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Comments
Very sad.
Mark.
Talk about having faith in a greater power!!
Mark.
Great prices at mazdastuff and it takes 3 min to install.
Mark.
Sometimes we need to be reminded that if I am the one spending the money, I'll will buy what I want for my own reasons, even if the reason is solely automotive press.
Kids do kick the seats from behind every now and then, especially when u are "Transporting" them(akin to POWS) when they don't want to and would rather be playing outside. But continuous kicking? Now there is something wrong there. What is wrong? That you will have to figure that out between you and your kid.
But I think If I had a kid that kicks my seat a lot,not matter how much I train, I would buy a car that is so cramped that he does not get ANY space to swing his legs. That way all he can do is maybe push the seats a little. OR maybe get a van with sliding seats and make him/her seat 3 feet away.
No insults are intended. This subject is not in the scope of the topic at hand and each situation is unique and requires extreme detailed study before shooting off the mouth. Whatever I said was based upon the limited expererience of my kid and my friends and brothers kids.
So far it's the only Mz6 I've seen looking bad. The others I've seen have ALL been sports (see Mazda?? wonder why that is???) and they've all looked good, clean and sharp.
So, the Steel Grey DOES get dirty, if you treat it badly.
I find my SG looks very good, even after a rain. But waxing helps that stuff roll off.
- Mark
I was simply pontificating about the lack of discipline in general in our society...which most likely starts when we are kids. I'm sorry that you took it personally. We all have different rules, if you don't care that the back of your car seat gets plastered with whatever the latest goop hanging off your kids shoes, then that's your prerogative.
By the way, there are a heck of a lot of kids out there that end up surviving, but they are certainly do not become productive members of society. We all have to answer for our own mistakes...
This is my last off-topic message on the subject...maybe Parents magazine has a forum (-;
At full MSRP, a Mazda6s equipped comparably to the TSX runs close to $27K. It's not a fair comparison to price a base-model 6s with the TSX.
PS. And I think you're right about the looks of the 6- it's got a nicer, more muscular appearance, especially the hood.
PPS. Also, it's actually nice that the subject matter of this discussion is more a conglomeration of opinions and car comparisons and positive ownership experiences than questions about car defects and other problems as on some other discussions.
Someone buying that car obviously didn't want a TSX. That's like comparing the 6 to any "entry-lux" vehicle. You have to pay the price.
That person would be just as happy in an Accord LX or even a Altima. The TSX is for those that want a little "more" than just a conveyance.
Also if a majority of Mazda6 buyers want the 4 cyl premium pack car, then what has all this talk about lack of sales because of not enough V6's. Those two ideas are total opposites. Even the Mazda6 supporters don't know exactly where this car fits in.
The Altima isn't for everybody because of the torque steer and the loud engine. The Accord's styling is very controversal. Maybe they felt the 6 was just the right car for them.
And someone cross-shopping a TSX and Mazda 6 is absolutely going to want the sport package 6. If they didn't, they'd be a the Honda dealer shopping an Accord against the 6, rather than a TSX.
There is no way around it: The TSX and the Mazda 6s are VERY CLOSE in performance, specs, and price. You can find rationales for liking either one over the other, but they are very competitive with one another in all aspects.
- Mark
Sure, the majority want the 6i/AT/Premium combo. That leaves the minority that might want a 6i w/Sport, or 6s (either AT or MT), and this is where Mazda is losing sales due to unavailability. Maybe the reason you see opposites here is that Mazda6 buyers a more diverse bunch than Accord buyers. Why would a car have to only fit one type of buyer? Though I would buy the Mazda6 in 6s-MT or 6i-MT trim because of it's "sportiness", I could see where somebody else might buy a 6i-AT because it's an affordable, practical family car. That doesn't confuse me.
A couple of weeks ago I have a new reason for not wanting the sport package. At the mazda rev-it-up event, almost all of the drivable cars with sport package and rear spoiler integrated brake lights had most of the LED lights out, I think the spoiler and the lights are very poor quality if most of them are already going out and these cars have less than 10k miles on them.
