From a purely enthusiast perspective, the MT is the way to go. There is no argument. But this is also the real world where I've got to get my groceries and do my job. Saying that the AT takes all the fun out of the car is ludicrous. Based on the way I make my living, I'd prefer not to row my way through 20,000-30,000 miles a year. One 400 mile day in an MT car cured me of that.
While not as punchy as the MT, the sport-shift IS a great deal of fun if you spend the time learning its quriks & nuances. Clicking over for five minutes and dismissing it doesn't cut it.
An experienced driver in an AT will show an average driver in an MT nothing but taillights to look at.
When I want REAL thrills? I subtract two wheels, break out the sportbike and give even Porsches fits. You wanna feel the road and the machine? A motorcycle is way more fun than it even looks, infinitely more involving than a car. Plus you'll never have baby toys or yesterday's lunchbag littering the thing up.
The question. Is the car any fun to drive with an AT? Having always been involved in some form of racing and high-performance most of my life, I know the answer when I feel it. I have an AT V6 - and with the motor properly kept on the boil the answer is yee-fuggin'-haw. Maybe not as all-involving as an MT, but still tons of fun and not worthy of the derision it's been getting.
The fascinating thing about the sportshift is the fact that you never screw up the clutch or miss a gear. The motor pulls like a train after every shift. When you get back to civilization, switch back over and sit in traffic without having to row your way around.
And I sure don't need some wiseguy telling me I HAVE to get the 5 speed. Just as when I was looking for a Maxima SE 5 speed, I had dealer sales people telling me they would GIVE me the automatic since I was such a miser. Both viewpoints are wrong.
The buyer buys and pays for the car. It is his/her choice. Not yours.
Well, I copped out then. And while doing so, I've been grinning my butt all over Ohio and Michigan for the last week. Never enjoyed a thousand miles on four wheels so much in my life.
Verklemmt? *sigh* Ratther than being stuck or inihibited, perhaps you're merely confused. By your reckoning I should've just bought a Taurus or heaven forbid, a Buick?
If you're not going to even try to respect other people's decisions, there's nothing to discuss.
I read the '6 scored a 20 out of 20 in whatever tests insurance agencies use, but have been unable to verify that. I'd of thought that I'd hear more about that if it were true, so take it with a grain of salt. Mazda expects 5-stars, and let us not forget their new break-away pedal assembly they designed!
Unfortunately, the NHTSA and IIHS often disagree with each other. Buying a car for its safety is kind of a leap of faith. Hopefully those that score well in both can be considered safe. A tow-truck/junkyard operator, who regularly saw horrible crashes, said to a friend of mine after one, there's no substitute for Volvo. He phrased it like this: "If you weren't in a Volvo, you'd be dead." Scary. This person & family was hit on the highway inducing a spin. When stopped, they were broadsided by a mac truck. That impact launched the car off the road, and consequently rolled down a hill into a tree. Once the firement cut the car open, they found the family with only some bruises.
The break-away pedal assembly is something you don't hear talked about much. It's important to me, as I have friend that will never walk right again due to a shattered foot suffered in a relatively moderate collision. An offset collision into the left front side of the car where there is time to press hard on the brakes is the problem.
One arm of the test facility swings around so they can test crashes at various angles. Very cool, and it shows they're very serious about safety.
Anyway, while I had my Pro in for some service, I checked out the 6 again. The power-adjustable seat does not have the same vertical travel as the manually-adjustable seat. It doesn't go down as low. This explains why I have less headroom in the 6 with the power seat than I have in my Pro with the manual seat (or the 6 with the manual seat).
I also discovered the passenger assist grips are kind of flimsy. Only the plastic fingers on the grip hinges hold them in. A plastic plugs presses between the fingers and holds them out. This plug, if it's loose-fitting (poorly molded or damaged), will fall out, causing the grip to come out of the sheet-metal, as the one in the showroom 6 did when I grabbed it. I pointed this out to one of the salesmen...hopefully, he got one of the techs to fix it.
Some things are better done with metal fasteners IMO. This is one of them.
I noticed also some sport-equipped 6 have bumper fascias that are one-piece and some have bumper fascias that are two-piece. I'm assuming the two-piece ones use dealer-installed kits. They look tacky to me. The one-piece fascias looks much better (and easier to keep clean).
