Good news for Mazda's Future

[AutoEXEprotege]

Mazda has finally learned not to bother with the 'weird' segments for their part, at least. http://www.thecarconnection.com/Industry/Industry_News/Mazda_Ready_to_Cross_Over.S175.A8830.html
Also on another thread I saw some people get worried about the Mazda6 growing into fatboy slim or getting some Millenia S replacement, but it says in that article that Mazda isnt going to head towards the luxury market anytime soon... but of course it doesnt mean that big cars might not be around ... just a sense of relief ... maybe... or trying to relive you guys. But overall i think Mazda iis heading in the right direction (cool) Hope this article helped out.

 

[crossbow]

Regardless of what the article says, it doesn't change mazda's plans. There is such a thing as public relations you know .

The replacement 6 is significantly larger in all dimensions, and is a replacement for the millenia. It will have softer suspension, additional sound dampening, and will be wider, longer, and taller (and heavier) to allow for greater appeal to an american market.

The complete redesign is slated for 07, but could be delayed due to ford's issue with their new powerplant, which is planned to be put in the new 6.

Mazda feels they are missing a segment in their lineup, which they are transforming the 6 to fit. The 3 will take care of the compact and small sized sedans, with the 6 taking care of the mid-sized catagory.

If you need additional sources of verification (if you think I'm just making this up) check out some of the posts from varoius members on rx8club in the know.

 

[AutoEXEprotege]

Not doubting you one bit... but Mr. O'Sullivan said "and we're not going to do that again. We're not going to try to be all things to all people." So even tho mazda realizes they're missing a certain segment they know that they're not stupid enough to jump into that segment because history will just repeat itself... and if thats not enough, "It's about creating cars for people who like cars," says chief designer Maury Callum. "It's what enthusiasts want." So why would the enthusiasts want some fat slug that has softass Toyota-Camry-type suspension ? Or maybe i'm just not accepting the fact that Mazda wants to go into other segments and risk repeating their mistakes.

 

[crossbow]

Its too late...they already did it. Its not as if this is something they are planning to do, its something they already put in the works. The 07 mazda 6 was shown months ago in japan...

I doubt the suspension will ever be camry or altima soft...its just going to be "softer".

 

[Kansei]

Its too late...they already did it. Its not as if this is something they are planning to do, its something they already put in the works. The 07 mazda 6 was shown months ago in japan...

I doubt the suspension will ever be camry or altima soft...its just going to be "softer".

Eww how dare you clump the Altima with the Camry?! Have you driven an Altima SE-R or even the 05 3.5SE?

I mean I've only driven a 4cyl Mazda6 but it was nothing special in the handling department.

 

[eting_pro5]

Its too late...they already did it. Its not as if this is something they are planning to do, its something they already put in the works. The 07 mazda 6 was shown months ago in japan...

I doubt the suspension will ever be camry or altima soft...its just going to be "softer".

huh? pictures?

 

[AutoEXEprotege]

Zverg Crossbow and I are not bashing anything right now, we're just stating that the Mazda6 is not going to be quite the same, or is already different for that matter. Hmmm already shown in Japan ?...

 

[J dragon]

Crossbow is on the inside....how does he know so much, He Has to be on the inside!!!

 

[crossbow]

Yes I have driven an altima. It and the maxima were on my test drive list. (Yes the 05, and yes the 3.5).

I was disappointed in its performance compared to the 6...and out of the cars I test drove, I actually thought it was one of the slowest. Just personal opinion, I'm sure they're fantastic cars, I just don't rank them any where near the 6 in terms of overall performance...at least not the new ones. The price was out of range as well. I got my 6s MTX for 17,800...10,000 USD less then an SE-R altima @ invoice!

Now go back a few years, and then your talking. The older altima's are sooo much better then the new ones. (god damn the new ones are ugly...wtf is up with the waffle iron grills?)

The sentra Spec V is a totally different class of vehicle and deserves respect. Quite a fantastic machine.

Sorry if this offends anyone, its just my personal opinion. I've never actually raced against a properly setup altima on a track or autox course...all the ones that have ever shown up have been rediculously blinged out...last mscw autox there was one there with a giant Nissan emblem on the back, rolling on 19's...i think the 6i's beat the 3.5 by a whopping 12 seconds, so not exactly the best competitive impression from one of the newer models.

Feel free to come to the local autocrosses or track events if you feel like showing up us poor family sedans.

Either way the altima/camry comments was meant to showcase the fact these vehicles are setup for standard american consumers...lower spring rates, softer shocks, additional dampening...the stuff the american consumer wants. I'm sure the SE-R version had some sporty settings...but I'm talking standard variants here...not the sporty configurations. If we were doing to do that, we'd be comparing the mazdaspeed 6 to the altima Se-r...which are both around the same price point.

The 03 6s had a good # of complaints about road noise and tramlining from the overly sensitive steering. This combined with some complaints of suspension stiffness caused mazda to add additional sound dampening and tweak various settings across the last 3 years.

 

[AutoEXEprotege]

J Dragon...Crossbow must be from the underdark world of information... Either way... I dont like the way that Mazda is thinking ...dont want them to turn into mitsubishi with a bunch of fat ass cars that sit there in the showroom floors crying to be sold.

 

[J dragon]

Ptu!!! I spit in Dey face Of Mazda's dat don't wan to be cool!!!

 

[BlueSolrac]

Hey Crossbow, since you are on the "inside," if you had the choice between the 03-05 Mazda 6 or the 07 Mazda 6 (considering both performance and looks) which one would you choose?

 

[AutoEXEprotege]

so apparently J Dragon is also known as Carlito Carribean Cool...

 

[Da 6]

I agree I drove an altima a few weeks ago and I will admit it's faster than a 6s but handeling and parking the altima would ruin a wet dream while actualy sleeping in bed next to eva mendez. Literaly! My slow ass 6i has proven that time and time again while plowng on stock michelins. When you say bigger I assume bigger than the curent 6. when you say mid size...is this like inches or almost a foot shorter than lincoln town boat?

 

[crossbow]

Blue,

Final specs aren't out on the 07's yet, just what major changes are occuring. The 07's are getting a nice boost in power from the new ford powerplant, but only if ford can fix their current issues with production.

As of right now I'd rather have a mazdaspeed 6 or a legacy GT then an 07 standard 6. I guess it depends what your looking for...07 is hella far away, lots of sweet ass cars are going to be out by then.

 

[AutoEXEprotege]

Yea the Legacy GT looks awesome but with the way that Subaru is going ... they're looking kinda Italian like because of that Alfa Romeo designer.

 

[Da 6]

It's a nice car and all but I'd rather not pay $2K for the ATX tranny if I bitched out of getting a manual. Thats just me.