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If it takes 6 feet more to stop (I don't remember the difference in Cam/Maz in the review), depending on the circumstances you might not feel anything at all (lol)
now.**
I thought the new Altima was introduced in the fall of 2001 as the 2002 and the Z-coupe was introduced this year. That isn't all at once.
edmund2460: They may have designed the door latches to close easily without slamming them. A good car door will close and latch with little effort. Many used cars have bad doors because their owners slammed them shut and got the latches out of adjustment. That's one thing I hate about some passengers -- they are door-slammers because their car doors are crap.
On some cars the "thunk" is produced by placing a small rubber bumper in the doorjam which softens the closing; rather than engineering a real solid "thunk". Much cheaper. Remove the bumper plug and it will sound lousy.
**I still haven't got an answer regarding the heated seats, if they are only suppose to heat for 2-3 minutes then shut off?**
rodlcw: Somebody answered your question a while back. The heated seats are controled by a thermostat. It has to be a certain low temperature
in the cabin before it will come on. The switch is On/Off only.
rotarykid: **Mazda should have introduced all three models at the same time.**
I think we covered that earlier today.
This isn't 1992 when Honda introduced their new Civic as a sedan in three trim levels, a coupe in two trim levels, and a hatchback. Honda didn't owe $5-billion and wasn't in Mazda's situation. In fact, how many car companies have ever been able to introduce that many models and trim levels all at once? No American manufacturers have. BMW always starts with a sedan and so does Mercedes-Benz and look how rich those companies are.
Because you are anxious to buy the hatchback doesn't mean they can rush it into production. And I doubt they will be *history* in December. The 6 is giving Mazda a clean sheet to start over and I think they are going to do very well given a little time. Look at the number of posts on this forum, we are not Mazda's main buyer-base, yet in a few weeks they have grown to over 9000. With a slow economy and tens of thousands of layoffs many buyers are cautious.
I agree about the SUVs are on the way out, especially if there is a war in Iraq and the situation in Venezuala isn't resolved. Like the Oil Embago of 1974, fuel-economical cars will sell at premium prices. That was the year that put Honda on the map as a major car company, buyers had to wait up to six months to get a car and pay dearly for it.
Gas prices went from 39-cents a gallon to $1.00 a gallon overnight. Now, they could go from $1.65 a gallon to $2.85 or higher, depending upon reserves. Rationing almost came in as the embargo ended, and they still have millions of coupons in storage just in case they may be needed again.
With gas rationing, car owners are given a limited amount each month. How you use it may also be restricted and speed limits severely lowered. A SUV owner might as well be driving a tank.
Gas rationing during WW II wasn't to save fuel, it was to save rubber. The only source of rubber was from trees in the South Pacific which the Japanese had captured. I remember my parents saving coupons for a short trip and the highway speed limit was 45mph.
fowler3
anyways, even tho i love the mazda6 a whole bunch, i'd like to be able to check out the hatch and wagon as well.
my big question is.....what's up with the chrome gas cap.....optional yes, but still uuuuggggglllyyy.
second question....why is the yellow color so pale? It doesn't seem as intense as on the protege 5? Are they different yellows?
I think I wouldn't get the chrome gas cap (I didn't know they offered one). They had a few on Miatas and it isn't real chrome. If cracked, it flakes off easily. Under it is black plastic. Chrome is plated on copper.
**second question....why is the yellow color so pale? It doesn't seem as intense as on the protege 5? Are they different yellows?**
It is lighter, yes. Not as effective as on the Protegé5. Looks a little sickly. Makes one wonder why they didn't use the paints (colors) from the Protegé and the MPV, which are much nicer.
fowler3
This is what bothers me the most too - that people don't give this car a chance. They just buy a Honda b/c it has an "H" on the hood and ignore many other cars from different makers.
I almost did that too - but luckily dropped by a Mazda dealership just to say I looked at EVERYTHING on my price range and ended up with a PRO in less than 2 weeks.
Dinu
Yellow:
The yellow M6 is the only yellow car I ever considered buying- let alone even liked- despite the racer persona of owning a yellow car. It's an awesome yellow, and the '6 looks good in bright.
