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Well, I got my steel gray baby on Thursday and I'm loving every minute I get to spend with her. So far she's got just over 300 miles on her and doing great. Here are the details:
6i, MT
Steel Gray
Sports, Bose, ABS, SAB, Leather, Comfort, Moonroof, Premium, Autodimming Mirror w/Homelink, Sports grille (not a necessity, but it already had it on it)
Pretty much fully loaded. So far I've done both highway cruising and in-town driving and both have been lots of fun (despite drivers here in the DC area). All my friends love my car and are thoroughly impressed at how nice it seems to be for the price.
Also, I'm still taking it easy since she's got less than 1,000 miles on her, but I can't wait to really test her out.
Every day I'm finding something new that I hadn't noticed before. For instance, I realized that the glass above the rear view mirror is shaded/tinted so that you don't have that annoying spot where the sun is just over the mirror and the visors won't cover. Also, I'm really digging the overhead lights in the back seats as well... I hadn't realized that both front and back seats get their own row of lights.
Anyways, I'm off to bed, but I thought I'd share my initial impressions with you all. I'll post more when I get a chance. In the meantime, I'm trying not to get into too much trouble (which is why I opted for the the 4 cylinder and not the 6... I know myself, and I'd have just been asking for trouble).
zoom zoom
http://www.edmunds.com/news/autoshows/articles/75396/page014.html
Also, is this something that happens in every 6s, or is it just a sporadic problem? If I were to ask my dealer, I'm sure he'd say 'they all do that.' But I'm just wanting to ensure this isn't something I should be concerned about.
Thanks for your input in advance!
Respectfully yours,
Quinn Adkins.
I too am also noticing things everyday with this car. Most interesting lately is that I activated cruise control and found that on acceleration, my right foot never felt the accelerator actually move. I'm used to cruise control actually "pressing" the gas for me, but noticed no such thing in the MZ6. Did I miss that this car was a throttle-by-wire, or am I just halucinating? I never read it in any reviews or in the manual. Can anyone else confirm?
Geez, I see lots of pampered kids around here that drive cars much more costly than my Protege...though I think they're rather POORLY driven. Heh.
Just envious. But at least I got to drive a car. My wife's parents never let her drive during high school. She only really started driving after college.
All I had in college was my trusty bicycle, which is now rusting away in the corner of my parents' garage... :-(
I need to save that old thing!
It's very simple. I can afford a nicely loaded Protege ES GT, but I can't afford the insurance on it - not 25 yet. I tried pricing a 6i 5spd w/16" alloys, leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob and handbrake (Sport package in Canada), and a raised rear spoiler and the car is too expensive - $200/mth more than the PRO. This is my favourite new car right now - ok next to the M3 convertible. Of course there are ppl that work just to afford the car they bought and others that wanna have $ left over for other things. Which way the person goes it's their choice. I just went for a 91 Maxima yesterday - $4200 CAD, cheap insurance, and no $500+ payments for 48 mths.
Dinu
Despite all this (and trust me, there's more) I must say that the one shining star in my story (besides the car itself) was my contact at Mazda corporate's customer service. His name is Mike and I think he's ext. 1144; he was extremely helpful and reassuring along the way. If your problems persist, I would talk to him to see if he can help. It's unfortunate that some of us are having bad dealership experiences, because the car is a true gem.
"The medium car segment in Australia has been almost single-handedly reinvigorated by the impressive Mazda6, and other world markets are also paying more attention to the oft-forgotten genre." (http://www.webwombat.com.au/motoring/news_reports/legacy.htm)
So here it's not even getting noticed in the midsize segment, whereas in the rest of the world it's reinvigorating the midsize segment. Which begs the question, "What's wrong with this country?" Of course, that's something I've been asking myself a lot over the last couple of years. In the case of cars, maybe it has something to do with an obsession with power...
In response to my latest weekly email to Mazda last Friday:
In response to your inquiry, there is no production date at this time. Please understand that you have requested the most popular MAZDA6 combination. Due to unexpectedly high demand, it is simply taking a little longer than necessary to produce all of the requested vehicles. Please feel welcome to check in with me periodically - I'd be happy to look up ETA updates for you.
Had the VIN for about 3 weeks now, and still no build date yet. :-(
My theory is that Americans are extremely image conscience people. That is the only way you can explain SUV sales when 90% of the people with SUVs would be better off with a mini-van. Many people don't really know what Mazda is, but they do know that Toyota and Honda are top notch nameplates with a sterling image. To make matters worse, Americans are generally not auto enthusiasts like people in other areas of the world (Europe) are. I think that pretty much explains why the Mazda6 isn't as successful here as it is in other parts of the world.