I still think it's a pain to replace bulbs in the front lamp assemblies. Looks to me like you have to remove the assembly from the car to replace the bulbs. What a maintenance headache (even if it's infrequent).
I often use an online car sales tools (initials C---s D-----) to configure models I'm looking at and check prices. Today I went on with the intention of having them give me a firm quote (i sold my Hondo over the weekend)... and behold! you can't get the M6s with the sports package alone anymore!!! Sheesh! Now, this might be this online retailer only... and not Mazda, but through last week you could order the sports package alone, without leather and sunroof, but no more!!! DANG> of course, they were charging MSRP anyway, so I wouldn't have used them. Still, worrisome. What if Mazda is only shipping the sports packages with leather? I'd be in trouble.
Just FYI, I went to the MazdaUSA webpage and tried to build a 6s with sports package only. The only thing it did was produce a pop-up that said "this particular build combination will not be available until April 2003." It also says that you can select the option, but you may not find a vehicle with that configuration until April. Hope that helps. Also, if you go to mazdausa.com you can not only build the car you want, but also ask for a dealer request online for the car.
I thought the sports package included black leather anyway? My understanding of the sports package is: optitron gauges, black leather, spoiler and aero kit, 17" wheels and tires.
Nope. The sport package just gives you a black interior, whether it be cloth or leather. The comfort package includes the leather upgrade. Otherwise, I think you are correct in your listing of sports package items.
I found a sports (with cloth, not leather) at a dealer that is 8+ HOURS away from my home. They said they'd fly me up there.
Dang, it's tempting. One funny thing. I told them how much i wanted to finance and they came back with 6% (little high) and payment of $260 a month. I did it on a payment calulator and the payment should be $230! hmmmmm.
Scary to do a deal totally over the phone. But dang. I can't find that car anywhere! and now it looks like I might not see another until April!
First off, I haven't been on this board in a LONG time, but I am still very fond of the new Mazda6, espeically the 6s.
Anyway, do any of you know when/if the Mazda6 will be available with the 17in wheels without the sport pkg. I really like the 6, but the optional pkgs. give me the worst headache.
I'm picking up my 6s next week, accessory wise I think I want to order a lip spoiler and sport grille but unsure because I haven't seen any on the road with them (in fact I haven't seen any 6's period) and I don't feel like waiting to see one because ordering could take months. I need your input folks because I can't decide. It's silver without the GFX.
Anybody see a 6s with these accessories on the road or at an auto show? Yay or Nay.
The raised spoiler is about $200 CAD less than the lip spoiler I think. I like the raised one better myself, but I know not everybody does.
As for the grille all I can see are pics.
Eddie (salesperson) from Avante Toronto told me last week at the auto show that they only have 2 6s: 1 in the showroom and 1 with AT available for test drives. Also said it will take a few months to get 5spds...
Ajax Mazda had a 6 in the showroom last week and 2 outside. Dealers don't have many so far.
"The firm of Collins, Martin & Issacs will be conducting test market pricing strategy events at various locations in Minnesota. During these events, new cars, trucks, sport utilities and mini vans from Mazda, as well as dealership demos and certified used vehicles will be priced below national averages to promote immediate product awareness.
As a recipient of this certification, your credit is virtually pre-approved. Finance representitives will be at the test market site to assist you with financing and arrange same day delivery.
It is the desire of Mazda Motor Company to put as many new products as possible in service immediately to gain quick recognition in the communities in which they are sold. This recognition will increase product awareness and subsequent sales. For 2 days only, we will be conducting one of these tests at a dealership near you. You will not have to negotiate. All models will be included in this test and factory incentives of up to $5000 or special below market financing starting as low as 0.0% will be available.
If you finance or lease a vehicle during this event, your dealer will pay off your current loan, no matter how much you owe. Bring your title or payment book with you"
It goes on to tell me which dealer this will be at, etc. etc. Sounds like a bunch of crap to me. If they can pay off my loan, give me $5000 off of a brand new Mazda6 with 0% financing, it would be great. I am financed through Mazda American Credit for my Protege, so that's how they got my name. Too good to be true......
Dinu, any of your friends see any 6's on the road, this is getting bizarre, my job takes me all over the city and I still haven't seen one, considering Toronto ranks highly for Mazda sales you would figure a few would crop up. Dufferin Mazda said thay had ordered 11 and have sold 8 of them.(maybe they don't want to drive them until winter's over) The only person I know with one is the sales manager there who has my exact car. Well at least I'm guaranteed to get a few stares next week.
