I find it shocking to see some P'5's around New Jersey. Mazda's don't sell well at all here. The 626 used to sell kinda well here from the late 80/mid 90's period. I see more 99-03 Galants than I see 98-02 626's. The Protege Sedan's not popular here. You should see how many Corolla's/Camry's and Civic/Accord's you see. There's so many! I don't see the Elantra Hatchbacks alot. I do see the sedan sometimes though.
As far as Mazda losing coustomers Mazda lost alot of buyers with the Ford Tranny in the 94-97 626 because the tranny's would give out at 40,000-50,000 miles. Mazda used to have loyal buyers in the early 90's. Now they really don't have loyal buyers. Once somebody buys a GM/Ford or Honda/Toyota they stay with those brands mostly.
I think they're playing with the idea, but no firm news on them bringing it to NA.
From what I read, it's great for inner-city use (as are many mini-cars), but its handling is not nearly to the same level as the 6 or Protege. It is very "well-equipped" and "nicely-finished" for a mini-car, placing it somewhere above most mini-cars and overlapping a bit with the Protege/323/Familia compact.
I'm interested in the Mazda 6 hatch, but I've been wondering, will the U.S. version offer stability control as an option? How about the navigation system?
Also, will the hatch have real adjustable rear seat head restraints?
All anyone knows it that the hatchback will be made in the US, so I'm guessing it will probably be outfitted the same as the sedan is now--no stability control, no adjustable rear head restraints. I think people have said the navigation system will be available eventually. All those things are available in Europe now, aren't they?
I heard that the nav system will be available starting in 04--I don't know if that's model year or calendar year. It will probably come when the wagon and hatch are launched as a mid-cycle refresh option for the sedan (spring 04). Does this make sense to anybody?
After all these snow storms in NY these past few months, I think I want my next car to have some sort of AWD system. I had read a while back that Mazda was going to add that to at least the wagon version. Has anyone heard anything about this recently? I really want the hatchback and (unlike some) I can probably wait a whole year for it. Especially if they can add an AWD option!
AWD is the main reason I'm waiting for Hatch in 2004 (although among other things I want in the 6 are rear-seat head rests, MP3, better utility etc...). Mazda currently offers AWD with the European M6 with the 2.3-i4 and auto tranny. The review I read on one of the UK car magazines on the Web didn't have much praise for the combination; I'm not surprised given the auto in the 4-cyl here doesn't perform well (surely the extra 100lbs or so for AWD doesn't improve the situation).
"Mary Olson, plant chairwoman for UAW Local 3000, says the plant has plans to start building hatchback and wagon versions of the Mazda6 in February 2004."
If this is the case, we should expect to see the hatch (and wagon) on dealer lots in April. Sigh...
On the other hand, if you're willing to wait that long for the hatch and are interested in getting S-plan pricing, you can join EAA.org (experimental aircraft assoc) for $40/year. IF you're member for more than one year (requires a $40 renewal fee) you can benefit from their Ford A-plan pricing (and the Mazda/Volvo/Jaguar/etc. equivalents) among other things.
Yes, the hatchback has been confirmed for US production. Both the wagon and hatch should start production for the next model year. Several sources have stated a February start for production.
gtyler2000: AWD is a near certain option for the wagon. It is already offered in other markets. No market has an AWD hatch AFAIK. Keep your fingers crossed though.
I posted this message on the regular 6 site as well........ I have been reading everyone's positive comments on the Mazda6 (including mags and press) so I had to take a test drive. I thought it was one of the best driving cars I had driven, and I have a very good one to compare with my 1995 Infiniti G20t. Very similar road manners, great around curves, great 4-cylander engine, etc. Would have bought one except for two issues. #1 The hatchback was not to be ready until 2004, and I needed a new car now (G20 is too small now and has 110+ miles). and #2: Spouse thought it was a bit too small for a family of 4+. I think if the hatch was around I could have convinced my spouse to go for it. I agree with others than not having the hatch and the wagon is hurting sales by 30% or more. It definitely made me look elsewhere, to the I35 and the Nissan Maxima. Eventually I settled on the I35 at a phenominal price.
