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Comments
:-D
Those thing in formula one is custom designed for a function.
I have yet to see a sport package add-on that actually contribute to better driving dynamics. That is why I am interested to know if there is a link to your claim of better stability and precision steering.
If it actually does improve the 6, why even make it an option?, why not include it with the overall package? The fact that they are hype-ing this as a sporty car, I think it would be just right to have it in the total package, not as an option.
I wish I remember which people on this board said that the Mazda6 wouldn't make that list. I don't want to scroll all the way back, but I remember there were quite a few doubtful people. I distinctly remember people saying that the Mazda6 would not make the Car and Driver Ten Best list. I hope you folks are hungry because you have a mouthful of feet right now. Lol.
Dinu
According to the mazdausa web site there are two ways to get the 6i-MT with ABS that don't involved "all the other options". You can get it with just ABS/TCS, or Premium + ABS/TCS + SAB/SAC (my choice, BTW). This agrees with the emails that many of us received regarding the new February availability. And the info from your dealer that said you can't order one is BS. They just want you to buy one they have in stock or coming in. This is a common saleperson trick that is so old I'm surprized they still try it on people. But don't get me started about car dealer tricks!
doying - You should check your facts. You do not have to get "all the other options" to get ABS on the 6i-MT. There are two ways to do it, as I described above.
I don't know about February availability but I do have TWO print outs in front of me.
One shows me all available options (possibly like you see at Mazdausa)
The other is the actuall print out of the vehicle request form we use to order the car through Mazdas dealer web. It gives us the configurations of HOW we can do it.
ABS is not listed as a stand alone option with the 6i. It is only showing that we can order it with several other opts.
You see, I believe I have my facts straight. Wish I had a scanner to show you. I would love to know how to get around it. The configurations may change but I am not in the know on that.
ingtong18: That was my impression also when I saw a silver 6. It needs the silver paint used on the MPV which has more metal flake and glistens in the sun. The 6's silver is dull and lifeless. I doubt you could get a good shine on it. The entire color selections seems to miss the mark.
For instance, the Sepang Green, which has been reported here as having limited availablity, may also be dull if they don't do it right. On other cars the silver-green (silver metallic with a tint of light green) is very nice looking.
I thought the white also dull and too white, as opposed to a warm white which goes better with beige trim and tan leather. I wish the Steel Grey Metallic was the shade of grey used on the Astin Martin or the special Titanium Grey used on the 2001 Miata.
Ever wish you could choose the colors for new cars? Paint is paint, one wonders why Mazda can't do better on their selections.
fowler3
I just went to the Mazdausa site and saw where it tells you that you can get ABS with the 6i beginning in Feb. I am not sure when we will be able to place the order. Maybe this week? Maybe January?
6i MT w/ ABS
6i AT w/ ABS
6i MT w/ premium, sport
6i MT w/ premium, ABS, SAB
6i AT w/ premium, sport, ABS, SAB
So, once you can order these, I'd greatly appreciate being the first to know :-) What I really want is ABS with premium/sport and nothing else, but can only do that with an automatic :-( So I'm trying to choose between ABS, sport, or saying "screw it" and buying a base model now.
I just got a call- a base Mazda 6i MT (red) just came in to a local dealer. No ABS, but tempting!!!
That is one of the facts that let me feel confident to buy the M6 for my fiance.
She has driven it for more than one week. The Bose sound is wonderful. The dashboard is my favorite IMO. Car runs very smooth. The suspension setup is more Euro like. I wish that I could drive M6
Here's the odd thing (from an enthusiast's viewpoint), they got a steel gray w/sport pkg MazdaI and a white (no leather or sports pkg but a moonroof)MazdaS w/auto. I was really looking forward to driving a 6cyl w/5spd manual and leather interior.
First off, I was quite impressed w/the steel gray color. It looks a lot richer in person and not so boring as in the brochure (I suspect this might be true for a lot of the colors once you see them in the flesh).
