American options or lack thereof...

[Phontsolo]

I want to discuss a pet peeve of mine when it comes to the car industry and the decisions the auto makers make for us Americans. Namely, our lack of options.

I'm sure some of you out there know this already but some of you might not. It's probably no secret. Which makes it even more annoying. I know a lot of this has to do with money and American tastes but I'm hoping that some of you want to discuss this.

The Mazda 2 comes in some serious trim in other countries. As usual the US gets screwed with the lack of options. For instance. I just visited Bangkok, Thailand where the Mazda 2 is available in 3 trim levels. The US version and 2 other sportier versions that come with a much more aggressive front bumper, sportier rear bumper and white instrument gauges to name a few. Remember those Active 2 Snow concepts? They must have been concepts for Thailand because that's exactly how the Mazda 2, for the most part is sold in Thailand.

Now go take a look at the Mazda UK site and start playing around with the options. You'll come to the shocking realization that who ever is making the car decisions for us Americans totally think that all we want is lame grandma cars.

Options include a 3 or 5 door model, 3 different engines including diesel, projection headlights, center armrest, rear diffuser, carbon fiber covers for the side mirrors, lowering springs, all kinds of trunk cargo solutions and 5, count 'em, 5 different wheel options including 1 set of black wheels. There is even a Mazda 2 Black Edition with a black roof. Look it up. You'll see it and start wondering why we as Americas don't get these options.

The people that make decisions for us think that no one in the US that love driving sporty cars would buy an economy car. Much less a hatchback. Sadly, they are correct. Most people that buy cars in the US have a point A to point B mentality and don't have vision and can't see past their stock cars. Or frankly, they don't give a s***. Which is understandable. Not everyone loves cars.

But... there are people like me and some of you that want a car like a Mazda 2 with all the options that are there for me to decide on from factory. People like me that would pay that extra money for those great projection headlights. For leather seats.

I know that i am not the majority but we do exist in America and they should acknowledge us as well. Unfortunately for Americans that day will probably never come. Either you move to the UK, where they really love cars or create your own costume Mazda 2.

So Mazda US? Where are those supposed options for the US market that every other country is enjoying?

ZoomZoom (headbang)

 

[industrial]

I think the lack of options on cars like the 2 has more to do with the low cost to operate a vehicle in the US. Why offer so many options for an "econobox" when most people can afford to operate a MS3 if they wanted? There is no additional tax for increased displacement, emissions, size and the price of gas is still dirt cheap compared to the rest of the world.

 

[CorkSport]

There is actually another piece to the puzzle which I discovered a while back. Has anyone noticed that there are no Mazdaspeed accessories for any of the newer models of Mazdas? That is from when the economy tanked Mazda let the entire Mazdaspeed USA marketing/accessories staff go. This also cut into accessories staff as well when it happened so there are less people trying to do the job.

-Derrick

 

[fam]

Blame us not them, we are the country that is just now starting to debate small cars because of our lifestyle, small cars=cheap here whereas they arent laughed at in the rest of the world and in turn are more upscale. The more of the little cars we buy and make as our primary driver, the more options they will want to price into them. Economically speaking, a person only spending 14-16k isnt going to spend another 3k in leather\hids because our society deems it as a poor mans car and expects someone with 20k just to buy a bigger car. Over time I think the US will change mindset, in the meantime, learn japanese and get some guys that will ship you parts you cant get here ;-)

 

[Slow Paul]

Economically speaking, a person only spending 14-16k isnt going to spend another 3k in leather\hids because our society deems it as a poor mans car and expects someone with 20k just to buy a bigger car.

I agree with this. The 2 is meant to be the entry level car for Mazda in North America. In other markets where there are other models below it, it's easier to rationalize putting projector headlamps and leather trimmed seat in the 2. For perspective, I came from a MINI Cooper that was sparsely equipped, my desire was to have the lightest and less complicted MINI. It takes a different kind of person to build a 40k MINI, and they are out there. I viewed the 2 as a car that had all the comforts I can ask for while staying lightweight, fun to drive and too a degree keeping some of the fun I had in my MINI. All wrapped in a well designed and engineered Japanese package. That's my perspective. Look at the Honda Fit, since it came out there has been very little offered from the factory to make the car more upclass.

 

[Phontsolo]

I think the lack of options on cars like the 2 has more to do with the low cost to operate a vehicle in the US. Why offer so many options for an "econobox" when most people can afford to operate a MS3 if they wanted? There is no additional tax for increased displacement, emissions, size and the price of gas is still dirt cheap compared to the rest of the world.

