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Mazda - Does it have a good future in US?

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Comments

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    This is a tough market for a "premium small" car, it's seen by most as an oxymoron.

    -juice
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    "Apparently the U.S. is the SLOWEST market for this model. Wonder how much that statement was just hype and how much it was for real."

    Even though they're selling well here, I believe that the US is the slowest market for the Mazda3. The Mazda3 is one of the top selling cars in Canada, it was even the best selling vehicle in Canada for a month. Mazda6 sales were very strong in Europe, but not here. Mazdas seem to be popular everywhere except the US.
  • davem2001davem2001 Member Posts: 557
    No, the base price I posted ($24400) is for the GLI 2.0T. There is no GLI 2.5.

    Oh,OK, I misunderstood...that's more reasonable then...more in line with the 200hp TSX... I thought the $24K was for the mid-line trim with 150hp. The Jetta still seems somewhat overpriced to me...
  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    Jetta prices are going up for the '06 model year, which is when the GLI will get here. I find a $24,4 base price the next thing to unbelievable - even if that is what is now forecast, I bet the forecast won't stick as time passes. I was figuring $26K when they first proposed the specs for the new GLI.

    In many markets outside North America, the Mazda3 would probably be considered a midsize car - I wonder what its number one market is.

    It is a great car hampered by the lousy U.S. Mazda dealer network.

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    My Jetta with leather and XM radio was $200 from MSRP $26k before the $3k aero kit that I would want to make my Jetta look different from the Value model. I'm sure a loaded GLI will approach $30k. That's crazy.
  • mazda6smazda6s Member Posts: 1,901
    What's fishy here is that you shouldn't get the 2.5 with pkg 1. :)
  • mazda6smazda6s Member Posts: 1,901
    I'm sure a loaded GLI will approach $30k. That's crazy.
    Yes it is. But then again I wouldn't buy a loaded GLI so I don't care.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Ain't what it used to be.

    Altimas, Camrys, Accords, Legacys, just about any mainstream car exceeds $30k loaded up nowadays.

    Doesn't mean you can't get one reasonably well equipped for $22-24k, though. It's just that features like Nav weren't offered before on these models.

    -juice
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    All those cars come in reasonably loaded editions with more hp for less. Heck a EX V6 Accord has 240 hp for around less than $27K. How much is a 240hp Jetta gonna cost loaded.

    You can get a 265hp Altima for $29K. And that's not even what you actually pay for these cars....

    But anyway...This is the Mazda room. Never mind.

    The Mazda6 needs more power in the V6 though.It's getting left behind. Now I don't think it NEEDS more power, it's just that everyone elses numbers look bigger. That's not good for bragging rights.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'd say it's torque, not power, that it needs. The V6 is fine once you get under way. At low revs it's only average, doesn't feel like the fast car that it is the rest of the time.

    I'm sure they limit what Mazda can do with the Duratec because Jaguar shares the engine and has to make more power/torque.

    Give Jag the new 3.5l and then give Mazda the freedom to really tune this baby.

    -juice
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,342
    you made my point. The whole HP "war" is more about bragging rights or something. I hold to my theory that most people don't use 1/2 of the power most cars make anyway, especially on the top end. How many people wind out their Camry's to 6,500 RPM to wring out that last 10 HP?

    Regarding the 6, I drove a 6 and a 4 when they came out. Even with the AT, the V6 was certainly quick by any (short of supercar) standards. And, most people don't do drag racing starts, so they notice mid-range pick up more, and the 6 is stronger there.

    Still wonder how I survived all those years with an 82 HP 323. It was actually failry quick, and cruised along at 75 just fine. I guess light curb wieght and a 5 speed helped?

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • jaserbjaserb Member Posts: 820
    Surprisingly quick. My brother has one and it reminds me a bit of my old Sentra SE-R, just more grown up. The HP war in midsized family cars is plain dumb. My daily driver is an old 4-cyl 4x4 pickup with over 160k miles on the original motor, and it keeps up just fine in traffic, thanks. I think it had 109 HP brand new, and I'm sure it weighs at least as much as the typical midsized sedan. Of course, I flog the thing mercilessly because I WANT it to be faster, but it doesn't need to be.