I will be recommending the 6 to drivers who want a great 4 door sports car drive but some practicality as well. But with the hatch not going into production until Feb (meaning not on the lots until march or april), HatchGood luck to you who can wait for the 6 hatch! I will be very happy with the I35 longterm
I can't quite understand why people would complain about the MZ6 hatch not being available yet, assert that lack of said availability led to their decision to buy a different car, and then simply go and buy another sedan!
How dare Mazda delay the introduction of the MZ6 hatchback. In protest I'm going to buy a sedan!
The rear seat headroom is seriously lacking in the 6, as it was in the 626 and the Millenia. This is a real concern for people shopping for a family car, especially if they think their kids will grow tall.
A hatch or wagon would've made a borderline "family" car more practical.
The 6 wagon should have more headroom than either the hatch or wagon, like the P5 has more rear-seat headroom than the Protege sedan (which, BTW, has more rear headroom than the 6). And, even though it has a smaller trunk, I can put larger items into my wife's P5 than in my Protege because of the wagon format.
Take it easy on me... I understand your "points" but to me there really is no hatchback on the US market that has the visual appeal of a sedan (other than say the Hyundai Elantra, which to me is not in the same quality and class of manufacturer as Mazda, Toyota, Honda and Nissan). Thats why I would have considered the M6 Hatch if it were available.....since it looks like a true sporty sedan yet has the functionality of a Hatch. To me, the Protege5, the FocusZ5, the Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe, etc., all look more like Wagons and not like sporty cars, but that is my opinion. Plus they are all compact cars, and my family will have a few 6 footers. The M6 Hatch, if it was available with the launch of the 6 this year, would have put Mazda in a position against its competitors where they offered something truly different in terms of functionality and practicality..... something that could have attracted more potential buyers to the car in general. So in my mind, with no other hatches available (and I already have an SUV so I dont need a wagon), a sedan was the only way to go, and for only $3000 more than the Mazda I got the I35. The Mazda dealer would not deal heavily on a specific option car, they seemed to want to sell the ones on their lots. Infinity gave me a great deal right away, no haggling.
Not all Mazda6 owners condemn your decision. You make valid points. This time next year, I hope to get a Mazda6 HB. I just hope it is available in the 4cyl M/T config.
groovypippin: "I can't quite understand why people would complain about the MZ6 hatch not being available yet, assert that lack of said availability led to their decision to buy a different car, and then simply go and buy another sedan!"
This isn't unreasonable. If you need a car now but want a hatchback, you're forced either downmarket (Protege5, Focus, Elantra GT) or into a different market entirely (wagons or cross-over type vehicles, like the Vibe/Matrix). I, for one, do not want to go downmarket, and hate tall boxes like the Vibe/Matrix. I'm drooling for the 6 hatch, and plan to make it my next car. Luckily, unlike linkarm, I have the flexibility to wait for it. If I were linkarm, though, I would have bought a sedan.
The 6 hatch will be very interesting because it will occupy a very sparsely populated niche. We used to be able to choose from the Integra, Saab 900, and even the Accord when shopping for a hatch above economy car grade. There are very few options left. I hope the 6 hatch really does well here, so that this dormant market might reawaken.
I think his point though, is why not the 6 sedan? If the car is inadequate as a sedan, why does it become okay as a hatch? Of course the obvious answer is that there are a lot more sedans to choose from.
As I said, I was mainly just being grumpy. However, it would make more sense to me if someone went and bought a Saab hatch because they didn't want to wait for the 6 hatch rather than an Infiniti I35.
I guess the other thing that bugs me a bit is the perverse fascination that folks seem to have with vehicle size. I am not a small guy. I'm just a shade under six feet and about 230 pounds. The MZ6 has a ton of space inside. Just how freakin' HUGE do you have to be for there not be enough space.
If your family of four doesn't fit inside the MZ6, might I suggest the Atkins Diet or a stomch stapling or something. If its the head room that doesn't work, that's a different story.
Just pointing out some reasons why others may not wait if the sedan version doesn't fit them.
I was warned the hatch is a little shorter on headroom than the sedan, but it may have been sales pressure talk. The wagon will definitely have more rear headroom as the roof continues straight farther back. They should both handle quite well.
But being a tall person myself, I am pretty ticked off riding in the rear seats of most cars.