Can you tell I'm a bit frustrated by my ETA?
As it was previously stated: The herd mentality!
and Mazda's bad advertising.
Last weekend I went to Pep boys to get an oil filter for my 6. I walked up to the counter and tell the guy that I need an oil filter for a Mazda6. He goes: What car? I said a Mazda6. And then he responds "so it is a Mazda?" I said yes. And then he says "What model is it?" I said the 6. He asks, what year is it? 2003 (he probably thought it was some old model). Finally he typed in all the info in his terminal and to my surprise their database knew about it.
For a guy who works at Pep boys I expected him to know more about cars than the average Joe out there but unfortunately the Mazda6 must have not been advertised the way it deserves to be.
And getting back to my response from Mazda....I don't think it should take ANY LONGER than necessary, which is what she said:
it is simply taking a little longer than necessary to produce all of the requested vehicles.
Yes - I'm now picking apart their answers. <sighhhhhh>
And I see the Redfire in my neighborhood occasionally.
Our paper test drove a MT M6s for a month. I know they're out there somewhere. In fact, Edmunds' car was a MT too.
I feel so bad for folks that can't get the car the way they like...
It's awesome to be driving around in just the car you wanted.
Also, while washing again this weekend I have to say that after three months the paint is just perfect. I see a small scratch in the driver's side door... but NO primer is showing through.
My Impala showed white (under the blue) with every little chip...
I'm sure liking the quality of paint on the M6.
Allow me to rant...
I know that awards recipients know they won a little while before they make the award public, so there's time to do any marketing support for it, read as ADVERTISING. Who hasn't seen an ad for the WRX or Accord, or whatever stating it was a Car and Driver Top 10? Where is Mazda marketing!
Even one or two :15 sec spots would be good, but advertising has gone into hibernation and it's not even cold anymore! Talk about going dark! Please, Mazda execs... free up just a bit more money (but don't take any from R & D!) to give to sell your hottest product on TV. Tell the people about what C & D or Motor Trend has glowingly said...tell the people about all the awards... tell them about the NHTSA ratings... it's all good!
Americans are content with their middle of the road Accords, and Camrys. Efficient, reliable, mainstream transportation with the driving experience of a bed of salad greens.
Americans could learn a few things from our European friends. Just don't let that "terrorist" stuff get in the way.
Mark.
Currently, Mazda is looking into having the Navigational System
available for the 2004 model. At this time, no official specification
information is available. We should have more information on the 2004
model towards end of this year.
2.Did the top marketing manager get fired from his job because of the Mazda6 sales and the way the options are badly made?
As for your other questions, please understand the only current running
ad spots are for the MAZDA6i. Regarding internal employee structure,
please keep in mind we can never divulge this type of information to
the public, even it it were true. The MAZDA6 wagon and hatchback
versions will be available in the first quarter of 2004.
When I see car ads on TV they are usually a silver car on a twisty road. One has to wait for the close shot to see the make and model. Very confusing to say the least. Probably, most viewers do not even look because there are so many silver cars everywhere you go. Reminds me of a friend who thinks all cars should be white (then he buys a black car), figure that out.
Talk about the herd mentality -- silver is IT. Must be the same reason all house painters drive white vans and all pickup truck commercials,except Dodge, are silver.
fowler3
Ah yes, so often we just say "it's the herd mentality", but you said it so much more elegantly.
price is negotiable.
;-)
I'm sure folks here will help you out, though!
Edit - oh look, chikoo has already posted.
I think I've seen a total of 5 different 6's here in Nashville, TN. On the one hand I like that it's still somewhat of a rare car and I try to wave to the other drivers as we pass one another (it always seems like I'm passing them going the other way. Maybe we're all to quick to catch one another going the same way!
On the other hand, I agree that it's somewhat annoying when I tell people that I drive a Mazda 6 and they have no idea what I'm talking about and often ask what year it is (even if I say it as "I have the new Mazda 6"). It's also annoying that there are no pure Mazda dealers in the area here (or in Memphis). It's all Mazda/Mitsubishi or Mazda/Nissan dealers. So, even when I go to the dealer, the mechanics aren't too much help.
what can I say? WE LIKE 'EM BIG!!!!
I think I've seen a total of 5 different 6's here in Nashville, TN. On the one hand I like that it's still somewhat of a rare car and I try to wave to the other drivers as we pass one another (it always seems like I'm passing them going the other way. Maybe we're all to quick to catch one another going the same way!