Manumatic:
The manumatic '6 defeats the purpose. You lose the efficiency of a manual- it's hard, if not impossible to get better mileage than the computer in auto mode. There is a poing about being able to hold a gear in a turn, but in reality the manumatic is no different than shifting an auto into "2" or "L". I did this on my Celica for years, and while it was fun, it certainly didn't have any of the real benefits of a manual. I drive in 95% city traffic (DC Beltway), but am proud to say my '6 is a manual. Finally!
Side note: a 6i with a true manual will beat the 6s manumatic in a sprint to 60mph- overcoming a 60hp deficit. :-)
Hatchback:
In regards to the hatchback- if the '6 hadn't been well received here, we wouldn't be getting it at all! Though, in all honesty, the car is so good, I'd have been surprised if it weren't built. Mazda buyers have always wanted something different- Miller Cycle, Rotary, why not a hatch? For it's introduction, Mazda has been trying to streamline production- hence the restrictive options available from the factory. Why add a hatch to that confusion? Enough people here complained as is! Sure, I'd of rather had one, but I'm not about to claim I know better than Mazda's marketing department.
BTW, I'll state again in this post- those option limitations are bogus, you can get anything as a PIO. I almost bought a 6i MT w/ Premium, Sport, and ABS- something the factory doesn't make.
Break-In
I have to state this again: wait until the engine is broken in! I don't recall Toyotas or Hondas changing like this, but the sound/smoothness has been completely transformed after 500 miles. Although much quieter, it sound more beefy. The clutch and breaks either softened up, or I'm used to them. Everything feels good. 100 miles left in my factory recommended break-in, and at least 500 more before I start to drive it like I stole it.
Car Stereo:
Regarding the stereo: the Bose option apparently has different size speakers than the standard. I've already ordered 4 5x7" speakers, but am now getting conflicting information on whether or not this was correct. I had been told 5x7's would fit, and a simple peek at the speaker grill cutouts seemed to confirm it. Can anyone confirm? I may take the door panels off today. The Bose option is, apparently, 6 1/2" components (1 1/2" tweeter) in the front with a 5 1/4" midbass in the back (and the subwoofer, of course). I'll keep an updated log in the Mazda6 Owner's Club forums.
Fun Driving:
I've pushed the car a couple of times after 400 miles just to get it out of my system. What I found is the car will oversteer in a turn rather than understeer, just like a RWD car. It's fun using the quick steering to straighten out. This car likes throttle in turns- usually this'll produce a semi-controlled skid rather than under/over steer. Actually, you really have to try to get this car to understeer- unlike any FWD car I've ever driven. Maybe I'm being too conservative because of the engine break-in, so I'll report more once it's done.
Anyway, I had two PINS and I let my son (we have the same name) use one for his new Ford truck and the dealer called a couple of days later and said system wouldn't accept the PIN. My son already had the truck! The reason was that the SS#'s didn't match. We gave them my SS number and the system took the deal. What's a bit funny about it is that he did his own financing through Ford Motor Credit.
That's my story. I'm sure some of the car people/dealers might be able to shed some additional light on the subject.
oh well....keep trying.
As I understand it, hatchback versions in the Mazda 6/Accord market in Europe are considered to be upscale, but the hatchback can't escape its econocar "roots" in the US.
God! LOL
The TL has many more attributes other than it's transmission to keep it ahead of the 6. It is one of the better-selling entry-lux cars. Selling even better than the new G35 even though it's in the last year of it's production cycle. Not to mention the TL will slap the Mazda upside the head so hard it will think it's an Amati.
(Yes, I know I'm going to Honda-hell, but so are you if you're laughing.)
fowler3
Dinu
I don't give a crap what the American public thinks about Hatchbacks. I've owned 1 car that wasn't a hatchback and it was a Mazda. The rest of the close-minded American public has the choice of buying the sedan or wagon. If it keeps Mazda in business, great!
