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Comments
Of course I'm basing this purely on the sales price of the new car. If you had a trade then the dealer might have gotten you there, or perhaps in financing, or in doc/advertising fees, etc......
Giants v Redskins on Thursday Sept 4th we will see the first Mazda6 commercial!
It's offering a $199 lease on an i sport, a $1,000 cash bonus for the purchase of any new Mazda 6, and a $500 cash bonus on other selected Mazda models.
The offer certificate you take into the dealer is personalized with my name and address, due no doubt to the fact that I signed up early on Mazda's website as a very interested buyer. I'm wondering if this is targeted only at those of us who did this, or if it's being offered to everyone who walks in the front door?
I'm guessing this means sales for the (nearly) first full month have not met expectations.
I'm also wondering if this would work for a special order, in that the offer runs out Oct. 31 and my car might not arrive at my dealer by that date. Would either of our salespeople have a take on this technicality? Maybe a signed contract and a deposit would make it good no matter when the car arrives?
It looks like a special order may be the only way I'll get an s sport to my liking anytime soon, since no dealers in my area have any of this model, or seem to have any prospects of getting one in the near future.
How could they, when some dealers are only getting inventory now?
It's not unusual for automakers to offer deals to specific groups, whether it's brand-new or not. I get special offers from Mazda, Pontiac, and Nissan all the time (since I own(ed) one of each.) I have a feeling it's targeted to the "initial interest" people that sent their email address to Mazda months ago, since I also received one of these...
I bought my 09 iGT with a Ford X-Plan PIN. S-Plan partners actually log into the Ford website (fordpartner.com) to get their PIN and the certificate you get says "Partner Recognition/X Plan PIN Certificate". They really are one in the same and the PIN is valid for any make under the Ford umbrella.
The only hiccup you MIGHT run into is if the dealer asks for verification of your affiliation with the company under which you received the PIN. Most don't care as long as you have the PIN.
By Mazda setting its first-month sales goals in accordance with the (low) inventory they know full well their dealers will have available to them.
They also know full well that about 99% of potential buyers don't call their dealer every day, asking if the 6 has arrived yet, nor do they drive by the local dealer every day, checking the lots.
Again, it's not uncommon to send offers out like this. Considering that, other than S-plan, the going price OTD is still at (or very close to) MSRP for the '09 6's that HAVE been sold. Considering that all but two of the 8 cars the local dealer had were sold by the first weekend (with the other 2 used as demos and dealer cars)...
There are still dealers who do not have a full inventory, this is why Mazda has not publicly advertised yet. As of last week, there were still dealers who did not even get the car yet.
Keep your eye open for the first commercial during the Giants / Redskins Thursday Night Football game on NBC.
And some dealers that have a bunch. Last sunday I counted 18 at Wilkins Mazda in Chicago area.
"From time-to-time Mazda may offer incentives or rebates on its vehicles. Unless specifically excluded by Mazda, (i.e. a Volume Based program), incentives or rebates are available to New Vehicle Purchase Program customers in addition to the Plan price. Ask your dealer for incentive or rebate details."
"The Private Launch Bonus Cash Purchase Incentive Program CANNOT be combined with any other owner loyalty or private incentives but CAN be combined with other public offers including but not limited to customer cash back, finance and APR incentives/offers."
If you are S-plan, you get a 500 S-Plan rebate no matter what. This combines with all offers.
If you have a Mazda in your household, you get 500 dollars.
Or
If you have a terminating (within 3 months) Mazda American Credit Lease, you get $1000 dollars.
Or
You got a coupon in the mail from Mazda for $500 or $1000 dollars.
If you lease your new Mazda6, you receive a $500 MAC lease rebate.
Thus, the Maximum "rebates" available currently on the car are $2000 dollars.