On the other hand, I agree that it's somewhat annoying when I tell people that I drive a Mazda 6 and they have no idea what I'm talking about and often ask what year it is (even if I say it as "I have the new Mazda 6"). It's also annoying that there are no pure Mazda dealers in the area here (or in Memphis). It's all Mazda/Mitsubishi or Mazda/Nissan dealers. So, even when I go to the dealer, the mechanics aren't too much help.
1. Did they charge you for installation, and if so, how much?
2. Was the part in stock or did they have to order it? If ordered, how long did it take?
3. If ordered and you had to bring your 6 back for installation, how long did it take them to put it on? Did they give you a loaner car?
Thanks!
I'm thinking about the Lip Spoiler. The other is too much for me. My Steel Grey 6s does not have the 1SE package. I did install the Sport Grill. IMO the Sport Grill is a must install. The Lip Spoiler would be just enough to distinguish the rear deck, as well as maintain the Stealth Aspect I enjoy.
Most people like the 1SE package. I'm one of the few who simply loves the clean lines.
Good Luck,
Mark.
The lip spoiler seems less noxious to me than the regular one. If I took off the one that comes with the sport package, would the lip spoiler be mounted in those same holes?
Thanks all.
Parks Mazda, in High Point,NC, got in a 6i in Sepang Green some time ago. I photographed it to send to people wanting to know what Sepang looks like. Hard color to photograph. Went back a week later, when the day was bright and sunny, to take more pics -- the dealer had installed the big spoiler which "comes with the Sport Package". The 6i did not have the Sport Package. I was surprised how well the paint matched, but it did look funny on the regular 6i.
Between the crazy options packaging Mazda is doing and what dealers are ordering and bolting to cars, I can see why people don't want what is on the lot. What could buyers say when friends ask about their oddball configurations?
fowler3
Thanks everyone for the comments on US 6 sales. I know it's all been rehashed and re-rehashed here, but it all adds up when you consider Americans' image consciousness, need for bigness, and lack of car enthusiasm; plus Mazda's poor advertising and naming, bad build combinations and lack of availability (Marla--that sucks! I know how long you spent deciding what to order; what a letdown to wait indefinitely). Not that the 6 will ever approach the sales of the Camcords, of course. I still think that the hatch and wagon availability would help, and I'm optimistic that there'll be some trickle-over effect with the 6 being such a hot seller in Europe and Australia (and Japan?).
The thing I am most mad about being an American is how many people are overweight in this country, reality TV shows, and are mainstream music is at its lowest point ever. When we will wake up? Did the economic boom of the late 90's make us like this? Before 1997 Tv wasn't garabage and many people weren't driving SUV's and mainstream music was actually pretty good.
Like most of you, I agree that the 6 is a terriffic looking car that handles well. When the time comes to buy, it is high on my shopping list. But, also like most of you, I am something of a car enthusiast. That seems to be the 6's niche.
I am getting tired of those here who bash people who decide to buy Accords and Camrys . Guess what? They are great cars. If it turns out that I think that an Accord or Camry will suit my needs more than a 6, that's what I'll buy. Sure, the Mazda handles great, but what good is that when you spend a half hour every day idling in line at the elementary school parking lot, then driving home bumper to bumper?
I have owned a 626 and RX-7 in the past and they were good cars. That is why I would be willing to give the 6 a try. But, a lot of people have never owned a Mazda, so for them the 6 is a big gamble. Right now, most folks don't have money to gamble. They'd rather play the "sure thing": Honda or Toyota. No, they may not be enthusiasts, but that is no reason to deride their decision to buy the car they believe will give them the best service and value.
In time, if the 6 lives up to its potential, more of them will select the 6. By the way, I believe the hatch and the wagon are going to fly off the lots. They offer versatility that the CamCords don't. If you want to bash someone, bash Mazda for not having the hatch and wagon available from Day 1.
Scottdude....Most dealers are charging anywhere from $400-595 for a dealer installed wing spoiler.
Captb...you wrote..."I have discovered through the 800 Customer Service that Mazda stopped accepting new orders after 5/1/03 but never told the dealers".......This is not correct. mazda informed all the dealers during the last allocation period. I posted the complete details here on Edmunds weeks ago. Mazda cust service people often don't have a clue. They seem to tell people anything. To say the dealers were never informed is pure 100% fiction.
So none has been spared.
We like the MZ6, but we do not like MNAO mktg.
We love the country, but fail to understand why "Big is better" rules.
The first few hatches and wagons may sell well due to pent-up demand, but after that, don't count on much.