Also, no matter what the TL can do(slapping Mazda or whatever), the 6 can do 2 things which it and most other competition cannot, period. The 6 offers a hatch version and a V6 MT. If you are looking for either of those 2 options in a 4-door(crazily enough I am), you're sol if you wanted to buy from the Almighty or most other manufacturers for that matter. I'm glad at least Mazda was thinking about me and the few others since Honda and everyone else is not.
Granted, we all know Honda chose not to put a MT in the sedan for who knows or cares why. The fact is they didn't. I don't care why nor do I care to hear anyone elses theory why either(since we've been through it already) because it doesn't matter, its not there. They didn't put it in the TL either as far as I know.
So no matter how you put it, Mazda does MT V6 sedans/hatches infinitely better than Honda/Acura.
Adam
Let's hope not. 6's as rentals already???
Honda god...
Honda is in this position by building quality vehicle that last a long time. Call it a religion and ridicule it all you want but truth Honda is still growing and still building some of (if not the) the highest quality longest lasting cars available today in the highest quantity. There will probably be more 2003 Hondas built this year than there will be total Mazda6 production in it's model run over the next few years. These will turn out to be very reliable used cars. Even if 10% of those Hondas are crap there will be 360,000 satisfied 2003 Honda-followers for years to come. That goes without saying for the last 4 years and the next 4. You can't overcome those kinds of numbers.
Like when we see an Accord on the street. "There goes an Accord like no other...Except for that one...Oh and that one....Wait there's one too". Maybe we ought to pay Slug Accord or something.
I have another question for you. You said that according to the info you have, I can get the 6i-MT with only Premium, ABS/TCS and SAB/SAC. The equivalent in a 6s-MT would just have the SAB/SAC package, as Premium and ABS/TCS are already on the 6s. Is it possible to order the 6s-MT with SAB/SAC as the only option?
Thanks.
Huh? You're saying 10% crap cars is good?
Dare I say it - a Hyundai Elantra GT! While the Elantra certainly ain't an M6 it is a well appointed, has decent performance and comfort for very little money. I really like it! I hope that U.S. consumers will discover that hatchbacks are not just cheap cars, but rather cars with wonderful versatility.
Strange you would seize on that one phrase in that last post when the more important part of it was that someone already says there are Mazda 6 rental cars available. That's not good news.
I don't think anyone can argue that Honda builds a ton of cars and that they are pretty darn good quality cars at that. That really isn't an issue. To me, the only thing that means is peace of mind... if Honda can build a ton of good cars then the owner of a Honda can reasonably say they'll have a good experience (if they are only worried about reliability). My point is that if you can only have peace of mind if you buy a Honda you are horribly ignorant. Honda is not the only manufacturer of good automobiles. Now for the person who wants to get from point A to point B comfortably and reliably, Honda is perfect and a no brainer. Everyone else has choices.
Mazda6: I think the point that he was trying to make is that even if they did build 10% crap cars, there are still tons of happy Honda owners because there are so many damn Hondas. Not that they build 10% crap cars. If they did that would be bad.
For anyone that says, "but lots of people like and buy Honda, they make so many good vehicles and magazines are great so Honda must be the best for me", the only way the American public could drive my purchasing decision is if they were purchasing my next vehicle for me. Until then, I'll make my own decisions, educated or not.
I checked the protege board and barely a peep about the civic...checked the MPV board and not much about the honda minivan, checked the Tribute board and little about the CRV....If the mazda6 was as bad as some honda people imply, they wouldnt bother to post here...so the mazda6 is clearly shaking up the market segment.
and i also heard mazda is going to have a new luxury division. What is it going to be called? anybody know?. These luxury mazda cars, will definetely cause bmw some big headaches.
Nothing about a new division. They planned that idea once before and they decided to get the Mazda house in order first. We are now seeing the fruits of that decision...mpv,6,speed and rx-8. the future looks good for mazda.
Probably because the Mazda 6 is finally actually out there, rather than being just talked about. Pretty much like the Mazda 6 fans who nearly overwhelmed the Accord boards when it first became available. To make statements like your overused, unoriginal "been there, heard that, over and over again" Kia Rio comment.
Accept the fact that it's ok to own an Accord. We will still respect you in the morning.