What I'm TRYING to say is that anyone with tall kids wouldn't look at the 6 in a kindly light given its relative (to some competitors) lack of headroom (I barely fit in the front of the 6 myself, and definitely not in ones equipped with the moonroof). The rear seats seem to be designed with folks 5'8" in mind, given the position of the built-in headrests and the roofline.
The wagon would likely be a better fit as its roofline continues straight back farther. Too bad they delayed its intro to the NA market by a year.
Word from a dealer is that Mazda will be posting the 2004 5-door and wagon Mazda 6 information to their Web site in mid-October. Ordering will likely be available by year's end, if not sooner, but delivery is still in 1Q or early 2Q, 2004.
At the first horizontal bar, pick vehicles (NOT Select a Model), then pick upcoming. Scroll down to the bottom of the page. Pick Explore The Mazda6 family. VOILA!
Very little hard information, but they did say the wagon was going to come with the V6 and 5-speed manual "standard". I can't believe that they would not offer an auto, so I think this indicates that they'll be manual and auto versions of the wagon, but no 4-cyl wagons. I know this will annoy a lot of people who want the economy of the 4-cyl in this vehicle. I guess they figure that with the added weight of the wagon, they simply couldn't afford not to put the V6 in it.
They say nothing about the hatch other than it will have all the sporty features like wheels, tires, etc. I'm guessing it will come with the sport package standard. No mention of what engines are planned.
It definitely feels like Mazda wants to move the wagon upscale towards competing with the Passat, Audi, and BMW and not have an economy wagon. They probably figure the new 3 covers the lower end better.
I'm just guessing, but I suspect that only offering the Mazda6 wagon with the V6 may have something to do with the Mazda3 hatchback being available in November, before the Mazda6 wagon is available.
Since the AWD discussion came up a little ways back in this board, I figured I'd post some correspondence with Mazda at their main site:
Form Message - Message Body: Hello there.
Hopefully, there is a quick cut and dry answer to this question... will AWD be available on the upcoming Mazda 6 5-Door? I understand that it should be available on the wagon, but the hatch looks to be such a great looking car. I will be shopping for a vehicle in the next 12 months about, and as I live in Colorado and do quite a bit of mountain/snow driving, I'd like to go something different than another Subaru sedan.
-----Original Message----- Thank you for contacting Mazda North American Operations. I appreciate the opportunity to respond to you.
In regards to your inquiry, the upcoming MAZDA6 5-Door will be standard front wheel drive for all trim levels. AWD drive is not planned for the MAZDA6 5-Door.
I am pleased you took the time to bring your comments regarding your preference for AWD vehicles to our attention. Consumer feedback is always very important to Mazda. Certainly, we want to offer exciting vehicles, and comments such as yours help us to achieve that goal.
Rest assured I have documented your suggestion for our corporate record. These records are continuously being reviewed by our Product Planning Department in an effort to provide only the highest quality products to our customers.
Again, thank you for contacting Mazda. It has been my pleasure to assist you. Please feel free to reply to this message with any further questions or comments.
Regards,
William Zdan Specialist, Customer Assistance E-Business
Original Message Follows: ------------------------ Dear Mr. Zdan,
...
With your permission, I would like to post this information to other interested parties on the Edmunds.com newsgroup for upcoming Mazda 6 vehicles. There was some controversy and hearsay, so I'd like to post these comments to clear that up. Please advise if this is or is not acceptable.
Thank you again for the quick reply, and I look forward to your response on posting this information.
-----Original Message----- Subject: Re: RE: Thanks for contacting Mazda
Thanks for again contacting Mazda.
You are free to use the information that I have provided in any way that you like. That is not to imply that Mazda is in sponsorship of you specifically posting information or that Mazda offers YOU "permission" to you individually, as it does not require permission to list this information...it is public knowledge that is available to anyone.
It is important to note that the information that I provided does not imply that an AWD MAZDA6 or MAZDA6 line vehicle will not ever become available in future models or even in midcycle productions, however, at this time, there are no plans to offer a 2004 MAZDA6 5-Door for the U.S. market in AWD.
I hope that this helps to clarify.
Again, thank you for contacting Mazda. It has been my pleasure to assist you. Please feel free to reply to this message with any further questions or comments.
Regards,
William Zdan Specialist, Customer Assistance E-Business
at Mazdas rate....forever........in the meantime, go sample the Mazda3...i test drove one and man that car drives nice. It will bust all your notions of how a small 4 cylinder car should drive.