Yeah, but what if i don't want an MS3 but want an MS2? You know what i mean? There are people like me that want to pay the extras for a small hatch. But i understand that I'm not a majority. In fact I'm a very small minority.

 

[Phontsolo]

There is actually another piece to the puzzle which I discovered a while back. Has anyone noticed that there are no Mazdaspeed accessories for any of the newer models of Mazdas? That is from when the economy tanked Mazda let the entire Mazdaspeed USA marketing/accessories staff go. This also cut into accessories staff as well when it happened so there are less people trying to do the job.

-Derrick

Good call. Although this probably should not be something that would not allow them to offer this stuff as options. The parts were already there.

 

[Phontsolo]

Blame us not them, we are the country that is just now starting to debate small cars because of our lifestyle, small cars=cheap here whereas they arent laughed at in the rest of the world and in turn are more upscale. The more of the little cars we buy and make as our primary driver, the more options they will want to price into them. Economically speaking, a person only spending 14-16k isnt going to spend another 3k in leather\hids because our society deems it as a poor mans car and expects someone with 20k just to buy a bigger car. Over time I think the US will change mindset, in the meantime, learn japanese and get some guys that will ship you parts you cant get here ;-)

EXACTLY!! I completely agree. The car mentality in the US is completely backwards to most of the rest of the world. Small cars are seen as "cheap" here while they come premium there. I'm surprised that that mentality hasn't changed at all after the success of the Mini Cooper. I live in Miami and the Mini is everywhere. The Mini has been so successful that you would think that others would have already followed along in the small car options department. Just now other car companies like Fiat with the 500 have. I'm surprised that with Mazda's sporty mentality that they haven't.

What if i have a Thai wife and i get all my parts from my brother-in-law in Bangkok? haha

 

[Phontsolo]

I agree with this. The 2 is meant to be the entry level car for Mazda in North America. In other markets where there are other models below it, it's easier to rationalize putting projector headlamps and leather trimmed seat in the 2. For perspective, I came from a MINI Cooper that was sparsely equipped, my desire was to have the lightest and less complicted MINI. It takes a different kind of person to build a 40k MINI, and they are out there. I viewed the 2 as a car that had all the comforts I can ask for while staying lightweight, fun to drive and too a degree keeping some of the fun I had in my MINI. All wrapped in a well designed and engineered Japanese package. That's my perspective. Look at the Honda Fit, since it came out there has been very little offered from the factory to make the car more upclass.

I agree for the most part with what you wrote. I know the Mazda2 is an entry level car but just because you are buying an entry level car doesn't mean that you can't afford a more expensive car. I could have. I actually decided to get into the 2 because i wanted to save some more money and not because i couldn't afford a pricier car. I'm just saying that the options should be there for us to decide. If a person wants to pay extra for those projection headlights it's up to them.

Look at the Mini. You decided to buy it in a minimal trim but someone else can buy that same Mini in a much more expensive trim. See what i mean? Options. The buyer should decide. Especially if the parts are already being made in another country. BMW did it right and has made millions from the Mini.

At the end it all probably has to do with money. It always does.

 

[Slow Paul]

Yeah it definitely has to do with money. The MINI and BMW for that matter are unique in the fact that you can pick and choose your options a la carte. It would be nice if other companies offered that much customization when it cam to buy a new vehicle from them. It's funny, I just got done taking a survey Mazda sent to me about how I felt about my 2. All I kept thinking about was this thread. For the record I did mention that it'd be nice to have an option for projection headlamps and to make the damn armrest standard.

 

[dsgrey]

Actually, I bought a base (sport) Mazda 2 and I'm pleased with the options. Compared to it's distant Ford cousin, it has power options the Ford does not. I'm well outside the age range for the typical Mazda 2 buyer but it's my commuter car and an expense. I have bought multiple base model cars and added aftermarket power windows/locks but compared to the competition, the 2 is nicely equipped. Granted other countries may have many other option packages but I'm sure that adds a lot to the price. This is an "entry" level car and is equipped to compete with other similar cars in the US market. If I wanted a small car with various gadgets and trim levels...I would have bought something in the $25k+ range.

Now my toy car that I've owned for 9 years with many more added options and plan to keep for many more years does sit in the garage while the Mazda 2 bakes in the summer sun. But it's a Miata! The Mazda 2 will be worn out with 200k miles and no book value in the future but the toy will still be running.

