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Comments
One of our salespeople goes over in the evening and opens the car up and answer question and give away brochures and bags... It was nice to see bright blue zoom-zoom logo bags all over the mall.
all I see in the mall are Infiniti's and maybe some GM's.... damn cheapo Mazda dealer....
I'm not obsessing, just stereotyping. I did not expect that the first 6 I saw being driven around on the street would be a middle-aged woman. The middle-aged women I know are not looking for zoom zoom or sporty handling. They are looking for room room and safety features with a dash of style on the side.
Certainly I am not going to drop the 6 off of my list because of this one traumatic event.
Do smileys not work here?
If you let it affect you to the point you drive a car you hate just so other people will see you in it, then you've got a big problem.
I saw some 90+ year old women driving a Protege the other week. That was something I didn't expect given the Zoom Zoom image. Then I got to thinking. The older you get, the less time you have left so why not Zoom everywhere you go!
After something becomes more popular though, that all goes out the window.
Whatever happened to tooting your horn at drivers of cars like yours? I now just get strange looks or get ignored when I honk at other bright red Protege sedans. Sad.
As for driving, I have not push my car too hard yet, b/c it is still in break-in period. I still have to say this car is really moving. With the auto shift, the shifting is smooth. My fiance tried the manual shift, what a fun experience! Everyone should try it. Steering is crisp, same as my old Acura. This is why I will not buy a Toyota even Luxus. I don't like the slow response of steering from Toyota's car. Right now, I have to say driving a Mazda 6 is fun.
They don't respond because they don't know you. Having the same car does not mean you have anything worthwhile in common. VW people do this to me all the time...gets on my nerves. I'm not someone's pal because we happened to buy similar cars.
In a 1/4mile, it can be out run by many cars in it's price range. The 175hp Grand AM (15.9 in an auto). The Mazda 6 with auto grabs 16.2. The Neon SRT-4 will destroy it in every performance category. The Accord V6 is about $23000, but it gets 15.4 with an auto. The 175hp Sentra Spec-V is a manual, but pulls down mid/low 15's, equal to the manual of the 6. I know that the 6 is a tiny bit bigger than the Neon and Sentra. The 6 may however hold it's own in the handling department.
But all I'm saying is that it was nothing to wait for. Unlike Subaru's WRX, Nissans 350Z, Ford's '03 Cobra. You won't see many 6's at the drag strip, at auto-crosses, in import magazines, or at shop meets. Not many are going to break there necks to get a double take of it. It's just another car on the market. Just my opinion.
What am I chopped liver or dead? LOL!
meinrad: But of course! Why drive a starter coffin, a gray Buick.
Capitano: Smilies are used here, you have to type them.
fowler3
The point is that you both at least had the same taste in cars.
When I had my FJ40 Land Cruiser it was a given that I'd initiate a wave or wave in response. Why? because we both knew we were driving one of the most reliable and capable off-road vehicles made. That, at least, accounted for good taste.
Obviously you are under no obligation to respond, but there is no need to deride those that do so.
I agree, there are many "just another" cars out there. Parking lots are full of them. The Mazda6 will, hopefully, fill the void and provide a lot of driving enjoyment for thousands.
I'm not 90+, but not far from it, and I enjoy driving and handling and a bit of luxury to go along with it, at a price I can afford. You can have those other cars you mentioned. Not one is on my shopping list and never will be.
One other thing, when I was in my twenties and thirties, I bought expensive cars with the same excuse I read others using here -- "to enjoy it while I can." They didn't have the handling refinement today's cars have and buyers weren't as sophisticated and educated as today. If you love cars you can enjoy them 'til the day you stop driving.
Today, I celebrated my 72nd birthday and hope I can still enjoy a really good car 10 years from now. Maybe I will see you on the road -- get out of my way!
fowler3
Saying you want a fixed-price system because it is "fair" always leads to the question of who is to judge fairness. A governmental agency? Or do you allow the market to find a fixed price that is "fair" and enforce some rule that everyone pays the same. How is this enforced? And why should a knowledgeable consumer have to subsidize prices above the market value so that a non-knowledgable consumer doesn't pay more. Shouldn't the savy consumer be rewarded for their knowledge and diligence?
When both buyer and seller agree voluntarily to a free-market price, each has found a level they're happy with or they wouldn't buy. And this means less business for lawyers.
