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Comments
> side airbags and curtains is with the sport
> package (okay) AND the moonroof (NOT okay, by
> me).
John, I understand your feelings. I like the Mazda 6s and want a moonroof, side airbags and curtains, but not the Sports Package, especially the side sill extensions.
Mazda needs to do some work to simplify their options and packages. I am surprised that they require the Sports Package with things like side airbags and curtains.
Tony
I guess if we all keep complaining about the weird option packaging, MAYBE, just maybe, MazdaUSA might listen and make some changes..
I don't want a moonroof (headroom issue) but I would want the side airbags and curtains. I don't want the sport package either, maybe I'd get the appearance package, maybe not. Leather/cloth seats is a tossup. I might go for the after market leather if I can find a really good shop here in eastern Mass. that will do the leather for a good price.. And I hope the Sepang green is available for the 2004 models, if not my interest is beginning to fade somewhat. I suppose I could live with the blue or the charcoal silver (or whatever the darker silver is called?)...
MUSA, please separate the moonroof, side airbags, and sport package...
I want the Bose audio available w/o the sport pkg!
bose audio
sports package
Side airbags + curtains
????
17" Alloys (already standard on all Canadian models BUT the "base" I4 GS model (6i))
ABS w/EBFD (already standard in Canada)
Fog lights mounted in the lower 2 extremities of the bumper instead of beign housed in the headlamps
Leather-wrapped steering wheel, shifter and parking brake
A/C and power windows+locks goes without saying
Re: Options
Safety Package: SAC/SAB
Stand-alone Options: Moonroof, rear spoiler (raised or lip), leather
Sport Package: Front+Rear+Side skirts (remember the spoiler is a stand-alone option)
I Can't Read a Map Package: NAV+HIDs
This should satisfy all buyers and will differentiate the M6 from the Accord and Camry (that still offer 15" steel wheels IIRC).
Dinu
http://www.osa.go.jp/anzen/html2003e/15.html
They've done what's similar to the U.S. NHTSA front and side collision tests and IIHS offset collision tests. Very good results compared to others in its class. I got side curtains in mine as an added insurance. I really hope the 2004's will have this option without all the extra stuff people don't want.
Seems not very intuitive to require the i model to have sports package just to get the safety features. My impression is that those who want the sporty look usually don't care much about safety (sports cars do not have much safety emphasis as a typical family sedan)
The Mustang should not be based on the 6 platform. I don't like that idea.
About the Sepang Green if Mazda thought it wasn't selling well they have to take that color combo out of the 6 right away. I guess Mazda doesn't want Sepang Green 6's on lots for a long period of time because the longer they are on lots Mazda has to keep on paying interests on those cars.
Personally, I don't like how they took the electroluminescent gauges and 17" alloys (on 6I) out of the sport package. So instead of paying $710 for the Sport Package on the 6I, we really are paying $1260, since the 17" wheels aren't optional. But I DO like how they bundled Side Air Bags and ABS & TCS in a package that is about the same price as the two options combined in the 2003 model. They also made the security package available in several different combos, a great thing for me.
It's interesting to note that it is MUCH easier to get side air curtains on the 6I than the 6S. Maybe they figure that people paying the extra money for a 6cyl engine aren’t really on as tight a budget (and therefore won’t be as picky about paying for a moonroof to get SAB/SAC), whereas the 6I buyer is more likely to be concerned about paying extra for options they don’t really want just so they can be protected.
I nominate you for the new National Mazda Marketing Directorship...!! That is a packaging lineup that makes sense.
(I had forgotten about the fog lights and applaud your idea of them being mounted LOW where they belong..!!)
If this is how the packages would be offered, I doubt people here will be complaining about them.
Other comments:
1. Differentiate the M6 from the run of the mill competition by having not only better styling and driving dynamics but also great option packages. Maybe help get new sales from ppl that are attracted to these packages more than what other manufacturers offer in their cars - hence get Mazda more sales = more $$$ = more cool/exciting cars.
3. Keep the prices to an affordable level, but offer better financing than H/T/N.
4. When advertising, do 2 things:
a) List ALL the awards the car won in the US/Canada ***AND*** overseas!!!
b) Compare it to the Camry/Accord/Altima w/out shame - ppl NEED to know the M6 exists and does the A->B as good as anyone else while also providing some FUN and STYLE.
Dinu
Do you have the fog lights on your M6s? I do.. and they rock! I've tried them in foggy and raining conditions. They're very helpful and illuminate the road very well. Would they work any better mounted lower in the grill? I doubt it, truly. Plus, have you not noticed how many fog lights mounted that low are broken, scratched or not working? I have... The lower, the more chance of hitting something, or having something pop up and crack them. I think Mazda's design of including them with the regular light assembly works well.
Just my opinion...
There's an active discussion about it "elsewhere"
Mark : )
Dinu
I was watching "Rides" tonight on The Learning Channel, they showed several hot rod cars including a 2002 Thunderbird they were customizing. The designer is fantastic -- he designed new alloy wheels for the T-bird, and they showed how alloys are made. If you don't like the alloys offered on the MZ6 this is an alternate. Custom made alloys cost $5000 EACH! Thought you would like to know, Dinu01.
When they paint a car -- they paint everything -- including what can not be seen. The finishes are jaw-dropping.
fowler3
The T-Bird looked MUCH better - clean lines, the frameless windshield was neat too!
As far as fog lights go, I think they should be standard and mounted in the bumper - the bumper looks like it's missing something w/out them.
Dinu
Why?
hate to buy a 6 now, and next week find out that the rebate increased to 2 grand. some of mazda's cars have 2500 and 2750 rebates right now.....
I'd say in the long run, $500 isn't going to break the bank over a long term so buy when you want to begin enjoying this car. What are the incentives these days anyway?
MZ6s - v6 - 5MT - gray leather - 10 available
compare that to
MZ6s - v6 - 5MT -black leather - 36 available
more sport packages than regular. Guess which ones will get the rebates now?
is the headliner one sturdy fabric coated piece like in VW, or is it fabric that is glued/stapled to the roof?
thanks.
the headliner is a coated one.
I also don't have any visor problems.
the left headlight beam is lower than the right. I figured it is so to prevent glare into the incoming drivers eyes.
Dinu
I'm going to take photos of the four rear bumper treatments this weekend and will find a place to post them for a link. Also, will get shots of the RX-8, the dealer has a gorgeous bright silver one with black leather trim and two red ones. One of the red ones has extra trim that screws up the RX-8's design -- silver triangle trim pieces under the grille and under the rear facia.
Mazda's problem is they design beautiful cars and can't leave it at that, they have to add unnecessary crap and screw them up. Same thing happens to amateur artists, they don't know when to stop painting and ruin their work -- quality art is done by those who know when to stop.
While you dream about your next car, drive safely this holiday weekend and we'll see you here Tuesday. For those not traveling, it would be a good time to test drive a Mazda6 for the fun of it.
fowler3
And for those of us driving a Mazda 6 places for the holiday weekend? I guess we just have the best of both worlds
fowler3
I do see more sport pckgs sitting in inventory at this point (within 50m they have 14 black, 4 gray, 3 beige)...tough, don't want to come out to be a sucker at the end.
BTW it is nice to see this board growing, only last year in September (I think) when I posted my experiences of driving 2.0L MZ6 in France, it only had few followers...now we have full blown discussion topics...keep it going and soon we shall have annual MEM (read Mazda Enthusiasts Meeting...haha)