The lack of manuals doesn't suprise me, I got impulsive last week and wanted to change my order to get the GT package with leather and all the bells and whistles, he told me I would have to wait 3 months. You would figure they would have some ordered considering how popular Mazda is in Canada, maybe that's one reason that sales aren't crazy, there isn't enough stock.
In case anybody cares Dinu saw me with it on my test drive.
The $5000 incentive is only on the 2002 Millenia and comes from Mazda. There are no incentives on the Mazda6 other than Mazda's special lease program. The 0% is available on certain models but not the 6. Also Mazda cannot dictate to dealers any discount pricing so as far as I know that firm has nothing to do with Mazda North America and is affiliated with the dealer. Your just reading a gimmick ad.
...and any negative equity (balance you still owe on the old car after subtracting the trade in value) will be added to your new loan, IF your credit is good enough to allow such.
Note the magical catch phrases of UP TO and AS LOW AS. It did NOT say you would get $5k back on a Mazda6. It didn't even say you would get a dime back. It also did NOT say you would qualify for a low interest loan.
Quite clever. And in many states, quite not legal. Somehow I bet it is legal in Minnesota, but that doesn't make it ethical or right. This ad is deceiving at best...
If it sounds too good to be true...it probably is.
Dealers can't just order as many 6s as they want. Basically, Mazda tells each dealer how many 6s they can order. Every dealer is pretty much taking as many as they are allocated by Mazda. Also, the 90 days is accurate that is how much of a production backlog there is.
I was thinking about getting a M6s. I was wondering what the premiums would be. Can't seem to find any info. on the net. If you are in my age range (18-25) and own a 6 please let me know what your premiums are. Thanks
Well considering that like you I drive a lot (53.000 kms on an 18-mths old car is about 35K-36K/yr) and I haven't seen any other ones around is a bit "off". On the other hand, dealers don't have enough stock, so no wonder there are no 6s in the T-Dot (that's the same as T.O. or Toronto for those that don't know).
I think it will be around fall until there will be a few 6s on dealers' lots.
This was the same with the PROs and P5s when I got mine - very few were available initially, but 6 mths after I got mine, they started appearing everywhere.
those "You have been pre-approved" things, whatever they are! Newcar31, that mailing you got sounds just like the ones I get from Nissan dealers, they even make them look like government notices, sweapstakes, and other farfetched junk mail.
They are designed to get your attention. The deals offered do not exist. The interest rates are bogus. They don't have the cars in stock. They will switch you to something else.
The sales pitch is on par with "You are the winner..." -- of nothing at all.
Spotted my 3rd 6 today. Redfire, no sport package. Driven by a woman. So far all three that I have seen have been driven by women. Without resurrecting the sterotype argument, this seems a little odd to me given the sporty marketing of this car. Is it possible that loayal 626 people are buying the 6 in the same way camcord people update their camcords?
A co-worker of mine was driving a 1999 Integra, and the brake pedal went through her foot when she was hit head-on offset by a Chrysler LeBaron. She is still in a wheelchair, since 2/02. She is expected to walk by May with good luck, July without. She used to be the captain of our softball team, but no more hard contact sports for her. She has also had multiple surgeries on her legs and feet. Just to think, one little device like breakaway pedals could have saved her from all that. A total shame.
Did she have a choice? Are you saying we should all buy Mazda 6's because of breakaway pedals? I mean seriously if they were so intent on safety they would have ABS as standard too. But I guess if you don't have ABS you have a better chance of needing the pedals.
I followed a lady in a 6 the other day to work. (Well, I didn't really follow her, we were going the same way and she was in front of me.) So, other than my own, that's the first one I've seen on the road. Hers was an auto, silver, non-sport.
I was just merely making a statement, and agreeing that it is a very valuable safety feature. I am surprised Honda didn't come up with it first, sinc they make the best cars on the planet...
I saw a dark-colored 6 (going too quickly to see what color, and it was also dark outside) on the road the other day. It didn't have the Sport Package, and I don't know what model it was. So how are sales this month thus far?