    My "fun" car is factory (over)rated at 132 HP and is an absolute blast bone stock. My plan is to one day build a warmed up motor that will be even more fun, and should have all of about 160 HP. Or, just about what the typical 4 banger in this category has. I guarantee none of them are as much fun, though.

    -Jason
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    Both are plenty quick for us. You should see the folk in the new IS room complaining about the new IS having "only" 201 hp. You'd think they were putting a 2 cylinder in the thing.
  • cticti Member Posts: 131
    My Mazda3 has 160 hp and that is more than any other car I've owned/driven (some of those cars are my parents' cars).

    Plenty of zoom-zoom for me. And the money I DON'T spend on a bigger engine can go to other stuff. I loaded up my Mazda3 hatch with almost everything and the price barely crept above $20k - before taxes, anyway.
  • jaserbjaserb Member Posts: 820
    Titanium gray, with the traction control and side air bag package, power seat, 16" alloys. Other than that it was pretty much stock - no roof, spoiler, etc. This was back in March, I think. He got it for under $13k with 18k miles, so I think Mazda still has some work to do on resale values. It's a very nice car for the money, and I really like that 2.3L engine. I was surprised that the traction control kept kicking in on dry roads. When I turned it off I could spin the tires all day long.

    -Jason
  • newcar31newcar31 Member Posts: 3,711
    $13K for a 2 year old 6i isn't that surprising considering they sold a lot of those cars for around $17K-$18K brand new. If Mazda wants to do something about the resale value, they need to stop giving rebates, and they can't do that. The 3 is selling pretty well without rebates and the resale value is better.

    I have the same car as your brother but without the traction control and side airbags and I bought mine brand new for $16,800 with 0% financing for 5 years.
  • jc9799jc9799 Member Posts: 70
    I agree. Hard for any car to have "good" resale value when you have serious rebates and discounts on brand new models.
    I just bought an MPV 2 weeks ago, but the week before I almost bought a new 6 from the same dealership. It was Lapis Blue, AT, with the TC/SAB and Convenience Packages (which includes 17" alloys). Including the $1K rebate and $1K Mazda Credit rebate, they gave me an offer for $17,500. Heck, that was about $250 under invoice before rebates.
    FWIW, I loved the 6 and thought it handled much better than my wife's Passat.
  • yellowperilyellowperil Member Posts: 22
    It's hilarious to see used car dealerships trying to sell their Mazdas for ridiculous prices. For example, a 2005 Mazda6 for $25000! Sure, it's 'fully-loaded' but I can get a new one for less than that!

    My buying experience was rather strange though. The Mazda dealer offered for my trade-in $4000 more than the KBB value! That was after negotiations saying that I will not have a trade-in. So I ended up with a Mazda for what was essentially more than $8000 under invoice after rebates! With such practices, I don't know if Mazda will have a future!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    But that's an asking price. I bet if you went in with money in hand they'd go way down.

    -juice
  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
  • jsnewjerseyjsnewjersey Member Posts: 21
    Just to update.....I finally got the car back 2 days short of two weeks. I've never heard so many excuses.I had to make a special trip into Manhattan to get my car on a Saturday. I expected my dealership in Ramsey to be proactive and call Manhattan Mazda to have the car repaired ASAP. They did not do that.
    They called once and told me they were treated rudely!!!!! I then told them, how do you think they treat me if they treat another dealer like that.

    Ramsey Mazda where I purchased the car did not follow through on one single thing. Brent Reed the manager there offered to have the car towed back to his dealership and when I asked him to do that he said it would have to wait to next week.Then he whined about the extra cost of doing so......same when I asked for a loaner....which I am entitled to.......

