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Comments
The ABS option on the mazda6 also includes EBD (electronic brake-force distribution) which essentially allows a computer to help maximize the caliper force on all four disc wheels, thus probably leads to shorter stopping distances too. So I personally prefer the ABS option than not.
ABS with Active Brakes and EDB are the best of both worlds. There have been studies that have shown non-ABS stopping shorter than ABS on gravel or sand. I don't know about you buy 99.9% of my driving is done on (sometimes) nicely paved roads free from gravel. Given that, I'm not sure why anyone would not want ABS. It can save you a collision in inclement weather.
They don't even use 50% of the car's handling and acceleration capabilities 99% of the time and don't care about them. Most don't derive much pleasure from driving their cars past when it is brand new. Many don't know how much HP their car has and don't care. A good number seem to want 6 cylinders no matter what the power and torque capabilities. And they don't care what the car looks like so long as they don't think it's really ugly--e.g. worse than the Accord as there are already so many on the road it must be above most people's ugly tolerance.
They buy something that will sound good when they tell their friends they got a new car. And most of all they don't want to make a mistake--everyone knows someone that bought a car they wish they hadn't and they don't want to be them.
Price and name, that's it. Tough for most of us on this board to understand. After all, I spend 1.5 hours commuting a day, I'm going to enjoy that time
I emailed Mazda and asked will the Mazda6 get NAV for 2004 and she said 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.
Thanks in advance!
I'm not sure what that means. If it means doing illegal and dangerous acts on public roads, that is a sign of dangerous driver. BTW what prestige? A car doesn't have prestige, it has a reputation, both good and bad. I bought my Bimmer for it's reputation of performance, sophistication and quality. Quality, for those who quote CR,at least for me. No unscheduled service visits in 1.5 years, no squeaks or rattles, no issues. Total maintenance: $0.
Also to your other point, I have second hand experience with Hondas that have below average reliablity.
I also got free roadside assistance for the term of the extended warranty(with an 1-800 number).
As was mentioned above, no. Our Escape (and the Tribute for that matter) have the "Auto" feature and I just assumed the 6 would be the same. Oh well, it was worth a shot.
I'm actually very shocked that the 6 does not have it but it's definitely not a deal breaker. It's a pretty common feature from what I've seen. Even the ZX5 we drove had it.
You can take some classes taught by pro drives in Braking and Steering and Driving lines etc. There are 4 timed tracks where you will be literally throwing a Mazda6 through the course. It is a great chance to drive Mazda's car harder than you might drive your own (or a test drive car).
There will also be a test track with a variety of other Mazda cars.
PLUS... They will have 2 RX-8 Hand made cars there that you can actually, sit in and crawl around in the back seat etc. They will even start the engine for you so you can hear her ZOOM.
Entrance to the event is FREE. The classes and timed trials are $39 on Saturday and Sunday (and your times are rated in the National contest) but if you want to do them for FREE, just tell them I sent you on a VIP pass on FRIDAY ONLY from 8-6.
Friday is NOT open to the public and is reserved for Mazda employees and any VIP guest with a referral. Everything you need to tell them (to be a VIP) is in my profile email address.
I wish I could go but my 17 year old cannot drive the events or even rided as a passanger. He would be too green with envy to watch me. Don't forget to tell us about your experience behind the wheel.
In my 150 mile radius, there are 58 6Is with a MT. Of those, only three(!) have ABS. One is fully loaded (too expensive), one has the appearance package (not worth the money), and one I MIGHT consider if I had to buy right now.
If I had a suggestion for Mazda (based solely on my personal preference), it would be to make ABS more available. The Protoge5 has an easily available ABS + Side Air Curtain package... I like that. Or perhaps pair it with the Sports Package - that would seem logical, and I doubt someone would NOT buy the sports package because of the ABS.
While I won't say the lack of ABS is a grievous error, since it seems most people don't care about safety in the US, I can say I really hope they make ABS more available in the 2004 model. Or I will have to look elsewhere.
hokiedog: This is a really picky point, but the Protege5 has a package with ABS and side airbags for the front seat, which protect your torso. It doesn't include side curtain airbags (which are available on the 6), which are for the front and back seat and protect your head from SUVs crashing though your window. I totally agree with your comments, and they should package ABS with SAB/SCA on the 6, just to simplify things a little. auida8q, who is a Mazda dealer, swears that very few people want to pay for safety features and that's why it's hard to find a 6 with the airbag options.
A friend, on the other hand, just got a new Ford Escape, and she didn't want to the pay the extra $300-something dollars for the side airbags. To each their own I guess.
journalists from 22 countries voted the Mazda RX-8 RENESIS
engine "International Engine of the Year." In fact Mazda's new
rotary garnered nearly 30% more points than the next
closest contender.
CLICK BELOW FOR DETAILS:
http://www.adm02.com/rx8engine/static/rx8engine.asp?cid=1169&- mid=1389
Job#1 on the H/B is Feb 2004 and Job#1 on the wagon is March 2004. Assuming no initial production glitches the cars should be on the dealers lots 6-10 weeks later.
;-)
Any word yet on base prices? If/how much they'll differ from the sedans?
But... it just really makes no sense to name this car "6".
I went to get the M6s' oil changed for the first time yesterday. I went to a local chain place that has done my cars for about 6 years now. Always polite, always quick and always do a great job.
I pull in and the young woman starts putting stuff in the computer. I say "This is my brand new baby, so take good care of her!" and the woman smiles and types some more. Then she says "Protege5 right?"...
