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Comments
so no diff on side sills, and only upon close inspection will anyone notice the little seam difference between the front and rear bumper skirt add-ons.
no big deal then.. in case I have to or want to go that route.
speaking of route(ing numbers), man, will I be unhappy with you MazdaMarla if you have your car that much sooner than I do. Of course, if I pick up directly from a lot, then no problem. If I end up ordering.. jealousy will quickly follow, as you will get your car weeks before I do!
I know that various auto (media) experts use Edmunds all the time. I happen to work with a few. This lends the site extreme credit. Sure, you might have all sorts of yaehoos using Buggies.com or MyPacer.org... but those sites come and go with the popularity of the vehicle.
Edmunds endures.
I often see posters refering to "anothersite.com".. but I've never actually signed up for any of that.
Another fact is I have refered media types to the forums here so they can listen to what's being said. And they DO visit and they do listen. I also think industry types visit here to. It's all centrally located, and very easy to use (even if they don't offer EVERY bell and whistle).
Many Edmunds posters were invited to and DID become "customer models" for the 2001 Impala brochure (myself included) PURELY because we were saying nice things about the car in an Edmunds forum.
You can't beat that... Edmunds rocks
The number that you received simply provides you with a reference and confirmation that you have placed an order with this dealership. We can
not track your vehicle production, delivery status, or order with this number. However, check periodically with your ordering dealership to
obtain the assigned VIN#. When you receive the VIN#, you may contact Mazda and inquire about production status and estimated delivery date.
So the number basically means nothing. I'm not looking to get my car until June sometime. If I get it before then it'll be a bonus and I'll be happily surprised.
combustible1 - did you decide on a color yet?
Mark.
Here are the pros and cons as I see it:
Pros:
1) Styling - this car is absolutely beautiful, sporty and aggressive (but not too "muscular"), and classy and elegant at the same time.
2) Braking - the brakes were excellent, tremendous stopping power with confidence
3) Acceleration - I expected a somewhat sluggish take-off from the line, however, this was not the case - there was plenty of torque to launch it and keep it going
4) Handling - top notch and confidence inspiring, it was fun to drive this car, even on (especially on) curves
5) Ride - The ride was very good, pretty smooth over the bumps considering the tighter suspension - I was pleasantly surprised
6) Interior display - I really liked the display unit that shows the clock, temp, etc.
7) Trunk - very roomy and I liked the strut setup instead of the hinges
8) Folding seat levers - nice feature, very easy to fold the back seats down and put them back
9) Seats were very comfortable
10) Back seat seemed roomy
11) Tilt-telescoping steering wheel
12) Audio controls on steering wheel
13) Automatic climate control (though it took me a while to figure out how to use it)
14) Quietness of the engine, but nice "growl" when revved
15) Windshield nozzles have a huge spray that covers the glass well
16) Radio sounded good
17) Doors have those easy to open "Euro" door handles
18) Doors and trunk seem solid and close with a definite "thunk"
19) More than enough cupholders all around
20) Like the circular vents
21) Expect very good reliability
22) Very good build quality using good materials (except for the cloth seats)
23) This is one sharp looking car that was a pleasure to drive and even more fun to drive fast (too much fun actually, could be dangerous) LOL
Cons: (mostly minor)
1) Side mirrors seemed too small
2) No hydraulic struts for hood
3) Quality of fabric for cloth seats felt cheap, they were kind of rough to the touch (would definitely prefer leather interior in this car)
4) No auto-up feature for the drivers' window
5) No headrests for rear passengers
6) Not sure how well I like the titanium-colored center dash (this may grow on me)
7) May be hard to find the color and options that I want
8) Could be deceptively and dangerously fast on the highway. LOL - this is really a "pro".
Overall, I was quite impressed. I'd love to become a 6 owner, if I can find a good deal on the purchase price. The dealership where I test drove it, had some ridiculous numbers, but I wasn't ready to deal anyway, so that's okay. It's too bad that I can't use my Dad's Ford discount, but it doesn't cover Mazda, because he was an hourly worker. :-(
I also tried some of the Internet buying sites, but none of them had any participating Mazda dealerships in this area. I did request some price quotes through Edmunds, so maybe that will help. Then, I gotta figure out what to do with my Camry. Selling it will be better, but is such a hassle. Trading it won't be as good financially, but would be easier. Guess I got some thinking to do.
One thing that I can say, is that the 6 deserves all of the accolades and favorable reviews that it has received so far. Except for a few minor gripes that I have, I think it is an outstanding car that I'd be proud to drive. Once I figure out all of the details. And decide on a color. Lapis Blue? Sepang Green? Maybe even Redfire? Decisions, decisions. :-)
If their offer is more than $500 over invoice, counter with $500 over invoice. That's a reasonable profit for a dealer (unless you're looking for a manual 6s with the sport package), and still an excellent deal on the car.