Seems like the sports package was designed by a different group of engineers than the car itself. I always have the option of upgrading my own aftermarket 17" wheels if I wanted to later for less. But if you like the mazda 17" wheels, the underspoilers, and rear spoiler, then you're getting a deal by getting the sport package, but none of it appeals to me personally.
There are allot of posts on the Mazda6/Attenza site on color, and hundreds of other items, but I can't link it from here. : ) People seem pleasantly surprised with the color for the most part.
I will admit however that I wash my 6 twice a week at a minimum in the evening with a soft sponge, lamb skin chammy, and lot's of TLC. Plus it's garaged. So I don't see as much dirt as some may see.
Mark. : )
I never heard of torque steer problems with the 4 cyl auto Altima. Not much of a problem there.
I'm not going to comment further on the TSX issue since there is a forum already made for that.
I wished I had checked out mazdastuff.com before ordering my bra from my dealer, could have save about $60. And I think, the sport grill at my dealer was some crazy $499 [not sure] but way too expensive.
Acura does something very similar with the Honda Civic in Canada. They market it as an Acura 1.7 EL.
I also happen to think that its a trifle disengenious to fill up your "luxury" brand with rebadged versions of cars from your "down market" brand, but who am I to argue with success. Infiniti has made a fortune doing it for years.
carguy: tsx starts at $27K with only the NAV as an option. with the NAV it's $29K.
Mark.
I have a break down of the MZ6 sales so far and they are 65% 4 cyl, 94% auto trans and non-sport package. Remember, as a dealer I worry about the majority of buyers...You forget that the enthusiast who post on edmunds DO NOT represent the typical car buyer...I don't know why the people on here refuse to accept or understand this bit of reality.
anyone on here is welcome to spend a few days in my showroom and you can see what real live people are buying...forget what people are threatening to buy or what people who have no intention of buying are posting on edmunds...I mean the ones who are actually buying and taking delivery....you will quickly see that what is being posted about the MZ6 on this board is not representative of what real world buyers are buying.
If it was up to most edmunds posters the MZ6 would only be available with a stick and a sport package. There is nothing wrong with this, it just does not represent what most buyers of the MZ6 want. Since we have Acura also, I was able to see how many people are cross shopping products....so far, neither store has documentented a consumer who is shopping the MZ6 vs. TSX....I'm sure some people are looking at both, but the huge majority of real live buyers comparing the MZ6 to the Accord and Altima.
Also do a lot of people buy from your inventory or do they take first grabs at cars in transit or custom order?
Any news on the '04 models?
Our salespeople take the time to present both sport and non-sport package cars and it seems most decide to buy the non-sport package. It's not because we don't have them.
Still more junk from those that expected a Camry beater. It is selling way better than the old 626.
"You forget that the enthusiast who post on edmunds DO NOT represent the typical car buyer...I don't know why the people on here refuse to accept or understand this bit of reality."
Good to see real world posts, instead of some "know it all" who "thinks" ALL cars on a dealer's lot should be manual trans sport machines. And those that still think the 6 should be a near full sized car like the bloated Accord.
Mark.
I recently visited a dealership and saw one sport package model, and it had an automatic. If I were shopping there, I wouldn't be able to get a 6s sport package model, even though that's what I'd want. Instead, I'd settle on a non-sport 6i manual or something...
I think your statistics are both relavent and skewed.
Much of what a dealer does or doesn't sell depends on the inventory available.
Yes, I've long wondered what audience he sells to. Being in Connecticut and Florida (I believe), those are rich-people and old-people territories. Are they more likely to buy non-sport automatics?
I'll admit, I'm not exactly a driving enthusiast. I'm in Mazda's "target market"--educated, late 20's, middle-income. I look for a car that has excellent styling, reliability, respectable handling, and power when needed. Since I drive in bumper-to-bumper traffic 95% of the time, extra power is not needed. The Mazda's handling triumphs over its competitors, and the car has excellent fit and finish. The Altima's turnoffs include a choppy ride and the "sea of plastic" syndrome. The Accord is too expensive and is prone to being stolen in its later years. And, let's face it, the Camry is an "old persons car." What really sold me on the Mazda was the special financing offers.
