Mazda6 Sedan

tchoo

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll try them out. Btw, what is this $239/month lease deal that was mentioned earlier? Is this for a 6s?

r2s2

I'm pretty sure it's only the 6i. Check mazdausa.com.

buggywhip

Yes, I mentioned that lease deal earlier. I'm certain it includes the 6i; not so sure about the 6s. My gut feeling tells me the 6s is not included. The 6s is moving nicely off dealers' lots; not so with the 6i, esp. with the automatic. My local dealer has rows and rows of them.

alcjew

Clemulus, I bought my black 6s MT, with all the options, from the showroom at Balise Mazda last week. I tried to use my S-plan too, but they were not budging with the price due to the high demand for the 6s MT w/ sprt pkg. It had arrived at the dealership on a Thursday and fortunately I checked the on-line dealers inventory on Friday night, went to the dealership on Saturday morning (little over an hrs drive) to put a deposit down and picked it up last Tuesday. What a sweet ride and sharp.

carguy58

Mazda's are not MSRP cars. 3k over MSRP for a MPS. That is crazy. Mazda will have themselves to blame if the 6 doesn't sell because the dealers are not selling. They discounted the Millinea and now they want to sell the 6 for MSRP. That is just bizzare to me. Mazda has some of the best styling in the industry even to make Volkswagon lose a little sleep. To the Mazda salesman I was talking to before(Joe 2617): I know you are salesman but to budge MSRP for a car that has sat on lots is a little awkward. As a former Mazda owner I would like to see them do well and have an identity in the industry like they had a decade ago. Yeah, I know Mazda dealers are small but this car is not in demand at all and Mazda is missing out by the dealers not being negoitable with the 6 pricewise.

johnclineii

Carguy58: Dealers are independent business people. THEY set the selling prices. Not Mazda.

That is why it is called the manufacturer's SUGGESTED retail price. In reality, MSRP nowadays means NOTHING at all. NOTHING. We all just think it does.

Over time and on the average, a product will sell for what people will pay for it. No more. No less.

And Mazdaspeed Proteges will sell for what dealers can get out of them. Think about it. If you owned a 1964 Ford Mustang, and they were selling for at least 60,000 dollars, would you accept less because some would be buyer approached you and told you that Fords SHOULDN'T sell for such prices? Of course not. Dealers are in business to make money. They will sell cars for the most they can. Buyers are in business to save money. They will pay the least they can.

The manufacturer has the smallest role in setting the selling prices at retail. The manufacturer charges the dealer (who is the manufacturer's direct customer--you are NOT). And yes, the manufacturer tries to charge the dealer the most possible, too. There are dozens of ways they do that, but most are beyond the scope of this discussion.

To sum up, Mazda6's sell for what the market says they will sell for. If they try to charge more than the market will bear, the price will self-correct over time, or they will end up with tons of unsold cars and the product will fail.

ruefus

"When did they provide you with a VIN #? Once you get that you know that it has been built and your only waiting for shipping."

I'm not trying to be a jerk - but this statement is inaccurate. The VIN has nothing to do with whether or not the car has been built. If you want order verification, ask the dealer for the order number and their dealer code - then send a message to Mazda customer service. I had a friend at Ford track my car, but this should work too.

The VIN is generally assigned either right after, or at most a couple weeks after the car is ordered.

I ordered my 6s in early December and had the VIN less than a week and a half later. At the same time, I was given a build estimate of the first week of February.

The car was actually assembled on 1/31, at least 5 weeks after I had a VIN number.

mazdamarla

A person I work with just ordered a new Escape on Friday, and by Monday the Autobytel dealer emailed them with the VIN#.

joe2617

I appologize, you guys are partialy right. The VIN is assigned when an estimated production date is scheduled. From the production date you can get a good idea of when the vehicle will be built. Once the vehicle is built Mazda gives us an estimated delivery date. Mazda6s are 90 days out from the ordering date. Generally, the other Mazda models are 45 days from the ordering date.