If they say they can't do that, then thank them for their time and head to the next dealer. Someone will take that deal if you're ready to sign the papers right then.
I agree, but I would counter AT invoice, then let them talk you up to 0-500 over. I've already been offered a 6i-MT at $66 over invoice, in writing.
silvercrown-
If you're serious, find a car you like and get your numbers ready. Then go into the dealer letting them know you're ready to buy if they meet your price. If they don't, move on to the next dealer. And don't fall for any of their BS. Much of what they tell you will be untrue.
IMO the online quotes don't mean much. They're just there to get you into the dealership. I've done better just walking into the dealership with a firm offer, ready to buy. It works.
I bought the wheels and tires used from someone who got the sport package. They wheels are also available from the dealer for $125 ($150 retail) each.
The 17's do everything better, but they're a little louder. They definately feel more stable, and the ride is better. The shorter, firmer sidewalls allow the suspension to work properly, whereas the 16's would mush things a bit. However, that mush didn't make the ride cushy- it instead made it less controlled. The 17's absorb bumps much better by letting the suspension properly do its job. Steering feedback was greatly improved with the lower-profile tires too. The only thing that suffers is noise, and only on coarse roadways.
the vents at the sides have three fins to direct the air, but the middle vents have two larger ones.
I had not noticed this. I wonder why?
I must have seen at least a dozen 6's on the road since I bought mine and the funny thing is only 1 had the GFX. I also spoke to my dealer and they have yet to sell 1 with GFX as well and they've sold quite a few. I guess that also explains why we buy alot less SUV's per capita than the U.S. Us Canadians seem to be more European in our tastes as the Atenza pics that I see never have the GFX. Anybody have a more scientific explanation or am I just full of it(which is more likely).
Those of us who live in less populous areas, though, aren't as likely to find anyone willing to part with a decent car for $66 over invoice.
Plus my method has the advantage of not having to deal with haggling. :-) You're giving them a firm, fair figure, that they can take or leave.
Another tip: Go in around the last few days of the month. Many of these guys are more willing to deal then, either due to monthly quotas or the end of their commission period.
Finally, while you generally can't get out of the documentation fees, do not pay for any of that ridiculous "undercoating," "fabric protection," "paint sealant," and other dealer added coatings, even if they're already applied. They charge hundreds for these, but given that each one actually just costs them labor and a few bucks in chemicals, they won't let your refusal to pay for those ineffective add-ons be a show-stopper if they see a sure sale.
I recently took a short trip with an iPAQ GPS setup, and when the GPS read 65mph, the speedometer read just over 67.
Looks like my speedo (6s, stock 16" tires) reads about 2 mph fast at cruising speed.
I am no GPS expert, but I would say that +/- 2mph is within the error of the GPS, especially a consumer grade version. I think it has been suggested before to find one of those portable radar stations that your local police department sets up. Or, you could try your GPS experiment in another car and see what the reading is to give you a better estimate. If it read 2mph over at 65mph, then I would put more faith in the GPS.
My wife thought our 6i was going too fast (speedo too low). I paced her in my '89 323 and we were about 1mph different. Of course it took me a while to catch up with her.
Shawn
Well, i found out that APEXi will be making their full range of bolt-on parts for the Mazda6 and that the parts should be out around July/August. K&N has a drop in filter for both the V6 and the I4 on sale now. They are looking for cars in the LA/Inland Empire area so that they can make an air intake. Now apparently AEM won't come out with the CAI until September and its not gonna be the V2. I tried contacting Injen to find out the status of their CAI, i couldn't get through to anyone...maybe someone else has had better luck. I know that Turst/GReddy has a turbo kit out in Japan for the 4 banger, i just hope SOMEONE will eventually make FI for the V6. Other companies such as Blitz, Tein, 5Ziggen, etc...have no plans to do anything for the Mazda6 for a while....if at all. I hope MazdaSpeed comes out a supercharger or turbo for the 6s. If any of u guys have any other news about the aftermaket,post up here.
just when I think I've narrowed things down (steel grey), I have second.. third.. and fourth thoughts! (about color, sports pkg vs. non, spoiler yes, spoiler no, etc.)
back to considering redfire & white again. I'd go with redfire, but I'm not thrilled with the mandatory beige interior, especially in cloth. Now that you can order a sports pkg. w/o the moonroof (too tall), I could go that route, but still would be stuck with black cloth or black leather (way too hot in summer, and I live in a state where you can't tint your front windows). I've also considered doing it in black cloth, and getting after market grey leather later on.
