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On the other hand, they engineer good engines, but somehow they can't engineer the "soul" into their cars like Mazda. Mazda can take a loaner "block" from Ford, and by the time they are done with the whole car, it has that tiny little extra "something" that makes all the difference. I can't explain it, and if you don't get it, then you probably never will.
As far as the turning circle goes, there are so many variable that go into a turning circle that you certainly cannot judge a car by that. Even changing tires to a wider tire will affect the turning circle. (I will make it wider, but trust me, it does not make the car handle worse!)
AMBULL...as much as we complain about it, I think the pre-order program with the RX-8 was a good thing. It let them know as least at first how many manuals to make. (And if you check the future dealer inventories around the country, you will find a majority are 6-speed sticks.)
TB
It's still July 10 where I'm at.
While I look for the article check these ones:
http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=15897
http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=15897
I agree there. I think the sales are speaking for themselves that boy-racerish styling, and underpowered, subpar engines are not what the majority of buyers are looking for.
The Corolla has boy-racer racer styling and everybody is buying it mostly the older crowd though.
But and underpowered, subpar engines are not what the majority of buyers are looking for. is just hilarious
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
- exaggerated side skirts that would chop your legs if the car came too close to you
- the rear bumper add-on that seems to have tried out at the National Snow Removal Competition and failed: only the sides were low.
You think we're joking? Take a look at this:
http://www.velocityjrnl.com/ip/stk/4359.html
and
http://www.velocityjrnl.com/ip/stk/4360.html
Funny how Toyora tries to spice thei bland models - adding tons of pastic, but still keeps high-profile tires on.
Cheers!
Dinu
Pro5s are everywhere now - like those cars! Why oh why did Mazda wait until mid-cycle to introduce this model to the U.S.?
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Dinu
They always said the reason the first gen Altima didn't sell as well as its main competitors was that it was a quarter or half size smaller than them. Hence, the significant enlargement for the current gen, and whoops! Sales took off. (of course, power had something to do with this too)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The reason why Toyota sells alot of cars is because of their reputation. Nothing much else. The 6 is the same size as the Accord was 2 generations ago. Its just that the Accord has gotten bigger since then. The 03 Accord and 02 Camry have the interior room of a Pontiac Boneville. The Accord and Camry are nearing full-size territory. The 6 is mid-size at least it would have been Mid-Size 5 years ago.
To compare of a Nissan Altima of 93 to an 02+ Altima is a little awkward and shouldn't even be compared.
Finally, the 99+ Protege didn't sell that well when it first came out. Sales took off in 01. The 6 is doing better where I live than the Protege did when it first debut with the new bodystyle in 98.
The Passat does have good interior room but still looks compact which is pretty cool.
PLEASE bear in mind this is only a hypothetical example to make a point. I will bet corolla is in reality smaller. But my original point was that size matters to a significant portion of the NA market, and that will be true no matter how slick the product.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I have analyzed Mazda sales of late. The reason why they are down right now is because the Protege in its last year of bodystyle. Also, Mazda sales were down overall in 2002 because the 626 was in its last year of bodystyle and a new Camry and Altima came out. So once Mazda get the new 3 established and the 6 is on the market longer Mazda sales will go up again I think.
I think the 3 is going to be like the 6 when it first debuts since Mazda is going to launch the 3 in January. Along with the name change from Protege to 3 the 3 I don't think will sell well at first but hopefully sell well in the long run. I think Mazda has a good future long-term wise but not anything in that short-term.
Now it is possible that the new 3 will sell better than the Pro. It seems like a slick little car - let's hope they launch it well.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I have seen pictures of the 3 and I'm not happy with the pictures I saw. The front end ruins the whole look of the car buy I'll wait for my judgement when the finished product comes out.
As for the 6, I really wish autosite would update its sales report from May 31, but as of that date, Mazda had sold 18,398 6's, which when projected over the year nets them 44,155 sales for 2003 (if sales continue at that rate). And for 626, you should really use the last full year of sales, which would be 2001, because once it is known a car is due to be replaced, sales of the "old" model drop off.