In the end, it is a classic socialism vs. capitalism discussion and with a few safety nets to avoid blatant ripoffs, I vote for free-maarket capitalism as the best way of pricing consumer goods.
The disadvantage of negotiations is that it introduces an overhead into the transaction. I don't want to negotiate the price of every item at the grocery store even if it would reduce my grocery bill slightly - it is just too much trouble. But with the internet and the proliferation of information, I think the trend is towards more negotiation rather than less. Ebay and priceline are successful to the degree they are because they reduce negotiation overhead.
For cars and houses, where the purchase only occurs a handful of times in our life, I'll take a negotiated system.
- Mark
When you say it is "nothing special", I disagree, because it combines reasonably good performance, good looks, comfort and handling for way under luxury-car prices. A race car it is not, but it may still be considered "special".
BTW, I live in south CA and insurance here is not cheap.
bme
Just so you guys out there wouldn't think I'm a total %^*$@, I called seven different Mazda dealers in the Midwest area, and they all honor S plan pricing.
You have to go to a larger dealer though. Small dealers don't like to honor S plan because they only get a small allocation of Mazda6's.
See? I'm not that mean!
By the way, I don't have a "rich daddy" to buy my cars for me! I work hard and do very well for myself!
"I didn't think today's Japanese sedans were designed for hitches"
WW: Carsdirect does guarantee their prices and it's not just a guide as you mentioned before. And if you work hard for your own money then shouldn't you want to sift out as much frivolous spending as possible? (spending $2,000 more for a car than you would pay 1 month down the road is frivolous)
"Will the CarsDirect.com price ever change after I place my order?
Our great prices are still affected by market conditions, and CarsDirect.com prices are subject to change without notice. However, once you confirm your order you are fully protected against price changes. Naturally, our prices are subject to the availability of the vehicle as configured and in some cases we may not be able to procure your specific vehicle. On very rare occasions, we may misprice a vehicle and, as you can understand, we reserve the right to correct any errors."
I can't believe someone compared the 6 to a SRT-4. Talk about apples and oranges.
I own a Protege5 and I see tons of them on the streets in my home town. I see young people, old people, men and women all driving them. I think that means that Mazda hit a home run.
As for 0-60 and 1/4 mile numbers, I guess its the age old battle. I think those numbers matter jack squat. I care about how a car feels. I know that there are all kinds of cars out there that can blow the doors off my P5, but boy do I love to drive it.
I haven't driven a Mazda6 yet. Can't until they're introduced here in January, but I'm confident I'll feel the same way about it.
By the way, anybody ever wonder why no one ever talks about the 1/4 mile time of a BMW 3-Series? That's because no one cares.
P5's on the other hand: see younger and middle aged people driving them.
BTW - just tonight the guy at the garage I parked in commented on my car and was wondering what it was! Way cool. It's white w/ tinted windows and magnetic bra.
You're confusing one-price dealers with a fixed-price system. The one-price dealers that I have dealt with, Elway Nissan in the Denver area for example, do set their prices according to the market. The prices actually can change from day to day. But, once they post the price, that's what everyone pays. The market is still setting the selling price.
This is not classic socialism vs. capitalism question. It's about predatory business practices and business ethics. Yes, those things matter in a free market system. Some car salespeople (and dealers) have the attitude that if they're smart enough to get a buyer to pay thousands more, they deserve the extra profit and the stupid buyer deserves to get ripped off. Even though I personally can beat the best salesperson anywhere, I find that way of running a business disgusting and obscene.
Now, back to the 6. I drove one last week, a 6s-AT, grey with black leather. I liked it, but I have to drive the 6s-MT and 6i-MT before I decide.
Let's hear about those selling prices!
Maybe that's why in earlier years I was always referred to as the "late Jim so-n-so".
fowler3
I’m 90% sold on this car, I just need to test drive a 6s with manual transmission and the Sports Package. If the car drives like it is described in the reviews that I have read, then I will be 100% sold. I’ll get a 6s with manual transmission and fully loaded with every option. I have the color choices narrowed down to Black, Blue and Yellow
I have seen the car in person, and I have two comments;
For those of you who have not seen it in person yet and have only seen photos, please go see it in person. IMO it looks way better in person, the pictures just don’t convey how well shaped the car is. In particular if all you have seen are the pictures in the mazdausa.com web site, those are horrible and don’t do the car any justice.
