarla

I thought it was based on UAW info (several pages back now, probably).

ruefus

Nevermind.

You missed and proved my point all at the same time.

gee35coupe

We've exchanged posts?

strager

I read in Automotive News (not on web site) yesterday that the hatchback and wagon will be launched "later this year". AN is usually very reliable. My expectation is that Mazda will intro the hatch in April at the NY Auto Show, with sales to start by summer, followed by the wagon in fall. Remember that Mazda will also be launching the Mazda3 hatch later this year. It would make zero sense to launch two hatchbacks (3 and 6) AND the wagon all in the Nov - Feb timeframe.

toneetouch

i enjoying reading this discussion, and initially your input was always valid and insightful, but lately you just seem to be very negative in most (not all) of your posts (in the 6 Hatchback discussion, too). it's becoming repetitive and tedious.

mpiatek

I, for one, do want the sport package with the extra body cladding. Without it, the 6 looks too much like all the other sedans out there and I wouldn't consider buying it. Also, having the 17" wheels is definitely a plus. I really don't care about having a spoiler or not...it's generally not functional and it just makes washing the car more of a pain.

I think there are a lot of other people out there who want the sport package as well. The shortage of sports package parts is proof that there is a market for this "useless option."

Mike

gee35coupe

In fact I've gone out of my way to NOT post here unless something reaches out and grabs me. What your point. What hatchback discussion? I haven't been there since November at least. I don't remember posting there at all. Again what's your point? Methinks you are fibbing.

In fact I went back and read my last few posts. One was about Mazda missing the boat on ABS as standard and they should have gotten the option packages straight months before the car was introduced. Antagonistic. I guess so if you want the Mazda to be a success. But true nonetheless.

redkey1

...is easily added on by dealer / aftermarket. Not so easy to add other options. The problem is you need to get the sport package to get anything else.

stretchsje

In case my point was missed, I'll reiterate it.

We've all got complaints about the option packages. There's a ton of combinations, and not a single one seems to make sense. Sure, Mazda could have done a better job organizing these combinations (probably by making them more progressive), and they're working on it. Maybe they'll get better, and maybe the release of the hatch and wagon will make them worse. Time will tell, and in the meantime we have to go through the awful waiting process of ordering a car.

BUT...

We're still much better off with these silly, nonsensical combinations than having no combinations at all, as is the case with the Acura. If Mazda had done this, you'd get the 4 cylinder version for $23,500 without the sports package and the 6 cylinder version for $25,500 with the sports package. Everyone would have the much demanded anti-lock brakes and side airbags, but everyone would also have the "deal-breaking" leather, heated seats, and a moonroof. The European '6 has HID and Nav- maybe they should be standard just to avoid packaging confusion.

Or, perhaps like the Accord, they'd give us a base model without air conditioning.

Surely this option confusion will cost Mazda some sales- people generally dread the car buying process and resent any hinderence of it. However, despite the mess, we the consumers are still better off, and at least we know Mazda is willing to work with us.

gee35coupe

Comes with ABS and has an invoice price of $14,228 and TMV of $15,200. You can add A/C at the dealer. Not so for ABS. It's the choice car for those who want nothing.

lapis_blue

I've been waiting almost eight weeks for my fully loaded Mazda 6s M/T to be built, and its finally going to be here next week. Looking through the various posts, one that particularly struck out to me was Ruefus' regarding the use of Toughguard on his Speed Yellow 6s. I saw the pictures and i agree that the shine on that thing looks amazing, but is it really worth the $100 pricetag?

stretchsje

I've heard great things about Toughguard, and plan to use it in the summer. I'm still skeptical about the paint not being completely cured if I apply it too soon. A car shouldn't be waxed for 6 months after it is painted for this reason.

I've learned how soft the paint is from the factory first-hand, and don't want seal my paint until it has completely cured.

ruefus

since it's been on the car for all of 5 days.

However, check out http://www.goonish.com/atenza/index.php

The site is down right now, but when it comes up do a search for Toughguard. Lots of people are using it. Plus, if you ignore the poor execution of toughguard.com and really read the testemonials and some of the companies that endorse it, you'll find this guy really isn't kidding.

Ya can't be in business for 20+ years selling one patented product and have it be worthless. Sooner or later the word gets out.

In response to Stretchsje comment about waiting six months, Bill Hammond who owns Toughguard said that if at all possible, apply the Toughguard as soon as possible. Never asked him about paint curing, but after reading the manual on the subject and seeing no disclaimers, I went ahead and did the deed.

Call Bill if you need to get a level of comfort. I did. I even pulled a D&B report on his company to verify this wasn't some fly-by-night crap.

toneetouch

i meant the 'TSX vs. 6' board. sorry. and you're right, i can always just skip your posts.

'nuff said.

vocus

The side cladding does have an added benefit of a "ding fighter" in parking lots.

lapis_blue

I've actually been in touch with Bill Hammond about pricing and delivery. I just emailed him abou the whole paint curing thing, lets see what he says.

Thanks for all the help!

cookie01

And I'm well over 30... so that blows CarGuy's comment.

