Pllleeease Mazda, give us a V6 with a manual tranny!!!

[Ernie]

I would love to be wrong, but I doubt it. The problem is that people who want one are more vocal about it. People that'd get one over something else they were going to purchase is the market they're after. People complain about no wagons, but where they're available, they're not a sales leader.

The other problem is purchase cycle. I'm probably one of the few people with the lack of reason to drop my existing car if a new MS6 came out (GT w/ Manual, turbo & AWD) because I bought it a year ago . . . it's just not in the cards for a lot of people.

As for usable backseats - the Mustang & Cameros are RWD coupes and the Corvette has nothing (2-seater). Don't get me wrong, if someone GAVE me a Shelby GT500, I'd drive it . . .

Either way, we're arguing on the same side of the argument. I think the masses like Camrys and that's just dumb.

 

[Antonio DiMarco]

The majority of people aren't like us...

If you need any indicator just look at the fiasco Toyota and Audi went through with consumers who simply want a mindless machine to get from point a to b. Damn some of them don't even know how to use brakes!

I was one of the disappointed when Mazda decided to drop the manual with the V6 but there was no way I was going to drop more money on a less reliable German brand or ugly snooze-mobiles like the Honda and Toyota. I did look at Subaru's- the new Legacy is just not for me, while Nissan's involvement with Renault just kills it for me. So I went for the Mz6 and I gotta say I'm very happy. It's a great car with a great look. About the only thing it lacks is some extra gadgets (sync-ish media control, proper euro-type door pulls and maybe direct injection) other than that it's a very fun car to drive with the V6 and 6 speed auto. I 've been driving it to more places with my family and feel better driving it than I did my MS3. The MS3 was fun but it could get tiring.

Yeah manuals maybe dying but as long as Mazda builds practical and responsive chassis like the one on the Mz6 I'll always see them as the only option. Of course if they start building soft-sprung JD Power mobiles I'll have to look-elsewhere.

Oh and my dealer (Sentry West in Shrewsbury) also factored into my buying decision. It's an A+ operation from sales to service to parts.

 

[tunersteve]

One thing that kills me is the huge change in option packages for 2010 vs. 2009. My g/f has an '09 S Touring, and some of the standard features (18" wheels, adv. keyless entry) are now either tied to higher trim levels or options even for the S GT. I priced out a 2010 tonight for fun, and it was totally different than I remember with hers.

I'm really losing faith in Mazda and their decisions for their models. I understand wanting to gain more marketshare, but I feel like they're killing their niche fan base and repeat customers by making changes like this.

And, in talking with several "in the know" people, don't expect anything like a manual V6. Same goes for a new MS6.

 

[Koenig]

As for usable backseats - the Mustang & Cameros are RWD coupes and the Corvette has nothing (2-seater). Don't get me wrong, if someone GAVE me a Shelby GT500, I'd drive it . . .

Either way, we're arguing on the same side of the argument. I think the masses like Camrys and that's just dumb.

Right, for usable backseats there's the camaros and the mustangs (people still sit back there, I've seen it, lol) and even corvettes without backseats are still selling. I dunno.... I just find it dumb that Mazda is doing all the things as TunerSteve said.... Mazda is really disappointing me. I will never buy a new Mazda at this point. I would still buy older ones if I find something I like (i.e. FC/FD rx-7, older miata for a track car, etc).

Thanks Mazda.... thanks a lot(boom02)

 

[Ernie]

Sick as this may sound, another year if there isn't anything better . . . I may trade up for an SHO. It's a slushbox, but it's a dual clutch slushbox . . .

Damn.

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

...with 365hp!

 

[tunersteve]

To me, the SHO is a bigger version of our car without the 6-speed manual. We'll have to see how they change those for the upcoming years, but that's a solid upgrade.

 

[Koenig]

The SHO doesn't look all that bad really. I saw one on the road the other day and it looked pretty nice.

