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I would say there are quite a few of the P5s out there. I did enjoy the test drive I took in the P5, it handled great and was fun to drive.
I am not using the GM card any further because it does lock you into GM when you are ready to buy; I'm using an airline Visa now for free future travel.
What have all the leaders done on every minivan redesign - bigger and heavier. Oddity, Sienna, Qwest - all bigger and heavier. I hope Mazda can resist the b&h temptation, but I don't see how they can continue to resist the dollars that follow the sales trend. A lower, wider, aggressive looking MPV would work for me, but it would buck the b&h trend.
As far as the next generation Miata goes - I think my 99 will be my last. Sharing a platform with the RX8 means b&h. Bigger and heavier is the opposite of what I want. I want smaller and lighter. I will probably have to switch to the Toyota MR2 Spyder when my Miata runs out of steam. If they still make it. The Pontiac Solstice looks tempting, but I expect it to be close to 3000 pounds with the usual (lack of) GM quality.
I can't see myself ever owning anything larger than a Mazda6 as far as family sedans go.
I think Mazda has it down perfectly in terms of size of their vehicles, their refinement and quality of interiors to compete with other automakers.
Sadly, the buying public sees bigger=better (I4-vs-V6 for example), only the 0-60 #s, and driving tasks being automated as much as possible as signs of a great automobile. I'm not saying ABS or SAB/SAC are BS, but when one chooses a vehicle b/c it has HIDs over another without driving the other one, ignores the competition b/c they heard X brand is "reliable" but do not look up others for reliability, and so on, it goes to show why ignorance is Mazda's #1 enemy.
Dinu
It could be maybe 3-4 inches longer, 2-3 inches wider, pick up the new Sienna's 60/40 split folding rear seat, have a mazdaspeed version with manual transmission, more horses, one inch lower, 18" wheels, and dual exhaust--now we are talking the perfect family vehicle.
I would do some of this myself, but it is family transportation, so I don't want to mess with it. If it came that way with a factory warranty, sign me up!!
Fezo...disagree with you...the MPV is fine sized for me even with another kid. But, without the 60/40 split seat, once I have the 3rd kid, I either have to store luggage in the seat next to him, or put all three in the back seat and store stuff in the middle (which is dangerous, and just doesn't make sense!)
So for the 05' MPV, I do hope it gets a "little" bigger, with some of the features I mentioned above. It will definitely be my first pick (based on my 02')
knhill - Toyota has announced it will be ending MR2 Spyder production this year.
They had better not make Miata too big - everyone is right that is saying this will ruin its special qualities.
It should still have a lower power base engine to keep the base price down - keep it accessible - AS WELL AS a high-power rotary with a higher price tag in keeping with the company image.
It would not have to compete directly with RX8 - they could just put the lower-power rotary in that the RX8 will have (210 hp, is it?).
I wish wish wish they would go this route instead of turbo.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
As far as a rotary Miata is concerned, that sounds really cool. Maybe they could use a 130-140 hp 1 rotor engine instead of the 2 rotor in the RX8? That could save weight and cost, although it might be a little short on torque.
I wonder what the weight differential is between the two-rotor and the inline 4-cyl they use in Miata now...
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
as for weight difference, I believe the RENESIS is lighter than the BP series I4 in the Miata right now (not sure by how much though)
a 200hp, NA 2-rotor Miata that weighs around 2600lb would be THE quintessential roadster of today :-) (though the cost of RENESIS may make it a bit expensive, which negates the price advantage current Miata has over other roadsters)
didn't the P5 sell more than expected?
I think a beautiful design will woo the public. Simply bieng a hatchback will NOT woo the public.
How well is the Pro5 selling, anyway? I found some stats at www.autosite.com that show 15,051 Proteges sold in CY03 through March 31. It doesn't break them down by sedans and wagons, though.
It's a nice van, though.
the six of us do just fine in the MPV. Space has never been an issue rather who drives when both of us are in the van.
Where do you pack anything? Do you just buy new clothes and leave them there before the return trip? ;~)
I'm trying to understand....
What I;d really like for myself is the 6 Sportwagon when it comes around. Let's see if I can sell the wife on the idea. That or an older Miata as a third vehicle. I NEED my fun.....
At the same time though, I did begin to finally appreciate this beast known as the "minivan". As uncomfortable as I was, no car would have been able to do the job as well.
And it would be a better idea than the larger, RX8 convertible they have hinted at building right now.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
which is why it makes more sense for Mazda to keep Miata piston engine, and cap off its price at 26k for the top-of-line model.
besides, I think a rotary 2-seat convertible should be called its proper name, RX-7 ;-)
FC's are ok weight-wise, 2600-ish for a coupe IIRC.
