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Comments
With the exception of the first shipments, we have always had auto and stick sport package cars available. So, people are buying what they want, from our store. They are not buying the non-sport package cars because thats the only choice.
I realize that some dealers have done a terrible job of managing their inventories and they didnt have the sport package cars available for the enthusiasts who want that package.
Isn't marketing all about trying to meet customers demand?
If the customer wants a MZ6s with sports package for $21,000, then Mazda engrs should be working hard trying to figure out the right economies of scale, product innovation, productivity, et al to reach that goal. Where there is a will, there is a way. Relegating the customer to "this is what we have, take it or leave it" is not the attitude I was expecting. Sorry.
That's for sure! I was in Las Cruces, NM last week and drove a 6s manual for the first time because my local dealer had one which sold several months ago. He's got more on order (maybe they've arrived by now). The one in NM was the first one they had gotten this year and they'd only had it a couple of weeks (at least that is what I was told).
The bottom line is these guys are asking sticker for these models because they are so rare.
In my area of the Northwest I've only seen TWO non-sport Mz6. I've seen about 8 Sport. I live and work in the Portland-Metro area, so I see the bulk of traffic in Oregon (other cities are much smaller).
If the bulk of Mz6s sold were non-sport, wouldn't that be the higher percentage of what I see on the road?
(and yes, I look VERY carefully).
One nice thing that my sales guy friend at the dealer did was find out what car she wanted for the test drive. She didn't care about the sport package, and wanted a v6 with automatic. They had plenty of those to test drive, and dozens of I models. They had one black S model Sport-package 5-speed available too, but it had only been there 2 days and the sales guy said it wouldn't last long.
Also, the fact that non-sport package models already have incentives is very telling.
I read a news article a couple months back which quoted a mazda executive saying that the U.S. demand for a manual tranmission has exceeded their estimates by 50% and the demand for the sport package has exceeded their estimates by 67%.
Maybe there are more people like me out there than we think...of course, though I am a big fan of the Mazda 6, even I am not going to help it's sales numbers.
Why spend 25 grand when I can save up a few more thousand and have 6 speeds to row in my rx-8?
there are SO MANY Mazda dealers in northern VA it's unbelievable :-)
Why only apply to non-sport cars? Shouldn't the company allow some leeway to dealers due to local tastes? My local dealer has a yellow 6s AT with Sport Package that's on his lot for a few months now. That's what I want, but it does qualify for the incentives ($1000 off and 0%-48 months). The dealer probably wants to unload it too. Why can we make a deal? I havae no car, Mazda has no sale!
Bean, 6 speeds are not a plus for me. Five is optimal, although with I once had a V8 with 3 speeds and can't recall needing more. These peaky torque curves and high-revving engines necessitate more speeds I guess, but I don't see them as a plus.
one thing that people in the car biz dont realize...nothing sells like a "deal". I offer stong deals on a car and most buyers don't care if its pink with purple flames....We have seen some buyers this month completely bail on factory order sport package cars to get zero percent and owner loyalty....
About alot Mazda dealers in VA Mazda's sell really good in Maryland/VA.
ashutoshsm Oct 17, 2001 8:48pm
We knew about the Mazda6 since late 2001. And the 626 was in it's lame duck year. You can't sugar coat that kind of sales performance for a brand new "improved" model.
In my opinion, you can't. Mazda is just starting to rebuild its brand image, they made some serious mistakes with regards to option packages, and their advertising and marketing for the car could stand to be improved.
These are factors that can be addressed. Its up to Mazda to actually address them. If they do, sales should improve. If they don't, sales may not.
Once again, most people have a very high opinion of the car itself, which I would argue is the most important factor for potential long-term success.
And that includes idling the plant for a while. Not to mention the Autoalliance plant has a capacity for over 250,000 cars a year. You mean of all the Mazda6's they have built, only half of them have the "correct" option mix.
Hyundai seems to be changing the Sonata yearly and they have better figures.
No one has denied that sales figures are not disappointing, at least not as far as I remember. I don't think anyone disagrees with you that the majority of the buying public is not seeking it out AT THIS TIME.
You really don't need to keep saying the same thing over and over.
Thanks.
fowler3
manual 6s
silver
bose audio
cloth interior
age: 46
Pros:
1)Love driving this car more so than any other car I have previously owned - Honda Accord, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota Camry
2)Uses regular gas
3)Bose system sounds great to me
4)Overall size is just right - not too big or
small
5)Great acceleration - more than ever needed in real-world driving
6)Handling - On ramps have never been so fun
7)Don't see one on every corner.
Cons:
1) Window fogs in the morning due to the Florida humidity - can't find a way to clear it.
2) Gas mileage is not good - probably as a result of my driving style (18-20) 90% city
3)Intolerance of slower drivers that are in front of me.
4) Wife doesn't like it - says she feels like she's on an amusement park ride when she rides with me.
BTW - The last thing I considered were sales figures when I bought this car.
This board needs some positivity. Thank you, Tsnoozer, for the 2500 mile update. I'd add some more positive comments, but I don't have my car yet. I am excited about getting it though. Let the accolades begin!
My wife and I haven't had time for us to experience a test drive from her point of view yet.
I guess I'm just more interested in owner experiences with their cars than who is selling what and how many. But your point is well taken.
I haven't posted here in a long time... my house was burglarized, and I've been tied up with insurance problems and my new security system named Kali, a Labrador / German Shepherd mix.