Clearly, everyone has there own set of wants and needs in a vehicle. My feelings are that features and value for money, looks, reasonable economy and interior quality are what I look for. In the end something is going to push you one way or the other. In my case I was looking for an I Touring with minimal equipment something that would sticker in the area of $23K. Problem is that when I actually saw the vehicle in person it was clear to me that the cloth seats would not be acceptable. That would mean either ordering a $1600 option package (half leather) or doing after market leather (around $1000). Problem No. 2, I was not fond of the styling and partuicularly the 17" alloys. Obviously this is not a problem for most but I just don't like the overly busy styling. I'm someone who likes a clean look and the 6 is to my eye overwhelmed with character lines, curves and excessive fender flares.
Rather than look at the usual suspects I decided to look at a car which is somewhat ignored, the Subaru Legacy. I have no interest in excessive performance so I was happy with the basic Legacy SE. This car is available with exceptional lease deals and stickers for around $23K with moonroof, AWD, 400 Watt stereo system, a choice or XM or Sirius (few manufacturers offer a choice) VDC and a quality looking euro style interior. As for looks the Legacy is the antithesis of the M6. It is clean and very european looking especially in profile. Kind of looks like a last generation BMW or Euro GM or Aussie Ford product. Maybe a little like the Pontiac G8 (sans ugly Pontiac grille).
So after months of leaning toward the 6, in the end my own personal styling taste and Mazda coming up short on looks and seat fabrics made my decision easy.
One negative to the Legacy is that it is a snugger car that most in this class. None the less, after two test drives I'm convinced I can live with that compromise.
A lot my decision does involve personal taste but I still think that this is a car that should not be ignored when room is not a priority in your choice of a mid-size.
But.............the six was smoother and just a joy to drive. The four was fine, with decent acceleration, good handling and all. Still, the six just such a pleasure behind the wheel. I agree that the outside styling is fantastic. The cars we tested were red, but I want to see it in dark blue and black. The interior we had was the blond leather with black accents. This was the first time ALL of my family agreed on appearance. I came close to buying, but didn't. Right now, I can get a 2008 Acura TL for thousands less than the six cylinder Grand Touring. And I do worry about the reliability issue. Nonetheless, we all enjoyed the Mazda better than the Acura. Never thought I'd be saying that, but it really is a fine car.
To be honest, the chances of you having trouble with any car is highly possible. Ask my father who has replaced his transmission in his 2004 Accord V6 and the number of unhappy 2008+ Accord V6 owners with VCM issues, or the number of people who has tranny issues in the 2007+ Camry. The fact is, every car manufacturer does have issues. NO car is perfect.
Anyway, my 2005 Mazda6 has been mechanically great. No issues, no repairs with 45,000K on it. So, from a Mazda6 owner, I would say it's a pretty good car.
That's pretty much pie in the sky thinking. Do some manufacturers have a reputation for more trouble free operation than others......sure they do. Do many of those same manufacturer's vehicles have major components go well before 200,000 miles.....sure they do. I had a tranny replaced on my Toyota truck at 43,000. Luckily it was under warranty. If it had went 10 months later I would have had a major bill to pay. Have many Mazdas went 200k without major repair...sure they have, just like a lot of Fords, Chevys, etc.
Car ownership is always somewhat of a major role of the dice. If you absolutely can't afford to pay for a major repair and you're going to keep the car 200k, then I would say you are a candidate for an extended warranty and try to wrap it into the financing if necessary.
About the reliability, as the previous posters pointed out, it can be a crap shoot, with some companies offering better odds, but no guarantees, for the consumer.
Mazda has probably been a tad above average overall as a company, but this is only conjecture on my part. In the reviews I read, they cited the president of Mazda saying they really wanted to build better quality into the new Mazda 6. Now, as to whether this is company speak or not remains to be seen. But, I have been in older generations of Mazda 6 and the '09 seems to have done the job as far as interior fit, finish, and quality.