Other impressions (MazdaS w/auto, moonroof, no sports pkg or leather):
Dislikes: The std cloth interior is rental car yuck in my opinion. It makes my WRX interior look postively luxurious (no small feat). The performance w/the sportshift auto was not impressive to me even after I purposely scaled back my expectations (the WRX may have spoiled me in this respect, admittedly). The look of the Mazda6 w/o the sports pkg leaves it looking dull IMHO. The sports pkg definitely looks better and less tacky in person. Darker colors help play it down as well.
Likes: The steering wheel feels just like the MOMO one in my WRX. The seats were ok in the comfort department but I suspect I will like the feel of the leather ones once I get the opportunity to test drive another Mazda6 with them. The center stack and instumentation was very nicely done. I suspect that once someone gets used to what all the buttons do for the stereo & HVAC, they will appreciate the location of the LED readout from a driver's perspective. The faux-titanium trim looks much better in person. I found the rear seat to be plenty roomy for me (6'1", 34" inseam, 185 lbs). Once again, it's roomier than my WRX in the rear. The trunk is postively cavernous. The rear seat dual maplights are a nice touch. The ride (albeit w/16"std wheels/tires) was very nice and the steering felt great. I didn't get a chance to really test the handling though. The doors closed w/a reassuring thud.
All and all I was fairly non-plussed after driving the Mazda6. I am looking forward to driving the 6cyl model w/5spd and sports pkg though.
Contrary to a prior post the sports pkg does affect performance due to the 17"tire/wheel combo.
Stephen
You should drive the 5sp. Judging from 0-60 times, the 5sp manual is a different story.
Dinu
Mazda Free Scheduled Servicing
For the first 100,000 km (60.000 miles) or three years (whichever comes first), all recommended scheduled servicing is free from your local Mazda Dealer.
Unbelievable! I need to stop looking at that site - makes me realize what we're missing!
Dinu
They said the price wasn't negotiable. There aren't too many dealers in Western Mass. Acutally, only one. Edmunds TMV price was 24,000. Seems like I could save about $2,000. Has anyone heard of not negotiating the MSRP?
Thanks,
Mike
Personally, if dealers are insisting on MSRP, I'd wait until the din dies down. If for some reason I couldn't afford to wait, I'd buy a different car. I flat out refuse to feed the greed. Either way, I'd check around for a better price even if it meant going further to get the deal done.
On the upside, Internet info sites (like this one) and Internet car sales seem to be finally levelling the playing field through educating consumers and by increasing dealer competition, so there is hope.
Just me opining, of course.
Well, they aren't aiming for #1 and "the be-all end-all tract house on wheels". Let "everyone else" get an average car and have the 6 for drivers.
I for one applaud the move, but admit I'm being selfish; I don't really care all that much about Mazda's bottom line, just so long as they make enough money to keep producing the kind of cars I like - the ones in their true niche - cars like the new 6 and the upcoming RX-8!
The dealer is Balise Mazda in West Springfield. I guess I could try this price with the Mazda's in CT - Manchester, Hartford, New London.
The dealer said they didn't negotiate with the Tribute until after a year. I was impressed with the Mazda 6 - It was a very nice ride. It compared with my wife's Passat and I liked the Mazda better - It's also $6K cheaper.
The dealer is Balise Mazda in West Springfield. I guess I could try this price with the Mazda's in CT - Manchester, Hartford, New London.
The dealer said they didn't negotiate with the Tribute until after a year. I was impressed with the Mazda 6 - It was a very nice ride. It compared with my wife's Passat and I liked the Mazda better - It's also $6K cheaper.
And as for stating my opinion about the mazda 6, i dont think you need to purchase a vehicle or have it on your SHORT LIST to make a statement on it!!!
I would of purchased the 6 if it had been available to the market when i made my new vehicle purchase exactly a year ago today(but it was not)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I guess it could be worse though i could own a vw, errrhhhhhhhhhhh i mean audi!!!!
Have a nice day!!!!
Greeting and salutation's from north of the border!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
About one car -- Mazda6i or Mazda6s or 6i or 6s
About several cars -- Mazda6's or MX6's or 6's
MX6 is Mazda's shorthand for the car, so you can also use MX6i or MX6s when talking about one model.
Stretchsje: So how would one get a 6iAT w/ABS, premium, and Bose?
