Mazda6 Sedan

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  • bean3422bean3422 Member Posts: 183
    I looked at the PDF from Mazda's website, and it looks like the 6i and 6s come with the sport package as a separate option. It also looks like leather is a standalone option, or part of a package. The side air bags are all standalone options. What is everyone complaining about?

    You might have to wait awhile until the dealers are stocked, but I bet you can get one pretty close to what you want. If you are so stingy that you won't pay an extra $500.00 for some option you don't want, then feel free to go buy GM. You can order a car and wait 3 months. Honda and Toyota are the same as Mazda, so don't expect any different. My inlaws bought a Toyota with leather, moonroof, bose system...all that they did not want, just to get Electronic stability control.
  • ickes_mobileickes_mobile Member Posts: 675
    The .PDF pages appear to be misleading based on what audiq8 posted. You can just skip to the back where it outlines the features in each of the option groups, which it appears is how the features are bundled.

    BTW, its not a cost factor for me, its just that I don't care for leather seats and would appreciate the availability of a moonroof and ABS without it. You can never go wrong with an upgraded stereo. If it came down to it, I'd live with leather before living with GM...
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    I don't have a problem with Mazda offering packages that give the consumer a better value, but it would be nice if they also allowed custom ordering. Generally those of us who really want a car a certain way don't mind waiting, if it means we can actually get the vehicle.

    VW now allows almost every option to be ordered individually from the factory - you loose the value of buying the package, but you get exactly the car you want. Maybe Mazda will start to do the same. After all aren't they trying to differentiate themselves from Honda and Toyota - what better way than to let people have the car "their way". It wouldn't create a nightmare at the factor, since probably 95 percent of the buyers will be happy with the available combinations, or won't want to wait. It is not about pulling in that last 5% of buyers (although that would not hurt) but about customer satisfaction - the little company that gives you what you want vs. the Take it or leave it attitude of Hondas trim levels.

    Mazda is looking for a gimmick to combat its rivals, and while great handling cars are nice to have, there are plenty of people who don't care about zoom, zoom, but might want a nice reliable Japanese vehicle that is exactly how they want it, not how some bean counter feels is the best combination of options.

    Remember 20 years ago when little BK took on McDonalds with "have it your way".
  • taddisontaddison Member Posts: 99
    We are not confused - the PDF's on the Mazda site don't tell the whole story.

    Side airbags might look like a stand-alone option in the spec sheet but they cannot be purchased that way because packages are only available in a few combinations, not a-la-carte (even when a car is special-ordered).

    Read posts 1756 and 1768 for more info.
  • zeongzeong Member Posts: 31
    The V6 maybe more attractive since ABS is standard on the V6. The sport package is a pretty good deal for 860, at least a lot better than the leather. I want a moonroof without leather.
  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    Mazda is famous for implying you can get certain pakcages when you cant...example, on the Pro5 last year the brochure/website implied you could get ABS as a stand alone option...but they never built more than a few hundred without a moonroof. essentially making this set up an impossible option....I had one guy who insisted that I order it for him, he never got a car.

    Rich
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I thought you had to get the moonroof in order to get ABS always? That's the way the MazdaUSA webpage was always set up, when you configured the car anyway.
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    Try looking at it from more than one angle.
  • ashutoshsmashutoshsm Member Posts: 1,007
    While I'm not prepared to announce any award winners before our Editors' Most Wanted awards ceremony taking place in late October, I will tell you this year's top contenders for Most Significant Vehicle of the Year are the Honda Element, Mazda 6, Nissan 350Z and Volkswagen Phaeton.


    From the article (linked off the main page)

    http://www.edmunds.com/news/column/carmudgeon/75436/article.html?id=lin9126


    Sweet, huh? If the Nissan Altima could win last year (right?), I'd say the Mazda 6 deserves it as much, for making this segment interesting to enthusiasts again! I already vote 'conspiracy theory' if the other Nissan (the awesome Z) wins this year. Interesting how Mazda is a year behind Nissan in developing and introducing its most interesting cars - the 6 follows the Altima, but (I expect!) will do a much better job, and the RX-8 will come out in the model year after the 350Z - and there is no doubt in my biased mind which (Rotary!) will be the more interesting and fun car ;)