"No, it's a Mazda 6" I get a stare... More typing. "Hmmm, Not a Protege?"
"No" i say "It's a 6.. sorta like the 626, but a new vehicle to Mazda this year" She types some more. "I don't show a 626 for 2003"
"No" i say, "They stopped making them in 2002 in favor of the 6. This car has been for sale since December... you've not had one come through?"
She shakes her head and goes into the office to get a book. Thumbs through the book. (I'm thinking the book looks older than my car, probably not in there). Then she calls for a manager guy.
He says "Protege5?"
NOOOOO, I say. It's a 6!
He says "Protege6???" ARRRRGGTGG..
Finally they get a different book and it looks newer and they decide which filter I need and type stuff into the computer probably minus the actual make of the car...
Seriously. This car has been around (more or less) since Dec. I saw my first ad for it during NFL playoffs. This basically means folks who bought early might even be on their second oil change... sigh. Similar to insurance companies. Geiko when I first called listed me as a 626, but had it changed by the time I got my cards... but that was THREE months ago...
It happened to me so many times.
Is this the reason that people buy CamCords? :-)
Exactly! How many buyers and prospective buyers have you seen looking under the hood or down on their knees looking at the new rear suspension? None I'll bet!
Carguy and audia8q: Not necessarily!! I use to buy Buicks when I was in my 30's ('61 Skylark, '63 Riviera, '68 Riviera) and 40's ('72 Riviera). But for the past 30 years I have been buying German (BMW, Audi, VW) and Japanese cars (Toyota, Honda), my current car is a 2001 Protegé and I am 72.
As for Buicks, a neighbor took me to the dentist, Tuesday, (because I had to be heavily sedated in advance for oral surgery) in her Buick. What a miserable car that was just to ride in! Wallowed all over the place.
My first car was a 4-cylinder 1939 Willys. Anybody know what Willys eventually became?
fowler3
fowler3
As far as Buick is concerned the Japanese and Eurpoeans weren't big players in the auto industry in the 60's. Totally different time. Nobody in their 20's is going to buy a Buick in 2003. I know Bob Lutz wants to reinvent Buick but that's a challenge in itself. Gm has broght back Cadillac and is now ready to bring Pontiac back up. I think to bring back Buick that is going to be more of a challenge than bringing Pontiac and Cadillac back.
And Pat_Host, don't say I am stereotyping here, I see these folks every evening when I go to J&S myself.
fowler3
Said he didn't care for the color on this particular car. I have yet to see it in person.
fowler3
As for safety features, my dealer has also told me that most people aren't terribly interested in them. It appears that in my area Bose was quite possibly the most popular option that people were specifically wanting. He made it sound like he lost a couple of sales because of it...
Anyway, fowler- you bought those Buicks before imports became popular, so I'm not surprised that you were a 30-something Buick owner. Besides, the Buicks of the 60's were pretty hot, and the imports of that era were about as big as sardine cans. Today's auto market is much more diversified, and I can't say that there are many of the younger generation choosing a Buick over sportier alternatives. When your generation passes on, I wonder if Buick will disappear like Oldsmobile is.
PS- here's what your Willys evolved into...
CL
anyone good at photoshop? fowler?
On the opposite side of the sightings spectrum, I am surprised at how many Altima's I see... probably at least 3 a day! Are they giving these cars away?
I also have to comment on the Sepang Green discussion. I was all set to get the Lapis Blue until I saw a Sepang Green with beige leather interior and loved the rich, upscale look. so my initial order was for a loaded Sepang 6 with the beige leather and the appearance package. I later changed this to the Sport package, mainly because I wanted the SAB/SAC option, but also because I liked the look of the Sport package and I wanted most of the features that came with it. Plus, I felt that the black interior would look better with the silver dash than the beige did. I wasn't too sure about the 17" wheels and black leather (I'm still preparing myself to adjust to the black leather in the summer) but felt it was a worthwile choice to get all the other features that come with the Sport package.
Having gone with the Sport route and seeing a few Lapis Blue MZ6's on the road, I decided that I would really prefer the blue. It was my first choice color initially (and my overall favorite color) and I felt that it was a "sportier" color that would work better with the Sport Package, sport grille, etc. The more I thought about it, the idea of getting my car in Sepang green faded in appeal. It actually "grew off" me. So I had the dealer change my order to Lapis Blue. After all these iterations and changes, I believe that I am getting the best car for me, color and options. I'm happy with my final decision, although I wish it hadn't taken so much time and energy to get to this point. I still think that the green is a pretty color, but I like the blue better. To each his own, I guess.
A while back, there was some discussion about how people who drive certain brands of cars would not "step down" to Mazda. While a friend of mine just bought a Speed Yellow 6s Sport last week. She lucked out and found what she wanted on the lot. She's coming from a Volvo S40. So much for that theory. Although I'm a bit jealous that she got her car before me, when I've obsessed over the 6 so much longer than she has. LOL That yellow looks awesome too. I liked the color more than I thought I would. It's an excellent color for a car like the 6.
Hopefully, I'll be driving my blue beauty next month. I'm excited and can't wait. Don't let me down, Mazda! Please!! I'm ready to zoom-zoom with the rest of the MZ6 owners. :-)
it's almost like looking at a 'grown up' MP3 :-)
if you want green and sport, there is only but one color: british racing green :-)
with tan leather of course