Mazda6 Sedan

regfootball

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......

audia8q

I love unbridled enthusiasm and rumors...hahah

The buzz about this car is snowballing...I figure by the end of the week there will be a mazda6 SUV and mazda6 electric car. haha

Rich

johnclineii

Don't forget the convertible, the pick-up truck and the mini-SUV version! Ooops, forgot, Mazda isn't Subaru!

beachnut

Didn't you hear? The new Mazda SUV will be called the AWDMPVMPS ... coming this summer to a state fair near you.

mazda6s

"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."

Yes, I agree. Here's what you have to buy on the Mazda 6 just to get the Airbag pkg:

6i/AT -
Premium, ABS+TCS (ok, this one makes sense)
OR
Premium, Comfort, Leather, Moonroof, Sport,
ABS+TCS, Bose (loaded)

6i/MT -
Premium, Comfort, Leather, Moonroof, Sport,
ABS+TCS, Bose (loaded)

6s/AT -
Base (why not this on the 6i or 6s MT?)
OR
Sport, Bose (why not this on the 6i or 6s MT?)
OR
Comfort, Leather, Moonroof, Sport, Bose (loaded)

6s/MT -
Comfort, Leather, Moonroof, Sport, Bose (loaded)

The 6i/AT/Premium/ABS+TCS/Airbag combo is the same equipment level as the 6s/AT/Airbag combo, because the 6i/AT/Premium/ABS+TCS is equivalent to the 6s/AT for equipment. OK, that makes sense. What's missing here are the 6s/MT/Airbag and 6s/MT/Sport/Bose/Airbag combos that are available on the 6s/AT model.

strager

All these different packages and options would have been OK if Mazda was going to sell 400K sedans every year like the Accord or Camry.

I think Mazda would be better off adopting the simpler Honda plan (DX.LX, and EX without any options). It might even help sell more cars by making a particular configuration easier to find, and lower manufacturing costs. But of course that would mean less busy work for the folks at Mazda NA who are devising these packages.

mazda6s

Sure, and while they're at it maybe they could put rear drum brakes on the base 6i just like on the Accord LX.

johnclineii

Don't forget how easy the Honda system is for dealers. And it allows them to try to push over-priced, often low quality, accessories on customers.

I, for one, DETEST the Honda system. It smacks of arrogance. But then, so does making available only a very quirky system that forces you to take things you don't want (and in some cases won't accept) to get things you need, or think you do.

The fact I could never get a 626 with ABS without a moonroof (leaks, noise, reduced headroom) is the reason why Mazda has not sold me at least five vehicles in the past.

I also will not take leather on any car. Hot, difficult to maintain, animal issues (doesn't bother me but it DOES bother some friends of mine), and even noise issues (cloth seats in a car make for a much quieter road car). I hope this doesn't mean no 6 for me, as I want the optional side airbags.

Option packages DO drive people away. Pontiac and Mazda are about the worst in bundling things and making buying cars difficult for choosy buyers. Toyota is even worse, though. They show all kinds of configurations in their brochures. Then build about two per region. Which vary from region to region.

There has got to be a better way.

ickes_mobile

MORRIES MAZDA: I don't know about the sales manager, but a friend bought a Tribute not long ago at Morries, and she also was very attractive, and very knowledgeable about the product.

WIN A MAZDA6: Got some new propaganda in the mail yesterday with a chance to win a Mazda6. There was also a website listed as: www.mazda6insider.com. I doubt there is much different from what we've seen, but I don't know.

AUDIQ8: A couple questions: 1) the spec sheet says that the 6-disc changer, halogen foglights within the cluster, and a few other items can be a "port installed option". What do you know of this? 2) THe spec sheet lists "optritrom gauges with red illumination" under the sport package. Do non-sport package cars have white illuminated gauges? 3) The sport package also lists black interior trim. Is black only available with the sport packages?

A NEW REVIEW: At the CarConnection - www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=5404

strager

Obviously what I am saying has nothing to do with drum brakes. But Mazda could figure out what 80% of the buyers want at a particular price point, and include those features in one trim level. Have another trim level at a higher price and forget about options.