  • stretchsjestretchsje Member Posts: 700
    The Mini Cooper won last year, and the PT Cruiser, new Beatle, and Insight before that. As such, I bet the Honda Element or the Z wins this year. The Element has a new design focus that is somewhat radical, and the Z brings back a league of imported rocket cars that has been missed for years. The 6 will surely be a great car, but is it significant in this manner? I guess I'll have to drive one before knowing if it raises the bar so high that it deserves this award. I think it is safe to assume that the "6" will be the car of the year in its segment.
  • ashutoshsmashutoshsm Member Posts: 1,007
    And judging from past awards, I agree - the 6 is (going to be) awesome, but hardly ground-breaking!
  • ironmanterpironmanterp Member Posts: 57
    Overall, the article was very enthusiastic about the Mazda 6's sporting nature. They preferred the 4 cyl with 5 speed manual combination for best balance and fun. They test drove one (back- to-back along with 4 cyl Accord and Altima) on an autocross and while they found the Altima's steering better, body roll and wheel travel was better controlled on the 6. The 6 was judged "tighter" and sportier than the Nissan and Honda.

    I still haven't seen the article on their website (www.autoweek.com) yet, but it is in their print mag for this week, so I would expect to see it on the web site soon. Perhaps a visit to your local library may be in order if you don't have a good friend with a copy...
  • cayennered1cayennered1 Member Posts: 193
    My lease expires in exactly one month. I've been looking at the Millenia among others and am finding cars that are too pricy (S60, X-type) too boring (Accord, Camry) or like the Millenia a good value now, but questionable down the road because of resale on a discontinued model.

    Is there any realistic chance that the 6 will be available in enough volume by the first week in November that I have a chance to consider it for purchase or lease? The last I saw here was a start up sometime in mid to late October.
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    No, there isn't. They will hold them at the plant until there are sufficient volumes to ship. Expect them to begin moving in late November.
  • jeffrey15jeffrey15 Member Posts: 61
    Who is your lease company? Honda will let you extend the lease by a few monthes if you ask maybe others do.

    Jeff
  • a_l_hubcapsa_l_hubcaps Member Posts: 518
    cayennered1-

    Or, if you like a challenge, you could return the Honda on time, and buy a $50 1984 Buick Skylark on eBay, and see if you can keep it running for a month without spending on anything other than fuel and duct tape :-) After that experience, a new Mazda will feel like the lap of luxury!

    -Andrew L
  • cayennered1cayennered1 Member Posts: 193
    Unfortunately, my leasing company is the Draconian Mitsubishi who absolutely refuse to extend a lease. Amazing since I personally know that Honday and Toyota have no problem doing it. As for buying a junker, while it's tempting to consider that I don't think I want to go through the inconvenience. Another option would be to try and find a cheap rental for a month or so. To be honest with you, while I'm interested in the 6 I would have no trouble choosing another vehicle if it meets my price and performance needs.
  • mazda6smazda6s Member Posts: 1,901
    Hmmm, I just checked the Altima again on the Nissan web site using the "Build Your Nissan" feature. It looks like on the 2003 you can now get a 2.5s/MT/Cloth with just the Convenience Pkg and ABS/SAB Pkg, which you could not do on the 2002. You can get a 3.5SE/MT/Cloth with just the ABS/SAB Pkg too. According to the current info we have, it looks like you can't get a 6i or 6s configured like this. For guys like me who like manual transmissions and cloth seats, this could get down to a choice between better handling or safety features. This is not the choice I wanted to make.
  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    Actually the web site has NOT always had the P5 config correct...either did the first batch of brochures. The ES protege also listed a perimiter alarm as standard for most of the model year, when its not...etc.

    I have already found A few ways to build the Mazda6 online in ways that they would never build the car. Not many but a few.
  • aftyafty Member Posts: 499
    The Autoweek article is available here:

    http://tinyurl.com/1uu6
  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    We are starting to see several people a day looking for the Mazda6...

    A friend of mine who is a sale manager at a Honda dealership just got back from a 2003 Honda Accord ride and drive for salespeople and dealership managers...they had all of the competition there BUT the mazda6...but he told me the majority of the discussion was about the Mazda6...he said they really sounded "concerned' about the car!!! hahaha Little ole Mazda scaring big bad Honda.

    boy it feels good.