Now that it has been a year since launch, I think it is safe to say that 6 is a disappointment to Mazda in the U.S. Of course, it is selling like gangbusters everywhere else, where its smaller size probably is a huge point in its favor. Perhaps if Mazda's aim is to produce smaller, sportier cars in each segment, their profitable future lies in Europe and Asia rather than the U.S.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
That pushes them a bit higher for annual sales, although some Mazda higher-up expressed disappointment over the NA sales and the botched intro - and the top gyu lost his job!
Also the 6 sold 7,000 + units in June and sold 6,242 units last month in July. The next year or 2 6 sales should go up. The botch intro and option packages were a big reason for the sales dissapointment early for the 6. The 6 has sold 32,297 units to date. That 18,000 figure is old.
Also I do agree Mazda dealerships are spread very apart. In New Jersey there is really none by the Jersey Shore(none that I know of anyway.) In Central Jersey there is alot so the 6 is doing well in Central Jersey where I live. In Northern Jersey there is really no Mazda Dealers except for East Coast Mazda on RT 17 in Wood-ridge, NJ but thats about it.
Also, 6 buyers tend to be younger than Camry and Accord buyers. The Accord used to used to be a youth car but not anymore.
So, around here you really have to seek the Mazda dealerships out.
Second, before the Protege, the 6 and the RX8 there was very little that I would have considered in the Mazda lineup. I don't think I've seen one TV commercial for any Mazda product. They do have some marketing in the "trade rags", but certainly no radio nor TV. I'm in a larger city in Southwest OH, so media accessability should be fairly available.
With all the great press Mazda products have had over the last 12 months, and the positive comparisons against its rivals (Toyota, Honda) I would suspect that they would be sought out more than in times past. I'd say give the brand another 3 months or so and more and more people would venture into their showrooms.
Just having purchased an RX8, I've seen more people come to my dealership just to oggle the RX8 and leave with the keys to a 6 or Protege.
I also have to give Mazda credit for making their "tuner" are more accessability than with Toyota and Honda, too. Both dealerships in my area are MAZDASPEED certified.
Long and short of it, it seems that Mazda is tarkgeting more the "sports car" enthusiast rather than the vanilacar buyer.
And as long as they keep making affordable, fun to drive and well-styled cars they got a Mazda-buyer for life out out me.
Dinu
Now it is true that RX8 is going to be around more and more as a presence at Mazda dealers after the initial shipments get sold, and maybe that will bring in more customers.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Everybody says how the 6 doesn't have interior room. The Chrysler Sebring is kinda cramped too. My Dad has one. I had a 98 626 which on the outside which looked smaller than the 01+ Sebring. The Sebring has a little more front legroom than the last generation 626 but backseat room in both cars is about equal.
Going back to the subject of 626 vs 6 sales. I have seen stats from the 2001 model year and the 626 sold 50,000+ units.
Does anybody know how many units Mazda wants the RX-8 to sell in the US yearly?
Mazda has so many new products coming out its just crazy. First the 6 than 7 months later the RX-8 debut than 6 months after that the 3 debuts.
It is hard to stand out in the compact segment, but 3 is a really nice little car from all accounts...I hope the launch goes better, and sales increase significantly over Protege...I know there will be a 3 hatch...will it be 3-door or 5? Even though the Protege has to go, I wish they could keep the Pro5 around a little longer...
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Yeah, If Mazda has the option packages straightened out on the 3 the launch should go over better than the 6 did. I think the 3 will stand out. The compact segment is a hard segment because the 03 Corolla has raised the bar even though my personal choice in that segement is still the Protege. I left Mazda right when they started to make exciting vehicles.
http://www.waitnews.com/mazda3_european_debut.htm
Dinu
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I suspect 17" will go on the 2.3L variant of the 5Dr HB.
Dinu
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
They have 2 Hyundai dealerships, 2 Kia, 2 Nissan,
5 Toyota and 3 Honda dealerships, not to mention 2 Suzuki, (had?) 2 Subaru,... there are enough people buying cars to support more than one Mazda dealership in Dayton.
Problem is, Hyundai, Kia kind of stole some of their sales.
I like the new Mazda 3 that is cominbg out, and the 3 door hatch sounds more like what I'd want.
Problem is, when loaded to what Most customers want these days, the thing is rumored to go up to $21,000 MSRP.
It is sad that they have only 1 dealership, to be honest.
I remember back in 1986-87, we looked at Mazda vehicles, and they were too costly, to us...
they should have been priced more like Nissan.
I dunno.
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