Also, I'm perfectly happy with the package the way Mazda is offering it... but I CAN"T get one!!!
So whether or not you dig the packages offered, it means you might have a wait!
I think Mazda's biggest problem is not having enough cars on the lot. The dealer I'm working with it the largest Mazda dealer in the entire state, and they've only had 4 or 5 M6s AT w/ sport on the lot. That's crazy.

ruefus

I did the same thing. Kind of like closing hte gate after the horses have run out, but I've waxed several cars during the first week of ownership.

I'm interested in his thoughts more than anything else.

maltb

The factory finish is baked. It's not like a Scheib job that cures in the sun.

fowler3

Vocus, when did you ever see a ding six inches off the ground? Most are high on the doors when people open the rear doors on their cars. The pointed part (wheel arch) of rear doors cause most dings.

Rufus, I'm 5'11" and 162 pounds, not over and not underweight. I prefer AT because I got tired of shifting gears and shiftng into neutral at traffic lights is a bummer. You aren't ready to take off when the light changes.

Maybe the moonroof is packaged with the SCA because in a T-bone crash the moonroof is the only way out. Bent frames prevent opening doors and the car may be lying on its opposit side.

As well-equiped as the 6 comes I keep wondering what "loaded" means? The model I would buy is a 6i with AT and Premium Package, or just the AT. Easy to find, no problem. All the real "goodness" is there, the rest is fluff.

From across the street the 6i and 6s look exactly the same. Who would know the difference other than Edmunds posters? Car professionals have always said if the base car looks as good as a loaded one, it's the best deal. The extra $$$ spent will not be returned at trade-in nor appreciated by a prospect if you sell it yourself.

You have to have it a certain way, no compromise -- you will probably never get it.

fowler3

toolman02

Ok, everyone knows it's hard to find exactly what we want. Like many others, I've been searching for the one I want, and have yet to find it. I came up with some interesting results. Out of 114 cars at 4 local dealerships (in San Diego), only two 6i are manual. There are five manual 6s.

If Mazda is marketing this as a sports sedan, doesn't 7 out of 114 seem a bit low?

Colors are also somewhat rare. Only 20 of the 114 were blue, red, yellow, or green. 61 were gray or silver, and the other 33 were either black or white.

Apparently someone's banking on the bulk of the sales being gray or silver automatics.

fowler3

Grey and silver are the IN colors right now. Look at all the cars on TV commercials -- silver! A few black ones here and there.

One of the first things I noticed was how much the 6 in silver looks like a Mercedes at a distance.

fowler3

stretchsje

That's not the case with the 2002 Camry, that's for sure. It was heavily scratched with a light brush against a rubber garden hose, something I couldn't reproduce months later. IMO, Toyota has easily the best build quality in the biz, and if their paint isn't cured upon shipment, I wouldn't expect my car's to be.

Of course, I haven't tested it with the garden hose yet, so you might be right... but I'm not taking that chance!

People also will tell you nowadays that engine break-ins are done at the factory or that they are unnecessary, but that is certainly not the truth. Ask any '6 owner how the engine behaved after the first 1000 miles.

vocus

Guess I was thinking more along the lines of the cladding on the Pontiac models. Guess, in this case, the cladding wouldn't help much in preventing dings.

ambull

7 out of 114 is a little over 6%, which is about the same as the manufacturing percentage. The number of blue, red, yellow or green (17.5%) seems low, however.

lapis_blue

"you can toughguard your car as new as it is to you. will not hurt your car or paint."

I wonder if he's just saying that so i buy Toughguard now rather than later

lapis_blue

I'm in Colorado Springs and i just looked through the Denver area dealer inventories on the Mazda Website. There seems to be a pretty even mix of everything aside from the Yellow and Red which appear to be in short supply.

stretchsje

http://money.cnn.com/news/specials/bestcars/popup03/2.frame.html

The '6 takes home the trophy for a family sedan- the G35 beat it as the top sports sedan. The Passat was a runner up, ahead of the Accord.

http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/dc2003/bss.shtml

The '6 also won Motorweek's driver's choice award for the sports sedan category. Motorweek added, "...But we don't see the 6 as a direct competitor to the family style Accord or Camry. It's too sharp, sporty, and young to be relegated to that life alone."

maltb

Almost all cars are covered with some sort of wrap from the factory. This stuff stays on the car until it gets to the dealer which can include a nice long stay at a port. I'm sure if there was a curing issue, the OEMs wouldn't do it.

ruski

the car is too lame for that commercial - it sways and leans so much it is nuts!

microrepair

from Honda 3 years ago because of their inflexibilty on getting a car equipped the way I wanted it. I was looking at the Accord and I wanted ABS. OK, I had to get the upper trim model in order to get ABS. That model only came with the V6, leather, and a sunroof. I didn't want the sunroof, because, like Stretch and others, I need the extra inch of headroom. And I really didn't want the leather either.

Another car I looked at a few months ago that turned me off even more was the Infinity G35 sedan. Again, the sunroof was mandatory on the upper model and it interfered with my cranium. Oh, you can get a G35 without the sunroof, says the saleman. Yes, the base model has no sunroof. BUT, there are NO options at all with the base model. I can't get leather or most of the other goodies that are available on the upper model. Worse yet, they had no plans to even get a base model so I could see if I fit in it. Turkeys.! Another walk...