nwng

My opinion is, if you want to be the first in the block or have "impulse buying", don't complain about paying at or above MSRP. Like the PT Cruiser and the Beetle, these are mass-production cars. Supply will catch up with demand very soon.

tchoo

Hmm... so it looks like I'll be able have more bargaining leverage with a 6i seeing as they're not as much in demand. I didn't want to get the sport package anyway, my 3-series sport suspension plus the low profile tires were too harsh for the little kid. You could feel all the bumps and cracks in the road. I'll check out the lease deals. I do like the alloy wheels though. Mazda's wheel designs vaguely remind me of Porsche's.

skyray

You can't just make a generalization like "Mazdas aren't MSRP cars." The Mazda 6 is a new car -- a very favorably reviewed car -- and it could very well be a "MSRP" car, even if the 626 before it wasn't.

Indications are that the manual transmission V6 is very much an MSRP car, due to supply and demand. Particulary with the sport kit.

It's a free market economy, y'know. If a car is selling at the rate a dealer needs it to for business purposes at MSRP, they have every right to sell it at that price. They don't have to drop the price because of some "perception" of the Mazda name.

And indeed, the Mazda name has been elevated quite a bit over the past year. The company finally figured out what it was about the Miata that made it special, and (dorky "Miata DNA" advertising BS aside) really has taken those "fun to drive" and "quality" characteristics and tried to spread them across the line.

baydog

when Mazda USA is advertising on price already. Also, with inventory building up, I can't see why anyone would pay MSRP. Sure, some dealers may hod out, but go to another dealer. With a market economy, suppliers are price takers, not makers.

The MT 6s w/ sport is currently an exception bcs Mazda misgauged the demand and the supply simply isn't there. Expect that to be corrected in a few months.

ahtemp

was fairly positive. just went online, picked out exactly what i wanted, and within a half-hour, a carsdirect agent called me to confirm my order. in 2 days, we had the car at a dealership not too far away. interestingly enough, we had just visited that dealership the previous weekend, but didn't see the one we wanted. we drove around to several dealerships (and wasted a whole weekend) without finding the one we wanted. like they claimed, we were in the dealership for about 40 min. before we drove off. the good part was that the sales person was familiar with the carsdirect process and didn't try to sell us all the extras (which would've taken a lot longer). our carsdirect agent was responsive and kept in close contact with us during the process. like i said earlier, it wasn't the cheapest way to go (but certainly not msrp either), but we saved on the search costs. plus, we're happy to buy our car in a haggle-free way online like we do books, cds, etc.

vocus

I have to agree, Mazdas aren't MSRP cars. They don't hold their value enough, and aren't exclusive enough, for such status. Even the highly regarded MSProtege is worth sticker at the very highest. Anyone who pays MSRP+ for any car that's not an exotic is just throwing bad money after good, IMO.

ruefus

They're probably waiting for the buying season to arrive. It isn't that far off and Q1 is usually not a great buying period.

Things'll pick up as the weather warms.

buggywhip

Cars are not Faberge eggs. We live in a mass-production/profit-based economy. If something is in demand, factories simply crank out more and more. No sane car co. would ever artificially limit supply--that tactic doesn't work anymore. That's why I can never understand why anyone would pay over sticker for a car--any car...........People got burned on PT Cruisers in the beginning ($25k!!); Chrysler is discounting them hugely now. Same with the New Beetle (a car that will probably now be DROPPED in 2006!). Some paid $50k for the new Thunderbird only last yr; it's going for sticker (at most) right now. (My local ford dealer has 3, they ain't moving)...........so Mazda dealers are not discounting the 6s. No big loss. Simply wait a few mos. or buy something else. Capitalism is all about choice--the customer's choice to wait or go elsewhere, and the dealer's choice to gouge or discount. I hardly think someone's driving experience will be seriously diminished if he/she is not driving a 6s, superb car or not...........still, I think Ford (Mazda's parent co.) had higher hopes for the 6, as a 'cash cow', so to speak. Let's face it--Ford cars (as opposed to trucks) are NOT profitable. I read that Ford sells every Focus at a loss. And they practically give Tauruses away to fleet sales. I think Ford is hesitant to discount the 6. It's Ford's 'world car' and it needs to make a profit.

