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Comments
So for insurance purposes do i insure it as a 2003 or a 2004......
Mike
Plus - making an SUV with Mazda DNA as they call it can't be easy. But if/when they do - a poor man's Cayenne is what I'd sort of expect.
First - there will be a lot more going on than just showing up for an autocross run on a Sunday morning. Test drives, instruction and other minor attractions. If you don't walk away with more than you came with I'll be very surprised.
Plus your local $25 autocross doesn't give you the opportunity to beat on somebody else's car or take your quick time and compete for a brand new car at Laguna Seca or meet with a group of other 6 owners & prospective owners.
As for other manufacturers doing something like this - I know of no one who's gone to 15 different cities in one Summer as part of a driving school/autocross tour.
Local clubs have a $25 fee along with an initial club fee along with having to work the course. Max number of runs is usually 4 to boot.
I think it is a great idea, I'm signed up for 7/12 group 14a, and so is my brother.
-B
-B
As for racing on an AT - with 90% of the buying public expected to buy the AT, it only makes sense. It's also a vote of confidence for the AT's reliability. These cars are going to get ripped on.
It also evens things out for normal drivers. The enthusiast that can work an MT really well no longer has that advantage.
I will put it on for long drives and in cases when I know I'll be in for rock chips and bugs (country roads).
Most of the time I'll keep it off, for around town and back and forth to work.
My mother lives over an hour away and I always seem to kill about a billion bugs back and forth from her house.
Also, we often travel to Seattle and to the coast and both trips are rock chip hell. I'll use the mask during those times.
My hope is that once I've installed all the "hardware" that I won't have to re-install it every time I put the mask on.
I'll let you know how it goes.
For people who aren't experienced autocrossers, though, the classes and the chance to learn to do it on someone else's car are well worth a measly $40.
Jeff
www.xpel.com
I want to test drive a Miata!
oh yeah, I signed up for the 7/27 morning session at FedEx :-)
My main complaint is that other manufacturers set up these traveling events to show off their cars, yet do not charge attendees. But Mazda does.
And of course, the prize... I am 100% sure that the only people that have a chance to win will be either professional drivers or very, very experienced autocrossers. I am neither.
And the autocross aspect. I go to the Indiana Northwest Region autocrosses because they are much less crowded than the Chicago or Milwaukee regions (plus half of their events are held 1/4 mile from my parents place). You do indeed get 6 runs for $25, plus at the end of the event they usually allow for fun runs and ride-alongs with experienced drivers, allowing for the kind of instruction that the Mazda event probably wont be able to match. In addition, working the course between runs gives you the opportunity to view what more experienced drivers do around the track from a perspective not afforded to anyone sitting in the parking lot waiting their turn to drive.
And lastly, I'm not about to pay $39 to drive an automatic transmissioned car around a track, unless it's a Porsche or something.
Oh yeah, and the location they chose for Chicago... Crete, IL? I don't know how they can even call that Chicago. I could be in Wisconsin or Indiana in less time than it will take to get there.
Yes, I'm sure there are more wonderful autocross experiences out there...this is probably not the best venue for more seasoned folks. But this is a traveling gig, Mazda is not in the business of setting up courses and training autox'ers, etc., etc., etc. They are trying to sell you something.
But this is a much more fun way of selling something than sending you a brochure or having a silly web-based game.
$39 is a chunk of change if you're used to paying a little less and getting a whole lot more, but we have to consider the fact that they're carting that crapload of cars and other equipment around the country.
As far as Crete is concerned...yeah, I wish it was a little closer to the city. But I can't really think of a place IN Chicago that would be suited to this purpose, especially if it's really drawing big crowds. According to mapquest, I should be able to get there in just under an hour, which is about how long it would take me to get to WI or IN.
And I'm all signed up, June 21st, session 14b.
Zoom zoom!
You're right - you're not the kind Mazda wants. One post and I can't stand it. I'd hate listening to your attitude in person for an entire day. You make autocrossing sound like work, not fun.
"And lastly, I'm not about to pay $39 to drive an automatic transmissioned car around a track, unless it's a Porsche or something."
How completely elitist.
http://www.stongard.com/sgcontent/default.asp
It's a clear film that adheres to the car, usually on the front hood and headlights. Protects against rock chips, etc.
Personally, it's easier to deal with than a front mask, but I don't like the idea of something permanently stuck to the front of my car either.
Also, I thought it was free. It's been about 2 years, but I don't remember paying a fee. Maybe there was...
That's just hilarious.
http://www.twoguysgarage.com/site/presection.php?PreID=118&Se- gID=281
It's a gross oversimplification to be sure - but it's kinda like a giant, crystal clear sticker cut in the shape of the front of the car.
(1) they would like to reach out to the most people possible, and many people can't (or won't) drive a stick
(2) this is not geared toward the autocrosser, but the average auto enthusiast--that while into cars, don't exactly take theirs at 9/10's.
and
(3) there are a lot of safety manuevers to learn, and they would like people to concentrate/focus on mastering those, not what gear you they in.
The Lexus IS300 and BMW ride-n-drives I have been to have all used automatics as well.
Chris
mazda6s - To each his own. But if you bother to do the reading as opposed to simply dismissing it outright, you'll find that it doesn't cloud or yellow. Porsche has been using this stuff on the fenders of their 911 Turbos for years. This is NOT a new material. Both 3M and Avery Denison have been making it for years.
Those are the speeds for my 89 nissan pulsar 4 cylinder...
cant wait to get rid of that thing..
Sounds like a fully-loaded machine. What was MSRP, and what did you pay for it? Wonder if we get the same deals up here in Bay Area.
And to the rest of you. Sheesh, this is only my opinion and if you think I'm elitist, well, you're wrong.
Also, mazda6s, the film that Vocus and Ruefus and others are talking about has been around for a while and, from what I hear, it works very well.
sigh...
Whoever thought that admission was free, btw, is wrong, it was $15. What a deal! I had a great time there; well we got in free, but I'd have paid twice that or more for all that was offered there.
The one we (hosts) attended was in Chicago. I don't live in that area and I have no idea where I was, but I wonder why Mazda couldn't hold the Rev It Up there instead of having to go so far out of town? I think it was a race track stadium of some sort.
RE: the Rev-it-up.. I was fortunate to participate in a Mercedes "Power Drive" event in Boston in 2001 and I got to power-drive an ML430 and an SL500 around a short course but with no MB people in the car. Getting to beat on an $84,000 roadster was a thrill that was worth some money.. Not only was it free, but they had refreshments and handed out nice baseball caps embroidered with MB logo and such. I could have driven any model, if I wanted to wait in line. I also could have ridden in one of four AMG models driven by pro-drivers around a separate course. Nothing like hearing 4 MB-AMG's (E55, ML55, etc) screaming around a parking lot with tires wailing.! Sounded like the Thompson, CT track! But the lines for that joyride were well over an hour long.
I am seriously thinking about going to the Boston Rev-it-up, even if only to just do test drives of all their models. I still miss my 1988 MX-6 and I suspect the the Mazda6 is going to be very similar in handling performance; excellent.!!
Today it was the first time that I drove the car in day light and I am already getting the thumbs up. What a great feeling.
I am planning to be at the Mazda Rev-it-up in Orange county on the 12th or 13th so I might see some of you guys there.