    To make matters worse when my 6 died in front of Manhattan mazda it was ticketed. Brent Reed of ramsey mazda told me to my face they would pay the ticket. He filed out a check request in front of me and supposedly handed it to someone for payment. I have not seen that check...it's over 1 month now.
    I also wanted to cancel my gap coverage but they won't do that either.

    STAY AWAY FROM RAMSEY MAZDA
  • autonomousautonomous Member Posts: 1,769
    There is an interesting article in Canadian Driver about Phil Maartens, one of the chief architects of Ford's future, called Keeping Ford out of the ditch. The article notes some of Ford's successes including the Focus in Europe and the Mazda3 around the world. Once it gets through some current problems Ford appears on the right track with its consolidation, globalization and creation of alternatives to gas dependance.

    First, there is the case of Ford's European Focus, the Mazda3 and Volvo's S40/V50. They share a common platform and were developed in Cologne with input from all three Ford brands. In Europe, the Focus is a huge success but that version of the small car is not sold in North America. Around the world, the Mazda3 is a smash hit, while the S40/V50 has been a more modest success.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,342
    any idea if Mazda is part of this? For that matter, how about volvo?

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • davem2001davem2001 Member Posts: 557
    Yeah, good question? Maybe now is a good time for rich guys to get a new Aston Martin? LOL!
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,736
    heck, there doesn't seem to be a problem in getting volvos dirt cheap even without employee pricing. ;)

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • mirthmirth Member Posts: 1,212
    ...is NOT part of the Ford employee pricing incentive. Sorry. Neither are any of the PAG brands (including Volvo).
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Too bad. That would have made the Mazda5 a bargain.

    GM did apply the program to all its brands, like Saab.

    -juice
  • chris65amgchris65amg Member Posts: 372
    I think that it would help Ford's other brands if the employee pricing thing went to them too. Look, GM's doing it! All of the Fords that I would consider buying don't have employee pricing. Ouch.
  • npaladin2000npaladin2000 Member Posts: 593
    Of course. Why would they apply a greater incentive to models they don't have any trouble selling? And Mazda certainly doesn't have any trouble selling their cars. That's just good buisness...they'd lose money on each sale for a minimal increase in volume (For instance, there really aren't ANY more Mazda3 to sell until October....why drop the price on them? They're GONNA sell anyway...every last one).

    Honestly, GM applying it across the board may be a big mistake, if it wasn't for the fact that NONE of their models were selling terribly well (and even so, no one even knows if the company is making money this way yet...)
  • z71billz71bill Member Posts: 1,986
    News reports of the GM employe price program claim that most of the sales increase GM saw in June came from GM owners trading in their GM cars before they normally would (trading a 3 year old car in when normally they would wait for 4 years) & also from stealing sales from Ford and Chrysler - it had very little impact on Toyota and Honda. The average incentive for GM was over $4,700 in June - Toyota was a little over $1,000.

    This is why Ford & Chrysler are introducing similar programs.

    But even if I was 100% set on buying a Mazda3 I would still shop the other companies and get a price on a Cobalt or Focus. Then when I went in to negotiate the sales price on the Mazda3 I could say - buy I can buy a Cobalt/Focus with more features for $2K (or whatever) less. It would help get you a better price.
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    Must be an Atlanta thing then. They have dirt cheap 8's, 6's, MPV's, and Tributes. They could use the employee pricing here.

    There are some hefty incentives when I hit the promotions tab on the Mazda website.
  • mazda6smazda6s Member Posts: 1,901
    The incentives on the 05 models are getting pretty sweet. I think they have too many cars (except for the MZ3) on the lots for the arrival of the 06 models.
  • z71billz71bill Member Posts: 1,986
    Didn't the Mazda manufacturing plant in Japan have a shut down a few months back because of a fire. It reduced the volume of cars that could be produced.