This is not going to make everyone happy, but when you're selling less than 100K units/year, it greatly simplifies things for Mazda and the consumer. I agree with John Cline, Toyota takes the cake for playing these absurd options games. Toyota's strategy is: let's see, how many options can we screw and confuse the customer with? Mazda can't afford to use such a stupid strategy with the 6, UNLESS they also have a straightforward build to order system for custom ordering a 6.

dudleyr

Being behind Honda and Toyota, Mazda has to try harder. Copying them by offering just a few packages is not the way to distinguish themselves. They should offer a better solution for the customer, and that would be to allow custom orders. Yes they can coexist with certain option packages that would offer a discount. There are plenty of people that for one reason or another do not like the way Honda and Toyota (and Mazda)force you to buy some options to get others.

Custom ordering is not too hard to figure out. You should see the huge options lists available for many cars in Europe. They manage to figure out how to do it, I don't think Mazda would have a problem either.

boxfan

I totally agree with all the complaints about Mazda's options policy. Personally, I would put up with paying for leather and a moonroof to get the safety options (which are standard on the European 6 and standard here on a Passat, by the way). However, I'm getting more and more dubious that I'll even be able to get the car that I really want: a 4-cyl, 5-speed hatchback, with side+head airbags and ABS. Now in Europe, that would be no problem. I wonder how much importing a car would cost...

markjenn

What I don't understand is why some car mfg doesn't wake up to the concept of allowing custom ordering of cars over the net. Imagine if you could build up a car EXACTLY the way you wanted down to fairly fine details, post your order and have the factory building it within a few days and have the car delivered within a few weeks. There is no technical reason this could not be done, and cars produced domestically would have a huge leg up on cars produced overseas. Not having to deal with the dealer except for car pickup is another huge advantage. I wouldn't mind paying a flat price (perhaps even MSRP) just to have this flexiblity and the pleasure of getting exactly the car I wanted without having to joust with the dealer about special orders (which most dealers hate to do) and waiting four-months to get a car.

- Mark

vocus

By the time you order a 6 with the side air bags, ABS, traction control, and all the options you HAVE to get on the 4 to get those items, how close would its price be to a Passat GLS? Just wondering, since the Passat comes with all the above mentioned stuff, standard.

stretchsje

What are the general thoughts on the center console? I, for one, am trying hard to get over the fact that Mazda put the volume control to the right of the stereo! Why make me reach for the most common knob I'll use???

Speaking of, anybody have comments on the quality of the stereo the "6" is expected to have? The only Mazda stereos I know of are from a new Protege and an older MX-6, and neither seemed very impressive. Then again, one is economy and the other is aged. For comparison, my wife's base Camry LX, with the basic factory stereo, has a nice JBL unit (in fact, the "premium" stereo doesn't sound much different).

maltb

The MX-6 once came with a nice Alpine unit. The 6 has an optional Bose system (although they only make the amp and speakers).

It only costs money. :-)

jjpeter

In August of 01, I custom ordered an MB C230K coupe for my wife. The process was painless, straight forward and the only hassle was having to wait 2+ months to take delivery. I also custom ordered my Ford Ranger pickup in 99. So, the process to do this is there. Why Mazda does not offer it may be because they do not produce cars in high enough volume to allow for a "custom" build-line alongside the production line. Could be that Flat Rock won't accommodate two assembly lines. But, what is wrong with having custom orders coming out of the Japanese plants?

I'd wait for that beauty if that was the only way you could get it *EXACTLY* like you wanted it.

taddison

For right-hand-drive models the volume knob would be in a good location. Perhaps they decided not to move it to the left for the left-hand drive market, or perhaps they have moved it over and we just haven't seen any photos of U.S. production consoles yet.

If you want a quality stereo then you have the Bose option, though you can only get this in combination with other options such as leather and moonroof, for the most part.

My main concern with the console is that it obviously won't be possible to install an aftermarket stereo. I can't see an aux input jack either, which means I have to buy the cassette player and use a cassette adapter if I want to plug in my MP3 jukebox, or whatever other types of media players come out in the future.

