Mazda6 Sedan

zeong

I called the Mazda dealer and the salesman said it's expecting the 6 to be in by November. I want to test drive the difference between the 6cyc and 4cyc.

mazda6s

I always cringe when I hear somebody say a dealer told them something. Seems dealers provide some of the most unreliable information of any source. But, since we have gotten some unverified info that production starts October 21, it's possible that we could actually see them at dealers in November. Now we need to find somebody that lives near the Flat Rock plant and can spot them in the holding areas before they ship! Of course, if they can get photos that's even better.

audia8q

ok...job one is Oct 21, 2002
and as of today the Mazda6 order bank is now open!!! My initial order will be 30-35 cars.

also, a few more tid-bits.
In Europe the number one and two trade ins are Audi and BMW.

Rich

mazdafun

Thanks for the info. Appreciate it.

And it is interesting which are the top two trade-in marquees in Europe.

mazda6s

Can you give us any info on what you're getting, as far as models, equipment, etc.? With the simplified models, they've made it a lot easier, but we still have some questions. For example, are there any constraints on getting the side air curtains, and are there any requirements as far as option combos? We've seen the spec sheet, but as we all know, sometimes reality is different from spec sheets.

ashutoshsm

So are you talking about top 2 trade-in marques for the Mazda 6, or of all cars at all dealerships in general?

It would be hilarious if people were trading in their A4's and 3-series for the Mazda 6 all over the place

audia8q

The November production mix is...
65% I-model
35% S-model

There is a good mix for the initial shipment but specific restrictions have not been mentioned, yet. But as some of you know Mazda will only allow us to order cars certain ways..even thought the brochures imply differently.
I would be glad to fax over the ordering spec guides (which show the only ways we can order) for somebody to post on here...

My initial orders will be with as many options as possible. No AD cars and no price leaders

mazda6s

Cool, over 1/3 are 6s models! Are there are any other requirements as far as getting the side air curtains? For example, can you order a 6s MT with Sport Package, cloth interior, and side air curtains? Please say YES!

I hope somebady can get the ordering guide faxed. Would you be able to email it?

jjpeter

Of the production run, what % will be 2.3 liter vs. 3.0 liter? Automatics vs. 5 speeds?
Thanks!

audia8q

ok..the manual tranny will limit you.

the Auto-Trans can be spec'd 12 different ways..the manual is only available 4 ways.

So, if you want a Mazda6s with the side air curtains, manual tranny and sport pkg....you must also get comfort pkg (heated seats),moonroof, leather pkg and bose pkg.

dudleyr

Oh nooooo! Not another forced moonroof. Can you get a manual tranny 4-cyl with just leather, and no other options? I think I know the answer already. It will probly only get worse with the wagon, which is what I really want. Sigh!!!

Wish we could order cars just how we want them.

ashutoshsm

... 4 cylinder sedan with cloth, sport package, manual transmission? With side airbags perhaps? ABS not essential, but would I have a choice? What unwanted accessories would I be forcibly saddled with and charged for ?

Do you also already have the hatchback/wagon ordering guides?

mazdafun

Maybe with the side air bags and ABS option. No moonroof, CD-changer or any "luxury" options for me.

audia8q

if somebody can post the order spec sheets here, i would be glad to fax the 4 pages to them. (I don't have a scanner)..email me your fax #
audia8q@aol.com.

dudley...no 4 cyl, stick with just leather..it requires, premium, comfort, sport, moonroof and lether packages..sorry.
With a 4 cyl, stick the only stand alone option is the Premium package.

vocus

Here Mazda goes again, making the consumer buy stuff to get something they want. That is so not fair! They say the 6's interior design was patterned after the benchmark VWs. Why couldn't they pattern the options sheets after VWs as well?

jjpeter

What is included with this option? I'd like: stick, power stuff, sunroof, NO leather, 17" wheels, AM/FM cassette + CD, ABS in the 5 door hatch.

Am I dreaming? Most likely! Just about EVERY maker of cars lets you build it to YOUR specs. You have to wait, but its just like you want it. Mazda thinks this is a bad idea. No, NOT offering this choice, is a BAD idea IMHO.

csuftitans

I will scan it and post it for you guys as soon as I get it.

johnclineii

I would have bought a 626 years ago (1992), but back then to get ABS you had to get leather and a moonroof. I don't want leather OR a moonroof. I DO want every other option. And if I can't get my Mazda equipped that way, I am sure GM will be most happy to build me another Impala LS or Grand Prix GTP.

When, oh when, will Mazda and Toyota wake up? Packages of options that include a deal killer (in my case a moonroof or leather---neither of which I will accept) means NO SALE.

I don't care how good the car is. NO Leather and NO moonroof or NO SALE. I am by no means alone.

taddison

Here are the Mazda6 ordering choices, thanks to Audi8q.
I hope I got it all correct!