I saw a Mazda6 today. It was a beautiful redfire 6i, just sitting there saying "race me". The car was beautifully proportioned, and looked much smaller than physically smaller previous generation Accord that lofted next to it. The red stood out like a crayon in a pack of pencils. It had a gorgeous 3-tone beige interior, and looked to be mid-way through a nice aftermarket stereo installation. The car's lines just glimmered in the sun, with a sleek stance reminicent of a sprinter waiting for the gun. The taillights, resting above an intimidating dual exhaust, were given particular highlight-- almost as if the car knew it were the only side most would have a chance to see. It was a beautiful sight indeed.
seriously. It's beautiful in the sunlight. I took my sister to a Mazda lot to have a look, and she has this "thing" for certain shades of red on cars..
and she went nuts cooing over the shade of red on the Mazda6!
Comments
While not as punchy as the MT, the sport-shift IS a great deal of fun if you spend the time learning its quriks & nuances. Clicking over for five minutes and dismissing it doesn't cut it.
An experienced driver in an AT will show an average driver in an MT nothing but taillights to look at.
When I want REAL thrills? I subtract two wheels, break out the sportbike and give even Porsches fits. You wanna feel the road and the machine? A motorcycle is way more fun than it even looks, infinitely more involving than a car. Plus you'll never have baby toys or yesterday's lunchbag littering the thing up.
The question. Is the car any fun to drive with an AT? Having always been involved in some form of racing and high-performance most of my life, I know the answer when I feel it. I have an AT V6 - and with the motor properly kept on the boil the answer is yee-fuggin'-haw. Maybe not as all-involving as an MT, but still tons of fun and not worthy of the derision it's been getting.
The fascinating thing about the sportshift is the fact that you never screw up the clutch or miss a gear. The motor pulls like a train after every shift. When you get back to civilization, switch back over and sit in traffic without having to row your way around.
I drive 50,000 miles plus a year.
And I sure don't need some wiseguy telling me I HAVE to get the 5 speed. Just as when I was looking for a Maxima SE 5 speed, I had dealer sales people telling me they would GIVE me the automatic since I was such a miser. Both viewpoints are wrong.
The buyer buys and pays for the car. It is his/her choice. Not yours.
Period.
Discuss.
Oi, I am so verklemmt. ;-)
Well, I copped out then. And while doing so, I've been grinning my butt all over Ohio and Michigan for the last week. Never enjoyed a thousand miles on four wheels so much in my life.
Verklemmt? *sigh* Ratther than being stuck or inihibited, perhaps you're merely confused. By your reckoning I should've just bought a Taurus or heaven forbid, a Buick?
If you're not going to even try to respect other people's decisions, there's nothing to discuss.
US tests are at www.nhtsa.dot.gov and www.iihs.org
Euro test results are at www.euroncap.com
I liked the 'click, click' of the manual feature on the automatics I drove. Very cool.
Unfortunately, the NHTSA and IIHS often disagree with each other. Buying a car for its safety is kind of a leap of faith. Hopefully those that score well in both can be considered safe. A tow-truck/junkyard operator, who regularly saw horrible crashes, said to a friend of mine after one, there's no substitute for Volvo. He phrased it like this: "If you weren't in a Volvo, you'd be dead." Scary. This person & family was hit on the highway inducing a spin. When stopped, they were broadsided by a mac truck. That impact launched the car off the road, and consequently rolled down a hill into a tree. Once the firement cut the car open, they found the family with only some bruises.
Anyway, while I had my Pro in for some service, I checked out the 6 again. The power-adjustable seat does not have the same vertical travel as the manually-adjustable seat. It doesn't go down as low. This explains why I have less headroom in the 6 with the power seat than I have in my Pro with the manual seat (or the 6 with the manual seat).
I also discovered the passenger assist grips are kind of flimsy. Only the plastic fingers on the grip hinges hold them in. A plastic plugs presses between the fingers and holds them out. This plug, if it's loose-fitting (poorly molded or damaged), will fall out, causing the grip to come out of the sheet-metal, as the one in the showroom 6 did when I grabbed it. I pointed this out to one of the salesmen...hopefully, he got one of the techs to fix it.
Some things are better done with metal fasteners IMO. This is one of them.
I still think it's a pain to replace bulbs in the front lamp assemblies. Looks to me like you have to remove the assembly from the car to replace the bulbs. What a maintenance headache (even if it's infrequent).
Today I went on with the intention of having them give me a firm quote (i sold my Hondo over the weekend)... and behold! you can't get the M6s with the sports package alone anymore!!! Sheesh!