Also, how much will I have to pay Mazda for a new stereo in 10 years' time when the original one craps out, assuming replacements are even available?

Another note about the console - when I saw the Mazda6 prototype that was doing the auto-show rounds earlier this year I didn't like the bright silver color on the console. The car I just saw at the Texas State Fair looked better to me - I think they have darkened the silver color somewhat. Could have been lighting differences, though, or just my imagination playing tricks.

wgr

I just read somewhere (maybe carconnection.com) that Isuzu is thinking of allowing ordering on the internet. It would result in a substantial reduction in inventories, etc. Isuzu is doing it to reduce costs and avert going out of business, but it sounds like a great idea to me. I am sure any automaker can do it, but they would have a dealer revolt.

stretchsje

I must have had a brain fart; I forgot about the Bose option, probably because I'm not interested in paying Bose's premiums. I despise Bose (most audiophiles probably understand why). Nonetheless, I'm hoping the factory system will be satisfying enough that I can ride with the windows down at highway speeds and still have enough volume to cover up my own terrible singing. Yes, I embarrass myself :-)

regfootball

I have the exact same concerns as you on the stereo with reagrds to lacking an input jack...I just blew 500 on a 40gb Nomad and I hate to have to keep using a cassette adapter.........like I do now in My Taurus SHO with auto climate which by the way I can't replace the stereo on that either. Major pain cause the Ford unit sucks and I think Bose unites suck also. I love music and not being able to replace a factory stereo is a HUGE concern for me...but maybe if the 6 is popular enough there will be conversion kits or something available.

ickes_mobile

I agree that the stereo volume button on the right side is stupid, but there is always the steering wheel mounted button. As for upgrading the stereo, the spec sheet says that several of the componants (including the 6-disc changer and speakers)are "port installed options".

As for internet Ordering, you may recall that Ford got into some trouble with its ideas of direct customer ordering. Dealers are protected by franchise laws within each state which make it next to impossible for a manufacturer to set something like that up. Its the wave of the future, but so long as rich individual constituents within each state have the ear of each legislature, it will be difficult to realize.

magnetophone

Although it would be damn near impossible in America, all of the Mercedes dealers' franchised were nonrenewed and new company outlets were bought out.

mazdafun

You could always use one of those for your aux sound source. They're suspect to interference at times (from what I read), but easier than a cord dangling from your cassette player and no need to get a cassette option.

I'm thinking of giving one of those a try with my iPod. What a wonderful gadget for those long road trips (but the cord is a mess)!

magnetophone

Correction: all of the Mercedes dealers in the UK

ruski

more horsepower and memory seats would make it perfect

ruski

ahh and the ignition is on the steering wheel column. Everyone has been putting it on the dash lately.

But I still like that Mazda6.

jeffrey15

Get one of these. Its better then those FM transmitter's that they sell at Radio Shack that Don't work. These work well, as I have used one with a trunk mounted cd changer.

http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S-XqhVuaC2ONN/ProdView.asp?s=0&c=2&g=42500&I=020FM200S+

stretchsje

I got a cheap FM modulator at Best Buy that sucked. There are some better ones though.

If the Bose option is an aftermarket amplifier + speakers only, there may be some preamp outputs in the car for this on the factory stereo. I'm sure they wouldn't be RCA jacks, but they could easily be converted into such.

Good point on the volume knob making sense overseas- maybe the US production model will have this reversed. Does the US definately have one on the steering wheel? It seems like a lot of features I've read about (such as standard ABS) don't apply in the US, and it's difficult to weed out what information is accurate for the US market.

dsm6

Don't know if anyone has posted this yet, so here it is, a bit past half way down this page:

http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/autoshows/2002_paris/200210_paris_2.xml

Sounds promising for the MazdaSpeed version.

taddison

The downloadable spec sheet from mazdausa.com says that steering wheel audio controls are standard.

jskho

is on the left hand side:

http://www.goonish.com/atenza/read.php?TID=210

newcar31

those are some really close up pictures. They really give you a good idea about the materials used and the fit and finish. Looks nice.

ashutoshsm

Don't think we've seen these before, thanks.