    I though that was one reason why Mazda did not have as large of promotional dollars on cars coming from Japan.
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    went test driving today and couldn't find a single manual tranny Mazda5. Very disappointing. When are they gonna advertise this thing? There is NO buzz around it. Not that I mind, I'm waiting for the big discounts.
  • chris65amgchris65amg Member Posts: 372
    I think that the MT Mazda5 is like the MT Camry: it exists only in our imaginations. :P

    I've only seen one on the Mazda lots around here.
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    When a company says that the manual is "standard" but you can't find one. Why not just make the automatic standard and make the manual a delete option or something. It's just stupid IMHO.
  • mazda6smazda6s Member Posts: 1,901
    Yeah, but a lot of things are stupid IYHO. :)

    My local dealer has three MAZDA5s, two are AT and one is MT. The one with MT is actually a base model with NO options!

    In the US I think something like 90% of all cars are sold with AT (somebody have the exact stat on this?). Even BMWs are sold mostly with AT, something like 80% of them. For the Mazda3 and Mazda6, it's more like only 65% (Rich, do you have this one?) which is very low compared to most other models.
  • 600kgolfgt600kgolfgt Member Posts: 690
    > But that's an asking price. I bet if you went in with money in hand they'd go way down.

    You're not kidding - as the saying goes - "Cash is King..." :shades:
  • mazda6smazda6s Member Posts: 1,901
    Not exactly. Dealerships make money on financing. The salesperson makes his/her money on the sale. The F&I manager makes his/her money on your loan (and add-ons). The Dealership makes it's money on both.

    However, having cash immediately makes you a qualified buyer. A sale with a lower commission is better than a potential sale to a serious buyer with no money and poor credit (which is worth absolutely nothing).
  • z71billz71bill Member Posts: 1,986
    You can debate this all day long - but the main reason dealers stock cars with automatics is because that is what the can sell - because that is what most people want to buy.

    The Mazda5 looks like a mini mini van - how many mini vans are sold (in the USA) with a manual tranny? I can't even think of one company (other than Mazda) that even offers the manual on their mini van.

    Give Mazda some credit at least you can get the manual if you special order it.

    Looks like Mazda will have the 1/2 of 1% of the market for mini vans with manual tranny all to themselves!
  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    "Why not just make the automatic standard and make the manual a delete option or something. It's just stupid IMHO"

    Gawd, are you ever right about that!!! I did an inventory search on manual-equipped Mazda6i 5-doors...in a 50-mile radius there were only three in stock, and all three were no-option strippers, whereas I would really want to have the moonroof/Bose package. It just stinks. So I figured, OK, maybe the 5-door is a very slow seller, and just for the heck of it I did the same search on the sedan...NONE. Not a single manual-equipped car within 50 miles. It just sucks. Calling the manual "standard" is just insulting our intelligence, and all the manufacturers do it.

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • mazda6smazda6s Member Posts: 1,901
    You can debate this all day long - but the main reason dealers stock cars with automatics is because that is what the can sell - because that is what most people want to buy.

    Yeah, but most people are pretty stupid anyway, so that doesn't prove anything. :D
  • mazda6smazda6s Member Posts: 1,901
    nippononly - That's probably because the dealers stock too many AT units, and the MT units have already been sold. The Mazda3 actually has a high percentage of MTs compared to most other models.
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    The need to adjust the allocations accordingly. Unless they aren't out to sell as many cars as possible.
  • mazda6smazda6s Member Posts: 1,901
    Seems like dealers are always stocking the wrong thing.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Why not just make the automatic standard and make the manual a delete option

    Because then they could not advertise "prices starting as low as X".

    -juice
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  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    Actually, I was looking for Mazda6, not Mazda3. I haven't checked in a while, but back when I was shopping for my current car, my local dealer had several manual shift Mazda3s to choose from.

    Now Mazda5 is coming, and I believe that once again a manual is "standard", isn't it? But in this class of vehicle, I can't imagine dealers will order any.

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yep, reports are they're hard to find, they exist but good luck finding the color and options you want.

    -juice
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