    Rich
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I drove a 2002 Civic for the first time since its redesign last night. If the 2003 Accord turned out in any way related to the feel of the Civic, Honda should be scared! Ugh, the most awful drive I have ever been on!
  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    Here are Mazda's projections for mazda6 production at this time...

    maz6i manual trans 4.6%
    maz6i auto trans 65.4%
    maz6s manual 5.4%
    maz6s auto 24.6%
  • ambullambull Member Posts: 255
    There was some info on engines in the article which was interesting to me:
    "The four is used in the Ford Mondeo and Ranger and Mazda MPV, and will soon find its way into the Land Rover Freelander, Ford Focus and at least one Volvo. A 2.8-liter I5 is in the works, too."
    An I5.. haven't heard of Ford (Mazda) doing that before.
  • mazdafunmazdafun Member Posts: 2,329
    But they might find demand shifts more to the MT like the P5 did, after word caught on that it's a blast to drive.

    Then again, with my shoulder, I'm kind of appreciating not having to shift right now.
  • ashutoshsmashutoshsm Member Posts: 1,007
    Interesting, then, that this engine has in fact, been in use in the Ranger. Didn't we have an animated discussion about this recently?

    Oh, well - if its going to be in the Focus, it'll be in Proteges too. Hmmm, maybe I'll just get a P5 in a year with cloth, manual transmission and ABS/SAB and add in the aftermarket or MazdaSpeed LSD. Solves my configuration dilemma with the 6i, eh?
  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    Ford has been working on a 5 cyl for a while now...rumor has it the 2005 model year (out end of next year) will have some interesting things from Ford and the ford family of companies.
  • ashutoshsmashutoshsm Member Posts: 1,007
    Don't you mean they will scavenge it from the Volvo T5 design? Just like they're getting 4-cylinders from Mazda ;)

    Not that its a bad thing, all this engine-sharing - just wondering whether its really Ford that is developing and designing this new engine.

    A non-turbo 5 cylinder, doubt we've seen one of those since the Acura Vigor, eh?
  • mazda6smazda6s Member Posts: 1,901
    "I have already found A few ways to build the Mazda6 online in ways that they would never build the car. Not many but a few."
    Ah ha, so there could be hope for me. I've pretty much decided to get the 6i or 6s with MT (unless I jump ship and get the Altima). Both 6i and 6s are available in base trim, the 6i is available with just Premium pkg, and the 6s is available with just Sport pkg and Bose pkg, so these are all possibilities if I give up on the Airbag pkg. It sure would be nice if they would offer the 6i/MT/Cloth or 6s/MT/Cloth with just Airbag pkg, with Sport and and Airbag pkg (any of these with or without the Bose pkg). If you stick with MT/Cloth in the 6i or 6s, what are the real combos you are finding?
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I don't think they should make you get anything to get the airbag package. It's not right to make you buy convenience items and pay for them to get safety items. I am surprised they just didn't make the airbags and ABS standard fare.
  • chikoochikoo Member Posts: 3,008
    "Electronic stability control"

    u mean the electronics in the car are stabilized?

    j/k
  • magnetophonemagnetophone Member Posts: 605
    The 5-cylinder 2.4 engine is non-turbo as a base engine in the S60 and V70. My guess is that they would not develop a new five-cylinder if Volvo already makes them.
  • ickes_mobileickes_mobile Member Posts: 675
    The Autoweek review has me really excited again to see the new Mazda6. I'm impressed by the new '03 Accord, and really want to drive both it and the Mazda6 back to back. Fortuneately, I know of a location where there are adjacent Mazda and Honda dealers.
  • wgrwgr Member Posts: 127
    When you do your comparison drives, please report back. I am interested since the Accord has a bigger engine (and I guess is bigger size-wise also) and the prices may be the same. I am thinking you may get more bang for your buck with an Accord. ??
  • seafseaf Member Posts: 339
    You probably get a better "bang for the buck" going with the Mazda6 since Mazda is less known than Hondas, so they have to play the "value economics" card when selling against the Camrys & Accords. I'm also considering both cars. But Mazda6 has more to prove since it's a completely new design. Can't wait to see & test it in person when it comes out.
  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    you assume that safety is more important than it really is to most consumers. I personally would not buy a car without ALL the safety stuff but very few consumers think like me... You would be amazed how few people actually are willing to buy ABS...On cars that it's an option we sell less than 10% at our stores....Mazda is planning of 4.3% of maz6i to be abs.

    It would be foolish of them to make it standard if so few people really "want" the feature...
  • ickes_mobileickes_mobile Member Posts: 675
    The "bang for your buck" question is big to me. From all the specs, It would appear that the Mazda6 has sligtly smaller interior, but a bigger trunk within an overall smaller package. I know when I saw it at the Chicago Auto show, it looked smaller than my '01 Accord. Conversely, I thought the rear seat in the new Accord had much more legroom than our current car (but the seat cushion is low). The new Honda interior is top notch.