 

[Newf]

yeah the sho is actually not bad looking...but REALLY big. It just feels big big big. I couldn't convince my woman that we needed it. What Ford needs to do is take the Fusion and make that the SHO.

As for me, bought a Accord EXL v6 for now. It's "nice" but nothing special. Woman wanted one and I'll probably designate that as "hers" at some point and get something for me. If Mazda was thinking of releasing a M6 again, too late for me, and I'd imagine for other speed 6 owners. Mazda has nothing for a 06/07 speed6 owner to go to now and I fear they'll lose a few customers because of it. Legacy would have been my first option if we had a Soobie dealer, but I ain't driving 9 hours for warranty work.

As for the Accord, if you haven't yet, you should really try the V6 6 Speed coupe, the thing really pulls. Throw some 19's on it, lower it a touch and it's really sexy.

The price for the Mz6 has really crept up too. Loaded Mz6 GT for me here was quoted at 44-45k Canadian. I paid less for my Speed, much less. That's too much for a Mazda. I got my loaded accord for almost 10k less . Granted, Honda is well behind the Mazda with certain options..no doubt.

 

[tunersteve]

Well, here's what I know is in the works for the Fusion and SHO:

- Fusion is getting a 2.0 EcoBoost motor here soon (2011/2012 MY). That would be the starting point for power like the MS6.
- SHO is going to get more upgrades over it's life. Many of the complaints are the brakes and not being a visually different vehicle from the base Taurus. I'd expect more power and a better transmission soon.
- PowerShift DCT are being built. Look for those to be put in sportier models soon, which would be a better compromise from a manual. I'd expect the "Sport" models to start getting these in 2011/2012 MY as well.

I'm still leaning to Ford for a few reasons. Lack of bailout money, SYNC & Electronics pkg is amazing together, nicer interiors compared to GM/Dodge vehicles.

Mazda has really left a sour taste in my mouth. Between my MS6 and my g/fs '09, I'm not as happy as I thought. I do love my car, but the lack of a PCV/turbo smoke fix and poor dealer feedback, along with simple features that they're behind on, like better iPod integration, poor fuel economy for base models, and styling, I don't think I'll be coming back.

 

[Koenig]

Mazda has really left a sour taste in my mouth. Between my MS6 and my g/fs '09, I'm not as happy as I thought. I do love my car, but the lack of a PCV/turbo smoke fix and poor dealer feedback, along with simple features that they're behind on, like better iPod integration, poor fuel economy for base models, and styling, I don't think I'll be coming back.

+1

The smoking turbo has gone on TOO long now without a fix (3+ years and counting). My aftermarket IPOD integration from GROM Audio performs and functions better than the Mazda branded module. and the Styling is starting to disappoint me. I still really do not like the new MAzda3 design (speed3 included).

The only way I would ever buy another Mazda at this point is an older model. IE Miata for track car, FD/FC rx-7 or cheap RX-8.

I was considering looking at the CX-7s for a year or 2 from now. But given the customer service results from my MS6 and what my fiancee received when her 2005 MAzda6 was under warranty. That's pushed me away, if I get a CX-7 I can only wonder how crummy the Mazda relationship/work/customer service would be.

 

[tunersteve]

Same here. I'd consider a Spicy MSP, maybe an FD RX-7 non-modded, or something unique like that. Otherwise, their new models won't be in my driveway.

We're already looking for when the lease ends on the '09, and we'll probably end up with a Fusion Sport or Taurus (SHO hopefully!) to replace it.

I'll also be in the market for a truck in the near future, and that might factor into my decision. I may even try to pick up a used Raptor in a few years, since it'll be a secondary vehicle.

I do have to say though, I'd still enjoy an RX-8 R3 in Aurora Blue. I love the way that car looks.