I love my FC
but my point is, if possible, keep the rotary engine to the RX- nameplate :-)
I could have gotten an XG350 for 15K-17K(think Avalon sized car) or a Sonata for 13,999 or the loaded LX for 16K tops.
(thats a 21K car).
Yeah, that's good sale on Protege's.
Gotta admit that.
I just would rather spend $3K more for a Midsized car(w/leather,everything).
In my area(where I;d get service, becasue hatfields is 125 miles+ away from me)I would nto buy a Mazda now.
No service centers within 1 hour drive.
2 from Hyundai, and 3 within 70 minutes if I include Jeff Wyler of Springfield(about 1 hour west of Columbus).
No sale is good if youhave no service centerswithin an hour's drive, especially if you break down... imagine the towing bill.
Let's pump that excitement into Mazda!
I just finished reading the comparo in the June MT between Mazdaspeed Protege, Dodge SRT-4, and Focus SVT 5-door.
Focus came last, SRT-4 won because of enormous power, but their "verdict" was that with another 30-40 hp the Mazda would have won easily, for being a much more balanced and more upscale-feeling car.
Rotary, rotary! Can you imagine a 250 hp Protege? I can! (and it's not a turbo!)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Oh, well....
http://www.ongas.org/gallery/album02/102_0298_IMG
A new version probably wouldn't sell, but it would be one of the coolest cars on the road.
Mazda3(and next Gen Focus) will replace Protege.
That is why they knocked off $4K.
The salesman did not say when the Mazda3 would be out, except "soon". C'Mon guyys, let's be upfront here. If they were not replacing Protege's, you would NOT see a 12K loaded Protege anywhere, unless it was "culled".
Right after that, I test drove a MPV and found more road noise than the Caravan.
If Dodge caravan were not infamous for their trannies, I would have gotten one right away.
That was the 88-92 626 you are referring too. I didn't think the 1993-1997 looked bad but it was the Ford Tranny that killed sales of that generation of 626.
I don't get why Ford had had to intefere like that. Putting another car companies parts into another car companies cars always spell trouble because the parts may not mesh right with each other. Mazda learned that the hard way.
I hope Mazda doesn't become like Mitsu and Gm and offer discounts right and left just to move cars off the lot. That doesn't prove how good your cars are and you are not selling cars on your own merit if your discounting cars like crazy. How long can Mitsubishi do that anyway?
Oh yeah about the American buying public being brain dead why does a single person need to drive a Chevy Tahoe around? I never understood that.
And about Mazda brand loyalty: they don't have alot of that. I read the car ads in the paper all the time on Saturday and alot of people are trading the last generation 626 for a New Accord so that doesn't bode well for Mazda. As for the people who drove 626's and 323's in the 80's they probably didn't come back because of the Ford Factor in 1994 with the Tranny.
As for Mazda sales decline well Mazda can't keep up with Honda and Toyota. Mistu offers heavy discounts, the Korean's offer 10 years/100,000 mile warranty's and VW can sell cars on their name. About Mazda offering 10 year/100,000 mile warranty's I can't see it. Mazda's are reliable so I don't see a need for a 10 year/100k mile warranty in order for Mazda to move cars off the lot.
Mazda is just being caught right now in the car market like a needle in a haystack and I think its sad.
The Koreans have it beat with 5/60 for the standard b-to-b, but that is another story.
The current round of 0% financing available on Subarus is the first time that carmaker has ever had nameplate-wide discounting. For a number of years now (since the mid-90s) they have been selling cars without any model-wide "incentives", "rebates", or whatever. How could they do this? They sold to a niche: they developed a brand image and adhered to it strictly, and when they advertised, they advertised this image.
I say again, Mazda could do this, it is a prime candidate for exactly this approach, but to do so, it has to get the image straight and make sure ALL its products stick to that image.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I don't think the '93-on-up Mazda 626 is really a *bad* looking car, it's just bland looking. Doesn't look like something you'd associate with "zoom-zoom". I think what really killed the 626 for me was when they chromed up the grille a bit, to make it look more like a Millenia.
Mazda has stated the next Miata will share the RX8/(RX7?) platform and that it will be bigger and heavier. I was hoping the next Miata would go in the opposite direction. I believe nothing makes more of a difference than weight in the handling of a car. I have driven a third generation RX7 and while there is no comparison to the Miata in terms of throttle response, and the RX7 handles great in it's own right, it just doesn't have that go-cart-style flingability of a Miata. And that's only a ~500 pound difference in weight. Where will I go when my 99 falls apart?