All the more reason to prefer the Mazda 6 over the other options, for me at least. I love how clean the dash layout is. And with the sport package, I understand the dash is all-black? Just the way I like it - no silvery plastic-anium (which, I must still say, seems to be of excellent quality, from these pictures).

regfootball

FM transmitter

been there done that......can't get it to work in a metro area.....

I am considering a FM modulator from Crutchfield but still that';s running the sound through FM radio and we all know how much that sucks.

With the advent of mp3 and portables there's no excuse for AUX inputs to not be offered as an option to the factory system, at least if you can't replace the factory unit.

They should pass legislation making it illegal to build in sound systems you can't take out

maltb

They should pass legislation making it illegal to build in sound systems you can't take out

So much for a free market society, eh?

:-)

pcballa706

how much would a 6s auto with sport and bose package come out to be? no leather or comfort stuff just sport and bose

johnclineii

US prices haven't been announced for the car itself yet. Thanks to a gentle poster here, we do have option package prices.

Soon...

Soon...

pcballa706

any estimated ideas, like would it be below 24k?

mazda6s

Sorry, you can't get a 6s/AT with just Sport and Bose. But, you can get it with Sport, Airbags, and Bose. According to the pricing we have for the 6s/MT, this would be about $23565 MSRP, but then you have to add for the AT, let's say $500, so you are right around $24000. Of course, you would only pay full MSRP if you insist on getting one during the initial "feeding frenzy". After that, actual selling prices will drop.

regfootball

competition for sales as they are these days, the full MSRP thing should only last a couple weeks. All a guy has to do is say, no thanks see ya, and walk into the dealer a month later after the next big car comes out. Of course, that's when the sales manager leans into you a little bit, with the blonde hair, and at that point price doesn't really matter anymore anyways.

Even the godly Camry was only out a short time before the big cuts in price started to hit the market. The new Altima was good for a couple months and then all the 2000 off ads and cheap leases hit again.

hey maltb.....some things in life we can make exceptions for...what about the right for eveyone to decent high fidelity audio in their daily car? Heck even the best factory setups wont touch what you can get for half the price at Best Buy....

mazdafun

you could always try to attach an input cable (1/8in stereo jack) to the inputs in the head unit. Of course, now you have to find a place to put this jack.

Since the stock HU can accept an optional cassette player, there should be a set of line-level inputs somewhere you can access.

audia8q

read back a few posts...I posted the US prices earlier in the week

ickes_mobile

If you wait a few weeks past intro until there is a decent supply, you'll get it under MSRP probably with a great interest rate incentive. I've seen the Pro5 with 0.0% financing and its considered to be a "sale sucess". Kind of GM like...

ickes_mobile

You still get the plastanium center console with the sport package. You also get plastanium trim on the door panels too (oh boy!).

The "monochromatic" treatment is that the top and bottom of the dash, base of the console, door panels is all black instead of two tone grey or beige...

chikoo

>> I despise Bose (most audiophiles probably understand why).<<<

kindly enlighten us too.

johnclineii

Among audiophiles, what I have heard most is this phrase: "No highs, no lows...it MUST be Bose."

Not sure I agree, but I will say that the Bose unit in my 92 Maxima SE was very disappointing, and very overpriced as well.

adu1

The supposedly forthcoming Acura TSX (aka Euro Accord) has been mentioned previously as a possible competitor for the Mazda6. If the TSX does come to market, I wonder if Acura will also bring over the new station wagon version of the Euro Accord. See photos at: http://www.km77.com/marcas/honda/accord_03/tourer/texto.asp

magnetophone

While I am all for wagons, that hump is quite ugly. The Mazda 6 wagon looks positively gorgeous compared to it.

maltb

what about the right for everyone to decent high fidelity audio in their daily car?

You have a right to spend your money with whoever makes what you want.

I agree, the factory can't compete with the aftermarket on audio and they never will.