stretchsje

They own 31%, which is 2 2/3 percent shy of even having the power to veto a Mazda decision.

vocus

Last I heard, Ford owned 33.3% of Mazda, and had controlling interest. When did this change?

joe2617

Mazda's new corporate philosophy is to get away from trying to please everyone and to focus on niche vehicles. Thats why they spent so much to engineer the 6, are coming out with a new rotary engine sports car (RX-8) and thats why they are redoing the Protege even though it still leads it's class. Mazda is not trying to out sell the Camry or Accord, they are trying to build the brand image as a car enthusiasts brand.
 Also the trend within the auto industry is to decrease the dealers profit margins. The difference between invoice and MSRP on most cars is a lot less than it used to be. Who would think a Kia Rio is an MSRP vehicle, but dealers almost have to sell that car at MSRP (profit at MSRP with an auto trans and A/C is about $550).
 Ford does have a controlling interest in Mazda but has loosened the reigns considerably.
 Buggywhip do you really think Ford sells Focuses at a loss?

vocus

I know there was an article somewhere (it's been so long, I forget now) that Ford sold every Escort at a loss, and Chevy did the same with the Cavalier.

joe2617

maybe at the end of production of a vehicle if you count incentives.

stretchsje

the last you heard might have been from me. I've been reading "about one third", which is true- they do have about one-third ownership. Except "about" isn't "actually" one-third. So, despite what I though earlier, Ford doesn't even have veto power over Mazda.

joe2617

maybe at the end of production of a vehicle if you count incentives.

joe2617

Ford does have the final say. They do have the controlling interest.

protege_fan

US and Japanese law differ in that in Japan you don't need a full 50% to have controlling interest. The amount that Ford has in Mazda right now is enough for controlling interest.

maltb

Ford owns 33.4% of Mazda and by Japanese corporate law it does give them controlling interest.

Edit: I take too long to post...thanks Mike

joe2617

You could own 10% of a company and have controlling interest if the next highest shareholder only owns 5%.

lapis_blue

All this talk about controlling interests and veto power is all very interesting, but i just wanted to make a point about the Bose stereo system. There seems to have been a lot of negative feedback on this board about the way it performs, but the edmunds.com Full Test rated it a 9/10. I'm by no means saying that editorial reviews are always right, but this reviewer seems to know what he's talking about. If you don't believe me, check this link out:

http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/mazda/6/100195195/roadtestarticle- - .html?articleId=77843&editorialpage=page002

Also having test driven a 6 with the upgraded sound system, i have nothing but good things to say about it. Infact, my car should be arriving on the dealers lot any day now. These past 6 weeks have been killing me!

lapis_blue

Oh yeah, and one more thing, someone here (i can't remember who) keeps talking about how a MP3 player will be avalible in April. What do you mean? A CD player that can read files in MP3 format? Are you sure you're not talking about the Mini Disc player? Because a MD player and a MP3 player have nothing in common.

maltb

there will be an MP3 player (cd format)coming in the end of march. Over the counter price should be about $325.

stretchsje

I'm by no means saying that editorial reviews are always right, but this reviewer seems to know what he's talking about.

Which makes it even worse. Edmund's has the most inaccurate car stereo reviews I've ever read from a publication, and unfortunately they misuse all kinds of descriptions that tend to sound like the review has merit. It saddens me to say that, because I DO like their car reviews.

The stereo- even the bose option- isn't very impressive. The standard stereo will satisfy the casual user, but the Bose option will not satisfy the enthusiast. Spend your $600 on aftermarket parts and you'll find yourself much happier. I'm mid-way through mine. Total cost was $300, and it's WAAYYYY better, save maybe in the "hear me down the street" category.

My subwoofer weighs in at only 6 1/2 inches and 60 watts, and unfortunately size does matter. I mounted it under the seat, though, so clarity is excellent and it doesn't "boom" my rear-seat passengers. Overall, the clarity and range of my system is beyond the Bose option for half the cost.

http://mazda6.mredwards.net
Not all of the information there is accurate any longer. Look for an update once it stops snowing in Maryland.