Now, this might be this online retailer only... and not Mazda, but through last week you could order the sports package alone, without leather and sunroof, but no more!!!
DANG> of course, they were charging MSRP anyway, so I wouldn't have used them. Still, worrisome.
What if Mazda is only shipping the sports packages with leather? I'd be in trouble.
Mike
Canada: 17" alloys, 8-way pwr driver's seat, steering wheel radio ctrls.
Dinu
Dang, it's tempting.
One funny thing. I told them how much i wanted to finance and they came back with 6% (little high)
and payment of $260 a month. I did it on a payment calulator and the payment should be $230!
hmmmmm.
Scary to do a deal totally over the phone. But dang. I can't find that car anywhere! and now it looks like I might not see another until April!
Be careful with your agreement and get ALL papers faxed so you can see their offer in writing and signed before you put your name on it.
Dinu
Anyway, do any of you know when/if the Mazda6 will be available with the 17in wheels without the sport pkg. I really like the 6, but the optional pkgs. give me the worst headache.
Thanks in advance
Anybody see a 6s with these accessories on the road or at an auto show? Yay or Nay.
As for the grille all I can see are pics.
Eddie (salesperson) from Avante Toronto told me last week at the auto show that they only have 2 6s: 1 in the showroom and 1 with AT available for test drives. Also said it will take a few months to get 5spds...
Ajax Mazda had a 6 in the showroom last week and 2 outside. Dealers don't have many so far.
Dinu
"The firm of Collins, Martin & Issacs will be conducting test market pricing strategy events at various locations in Minnesota. During these events, new cars, trucks, sport utilities and mini vans from Mazda, as well as dealership demos and certified used vehicles will be priced below national averages to promote immediate product awareness.
As a recipient of this certification, your credit is virtually pre-approved. Finance representitives will be at the test market site to assist you with financing and arrange same day delivery.
It is the desire of Mazda Motor Company to put as many new products as possible in service immediately to gain quick recognition in the communities in which they are sold. This recognition will increase product awareness and subsequent sales. For 2 days only, we will be conducting one of these tests at a dealership near you. You will not have to negotiate. All models will be included in this test and factory incentives of up to $5000 or special below market financing starting as low as 0.0% will be available.
If you finance or lease a vehicle during this event, your dealer will pay off your current loan, no matter how much you owe. Bring your title or payment book with you"
It goes on to tell me which dealer this will be at, etc. etc. Sounds like a bunch of crap to me. If they can pay off my loan, give me $5000 off of a brand new Mazda6 with 0% financing, it would be great. I am financed through Mazda American Credit for my Protege, so that's how they got my name. Too good to be true......
The lack of manuals doesn't suprise me, I got impulsive last week and wanted to change my order to get the GT package with leather and all the bells and whistles, he told me I would have to wait 3 months. You would figure they would have some ordered considering how popular Mazda is in Canada, maybe that's one reason that sales aren't crazy, there isn't enough stock.
In case anybody cares Dinu saw me with it on my test drive.
Note the magical catch phrases of UP TO and AS LOW AS. It did NOT say you would get $5k back on a Mazda6. It didn't even say you would get a dime back. It also did NOT say you would qualify for a low interest loan.
Quite clever. And in many states, quite not legal. Somehow I bet it is legal in Minnesota, but that doesn't make it ethical or right. This ad is deceiving at best...
If it sounds too good to be true...it probably is.
I think it will be around fall until there will be a few 6s on dealers' lots.
This was the same with the PROs and P5s when I got mine - very few were available initially, but 6 mths after I got mine, they started appearing everywhere.
Dinu
(Future M6 or M3 owner)
Disclaimer: By "M3" I mean the Mazda3. I can only wish for the other M3...
They are designed to get your attention.
The deals offered do not exist.
The interest rates are bogus.
They don't have the cars in stock.
They will switch you to something else.
The sales pitch is on par with "You are the winner..." -- of nothing at all.
fowler3
fowler3
Alright, no more off topic posts, we are gonna get 'spanked' for it tomorrow morning..
...then I got in and drove to work
I am glad to see you still love the thing!
seriously. It's beautiful in the sunlight.
I took my sister to a Mazda lot to have a look, and she has this "thing" for certain shades of red on cars..
and she went nuts cooing over the shade of red on the Mazda6!