One problem with Mazda currently is the lack of a dealer network. Mazda is one of the few automakers to have only one dealership in the Salt Lake Valley. I have had a few problems with my car since delivery (all cosmetic, and I suspect were caused by dealership personnel), and the dealership has taken a "who cares?" attitude towards me. Unfortunately, the next dealership is over 20 miles away. Mazda customer service has been very sympathetic and helpful during the whole ordeal, and while I enjoy my car and do not regret buying it, if I had to re-do my purchase, I don't know if I would buy another Mazda.
Anyway, just my .02 worth.
Of course, I visited the Mazda exhibit. Twice. Things that stood out were: a 1967 Mazda Cosmo, a few RX7's from the 70s, 80s and 90s, as well as a couple of concept cars, the MX Sportif (resembles the P5) and the Mazda Washu, which looks like a cool, futuristic version of the MPV. They had the RX8 and the 6 on display with the other current models. There were 3 Mazda 6's, 2 non-sport and 1 sport model. The sport model was indoors and seemed to attract a sizable amount of interest, especially given the fact that there were 2 RX8's nearby.
Experiencing the Ford Centennial celebration, and seeing all the great cars that they have made in the past, gave me a new appreciation for all that they have accomplished over the years. Those classic cars were just beautiful, like works of art. Henry Ford truly made a huge impact on the world and changed the face of transportation forever. We look at Ford's problems now and in all the criticizing and slamming, we forget the rich heritage and impressive history that is there. Maybe you had to see it for yourself, but I have a new respect for Ford's legacy and I hope that they turn it around.
I think that the Mazda6 may be instrumental in a comeback for Ford, as they are planning to build several cars based on its excellent platform. That's a great start IMHO. But only time will tell.
I am even more convinced that I'm buying the right car for me. I just can't wait until it gets here. I admit that it still feels a bit strange to let go of my Camry, but I'm sure I'll get used to it once I start driving my MZ6.
There seem to be more 6's around town lately. I think that more people are buying them now that the weather is warm. And the more people see them, I think sales will increase. There's been a lot of talk on this board about sales. I think that by releasing the 6 in the winter, Mazda hurt sales. I, for one, didn't even want to test drive it until spring. Most people prefer to buy cars in the spring or summer. I think that sales will increase now that the weather is warm.
On the other hand, although I want to see Mazda do well, I'm not hung up on sales numbers. I'm buying a 6 because I like it and I don't care whether 100 or 100,000 people buy it as well. I don't need huge numbers of other buyers to validate my decision or convince me that I made the right choice. That was not a factor when I bought my Camry and it's not a factor now. It's just not necessary for me.
Nor do I really care how competing vehicles are selling in comparison to the 6. I have a lot of respect for the Camry and the Accord, although I'm not crazy about their current styling. And if I wasn't set on buying a 6, I would seriously consider the Altima. They are all excellent cars and it's great that they are doing well in the marketplace. The 6 is not as well known, but it is also a great car in its own right. They can all peacefully coexist and people can choose to buy what they want and respect other people's decisions to buy something different. No biggie.
I hope that this board gets back to more about ownership experiences and the excitement of driving the 6. That's what it's really all about for me and that's why I come here.
Looking forward to becoming a MZ6 owner in about a month ....
Don't argue with us about the options packages! E-mail Mazda! Don't give us the "value" spin, not every car purchase is based on value as much as on "desire to own". My dad use to tell me to try every car out there and buy the one I could get the best deal on, that was the only way to buy a car. Forget brand and styling, forget engine and drivetrain, forget handling -- go for the lowest price.
I never did follow that advice.
fowler3
Mark. : )
1. When a prospective buyer comes up, ask him what car he is LOOKING to buy
2. What car he finally bought
3. Why?
Simply looking at the result is not right. There are multitude of reasons why a person bought a specific config of car, and my intuition says that it has least to do with what he intended to buy.