 

[Phontsolo]

Yeah it definitely has to do with money. The MINI and BMW for that matter are unique in the fact that you can pick and choose your options a la carte. It would be nice if other companies offered that much customization when it cam to buy a new vehicle from them. It's funny, I just got done taking a survey Mazda sent to me about how I felt about my 2. All I kept thinking about was this thread. For the record I did mention that it'd be nice to have an option for projection headlamps and to make the damn armrest standard.

I'd like to take that survey as well.

 

[Phontsolo]

Actually, I bought a base (sport) Mazda 2 and I'm pleased with the options. Compared to it's distant Ford cousin, it has power options the Ford does not. I'm well outside the age range for the typical Mazda 2 buyer but it's my commuter car and an expense. I have bought multiple base model cars and added aftermarket power windows/locks but compared to the competition, the 2 is nicely equipped. Granted other countries may have many other option packages but I'm sure that adds a lot to the price. This is an "entry" level car and is equipped to compete with other similar cars in the US market. If I wanted a small car with various gadgets and trim levels...I would have bought something in the $25k+ range.

Now my toy car that I've owned for 9 years with many more added options and plan to keep for many more years does sit in the garage while the Mazda 2 bakes in the summer sun. But it's a Miata! The Mazda 2 will be worn out with 200k miles and no book value in the future but the toy will still be running.

That's what I'm saying. We should have the options. You can be happy buying the base priced entry level version and I can be happy buying the extras. Options. That's what we should have.

 

[Joker2]

While I understand the lack of options, the Mazda 2 is well equipped even for the Sport model. The UK model I priced is 15,000 pounds or 24,000 USD. No thanks, I'll keep the US options and mod with the savings. Other markets can bare higher prices for small cars, but I will stick with the US models for now (preference-wise that is).

 

[Phontsolo]

While I understand the lack of options, the Mazda 2 is well equipped even for the Sport model. The UK model I priced is 15,000 pounds or 24,000 USD. No thanks, I'll keep the US options and mod with the savings. Other markets can bare higher prices for small cars, but I will stick with the US models for now (preference-wise that is).

I get your point, but I'd pay for the extras, i guess I'm the minority. I'd pay for not having to go through the hassle of finding and waiting for those HID Projection Headlamps to show up one day. Or searching for that armrest. Or somehow installing that key less ignition. Or taking off those 2 extra doors. If i could buy a premium Mazda 2 I'd pay for it.

 

[Richard_rsp]

I think a good strategy would be to offer more options as Dealer Accessory Upgrades and not factory options. That way, some people could be as barebones as they want and others could get whatever accessories they would like; And even if people couldn't afford the options at time of purchase, they would have an ability to purchase the accessories and have them installed after the sale. Sadly, Mazda has relied on the non-OEM approach and is letting third parties make any accessories for North America (so far).

While I wasnt able to afford it at first, I would pay $1000 for a factory set of HIDs or a Good Stock Nav Unit (both of which are made, but would need to be slightly adjusted for North America). Heck, I'd likely be willing to put out $3k for a "Mazdaspeed Upgrade package", even if it was just tuned suspension, brakes, exhaust and a 25hp upgrade!

 

[DarkSideMazda2]

i wish the 2 came with the japanese magazine rack on the passanger side

 

[cojsl]

Part of the issue is the cost of certifying cars to NHTSA requirements for safety- pedestrian impact (no xDM body kits), unrestrained occupant safety (yup, there is a test for the 15% of people that still don't wear belts), etc. The unrestrained occupant one is especially stupid- the IIHS doesn't even do that test because they found that unrestrained occupants tend to get ejected, fall over in the seat, or otherwise aren't sitting square in front of the airbags.

 

[Phontsolo]

i wish the 2 came with the japanese magazine rack on the passanger side

MAN! I knew of all the stuff not available in the US for our Mazda 2's before buying it but i totally expected the magazine rack to be there. And when I didn't see it i was totally bummed. haha (notcool)

 

[Phontsolo]

Part of the issue is the cost of certifying cars to NHTSA requirements for safety- pedestrian impact (no xDM body kits), unrestrained occupant safety (yup, there is a test for the 15% of people that still don't wear belts), etc. The unrestrained occupant one is especially stupid- the IIHS doesn't even do that test because they found that unrestrained occupants tend to get ejected, fall over in the seat, or otherwise aren't sitting square in front of the airbags.

People are stupid remember?