Mazda6 Sedan

pat

Um, hmm -- thanks for cleaning up after yourselves.

;->

ickes_mobile

http://www.auto.com/industry/iwirh14_20020814.htm

johnclineii

http://detnews.com/2002/autosinsider/0208/14/a01-561592.htm

ickes_mobile

Meade - Time to trade your Protege for a Mazdaspeed Protege? I assume you have seen the review of that car in the current C/D.

I also assume everyone here has seen the pics of the A-Spec Mazda6 from the JDM website. Probably a good preview of a Mazdaspeed6! You can see them again here:

http://community.webshots.com/album/44660418kfmeCu

I finally got a good look over the Mazda6 spec put up a week or so ago. Disapointed that the rear spoiler is required with the sport package options. It may make more sense to go without the sport package and get some aftermarket wheels from the TireRack anyway. You could then use the OEM wheels for snow tires. Also, the specs list only Halogen headlights - what about the HID elements?

ambull

That was a good article about the balance between cost-savings and styling independence. I don't think anyone would want Mazda to become another Mercury, with only slight differences from Ford. I'm glad Mazda is fighting for independence of design.

mdaffron

PLEASE get rid of that starchy spoiler!!!

Meade

vocus

That spoiler is really bad! If the entire thing were touching the trunk, then it would be ok. But that way, totally ugly.

ickes_mobile

AWESOME...

fasterthanu

Still no Honda though ...

j/k.. thought I would invade this forum a bit ...

mdaffron

This isn't a comparo discussion, OK?

Meade

mazdafun

Glad Mazda's fighting the good fight (don't get all confused like Mercury!).

ickes_mobile

Actually, I think it looks more Honda like in A-Spec form than the standard Mazda6.

Mercury has never known what its supposed to be and never will. To me, its the odd duck in the pond. Volvo, which was acquired to give FoMoCo a middle class brand in Europe, fits in better as a move up product from basic Fords or performance oriented Mazdas here in the US.

tomcat630

Analysts complain that the 6 will get crowded out of the mid size market, with "only 220HP".

But, the Protoge went sporty and sales have improved, even with only 130 HP.

ickes_mobile

zero percent financing and rebates...

fasterthanu

"Actually, I think it looks more Honda like in A-Spec form than the standard Mazda6."

Well, since Mazda, um, assimilated, Honda's pentagonal grille style, I'm inclined to agree.

:-)

fasterthanu

"Analysts complain that the 6 will get crowded out of the mid size market, with "only 220HP"."

I don't agree. 220HP is PLENTY of power for a mid-size sedan. I don't think the general public is as HP-crazy as some makes want us to think. These sedans are not bought for drag-racing, at least not by the vast majority.

Most Altimas sold are of the 4-cylinder models with 175HP. Very few are of the 240HP V6s.

I think the 6 will definitely encroach on Altima sales. No doubt.

maltb

Let's face it though, there are plenty of people who just compare numbers regardless of what it does on the pavement and how it behaves under pressure. For those, the mazda6 won't be on the shopping list. Sad, truly sad.

mazda6s

"For those, the mazda6 won't be on the shopping list. Sad, truly sad."

Actually, not sad at all. I hope a lot of people DON'T like the 6, for whatever reason. Less demand means I can negotiate a lower price. I never did follow the crowd anyway.

mazdafun

...they won't be around long.

I hope they get more popular so they can continue to make fun vehicles.

kenoka

Less demand means a lower price - true. It also means lower resale value which pretty much negates any discount you get up front. If it depreciates like the current 626, the discount you get when you buy it looks pretty piddly. I hope Mazda beats its expected sales figures for this car like they have in Japan and Europe. So far they are running at double the original projections. If that happens in North America, that would be 240,000 6's. Wow!!! 8^O

regfootball

WHEN WILL IT BE OUT???????

WHEN DOES THE 6 HIT THE SHOWROOMS!!!!

wgr

Does anyone have any idea of what the pricing will be ?

kenoka

regfootball-The official release for the sedan is set for December I believe, with the hatch and wagon to follow in summer 2003.
wgr-Speculation is that there will be a modest increase over the price of the current 626. I would say 18000-23000 given the prices in Japan and Europe.

riopelle

Please drop the "starchy" use. Forever.

Thanks.

Back to the 6...

audia8q

As of today.....Here is the launch schedule

Late November-Jan...Mazda6 Sedan
first quarter 2003...RX-8
Second quarter 2003...Mazda6 Wagon and 5 Door.

maltb

who it was that took offense to the term.

riopelle

Don't know though. Maybe its a NE thing.

anywho...

tomcat630

"Less demand means I can negotiate a lower price. I never did follow the crowd anyway."

I agree, but the flip side is lower resale/trade-in. I am sure the 6 will sell way better than the old 626 and that they won't let it rot on the vine.

magnetophone

I've never even heard of that word...not sure what it means?

ickes_mobile

Care to enlighten us midwesterners (and Greeks) regarding the term and why someone might find it offensive?

taddison

I believe Meade was using the word "starchy" as a substitute for another word that is generally considered offensive to some minorities and doesn't seem to be used much on these boards any more. I believe the Irish take offence to this term, as it incorrectly sterotypes them as people who eat nothing but potatoes. But what do I know, I'm just a Brit. ;-)

Regarding the schedules, I'm glad to hear that the wagon & 5-door are slated for the 2nd quarter. That is sooner than I had previously been lead to believe. I had previously heard "summer 2003" and "late 2003".