I also think that I've gotten totally carried away in this whole process.. that once I get the car, I won't be obsessing about all this stuff anymore, and should instead be economical/prudent and go more basic (non-sports, cloth, etc.). Plus, when the car starts getting dinged and scratched, it won't trouble me as much.
I've always treated my cars more as appliances than toys anyway. However, I've owned a Camry for the past 11 years, so that may explain my lack of enthusiasm.
my inner turmoil continues. ;p
whiteatenza: Cork Sport sells the AUTO-EXE Ram-Air Intake for the M6. It's a Hi-flow air filter housed in a high quality carbon fiber housing.
As for a supercharger or turbo in a 6s, that's stretching it. It would literally be impossible due to the limited space available in the engine compartment, unless you relocate or remove parts to allow stuffing either. Plus the need for an intercooler with its plumbing for the turbo. But there was a Troy Lee M6 with a Roush Racing nitrous setup as well as an extreme 1000hp Pro class M6 drag car at SEMA in Vegas.
Now, the i4- that engine has a nice empty space at the exhaust that says, "put something here."
In regards to GPS, they sure are accurate enough! They're accurate to within several yards, I believe, while the military ones are within a few feet. If this is used to measure over 10 miles, you're talking about a .001% margin of error!!!
- Mark
Cloth is more pracitical from a daily use perspective. I will no longer just throw my guitar case in the back seat - for fear I'll scuff or rip the leather. With cloth, you don't care so much, 'cause it takes that sort of abuse. Plus - you vacuum cloth. Leather needs to be treated.
But again. I simply LOVE having it.
But heck, if you want a 6, that's a dang easy way to get one.
and it's way below the TMV you see here.
I found the enthusiasm on this board, and others experience, were a big help in deciding. If there are any other fat old men looking at this car, drop the hammer! You aren't dead yet. (Hmmm... new Mazda ad campaign?)
Of the three clinics, the slalom is pretty cool. I hadn't done anything like this before, so it deifinitely took a few tries to get over my instinct to slow down. I didn't find the braking and turning clinic to be all that useful, and the third one (racing line) is basically a practice course where you can do a timed run. That one was definitely the most worthwhile.
There's a lot of waiting in line, sort of like an automotive version of Disneyland, although I thought this was a lot more fun :-)
They did have a manual 6i to test drive, though the 6s was auto-only.
Jordan
What the real issue is that this car rides so well, you feel like you are just crawling along, even though you are doing 80.
Shawn
I've brought a few other people to check out the 6 and they all said the same thing.
Comfort may be another story.
I really liked:
The black cloth with the sport package
and the beige leather.
Gray cloth and black leather are crummy.
Besides, as combustible said, so long as it doesn't have some hideous pattern (as some other vehicles do)...
Personally, I wish the cloth had a two-tone look, but I'd keep the cloth materials the same.
The cloth seats have been very comfortable. They show lint (a LOT) but don't seem to show scuff marks or dirt.
I fell in love with the "charcoal" cloth of the Nissan Murano... but couldn't afford the car. This cloth is not as nice, but is still very easy to look at and comfy.
Now, CHEVY!!! that's another story. The Impala only comes in a cream cloth/leather and a "grey" cloth/leather that looks EXACTLY like industrial waiting room seat covers. Just terrible.
My Impala (2000) had blue cloth. Very nice, I loved it... but they don't use it anymore... sigh...
Being equally frank Chikoo - you're nuts.
It looks fabulous - especially after applying some Lexol to condition it
I'm impressed. This trip further reinforced my happiness with this car.
"The V6 had plenty of power to pass in 5th gear. "
That, and the fact that I live at 5000ft altitude and like to be able to go uphill at 80mph in 5th gear, probably made up my mind for me.
In fact, as the revs climb, the car will go more quickly from 80mph to 90mph than it will from 55mph-65mph. Down there, you're best in 4th gear for passing (certainly not cruising), which I believe would still come in below 3000rpm- so usually it's 4th gear for merging, 5th gear from thereon out.
But seriously- it doesn't take long for the 6i to go from 75-80mph or 80-85mph, which is what most passing is.
I really loved a black 6s with beige leather...wonderful.....
I've seen two Elements (same day, actually) and thought they were really, really ugly. They looked ok in the commercials, but they're bigger and stupider in real life.
The real surprise is the FIFTEEN or so Hummer H2s I've seen. It's not been uncommon to see more than one in a day ever since the war started. Where I live, they simply can't fit into a single parking spot, nor navigate around corners in one turn. Rediculous!
But yeah- only two Mazda6's, excluding the three beauties at the Mazda meet.