To be honest, since motorcycles are allowed on the road I don't understand why ALL cars must conform to the relentless pace of Federal safety regulations (which demand more weight in the form of reinforcements and airbags every few years). Why can't we have an opt-out class of cars: ultralights? Imagine a 1400 pound Miata with today's 142 hp motor, or better still (for probably the same weight), the Renesis.
Then, of course, they slapped some totally bogus brightwork onto its beak, but you can't have everything.
As far as the Late 80's era for midize cars(626, Camry, Galant) the Galant looked kind of funky(mitsu styling has always been an aquired taste for me.) The Camry wasn't bad looking for that era but really doesn't look that good now. The Accord and 626 from that era have aged really well.
This was on the website, last sentence
"The biggest news: the Mazda3 name will replace the “Protégé” and other names used around the world".
So, yes, it is taking the Protege's place, but it is not the next Protege, and not same platform,either, as current Protege.
http:thecarconnection.com
go to box on left sie(advanced search box) and enter Mazda3. They said Ford's world clas car platform(CW150?) will be for Mazda3 and Focus, and I guess they'll have same engine, also>
Would better model branding help Mazda become more recognized?
Here's what I suggest:
Mazda1 - Miata
Mazda2 - Mazda2
Mazda3 - Protege 3DR HB (I wish) and 4DR Sedan
Mazda4 - Tribute 4x4
Mazda5 - Protege 5DR HB
Mazda6 - Mazda6
Mazda7 - MPV
Mazda8 - RX-8
Mazda9 - Some luxury car? Think Millenia.
What do you think? Is this the way Mazda should name their vehicles?
Dinu
I think it works with BMW's, because as you go up the line, the 3-, 5-, and 7-series get progressively bigger and more expensive. It gets muddled up though, once you start throwing trucks, SUVs, minivans, 2-seaters, high-performance sports cars, etc into the mix!
But I am a curmudgeon who does not even like the letter/number combo system most of the premium brands use to designate their vehicles.
Back when cars had actual names, people could remember which was which and knew what car you were referring to as soon as you mentioned its name. Plus, it had the bonus that regardless of powertrain changes, the model could develop a history that was not confusing. Now for instance, the Lexus ES is the ES300 but will soon be the ES330 - confusing as to whether they are continuations of the same line of car, if you are not a car freak. Not to mention that line began with a couple of years of an ES250.
I say go back to Protege! And whatever you do, do not drop the Miata name, even to call it an MX5, because "Miata" has a real cachet that people are familiar with.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
http://www.rx-8.mazda.co.jp/asx/cm_xmen2_300k.asx
I like the new 'zoom zoom zoom' theme they put in in this one.
and it'll just be SO COOL to see a spinning rotor during prime time TV :-)
But the Miata and RX names on the other hand hold far too much cachet to ever be changed, I agree.
"All new Protege. Zoom-zoom"
or
"The Mazda3. Zoom-zoom"
I have a hunch the change will help sales, since people are more open to try something they perceive as "new" rather than "redesigned," right? I'm expecting great things from the car too. 3 or 5 door hatch with the 2.3l would be great if I can't afford an RX-8 by then.
Mike
What the heck does this mean?
Granted I have not test driven a M6 yet, but when I do, what's going to happen? Am I magically going to have some kind of born again vision where driving takes on a whole new meaning?
Up until now I've owned a Corolla, Grand Am and Civic. They've all gotten me from point A to point B quite well and each have been reliable and cheap to own. I think the only moving vehicle I've ever driven that I would describe as "fun" was maybe a bumper car at a carnival.
So all this talk about what a pure drivers car Mazda is both confuses and intrigues me. Yes, I will test drive one soon, but in the meantime, can someone here describe in words what "a drivers car" really means?
Yes
Yes, I will test drive one soon, but in the meantime, can someone here describe in words what "a drivers car" really means?
In short, it's tuned more for people who find driving as more than getting from point A to point B. It's a feeling that makes you want to take the outside of the turn (where legal of course) rather than waiting in line with the Camry and Buick. It's the pleasure in feeling and hearing what the engine is doing so you don't need to stare at the tachometer to know when your next shift is. It's about feeling the steering wheel telling you how much traction you are getting around the turn, not just that your wheels are off center. It's also about being able to get this stuff for the same price as your point A to point B car. It's certainly not to everyone's likings, but for those who can't afford its European mentor, it's a nice compromise.
Go drive one and tell us what you find.
That is exactly what the Mazda promises.....in all its products right from Miata -> Protege -> MZ6 -> MPV -> Tribute
as one person put it frankly
" I was smiling like a fool, with a wide grin, during the test drive" it is that much fun.