Mazda6 i 5-Speed: 4 choices

- Baseline

- Premium

- Premium, Comfort, Leather, Moonroof, Sport

- Premium, Comfort, Leather, Moonroof, Sport, ABS+TCS, Airbags, Bose

Mazda6 s 5-Speed: 4 choices

- Baseline

- Sport, Bose

- Comfort, Leather, Moonroof

- Comfort, Leather, Moonroof, Sport, Airbags, Bose

Mazda6 i Automatic: 12 choices

- Baseline

- Premium

- Moonroof

- Comfort, Leather

- Comfort, Leather, Moonroof, Bose

- Premium, Moonroof

- Premium, ABS+TCS, Airbags

- Premium, Sport

- Premium, Sport, Bose

- Premium, Comfort, Leather, Moonroof

- Premium, Comfort, Leather, Moonroof, Sport, Bose

- Premium, Comfort, Leather, Moonroof, Sport, Bose, ABS+TCS, Airbags

Mazda6 s Automatic: 11 choices

- Baseline

- Airbags

- Moonroof

- Sport

- Sport, Airbags, Bose

- Comfort, Leather

- Comfort, Leather, Moonroof

- Comfort, Leather, Moonroof, Bose

- Comfort, Leather, Moonroof, Sport

- Comfort, Leather, Moonroof, Sport, Bose

- Comfort, Leather, Moonroof, Sport, Bose, Airbags

Notes:

- Mazda6 i = 2.3L engine

- Mazda6 s = 3.0L engine, includes Premium package and ABS+TCS package.

- Sport package includes 17" wheels, spoiler ground effects and various styling cues.

- Comfort package includes heated front seats and door mirrors.

- Premium package includes 16" wheels+locks, alarm, power drivers seat.

- Airbags package includes side airbags and side air curtains.

- Full details on package contents are downloadable from the Mazda web site: http://www.mazdausa.com/mazda6/downloads/mz6_specs.pdf

- I re-sequenced some choices to better show the progression from baseline to fully-loaded.

yugoboy

Good work and thanx for all the info. It's so frustrating though, seem's like if you want a sports package on either model you have to get leather seats!!! Leather suck's, i dont know about you guy's, but up here in the great white north, leather is ice cold in the winter, and in the summer it is so sticky!!!! How about a compromise mazda and give us some suede seat's instead, cool in the summer, warm in the winter!!!!

mazda6s

Why does Mazda (Ford) think we want leather just because we want the latest safety features and a 5-speed? Oh well, I guess they mostly just want to sell automatics. I suppose I could go without the side airbag package and hope I never get t-boned by some moron talking on their cell phone in an overgrown SUV going 20 over the limit.

Sometimes they change the orderable option combos after introduction. I hope this is the case with the 6.

stickguy

I agree that it can be frustrating. I can live with bundles usually, but it gets real annoying when you have to get 3 bundles to get one option.

Some of it has to do with electrics or mechanicals, since the wiring, etc. will be different in some cases. Of course, that doesn't explain leather seats.

Volvo was nice with the Euro delivery plan. You could order a car ala carte, by picking individual options, so you could spec a car that was impossible to get at a dealer.

marchhare

Sorry to bring this up again, but now that we have packages and options in mind, are there any ideas on pricing estimates for these models?

scottcoffeeesq

After looking at the spec sheet it appears that Mazda will not be offering a navigation system on the U.S. built cars. This really sucks because the navigation system on the Asian market cars looks great.

I'm wondering why no navi for the U.S market, because the Mazda6's primary competitors (Camry, accord and maxima) all offer navi as an option. Even more confounding is the fact that Mazda offers navi in the Asian market 6.

markjenn

BMW is about the only immport mfg I've found that does a reasonable job decopupling key options from option packages that have stuff you don't want. Virtually any 3- or 5-series BMW can be ordered with and without leather, with and without automatic, with and without sunroof, with and without sport package, and in sedan, coupe, or wagaon form. There are a few "gotchas", but not many. And they're fairly supportive at the dealer level of custom ordering a car, including providing you with a method to track the car order by yourself, something that most of the Japanese companies really try to discourage.

BMWs are expensive and aren't perfect by any stretch, but I like the way they package and sell their product.

- Mark

panamaltd2

I think Mazda benchmarked BMW interiors more than VW interiors because they are more interesting than VW interiors. They may be nice but they are bland. BMW interiors are nice and futuristic like the 6.

bpi

So to get the extra airbags, ABS and TCS:
With the 6i auto, you have to take the Premium.
With the 6i manual, you to to take, in addition to the Premium, Comfort, Leather, Moonroof, Sport and Bose.

With the 6s, ABS and TCS are standard. You can add just the extra airbags.

Suddenly, the 6s becomes more attractive to me.