For those of you who have seen one in person, did you notice how small the moon roof was? I have an Accord, my dad a MB S-Class, my sister a Hyundai Santa Fe and all three cars have moon roofs about one and a half times the size of the one in the 6. It’s something that bugs me a bit, but definitely not a deal breaker.
Besides, haven't about 90 percent of our posts been about the Art of the Deal? (Kidding again).
All kidding aside, I am awaiting the availability of Sirius Satellite Radio, as Mazda itself advises that taking the dash apart to hook up an FM modulator (I would rather have a direct connection anyway) is not advisable due to the high potential for damage.
Twill be a shame should another vehicle I like come out during the interim. Then again, I suspect Mazda is waiting to for the next generation chipset, and, for that matter, to be sure that it is likely that Sirius will survive. At least Chrysler has Sirius as a dealer installed option!
Any word out there from the knowing ones?
I am kind of anal and have heard that the interior is great and that it is not so great. How does it compare to a Jetta or new Acccord ?
What is interior storage like (cell, palm, coffee)?
What are the lease residuals like in the U.S.? Are they reflective of the 626 or an Accord?
I am going to take a drive by Mazda Canada's HQ today to see if there are any on the lot...
Help
--==--hare
My only problem with the Accord is I have yet to see an EX-L stick in the sedan or coupe. It's been a few months and they can't keep one on the lot long enough for me to get to see it.
The A4 rear seat is still small, but bigger than the previous A4's, which was excruciatingly small.
Plenty of storage: map pockets in all doors, front ones have a bulge for water bottles (not sure of the rears...forgot), map pockets in rear of front seats, 2 cup holders in center console in front, 2 cup holders in the flip-down armrest in back, large glove box, I think I remember a sunglass case up by the rearview mirror (but having come from the SF auto show, I may be mixing up vehicles now), storage shelf above the center stack, small cubby spaces below left of the steering wheel, lots of storage in the center console/armrest.
I haven't driven a current A4, so can't comment on it, but I test drove a 6i AT and it was a total blast (even with the AT) in the curves and quite smooth just cruising (but not isolated like the Camry or Accord), even over bad RR crossings. Some comparative reviews have the 6's handling rated as better than the A4's. I'd wait. You can save lots of money if you like the 6 over the A4.
Also, the rebate comes from Mazda so the dealer should be happy to offer it to you. No cost to the dealer.
Rich
I'm sold on this car for now, but I'm still waiting on a few things before I buy:
1) The five-door
2) An in-dash MP3 player (which someone on another board mentioned seeing listed on a Mazda6 accessories sheet at his dealer?), since Mazda's custom dash design won't let me put my Kenwood MP3-CD in there.
3) More configurability, so I can get the options I want without losing headroom to a sunroof. (I'll be coming from a Miata, so a sunroof would just be a depressing reminder.
Hopefully Mazda won't sit around till next winter getting this stuff out... Or I may end up going with something different.
However, I definitely think the 6 has much better exterior styling. The A4 is kinda plain Jane (classic as my gf puts it...that's why she likes it...shrug), whereas the 6 is agressive looking (IMO).
Brydymond, have you checked out www.mazda.ca? They only have info for the 4-cylinder engine...no 6.
I've also test driven both the 6i automatic and the 6s manual. Both models feel more planted to the road than my A4, with less body roll. (My A4 does not have the sport package.) The Mazda is noticeably quieter than the A4 at high speeds, too. The 6 cylinder engine is slightly quicker and less noisy on the highway than my 1.8T. The Mazda's clutch is much shorter than the A4, although both are quite smooth. The A4's shifter is much smoother than the stick in the 6s that I tested, though. There is MUCH more back seat room in the Mazda.
I'll miss having AWD, variable seat heater settings, and HID headlights, but in the end, I think the Mazda6 is a much better deal than the Audi. Of course, I haven't driven the new A4's, so some of my comments might not apply.
Nice shot of the interior as well.
The 1.8T A4 Quattro is anything but quick. It's sluggish to the extreme. 180HP is not nearly enough to power a portly AWD car.
Mazda has not made it very clear, YET where the 6 is positioned compred to other makes and models. This confirms my opinion that the the majority of buyers are not as "dialed in" as edmunds posters and readers...We all know it's supposed to compare to the Altima an Accord but so far our shoppers havent figured this out yet.
The great news is the car, though thousands less, is standing tall agaisnt these cars. So far we are winning the battles. This car is generally exceeding everyone exectations at out store.