I haven't looked at the 6 yet, but I owned a 1988 MX-6 that was one of the finest cars I've ever owned. Great handling, solid power (12-valve 4 cylinder, 5-speed stick shift), super reliable (no problems in 99K miles), economical. Zoom Zoom to the extreme. I miss it. And I would buy another similar car from Mazda in a heartbeat. From what I'm hearing, the 6 may be it.. But I need it without a sunroof and WITH ABS, etc.... And on goes the discussion...

ruefus

lapis_blue - I really doubt Bill's trying to run one on you. If you're still not sure, call the dealer or even a local body shop.

microrepair - the 6 may be your car. While I'm not particularly tall (6'1") I've always had trouble with moonroofs intruding on my cranium. The 6 was the first car that let me keep the moonroof and still have MORE room than previous vehicles. It should be like a stadium without a moonroof.

stretchsje

It should be like a stadium without a moonroof.

It is. Yet, it was still a little short with the moonroof. Microrepair- find a dealer that will order the car for you, and your problems are solved. It doesn't sound like you're in a rush, and this way you'll get the car exactly to your specifications.

combustible1

well, I'm 6'1" and I may have to go without the moonroof.. as much as I want one!

I have about 1/4 - 1/2 inch clearance with, slightly more without. Plus, if ever I wanted to add some sort of seat cushion or protector, that would add more height and make it even more intolerable.

I guess we really can vary with our leg vs. torso heights from one person to the next. I've read about people taller than I, 6'6" for example, saying how well they fit the 6.. huh ??????!!!!!! how is that possible?

shooort torso and looong legs, I suppose.

skyray

Have someone very interested in my Miata, so it looks like I could be ordering soon.

Any news on the new configurations available for March ordering?

And I heard rumor that March/April might bring some incentives or good financing deals -- anyone heard anything on that? March is coming up quickly.

vocus

My friend is 6'4 with a 34 inseam and I am 6'2.5 with a 32 inseam. He has to have the seat in his car all the way back to drive, and doesn't even come close to the roof. I have to have it up a little tiny bit, but my head rubs the roof. I guess his height is more in his legs. That 2" makes a difference.

gee35coupe

I'm 6'6' but my inseam is 38'. Never had a headroom problem. Legroom...That's aother story.

ruefus

I'm sure it's also due to how each of us likes to sit in the car. Some like to recline, while others need a more upright position.

I'm not sure how the options affect availability since the car I ordered was optioned-out, but one suggestion to maximize headroom is to get the power seat and drop the back as far as it will go. If you're working with a mechanical seat (again, don't know if a mechanical seat/moonroof combo is possible) you're almost certainly missing some existing space.

ruefus

Here's the response Bill Hammond at Toughguard gave me:

"You can toughguard over a car just painted or airplane if you want. Will
not mess up the curing process."

vocus

Anyone got word on safety ratings for the '6 yet?

fowler3

The seats in the 6 are adjustable vertically as well as fore and aft and reclining. The steering wheel adjusts up-down and also telescopes in-out. The seat cushion can also be adjusted up-down fore and aft for thigh support. Enough flavors to satisfy Baskin-Robbins.

With these adjustments the 6'6" drivers are able to find a comfortable position and fit with the Moonroof.

I'm 5'11" and prefer my seat back raked with arms out driving to put adequate space between my chest and the airbag. It's also more comfortable. The seat height is up for great visibility.

fowler3

vocus

Just because the seat goes up and down doesn't mean you can get it in a comfortable position to give you enough headroom as well. The driver's seat felt like the bottom cushion was very high at the front, so I had to adjust its height in order to balance it more, for my comfort. This reduced headroom for me, and I am 6'3.

mazdafun

I thought you could adjust the seat pan front and rear height separately. At least on the manual seat, there are two knobs for that, just like in the LX and ES trim Protege. I'll have to check it out when I take my Pro in for service at the dealership and tease the sales staff.

vocus

I drove the 6s with a power seat, and you can adjust both front and rear for height. But it only goes down so far, and that 'so far' is way too high for me to be comfortable. Therefore, I have to raise the 'rear' height of the seat to compensate, thereby reducing headroom.

mazdafun

cookie01

A short inseam and a long body makes it very hard to find a comfortable car.
I've been trying to help my brother with this problem for about 10 years!

Microrepair and others... try these vehicles.
1.Impala (very HUGE headroom without sunroof) and models available WITH abs and trac control but without sunroof
2. new Nissan Murano, amazing headroom in that vehicle and also a dream to drive. Pricey tho.. starts at about $30,000
3. Mazda tribute or Ford Escape. Also very good headroom and can get ABS and 4X4 without sunroof. Of course, those are trucks.. and they ride like trucks.

Sit in any of those and you might find the comfort you're looking for.

vocus

Full-size cars typically do have alot more passenger room inside, but they also take up alot more space and gas than cars on the '6's size.

Just as an observation to what you mentioned, I think the Murano's gauges look too yellowish to the eye.