I'm hopeful that my current car will last that long, otherwise I'll be settling for a P5...

regfootball

December is mighty long to wait for this thing.

Get the damn car on the lots already.....we've seen the images for like over a year already.

johnclineii

You can't have it both ways. Slow launches are done to attempt high quality. If they get the car out already, when it isn't all ready, then others just like you and me will gripe and complain constantly about all the niggling little, and perhaps even big, problems. This initial bad publicity could affect the car throughout its cycle. And only people like you and me have paid much attention to the Mazda6 yet. Until the launch, most people aren't even aware there IS a new Mazda coming. Probably even fewer care.

We are different. We do care. Still....

Patience is a virtue.

Let's hope it is worth our wait.

The Focus came out on time...and look what happened there!

mazdafun

This'll be a fun spring. And luckily, the current Protege/P5 will be offered as a 2003 model too so if my wife finds the 6 not to her liking, she can get a P5.

mdaffron

Meade

riopelle

No worries, and thanks for the apology.

My sister just moved to Williamsburg, VA, so I hope to coordinate a drive to see her with a MAPP sometime next summer...so we can put it behind us in person someday!

Okay, I dreamt I bought a yellow 6 hatch last night. I gotta stay off these boards!

the_big_h

MAPP (or the derivative of it, however you like to call it) is THIS September 28th!

vocus

While the Focus came out on time and was recalled, the Tribscape was late with its launch and was still recalled. I hope this car is not riddled with recalls at first like the last two cars introduced were. That would really suck. I personally can't wait to drive one, it looked pretty nice when I sat in it.

seminole_kev

If the Mazda 6 is as good an offering as it is initially looking, than I don't think a few recalls are going to be a big deal for a first year car. Granted, even if it's a recall for the sun visor being too hard of a material, some people will freak out.....those people will buy Accords and Camrys by default anyway. Despite the fact that those cars have recalls to. Basically, if the first year Mazda 6 has some recalls, go get 'em fixed with an oil change at the dealer and enjoy your car. Or just by and Accord and Camry so you won't have to worry about it....and get your recalls done with an oil change at the dealer.

I know people see this issue differently, but just my two cents.

ickes_mobile

unless its something like the suspension falling off of the Trailblazer or the steering wheel coming off the Escape, most recalls are pretty minor (and common to all makes)...

mdaffron

Having sold SIX TIMES projected sales numbers in its first month, I don't think we have much to worry about!

http://www.mazda.com/publicity/public/200207/0703e.html

Note that the 6 wagon met its monthly sales target in NINE DAYS!

Meade

seminole_kev

Well we haven't seen the U.S. version here yet have we. I believe it will be great, but you never know about how it will be built/equiped/etc.. until it is actually out. Just waiting for "our" version if you will.

riopelle

I'm out of vacation days for a while...wish I could attend. It's quite the drive from Boston though...I want to make it a leisurely tour down the coast rather than a breakneck run (although those are fun too).

verozahl

Nissan's new Altima is out and the 350Z is coming... new "6" and RX-8? You hafta wait. Is it just me, or is FoMoCo behind the scenes, making this show late??!

Well, if Mazda needs production to sell in Europe and Japan, there will be less for here... no exports. But that's what I was saying, Ford is dawdling getting Flat Rock up and running! \(>_<)/ curses and all that.

Can't wait until I can compare the New Z and the New RX next to each other. As for the "6", it's going to be a hit, and remember, the Altima was the 2002 NA COTY (Car of the Year).

Don't fear Toyota and Nissan. Honda and Mazda are coming online with new product too!

vwmonsoon

Mazda Canada announced that they are going to debut the 6 in January and market it as a 2004 model. Cars will be in the showroom in late January, 2003.

http://www.mazda.ca/eng/atmazda/press/2004MazdaPressReleasev3.pdf

magnetophone

I adore the 6. It might be my next car. But I think it won't be right up there with the Altima in sales figures because it's too small. It's more the size of a Sebring sedan than an Accord.

regfootball

what's wrong with this concept......get the car to market AND build it so its not recalled a zillion times.

At the very minimum, don't show the damn pictures of the car 2 years before it hits the market.

mazdafun

Maybe the 6 is about the same size outside, but the Sebring is one of those cars that feels a lot smaller inside than they appear from the outside.

I know. I recently had the privilege to drive a Dodge Stratus (same as the Chrysler Sebring) for 9 days straight. I hated almost every minute of it. Just enough headroom, but I had to squash down (even with the seatback tilted so I could still steer) to see out the windshield. Rear headroom is non-existent for anyone over 5'5" IMO. Trunk doesn't fit as much as you'd think (I could put more stuff into my Protege's trunk)

The 6's interior looks much better laid-out for actual people. "Optispace" methodology at work. At least some auto mfrs. realize their customers have to actually sit in their products.

adu1

I don't what it is that has people perpetuating this notion that the 6 is so small. I'm fairly sure that previous posts in the board (or maybe is was the 6 vs. Accord board) have shown that the 6 and Accord are VERY similar in interior dimensions. And ALL the European tests I've read have noted the good interior room in the 6. Just because the 6 LOOKS lean and lithe doesn't mean that it's lacking in room!

johnclineii

And just where did you see pictures of the Mazda6 in December of 2OOO?

Manufacturers, especially when they are changing a vehicle as radically as the transformation from 626 to Mazda6, want to get the buzz started and whip up excitement!