BTW, does the TCS include stability control?

audia8q

oh, come on now....

They gave you a great car!!! stop whining
haha

vocus

On the automatic (which I need, because I can't drive a stick), the option layout is not too bad. I would probably buy a fully loaded one anyway, so it's just as well. And leather seats are not too bad, as long as you have heat for them.

I am anxious to test drive the 6, and see if it's recalled or not like the last couple of cars from FoMoCo were.

ashutoshsm

Seems I can't get the 6i, 5-speed with cloth and sport package (I DO NOT want leather). That is a major faux pas on mazda's part, and I am seriously reconsidering my initial first choices again - the A4 and the 3-series, both in base trims (possibly even special order them with cloth instead of leatherette), with ONLY the Sport package.

Que, sera sera - I should have known it was too good to last, with the usual stupid Mazda package options jumping in to spoil the party.

Anyway, a test drive is about the only thing that might make me reconsider the Mazda6.

vocus

What does everyone have against leather?

The car I have now is the first one with leather, and I love it. Love the smell, the luxurious feel, the heated seats in the dead of winter (they heat faster than the car and keep you warm). I also like the "cleanability" of leather. Spilled milk from a baby bottle wipes right up, and doesn't leave a stain like it does on cloth. Candy picks right up too, and doesn't stick.

I prefer leather over cloth any day actually. It's hot in the summer a little, but you get used to it. And, like I said, in the winter I prefer it for the heated seats.

Now, on the other hand, if Mazda uses that cheap, tacky leather from the Tribscape, then I wouldn't want leather (or the 6) either.

vocus

How about getting the 6s instead? You can (seemingly) get that one the way you want.

The 6s will be cheaper than the A4 or 3 Series. And, don't forget, the A4 is mostly VW/Audi combined. You could get a Jetta with sport suspension for a lower price, and have basically the same drivetrain in it. The handling wouldn't be as good, but you could save a couple thou too.

ashutoshsm

Leather is slippery (when you corner hard) and sticky when its hot, and projects an image of me that I'd rather not have. Cloth for me please.

Also, I don't want the 6-cylinder when the 4-cylinder will suffice. If I do choose to go with a 6 cylinder, make mine a fuel efficient, sweet sounding, happy-revving Inline 6 with a 'Made in Germany' tag please (kinda limiting my choices there!)

As for the Audi vs. VW, I seriously believe the small premium for the A4 1.8T over the Jetta is worth it, because you don't have to deal with shoddy build and materials quality (for the price), evil stealerships and associated service people, and the warranty is much better. Not to mention 2 (and in a pinch, 3) adults can actually sit in the back seat without becoming intimately familiar with their kneecaps.

vocus

The warranties are the same on the 2 cars now, except Audi pays for scheduled maintenance for the basic warranty period. Customer service is better. The build quality is about the same, I would think, but maybe not. And I didn't know the A4 had more rear seat room than the Jetta, I thought they were the same wheelbase. Guess not.

I looked at the specs for the 6 in the 6 (that sounds funny for some reason). Anyway, it's rated at 19/27 city/hwy with the V6 and automatic. That seems kinda low to me for some reason.

I know they are not the same, but an A4 can average 25-27mpg on the hwy. (if not more) with 170hp that will bust a 6 every time. Also, chip it and you will leave even an Altima.

ashutoshsm

- The A4 and the Passat share platforms.
- The build quality in the A4 blows anything from VW away (honest)
- I don't want to 'leave' anyone on the highway. Speed is not my thing. Stable and sure-footed handling are.

I guess I might still settle for a couple of extra packages, but I'll be waiting for the 6i hatchback, of course - in hopes that the Sport Package will be standard, making ti possible to get NO packages, and thus, cloth seats. Of course, ABS and side airbags would be nice to have. It's gonna be a while though!

BTW mazda6insider.com lists Jan 2003 as the "go test drive one in ..." date!

wgr

Am I reading this correctly ? For the S, I read this as saying the sunroof and the automatic trans are both stand alone options, i.e. you do not need to order a package to get either one ??? For me, the S with only the sunroof and the automatic as added options would be my ideal car. I do not have to order any packages.

dudleyr

ABS is a must have for me, and the sunroof is a dealbreaker. Why do you have to get every option available on the 4 cyl 5-speed to get ABS? It is standard on the Accord, and a stand alone option on the Camry. I have no interest in a 6 cylinder, or an automatic tranny.

Too bad, I was really looking forward to the 6 wagon.