By the way, I may be wrong on this, but I think Mazda will unlock the Premium Package so 6i buyers can get the alloys without the 8-way power seat and alarm system, in February. I'll keep checking.
fowler3
The 6s and 6i terms were intially meant for internal use to differentiate between a 4 cyl and V6. But apparently the public got wind of it.
On the books for Mazda, shorthand is MZ6i or MZ6s (for ordering and such).
OK, your post had not completely loaded when I wrote this. Then we can call them MZ6i and MZ6s.
Do they mean Mazda'sZoomin'6i and Mazda'sZoomin'6s?
fowler3
The 626 never used to be like the Camry and Accord. It was always a little different up until 93'. In 86' they came out with the GT turbo version with adjustable sport suspension available in 2 door, 4 door, and 5 door hatchback. It had those cool oscillating vents too. It was a pretty sporty car compared to the Accords and Camrys of the day. In the 88' redesign, the turbo models became flat out fast, especially compared to the Camrys and Accords. IIRC, they had 145 hp and a super fat torque curve peaking at 190 lbs-ft of torque. These cars were quicker than the 93'+ 5sp V6 models. The ride was stiff, but it handled nice and some of them had 4 wheel steering. Still available in 2 door, 4 door and 5 door hatchback and still equipped with the cool oscillating vents. Definately not like Camrys and Accords.
Just like a new baby - changes, changes, changes.
(Has anyone ever seen an old baby?)
fowler3
I am waiting (and also probably for the wagon or hatch), but I may buy a 2004 Impala SS or a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP in the interim. If I do, I guess once again Mazda will have outfoxed itself right out of a sale.
OTOH, the next generation chips from both XM and Sirius are due soon. Perhaps Mazda is waiting on that, and on marketing acceptance. Ford, Mazda's parent, is a Sirius marketing partner, as can be seen at http://www.sirius.com
The biggest hurdle Mazda had was name recognition.
Do you know how many people still walk in and ask if we make any cars without the rotary engine?
The Zoom Zoom commercial has done wonders for Mazda. People are beginning to know we sell cars not corks (origial Mazda company).
Thankfully now they are beginning to understand the what Mazda stands for too. It isn't the one car fits all persona but rather the FUN FACTOR like the Miata that people will associate.
Did you know that Ford sells more Explorers than all Mazda vehicles combined each year?
At least over the past few years we have begun to define ourselves. We have the products to back it up.
Yes I sell them but I also drive a P5. With a MT of course. I may be an old woman but I know what fun is. (I even paid for it with my own money)
Are you really surprised that Mazda would say they won't cover any damage to the dash as a result of some Audio guy taking it apart? What does the back of your computer say?
If they tell you it is OK then you would expect them to accept some level of responsibility if something goes wrong. If you put anything on your car that is not done at the dealer and is not a factory part then Mazda won't have anything to do with it.
Doesn't mean you can't do it. I tinted my windows. Maybe my window regulator will stop working next year due to the extra resistance in going up and down. A risk I was willing to take.
So, I'm waiting til it's factory option. Plus factory is a direct connect. I do NOT want another FM modulator. Better than nothing, but nowhere near as nice as factory or direct connect.
The first would make sense, because then, when you add the Make, it's a "Mazda 6". Ok, so far. The second doesn't work too well, because then it's really a "Mazda Mazda 6". Eeek! Ok, the last would work, but that's a "Mazda Mazda6".
The reason I ask is because on the MSN web site (autos.msn.com), when you select Mazda for the make, it lists "Mazda6" right below "626". Edmunds lists it as just "6" (which I believe is correct), but on www.autos.com we have the "Mazda6" again! KBB says just "6". Now it would appear that the Model is really just "6", but that pesky "Mazda6" keeps popping up. What's with that?
damn those marketing geniuses ;-)
Bring on the rebates.
Bring on the rebates.
And yet, some people are talking about their 6's already... that they've had for weeks. See, when you buy a car this fun, you forget about edmunds. Conversely, that's why you see so many new Honda Accord owners on these boards.
I may buy mine this week, but don't worry, I won't forget you all!