I intend to test drive one, but I think I need at least as much room as the 6. Also, I drive a lot, and am a noise freak. I am beginning to smell a 2005 Legacy/Outback in my future. Seems likely, but who knows at this point...
Comments
As far as Mazda losing coustomers Mazda lost alot of buyers with the Ford Tranny in the 94-97 626 because the tranny's would give out at 40,000-50,000 miles. Mazda used to have loyal buyers in the early 90's. Now they really don't have loyal buyers. Once somebody buys a GM/Ford or Honda/Toyota they stay with those brands mostly.
From what I read, it's great for inner-city use (as are many mini-cars), but its handling is not nearly to the same level as the 6 or Protege. It is very "well-equipped" and "nicely-finished" for a mini-car, placing it somewhere above most mini-cars and overlapping a bit with the Protege/323/Familia compact.
Also, will the hatch have real adjustable rear seat head restraints?
A v6 Hatch 5-sp with AWD sounds like heaven!
http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat- - _code=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=02796713
"Mary Olson, plant chairwoman for UAW Local 3000, says the plant has plans to start building hatchback and wagon versions of the Mazda6 in February 2004."
If this is the case, we should expect to see the hatch (and wagon) on dealer lots in April. Sigh...
On the other hand, if you're willing to wait that long for the hatch and are interested in getting S-plan pricing, you can join EAA.org (experimental aircraft assoc) for $40/year. IF you're member for more than one year (requires a $40 renewal fee) you can benefit from their Ford A-plan pricing (and the Mazda/Volvo/Jaguar/etc. equivalents) among other things.
http://www.mazda.gr/mazda6_cp_pg.htm
It's a great looking car, I just wish I could get one now!!!!
gtyler2000: AWD is a near certain option for the wagon. It is already offered in other markets. No market has an AWD hatch AFAIK. Keep your fingers crossed though.
I will be recommending the 6 to drivers who want a great 4 door sports car drive but some practicality as well. But with the hatch not going into production until Feb (meaning not on the lots until march or april), HatchGood luck to you who can wait for the 6 hatch! I will be very happy with the I35 longterm
How dare Mazda delay the introduction of the MZ6 hatchback. In protest I'm going to buy a sedan!
Okay so I'm cranky today.
The rear seat headroom is seriously lacking in the 6, as it was in the 626 and the Millenia. This is a real concern for people shopping for a family car, especially if they think their kids will grow tall.
A hatch or wagon would've made a borderline "family" car more practical.
The 6 wagon should have more headroom than either the hatch or wagon, like the P5 has more rear-seat headroom than the Protege sedan (which, BTW, has more rear headroom than the 6). And, even though it has a smaller trunk, I can put larger items into my wife's P5 than in my Protege because of the wagon format.
So in my mind, with no other hatches available (and I already have an SUV so I dont need a wagon), a sedan was the only way to go, and for only $3000 more than the Mazda I got the I35. The Mazda dealer would not deal heavily on a specific option car, they seemed to want to sell the ones on their lots. Infinity gave me a great deal right away, no haggling.
This isn't unreasonable. If you need a car now but want a hatchback, you're forced either downmarket (Protege5, Focus, Elantra GT) or into a different market entirely (wagons or cross-over type vehicles, like the Vibe/Matrix). I, for one, do not want to go downmarket, and hate tall boxes like the Vibe/Matrix. I'm drooling for the 6 hatch, and plan to make it my next car. Luckily, unlike linkarm, I have the flexibility to wait for it. If I were linkarm, though, I would have bought a sedan.
The 6 hatch will be very interesting because it will occupy a very sparsely populated niche. We used to be able to choose from the Integra, Saab 900, and even the Accord when shopping for a hatch above economy car grade. There are very few options left. I hope the 6 hatch really does well here, so that this dormant market might reawaken.
I guess the other thing that bugs me a bit is the perverse fascination that folks seem to have with vehicle size. I am not a small guy. I'm just a shade under six feet and about 230 pounds. The MZ6 has a ton of space inside. Just how freakin' HUGE do you have to be for there not be enough space.
If your family of four doesn't fit inside the MZ6, might I suggest the Atkins Diet or a stomch stapling or something. If its the head room that doesn't work, that's a different story.