    Going over the option packages for the Mazda6, the car may actually be a better value than the Accord (at least initially). I'd look for the following (both with 5spd. manual transmissions)based upon what audiq8 has put up on the packages mixes and prices:

    Mazda6i w/ premium, comfort, leather, moonroof, sport = $22,570; or,

    Mazda6s w/ comfort, leather, moonroof = $23,380.

    I actually like the Mazda6s alternative better because I could get my own aftermarket 17" wheels (Mille Miglia HT3 Carbon) while getting the ABS and without the spoilers. I'd use the stock wheels and M+S tires for winter here in MN (It actually was snowing yesterday - 60 degrees today).

    I'll probably wait, however, to see the hatchback. My only concern would be long term structural ridgity versus the sedan because of the lack of crossmembers in the parcel shelf area.
  • zeongzeong Member Posts: 31
    IMO, the new Honda Accord doesn't look very attractive. It looks very much like a civic. I really hate MazdaUSA not launching the hatchback at the same time as the sedan.
  • regfootballregfootball Member Posts: 2,166
    will that be YOUR 6 i see at 85 mph on 494 on a Saturday in December?
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    That really surprises me. I want every option for safety I can get as well. I was in a car accident about a year after I started driving that left me with permanent damage in my back. Not much, but it's still there. I want the safest thing on wheels I can get.

    Also, is ESP going to be available for the US 6?
  • ickes_mobileickes_mobile Member Posts: 675
    and heading home to Maple Grove...
  • zeongzeong Member Posts: 31
    http://wardsauto.com/ar/auto_goodies_await_mazda/index.htm
  • kenokakenoka Member Posts: 218
    So according to that press release:
    1. AWD promised for future versions of the 6.
    2. Navigation system promised for US market.
    3. MazdaSpeed 6 confirmed.

    That was a power-packed little press release. Nice find zeong.
  • ashutoshsmashutoshsm Member Posts: 1,007
    delay the release of the wagon and hatch too much! They did say "will be released as 2004 models" - but I worry!

    Of course, its not as if they're 'waiting to get it right' - these are already available in Europe and Japan. Its prolly more a case of 'feel the waters' and 'slowly and carefully retool the Flat Rock plant to handle more than just the sedan' - but I seriously think both those excuses are over-rated ;) The designs aren't that different, and it appears the enthusiasm level is high enough - not to mention the 'oh, that's awesome' value of having all three body styles available from the word go!

    I hope someone at Mazda NA is reading this forum!
  • ambullambull Member Posts: 255
    The article says "Before an AWD version makes it to market, there will be a Mazdaspeed Mazda6...".
    But I thought the Mazdaspeed 6 was supposed to have AWD! Sounds like it will not, at least initially. It may have trouble getting all those horses to the pavement.
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    I hope someone at Mazda NA is reading this forum!

    I doubt it.
  • yugoboyyugoboy Member Posts: 161
    The new's just keeps getting better and better, what to do??? Wait for a mazdaspeed6 sedan, or go for the beautiful wagon when it is released!!!?? If this car does not encounter any recall's, it will blow the accord, altima, and camry right out of the water!!! Especially when a consumer can choose from 3 body types, this is almost as good as living in europe with that kind of selection!!!!
  • srosssross Member Posts: 33
    That few for ABS? I had no idea. No wonder there's not a lot of excitement for stability control. But still, if a Ford Focus can have it, for gosh sakes...
    Even so, I'm really weakening. I know I should hold out for the hatch. I know I shouldn't order a car that's just starting to come off the assembly line. But it's such a perfect car for me. Just don't tell me that it should be totally reliable because it's already out in Europe--they said that for the Focus too. But maybe because it's basically a Japanese car?
  • kenokakenoka Member Posts: 218
    The MazdaSpeed6 is supposed to have AWD. I think the article meant that the MazdaSpeed6 will arrive before AWD is offered on the regular 6.
  • regfootballregfootball Member Posts: 2,166
    make sure you stop at Kkremes on the way home....

    I can't wait to stop at Morries and try out the 6 when they get em......last time I was there (test driving a Protege) there was a really hot sales manager there named Kimberly....don't know if she's still there but she was basically a day over 21 at the time......with her looks and sweet talking I could see how she could close the deal on a car sale.........a lot easier to deal with a sales manager like than than some stuffy arrogant old guy....she was some eye candy.

    Back on topic......
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