-Steve, the home theater / music junky

gee35coupe

The Bose on the 6 is a letdown. If there is a way to take the line-outs of the factory system and hook up one of your own, I'd go that route. Get the factory 6 changer and take it to a professional.

stretchsje

...my experience with line-out converters. I'll say that you'll probably want to splice the signal to the front speakers twice because the output to the rear is attenuated, but the "beep" from the stereo is still loud in the rear. Currently I have my line-out converter grounded to the chassis, and it creates a noise when I use the wipers. It's caused by the ground, which isn't a necessary connection. I only connected it "because it was there". I haven't had the time to experiment with undoing it.

I'm having trouble getting the faceplate off, so I can't check for a way to make pre-outs. I'm prepared to take the head unit apart if I can get to it!!!

Has anyone gotten their faceplate off? There's two screws at the bottom, and one "secret screw" accessible only from the glove box. I think I've undone the secret screw, but maybe I unscrewed the wrong one? I dunno, cause the darn thing won't pull out. I'm surprised I haven't snapped the faceplate, as hard as I was tugging.

stretchsje

I'm getting the 17" OEM wheels and tires used. I'll have the alloys w/o the sport package. Yay for me! See? Dreams can come true.

It'll look like this, only a sedan, and mine :-)

audia8q

Well it happened, just like mazda told me.
We will finish this month with more '6i' sales than '6s' sales.....its about a 60/40 split.

I was starting to wonder where the 'i' buyers were and they seemed to all show up in the past 10 days.

Rich

stretchsje

Are you still behind the demand for manual transmissions? You've quoted 10/90 I believe, and Mazda has quoted (unexpectedly) 30/70.

If there is a discrepency, do you suppose it is because of your locations? Aren't you in "upscale" Connecticut and Florida? (two prime places for retired rich folk, if its the right place of each state)

mpiatek

I'm not sure the 30/70 split that Mazda claimed can be taken as said. They said that 30 percent of the ORDERED cars were MT's. Since there are so many AT cars at dealers, that would probably account for the higher percentage of ordered cars being MT. Then again, if ordered cars includes the cars that dealers order for their sales lots, then 30/70 is accurate.

Mike

skyray

Lapis Blue,

Yep, the MP3 player will be available in late March. I've already ordered mine; I'll have to take my 6s back in to get it installed. Retail price is $380.

It replaces the standard CD head unit. It's a CD player that also plays MP3 discs.

Hope it's decent -- I'm still annoyed that Mazda didn't just go with a standard DIN radio slot like in the Miata so I could put a good third-party MP3 player in.

Ah well... Once the MP3 player's in, I'll be visiting the local stereo shop about an amp and better speakers.

Vocus,

So you're saying both Chevy and car buyers were losers on the Cavalier? :-) (Sorry, but the "bloated Chevette" hatchback Cavalier wins my award for Ugliest. Car. EVER.

ruefus

Slamming the Bose system has become sport and I'd venture to guess that most don't even own the car, Bose or not.

I'm not the average listener, and I'm not an audiophile. I've been a paid musician off & on for the last 14 years.

IMO - The Bose system is very good. Much like the engine, give the speakers some time and things loosen up and the apparent muddiness gives way to rather nice crispness and clarity. If that sounds crazy, so be it. That's my experience after 1500 miles in my car over the last 10 days.

No, it's not as good as a nice aftermarket system - but I defy anyone to cleanly integrate a 200 watt, 7 speaker with sub, 6 CD in-dash system with steering wheel controls for 600 bucks.

84fordman

Recently traded in my baby, a modified 1984 Ford F-150 XLT 4x4 (300 cubic inch straight six). I had put a new carb and new Offenhauser intake manifold on it and tweaked the exhaust, even kept it low mileage and dyno'ed it every so often to see how much more I gained.

 Saddest thing of all.. my 6 has more torque and horsepower and better fuel economy than that thing ever did. My 6 is a metallic grey V6 with the manumatic/tiptronic shifter, cloth interior, 16" wheels, standard stereo, no spoiler and no body kit and the single exhaust tips out the rear.