Mark. : )
Because PERFECTION is BORING! They come here for lively debate and to see if the grass really is GREENER on the other side.
glideslopes: The Accord is almost like, well, you know, Apple Pie and Chevrolet.
THAT's the problem! Most places, their apple pie doesn't have enough spice. Chevrolets don't have it at all.
This afternoon at an intersection, a car made a left turn too sharply, cutting the corner and almost sideswiping my front bumper. As the driver passed by I thought, 'That damned Regal driver better watch it!' In my rearview mirror I caught a last glimps of the car and realized it was a 2003 Accord. Sheesh! Sloppy steering makes bad drivers.
fowler3
This is one of the greatest cars made, and i hope you all get lucky to get a hand on one, and if so enjoy the longterm ultimate driving experience.
Mazda 6 "emotion in motion" mentality well justifies its ability to ultimately unite the driver and the road. Its fearlessness once in motion cleary proving "BLOOD GUTS AND GLORY" to its driver.
farewell
"Had mine for a week, really like the color. Got the one everyone else has."
" Tried to find a manual EX, but gave up."
You and gee35 are too funny.
Back to football,
Mark.
Anyway, here's go. I've been a Honda owner for the past nine years, and I absolutely loved the dependability. However nine years later it's time for a change. There seems to be a new kid on the block and his (or her, if you prefer) name is "Mazda6". Now, when I'm driving down the road, I don't believe anyone (at least for the next few months), will be able to say, "I saw a car just like yours over at..." or "did I see you...". Like most people in this forum, I think it's quite obvious that our cars are (for the time being) one of a kind. I can't begin to tell you how many Altima's I see on the way to my work, church, or play. The numbers of 2003 Accord's, while I haven't seen to many of them (at least not more than 5 a day) is beginning to grow, and I'm sure that by the end of the year, you'll start seeing almost one on every corner or intersection (you can't go anywhere without seeing, or parking NEXT to at least ONE Accord or Civc).
To me, driving a car that's brand new; 1st of it's kind; and the only one in my subdivision; is a joy and feeling I can't begin to explain. Plus, add in the fact that most car reviews are comparing my vehicle to the Audi, and BMW, just makes my head swell that much more (even if most people, specifically those Audi and BMW's owner don't think it's a fair comparison).
So let's talk about facts! It's a fact that I, (I undelined) think I, look good when I'm behind the wheels of my Mazda6. It's a fact, that most people who drive the Mazda6 now, have not had a lot of encounters with another 6's beside them on the road. And it's a fact that, at least for the time being, we (6's owners) are not going to know how dependable our cars will be in the future. But does any one "really" know how dependable YOUR car will be in the future? Maybe you will be in the group that gets a lemon this year.
But for now, at this moment, I going to charish this feeling of being unique, having a "phantom" car that's fun to drive and feels, oh... oh... so good! One that no one else has seen, and talking to people who feel the same way I do. Enjoy Mazda owners, and for you Accord enthusiast, "don't be a player, hater".
Zoom, zoom, zoom!
We can talk about the 6 all day. I like the 6 and had they had exactly what we wanted, when we wanted it, at a price we wanted to pay we probably would've bought it. However, as an Accord owner if someone makes an untrue statement or an exaggeration about the Accord I'll pipe up. Just as you all would if I said the 6 was slow, ugly, and a piece of crap.
Geez... talk about buying the sales pitch lock, stock and barrel... the 6 is a great car, but let's keep the breathless hyperbole under control.
Pot calling the kettle black, sheez!
Well lets just think about that. There will be more than 4 times the amount of Accords built than Mazda 6's. So, lets just assume that they make, percentage wise, the same amount of manuals. Hmm, that'd be 4 times the MT Accords than 6's. Crazy crazy.
Also, if you are going to use that line then you must admit that the 6 and the Accord are sorta in 2 different leagues - the Accord being a pure family mobile, the 6 being a "supposed" (by you anonymous) sports sedan. So either it is or it isn't... it seems it is if you (Honda ppl) need to make a point AGAINST it, it isn't when you compare them as family sedans. What the heck do you believe? Whatever it is, its always pro-Almighty, thats for sure.