Also in that picture is my beautiful car, a few days after getting its 4th coat of Liquid Glass. It's still pretty clean... dirt seems to fall off after I apply that stuff, and the shine gets deeper with each coat.
So, anyway, I'll start up posting here again now. I'll give you a 5500 mile report sooner or later, I guess.
As anyone who reads the TSX v. 6 thread may have noticed, I'd been undecided between those 2 for quite a while. I realized in the past few days that my posts had turned rather stridently in favor of the 6. My decision had been made before I consciously realized it!
CL
I wish Mazda would start offering rebates. As someone else pointed out, even Toyota is offering $1000 back on the Camry. One local Toyota dealer is offering to triple that, or take $3K off the MSRP. No wonder they sell more than Mazda.
A real Carmax bot would have difficulty in here since Carmax deals mostly in used cars, and a high volume of them, and so far there have to be new Mazda6's sold for there to be used ones.
Now that cracks me up!!!LOL!!!
Pat, if I'm saying the same thing over and over, then I suppose people keep asking the same question or posting the same stuff that doesn't stand up to logical scrutiny. Every one of my posts was an ANSWER to something said before it. I don't initiate this stuff. And you know just as well as I do this whole cycle will be repeated in a few days just like it was this time.
scottdude Jun 11, 2003 1:09pm
It started around here and I stayed away from it for a while. People talked incessantly about drivel until someone actually linked logic with the facts. No amount of "niche", "recession", or "option package" excuses can stand up to critical analysis. But as usual the only person who can keep his posts on the car and not get personal is told to drop it.
You won't see any used 6's with Carmax because no respectable 6 owner would ever want to sell their car.
If the resale value is right, I'd gladly trade it in for an RX-8! As with any new car though (even a Lexus, Honda, BMW, or Volkswagon), first-year depreciation never makes this a good deal.
I've got a nick where a stone hit both the top of the grill and the hood... it matches up perfectly, chip in each. Dang stones... other than that, great.
What kind of whine goes well with cheese? I'd say one with a nice "blush". he he
If you can dish it out.....
I agree that there needs to be more positivity on the board- although I hope I didn't contribute anything to the negativity. After experiencing more transmission surges on my Golf, I've started looking at the special financing rates a little closer. I'm also learning to drive a stick (had my first lesson last weekend, which went pretty well) in hopes of truly enjoying the 6 when I eventually get one!
I also do NOT care for the chrome look, way too distracting, esp. on the sport models.
Is anyone using a bra to protect the front-end.
If you did, you would find the styling theme and maybe also the platform very very similar to a discontinued model from another auto giant.
just a thought. Do give it a shot.
Back to the MZ6 pros and cons.
Thanks! I just took it to a local body shop- they matched the paint no problem, and it cost $50. Another owner reportedly had it done for $30, even cheaper! The color is a pretty darn good match, too.
The more I read in this forum, the more I get the impression that the MZ6 is a re-incarnation of the MX6, which is a GOOD thing; of course with some technology updates. My 88 was the the best handling car I've ever owned; even better than a couple of Fiat Spyders, an MG1100 and my current MB.. I can hardly wait to be in the market for a new MX6s...
Re: discussions on other makes, pricing/discounts, and "waiting for delivery" messages, if the H***** and C**** notes were eliminated, there would be 40% fewer posts. And if no one told us they were waiting for delivery that would eliminate another 15%. Then maybe it wouldn't take a half hour a day to catch up on the postings here. I'd vote to retain **some** discussion on pricing and discounts since that is a big factor in any car buying decision, along with the performance/safety/reliability issues.
Stretchsje: Was it necessary to do anything to the chrome before the paint was applied. Like rough it up with emery cloth or something ? The car looks great with that painted mustache. Great looking dog too..
Yes, it had to be heavily sanded, but the body shop took care of all that.
And thanks 'bout the dog. We like her
Does anyone else experience this?
Of course, I can't get them to do it EVERY time... so taking it to the shop is probably a waste of time.
Basically. I "roll" (what would be the 21st century term for that??) them down. Leave them a bit, then when I roll them back up they make a sticking noise and sort of hesitate.
I think the Mz6 is better insulated than any other car I've owned. Could it just be the noise of the glass moving by the insulation?
If nobody else hears this noise, then I'll just know I'll have to take it in at some point.
Pulling is easier than pushing, so windows go up more slowly than they go down, but they shouldn't stick.
CL
sigh.
The dealer returned me the changer that has been pulled out along with the panel part and the installation manual. I don't think that
I will ever want to put it back, so if anyone is interested in upgrading their Mazda6 cd player (in case it's not a Bose package equipped model) with a 6CD changer - let me know - you can find my email by my user profile.
This may or may not help the 0-60 time, but it helps cars with low torque "feel" faster and also helps around town with lower speed driving.
I really wish my Protege had a 6 speed tranmission, because Mazda has geared the transmission very low for that awesome low speed "oomph" that I love, but cruising at 70+ in 5th gear is a buzzy affair. I wouldn't want it any different in the lower gears, but a 6th gear would make the high speed ride alot quieter.
This is why I fell in love with the Pro in the first place...even though it did not have a horsepower advantage over other cars I test drove (corolla, civic EX, sentra), the low gearing and sharp handling made it feel so much more fun that even my passenger mother in law commented about it. And she is the epitomy of someone who just wants A to B transportation.