I'm not in any need for a car at the moment as my Accord has less than 30 K on it. Still, my impulse control is problematic. I do know that my older daughter would love for me to get a new car, as she would love for me to hand the keys to the Honda over to her. Can you believe, I've never owned a 6 banger. Always bought the reasonable Accord or Camry. Now, at my age, I wanna have fun. The house is paid off and so is the Accord, so.............. Didn't Shakespeare say something about people becoming childish as they enter old age?
Anyway, I've always thought that a lot of people who buy minivans do so to work on a fantasy where they can pile in the kids, dogs, etc., all with a smile on their faces. My fantasy is to be able to load the family in a car where there's plenty of leg room, is comfortable and fun to drive, and cruising down Pacific Coast Highway or Highway 395 without feeling drudgery. Actually having fun.
Mazda has below average reliability scores.
And much higher than average fun factor.
I'll agree with other posters, ANY car purchase is a risk. For me, I'd rather have fun behind the wheel instead of buying a vanilla-themed Camry because of it's "supposed" better quality.
Of full car lines, Mazda has the youngest demographic of any brand. Only Scion skews slightly younger, and that's obviously not nearly as diverse a product line.
Also, Mazda buyers tend to be enthusiast. Put young and enthusiasm together and you get people who will notice things in their cars.
I know that I'll notice a little rattle in my car that only happens when exiting an off ramp at 50 mph while someone with a honda accord or toyota camry won't notice that because they'll never take an off ramp at 50. Young people in general demand more from their products and cars than people beyond then. Also, young people tend to not have kids or other responsibilities. They have the time to take a car in for something minor. A house-wife/house-husband has kids to juggle. They could car less about the little click coming from their back window when they open and close it and oh, it went away before they brought it in for their oil change. (Seen that happen exactly.)
What I've seen with Mazda reliability first hand is this.
Miata and Mazda3. Bullet proof. Even consumer reports says so. Now check JD power numbers for the mazda3. They're horrid. In fact, they pull the entire line down. Why? Youth and enthusiasm, and volume.
Mazda6. Started kinda bad, but evened out a lot toward the end. 2008's were probably on par with Mazda3's from 2007.
CX-7 and CX-9. Here's where it get's wierd. I have yet to see a single 7/9 with any engine or transmission problem. With the 7, there were a couple of gas cap recalls and ECM updates and a fuel filler spout replacement on the 7, but nothing ever breaking down. Oh, so let's make the 7 well below ave for reliability. Hmm. Oh, and the bridgestone tires on the 7 don't last long. Try and get one with the goodyear eagles. As for the 9? Who the heck knows. They're been rock solid here and we're not exactly ideal weather here.
RX-8. Dumb people buying it = problems. The Renisis engine is made for being driven hard. I've seen an RX-8 with 150k on it. When someone asked him how he had so many with no problems, he said he drove the piss out of it. The vast majority of RX-8 engine problems are with the automatic because those people buy the car for the look, not for the performance. So they drive it 10 mph 1 mile to church and wonder why their engine goes.
Don't just trust surveys and reports. Heck, do you really think that there's such a huge difference in reliability between ford and mercury? Umm. No. It's the simple fact that the mercury brand appeals to people who may not notice/care as much.
Not that there is necessarily a whole lot of difference between "below average" and "average", but CR has Mazda right at average overall. See April 2008 issue, page 17 or April 2007, page 25.
Can you even get a 200K mi warranty?
It would probably be better to invest the money and let it compound to pay for a major repair down the road.
In the end, no matter which you go, it's still a crapshoot.
I agree, not much difference between first and worst.
Vehicle Dependability 2008
I completely disagree with CR's sampling method (they only survey subsribers to CR) and am not a CR fan at all.
When you state that CR has Mazda at average, does that statement apply to Mazda as a brand or Mazda6 model only?
The average ranking in CR for Mazda was for the make or "brand". Since the 2009 Mazda6 is a new model they would have no information on it's reliability.
I am new to this forum. Need some advice and your comments.
Am in the process of getting a car for my 18 year old son.