 

[Newf]

Well, here's what I know is in the works for the Fusion and SHO:

- Fusion is getting a 2.0 EcoBoost motor here soon (2011/2012 MY). That would be the starting point for power like the MS6.
- SHO is going to get more upgrades over it's life. Many of the complaints are the brakes and not being a visually different vehicle from the base Taurus. I'd expect more power and a better transmission soon.
- PowerShift DCT are being built. Look for those to be put in sportier models soon, which would be a better compromise from a manual. I'd expect the "Sport" models to start getting these in 2011/2012 MY as well.

I'm still leaning to Ford for a few reasons. Lack of bailout money, SYNC & Electronics pkg is amazing together, nicer interiors compared to GM/Dodge vehicles.

Mazda has really left a sour taste in my mouth. Between my MS6 and my g/fs '09, I'm not as happy as I thought. I do love my car, but the lack of a PCV/turbo smoke fix and poor dealer feedback, along with simple features that they're behind on, like better iPod integration, poor fuel economy for base models, and styling, I don't think I'll be coming back.

Agreed about that bad taste. Mazdaspeed 3 or CX-7 weren't even on my list for a number of reasons, but the main one being the lack of a fix for the turbo. I would have actually bought my Speed 6 after lease if I had more faith in Mazda fixing it. But after a MP3 and MSP with suspension issues...that also never got fixed by Mazda, and now a turbo that could go at any point among other things, I decided to skip them this time

I do love my Mazda though, regardless of my issues. I got her parked next to my new Accord, and I still like it more.

 

[tunersteve]

Agreed about that bad taste. Mazdaspeed 3 or CX-7 weren't even on my list for a number of reasons, but the main one being the lack of a fix for the turbo. I would have actually bought my Speed 6 after lease if I had more faith in Mazda fixing it. But after a MP3 and MSP with suspension issues...that also never got fixed by Mazda, and now a turbo that could go at any point among other things, I decided to skip them this time

I do love my Mazda though, regardless of my issues. I got her parked next to my new Accord, and I still like it more.

I'm most likely going to begin parting mine out in the next few weekends and go back to stock, or close to it. If they come out with a turbo fix, I will have it done or do it myself, but that's about it. The g/fs car is staying stock. She wants a remote start, but on a least it's not worth it.

 

[Koenig]

I'm most likely going to begin parting mine out in the next few weekends and go back to stock, or close to it. If they come out with a turbo fix, I will have it done or do it myself, but that's about it. The g/fs car is staying stock. She wants a remote start, but on a least it's not worth it.

+1 on the remote start on a lease. Definitely not worth it if you're not planning to buy the car after the lease is up.

But, I will be keeping my car, I like that it's "rarer" and not many people have them. Like a total of 5000-10,000 made (across Japan, Europe, and USA I believe). I'm also planning to go bigger turbo and I've heard this fixes the issue? I dunno. If you do part out your car Steve I'd like a list Don't you have a magnaflow exhaust? I've been looking for that, lol. $500 new on ebay, but not sure if I can trust that.

 

[Newf]

+1 on the remote start on a lease. Definitely not worth it if you're not planning to buy the car after the lease is up.

But, I will be keeping my car, I like that it's "rarer" and not many people have them. Like a total of 5000-10,000 made (across Japan, Europe, and USA I believe). I'm also planning to go bigger turbo and I've heard this fixes the issue? I dunno. If you do part out your car Steve I'd like a list Don't you have a magnaflow exhaust? I've been looking for that, lol. $500 new on ebay, but not sure if I can trust that.

+2. Nothing is worth it when it's a lease. That being said, nothing better then remote start in winter months

I got half in mind though to take off my visors before I take mine back, I got a audiolink in the car to for mp3's...that's coming out for sure and up for sale.

 

[tunersteve]

I'm sure her next car will be something that we purchase instead of lease. If so, it'll get a remote start no matter what.

 

[Koenig]

Get a diesel pickup......... Still get good mileage and the engine isn't even "broken in" fully til you're like 100k miles, lol.