 I love it, I haven't seen another 6 owner here in Columbia, South Carolina and people still walk around my car in parking lots checking it out and I still turn alot of heads going down the street.

 Got mine for $20,775 before trade-in.

mrblonde49

Motor Trend has a comparison with the 6s, Altima & Passat. All manuals & 6 cylinders. (The Mazda won, BTW). They had the 6 at 6.67 in the 0-60, though it's listed at 8.0 on Edmunds. How can this large disparity be explained? Can 1.3 seconds really be the difference between auto & manual?

http://motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0302_clutch/

combustible1

that is.. well, you know!

ok, for arguments sake, let's assume that the Bose isn't all it's cracked up to be. However, if you want the 6 cd changer, the stock changer is only like $70-100 less than the whole Bose system!

So I ask you, wouldn't it be better to get the Bose, and if you feel it necessary to upgrade something, perhaps the front speakers maybe, isn't it still worth it to get the Bose because the cost difference between it and the stock 6 cd changer is negligible? ..

UNLESS, the stock changer is of better quality than the Bose changer, thus, accounting for the small price difference between the Bose system and the stock changer??

lapis_blue

Sorry about my confusion with the MP3 player. right after i posted, i had another look at the accessories catalog and read the blurb under the pic of the 6-disc CD changer. Apparently the two are interchangeable. I wonder it the MP3 compatible player is also a six disc changer...

Yeah and i dunno...maybe i'm just not that big of an audiophile, but i definately like the way the Bose Stereo sounds. But who knows, maybe i'll change my mind after i spend more time with it.

r2s2

Bose: I've driven two 6's, one with standard system, the other with Bose, each for about an hour. I liked the Bose fine and don't understand the bashing. It isn't up to my $2K Bose at home, but neither is most any custom car system. Enjoyment of reproduced music depends largely on personal taste. I'm glad Stretch had the knowledge/money to upgrade to something he liked. But if/when I can buy a 6 I'll go with the Bose.

Mr. Blonde asks: "Can 1.3 seconds really be the difference between auto & manual?"

Answer: Sure.

johnclineii

Well, this is certainly an interesting development.

Back in October 2000, Mazda asked Charlie Hughes to come out of retirement and become President and CEO of Mazda North America.

Now Mazda's board has just asked him to leave. Normally, when something like this happens, the exec gets to tell people he is leaving to seek other opportunities, and the leaving usually takes two to three months, while a transition occurs. Not this time. Hughes didn't even know it was coming. The board told him! And he has to be out quickly. How quickly? TOMORROW, March 1.

They have made the current NA head of sales, marketing, and parts, John Mendel, the interim president while a search goes on.

Wonder what brought THIS on?

And why so quickly?

Could Mazda6 sales in North America have anything to do with it? Not bringing the hatch and wagon sooner? Something else?

You bring a man out of retirement and in less than three years, he is OUT?

Something is very up here.

By the way, in Japan a 1/3 interest is all that is necessary to control a company. Ford owns a 1/3 interest. Whether Mazda itself or Ford directed this move to oust Hughes is as yet unclear to those of us on the outside!

buggywhip

I read many posts/letters to editor that question Edmunds' road tests. But I'll trust them over Motor Trend/Car&Driver anyday. Sure, those car mags might have faster 0-60 times (as evidenced by the 6 comparison test). But that's b/c they abuse the machinery. Edmunds gives real-world performance data that one can reasonably expect day-to-day.

doying5

audia8q

The re-designed www.mazdausa.com went active today.

stretchsje

Thanks audia8q.

Found this on the Mazda6 club forum (also redesigned today!): John Sciascia at Angiuli Mazda in New York will give away 6's for cost today only to meet this month's quotas. If the MazdaUSA site works again (as MazdaMarla indicated below), you'll be able to check inventory.

Mazda also has their 6i automatic lease information up- $239/mo, 39 months, $2539 due at signing.

I don't like either the Mazda6i auto or leases, in case someone wanted my opinion ;-]