Have been considering the Honda Civic LX and after I took him for a test drive yesterday, we walked into a Mazda dealer right next door. They offered me a brand new 2007 Mazda 6 car at $17,600. with Leather, etc except sunroof.
He explained reason why he has a 2007 in stock is that they sold '08s first since they had a more attractive programetc.
Anyway, what is your opinion re a Mazda 6, performance, reliability, etc. and can anyone comment on the price -
Best regards
Alfred
I just bought a 08 Mazda6 VE with a MSRP of $22.1K for $17K before ttl. Just looked on the website of the dealer I bought from and they raised their listed prices by $500. Maybe some Mazda to dealer rebate ended at the end of August.
The 1999+protege has excellent reliability, the 2003+ Mazda6 has excellent reliability, and so does the Mazda3. If a company is doing all the right things to make a better product, I would suggest not to bring it down by referring to reliability of products that it itself is ashamed of.
Thanks for participating.
My wife's lexus rx300 has rattles at same mileage. Zero on the 6. Go figure.
The most annoying problems were the Check engine light coming on for no reason simply because they made the computer setting too sensitive and set the check engine light for even the most minor infraction. After a few flashes and recalibrations, it has remained flawless.
I was at the lexus dealership the other day with my cousin and the salesperson lured me to trade my car in. I asked her to hop into my mazda6s and took her for a spin. At the end, I asked her if she still thinks I should trade it in. She frankly said No.
You have to be careful just because you have been lucky with your own Mazda6 doesn't mean that that is the general experience of everyone with a Mazda6. I trust CR since they ask a lot of people questions who have bought the car.
My experience with my Mazda6 2003 with 62,000 miles on it has been:-
replaced 3 blower fans.
replaced battery.
replaced engine mount.
replaced throttle body.
fixed rattles (it still rattles)
replaced over head visor.
replaced fuel gauge.
replaced transmission @ 58,000 miles.
replaced 3 engine coils.
Oh did I mention 5 recalls.
Mazda6 reliable not, fun to drive, yes.
I just thought a reality check was needed here in this discussion. Trust CR not a few users who have been lucky enought not to have had problems.
If you look up the reliability on a 2003 Accord for instance, the v6 has well below average ratings on it's transmission and one other component related to the drivetrain (don't have it right in front of me, but I'll get it when I'm at work tomorrow). Most of the other items are well above average.
Then if you look up a CX-9, one component rates Average, and the stereo rates well below average. Everything else is above average or well above ave.
Guess how CR rates the two? Oh, that's right, the accord with a 2 drivetrain issues rates above average in reliability. The CX-9 rates below ave. Hmm. Odd. So as far as reliability is concerned, Stereo > Transmission?
A car is a machine and none can be built exactly the same. When you purchase the car you are also taking a gamble on the reliability of the car you just drove off the lot, no matter the manufacturer. There is a reason cars come with a warranty and you may or may never have to use it.
Only if they are subscribers to Consumer Reports.
Anyone know if the 17" wheels on 2009 Mazda6 will fit on 07 Mazda6 i?
So what? Is there sample model too small or does their data collection and analysis methods produce skewed or incorrect results? Can you prove it or is this just a gut feeling? Are Consumer Report readers proven to be less reliable or truthful than any other person off the street?
I certainly don't swear by CR but fail to understand why some are so suspicious of their results.
The problem is the people with problems are the people who will report back to the surveys stating the problems they've had, while the owners who haven't had a problem won't bother since they have nothing to complain about
I agree with you. However, if you asked 100 Charger owners and 100 Mazda owners if they had problems and 50 Charger complainers were noted and only 20 Mazda complainers were noted, couldn't you assume that there were more problems with Chargers. On the reverse according to your theory, only 50 Charger owners were problems free and kept silent....while 80 Mazda owners were problem free. That's why large sample are done. They don't just sit back and see how many complainers pop up.
Believe me, companies and politicians pay big bucks for surveys and they wouldn't if they weren't valid and didn't provide a good return on investment.