I was warned the hatch is a little shorter on headroom than the sedan, but it may have been sales pressure talk. The wagon will definitely have more rear headroom as the roof continues straight farther back. They should both handle quite well.
What I'm TRYING to say is that anyone with tall kids wouldn't look at the 6 in a kindly light given its relative (to some competitors) lack of headroom (I barely fit in the front of the 6 myself, and definitely not in ones equipped with the moonroof). The rear seats seem to be designed with folks 5'8" in mind, given the position of the built-in headrests and the roofline.
The wagon would likely be a better fit as its roofline continues straight back farther. Too bad they delayed its intro to the NA market by a year.
2nd paragraph from end.
- Mark
http://www.lequotidienauto.com/mag/img.asp?src=030127/vectra_mazd- a6/images/mazda_coffre.jpg
Dinu
Dinu
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
Dinu
I can't wait!
Tuesday nights - 6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET.
- Mark
This link may or may not work:
http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=- upcomingMain
or: http://tinyurl.com/rib2 Then go down and pick Explore the Mazda6 family. Works best if you have Flash animation installed.
Very little hard information, but they did say the wagon was going to come with the V6 and 5-speed manual "standard". I can't believe that they would not offer an auto, so I think this indicates that they'll be manual and auto versions of the wagon, but no 4-cyl wagons. I know this will annoy a lot of people who want the economy of the 4-cyl in this vehicle. I guess they figure that with the added weight of the wagon, they simply couldn't afford not to put the V6 in it.
They say nothing about the hatch other than it will have all the sporty features like wheels, tires, etc. I'm guessing it will come with the sport package standard. No mention of what engines are planned.
It definitely feels like Mazda wants to move the wagon upscale towards competing with the Passat, Audi, and BMW and not have an economy wagon. They probably figure the new 3 covers the lower end better.
- Mark
Thanks
Form Message - Message Body:
Hello there.
Hopefully, there is a quick cut and dry answer to this question... will AWD be available on the upcoming Mazda 6 5-Door? I understand that it should be available on the wagon, but the hatch looks to be such a great looking car. I will be shopping for a vehicle in the next 12 months about, and as I live in Colorado and do quite a bit of mountain/snow driving, I'd like to go something different than another Subaru sedan.
-----Original Message-----
Thank you for contacting Mazda North American Operations. I appreciate the opportunity to respond to you.
In regards to your inquiry, the upcoming MAZDA6 5-Door will be standard front wheel drive for all trim levels. AWD drive is not planned for the MAZDA6 5-Door.
I am pleased you took the time to bring your comments regarding your preference for AWD vehicles to our attention. Consumer feedback is always very important to Mazda. Certainly, we want to offer exciting vehicles, and comments such as yours help us to achieve that goal.
Rest assured I have documented your suggestion for our corporate record. These records are continuously being reviewed by our Product Planning Department in an effort to provide only the highest quality products to our customers.
Again, thank you for contacting Mazda. It has been my pleasure to assist you. Please feel free to reply to this message with any further questions or comments.
Regards,
William Zdan
Specialist, Customer Assistance E-Business
Original Message Follows:
------------------------
Dear Mr. Zdan,
...
With your permission, I would like to post this information to other interested parties on the Edmunds.com newsgroup for upcoming Mazda 6 vehicles. There was some controversy and hearsay, so I'd like to post these comments to clear that up. Please advise if this is or is not acceptable.
Thank you again for the quick reply, and I look forward to your response on posting this information.
-----Original Message-----
Subject: Re: RE: Thanks for contacting Mazda
Thanks for again contacting Mazda.
You are free to use the information that I have provided in any way that you like. That is not to imply that Mazda is in sponsorship of you specifically posting information or that Mazda offers YOU "permission" to you individually, as it does not require permission to list this information...it is public knowledge that is available to anyone.
It is important to note that the information that I provided does not imply that an AWD MAZDA6 or MAZDA6 line vehicle will not ever become available in future models or even in midcycle productions, however, at this time, there are no plans to offer a 2004 MAZDA6 5-Door for the U.S. market in AWD.
I hope that this helps to clarify.
Again, thank you for contacting Mazda. It has been my pleasure to assist you. Please feel free to reply to this message with any further questions or comments.
Regards,
William Zdan
Specialist, Customer Assistance E-Business