I wish the Focus was a little more reliable. I can get that exactly how I want it - ZTW, it handles very well, has just as much room as the 6, and is very affordable. Maybe the TSX will be available as a wagon.

edmund2460

I remember reading an Edmunds review (I believe it was the Sable) in which they said the Duratec was known to be noisy.

vocus

I don't know why Mazda continues to package options like that. They did the same thing with the P5 until recently (sunroof and ABS together). You shouldn't have to buy unnecessary options like sunroofs and CD players to get the safety you want. It should be standard!

vocus

I was looking on MazdaUSA.com at the dimensions of the 6, and it seems kinda small. The Focus has more rear leg room than the 6 does. I wonder why they did that?

mazda6s

I'm hoping that these ordering constraints are just for the initial build (and maybe even just for initial dealer orders), and they will loosen up later. Didn't somebody here say that's what happened with the Protege5? Otherwise, I'll probably be looking at the TSX or maybe even the Jetta GLI. I wonder if anyone from Mazda marketing reads these boards. Probably not.

audia8q - How was this info presented to you, exactly? Was it "for the first dealer orders", "for all dealer orders", "for all orders", or "for all orders forever"?

vocus

The Protege 5, when it came out as a 2002, made you get the sunroof to get ABS. Now, you can get ABS without the sunroof. So it took Mazda a year and a half to wake up.

But seeing as they changed their policy around on the P5, why would they do the same thing with the 6 when so much is riding on this car? I don't get it.

jjpeter

I've sat in, photographed (see link below) and ran my hands over the 6 in late September at the Laguna Seca raceway in Monterey, CA. It is not a small car like the Focus-ZTW; that car is in the Protoge class. The 6 is sized like the Accord, A4 and Gallant. I'd say the Jetta is smaller then the 6 too. Egress front and back into the 6 is wonderful, and the charcoal cloth seats were excellent. Those wanting the cloth interior (like me), if its like the model I sat in, will not be disappointed with the quality.

The Duratec six is a coarse running motor. Mazda claims to have eliminated most of these problems with their rework of this powerplant.

The 2.3 is the motor I want though. Designed from the ground up by the Mazda Japanese engineers, it incorporated the latest designs and manufacturing techinques to ensure all the benefits of CAD, CAM and a "One World" motor design to carry Ford/Mazda forward into the future.

That is the motor I will order.

http://photos.yahoo.com/jay07_1996 - 03 Mazda 6

mazda6s

Yea, I'm getting bad vibes on this options thing. I'm a little dissapointed, as I thought I had found the ideal car for me. Now, it appears I may have to look elsewhere.

dudleyr

The Focus ZTW is not really small. It is short, but because of its height it has a lot of room.

Some comparisons from the EPA.

Mazda 6 96 cubic ft.
Ford Focus ZTW 96 Cubic ft.
Honda Accord 103
Toyota Camry 102
VW Jetta 87 wagon 89
Audi A4 90
Toyota Corolla 91
VW Passat 95 wagon 97
Protege 93
Mitsu Galant 96

vocus

The Mazda 6 is 6-7 cubic feet smaller than its main competitors though, the Camcords. And what about the Dodge Intrepid? It's alot smaller inside than one of those, I bet. Hell, the Neon is about the size of the 6 inside, probably. A couple of cubic feet can be the difference between a comfortable trip, and a cramp when you get to your destination.

ashutoshsm

Its how those cubic feet are used, that determines comfort. I've been on road trips in Civics and Proteges, and with almost identical room, the Protege is always more comfy, especially in the back. There are a bunch of measurable parameters, and many intangibles - better and higher thigh support, seatback angles etc, that Mazda seems to have perfected in the Protege (by econobox standards) and seem to have propogated to the Mazda 6!

One of the places where the Camcord have the Mazda6 beat in space is headroom - they both have high rooflines, while the Mazda6's is lower. Looks sleeker, adqueate for me, and most of my friends. It may only become an issue for those who are taller than 6'4" or so and have short legs. Another is shoulder room, which cars like the Taurus have more of, on paper, but the terrible contouring on the back seats negates it. Same case with the Accord. The 6, on the other hand, seemed very comfy in the back, particularly for two, and pretty good for three - given how the rear seat-back edges weren't intruding into the seating space.

Didn't Mazda coin a term for this in the Protege - "OptiSpace"?

vocus

As long as I have room in the driver's seat, that's all that matters to me. I don't have any kids, and if my friends are too squeezed in my car, they can drive their own cars or else buy me a larger car.

And I am surprised Mazda used a cheesy term like "Opti-Space" for the Protege. That must have been a Ford decision.

mazdafun

In the Protege, anyway. Corolla too (much better than the last incarnation).

The Cavalier and Neon put it towards outside styling (look at how much is under the front or rear glass...it also distorts the view out the front and rear...gives me eyestrain). They feel smaller than their numbers suggest.

Also, to check footroom, add the front and rear numbers. You might find that more is allocated to the front occupants in one vehicle's ratings than another.

audia8q

Mazda has told us the competition is the Altima and Accord.

vocus...opti-space is a mazda exclusive term and design philosophy