US News Best Cars for the Money 2009

[remarquian]

US News and World Report just released their Best Cars for the Money 2009 ratings.

The Mazda5 is the Best Compact Crossover for the Money.

 

[Mr.Smith]

Knew that!(alright)

It really is a great value.

 

[antlind]

Gotta wonder about this survey when they vote the Hyundai Elantra as their number one choice for compact car.....This one I disagree with !!

 

[remarquian]

I just don't get the "compact crossover" appellation.

 

[AIMWO4]

Too funny... The Saab 9-3 Wagon has 2 NA's.

 

[kickniteasy]

Gotta wonder about this survey when they vote the Hyundai Elantra as their number one choice for compact car.....This one I disagree with !!

I don't know man, a few years ago I'd be on your side, but they've really stepped things up. My mom got a sonata (granted, different car but I'm assuming the change was comapny wide) last year and I laughed out loud when she told me what she had, but after seeing/driving it over the winter after I was "put in my place", it's really a nice car, especially for the money. Now, being a nice car and staying a nice car are two completely separate things so I guess time will tell how well it holds up, but initial quality is pretty high.

 

[x10dude]

It still baffles me why Mazda still refuses to advertise this vehicle???

They spend so much advertising dollars on cars that aren't selling... and yet totally ignore the one vehicle in their lineup that is actually the consumers wants....
I wonder what their sales number would be if people actually knew about this car.

Hello, Mazda.... your NEWLY Designed Mazda6 that you are spending so much time advertising was down 30% from last year's OLD model.

 

[remarquian]

It still baffles me why Mazda still refuses to advertise this vehicle???

My theory is that production is an issue.

 

[08M5GTGSP]

Hello, Mazda.... your NEWLY Designed Mazda6 that you are spending so much time advertising was down 30% from last year's OLD model.

I know, but it IS such a lovely machine....

 

[coolmazda5]

My theory is that production is an issue.

Yes, I believe so too. They only produce these things in Japan (for all markets) and China (for the Chinese market)

All Mazda marketing eggs have to be in the 2010 Mazda3 and 2009 Mazda6, the big global sales dudes...

I just don't get the "compact crossover" appellation.

The best fit maybe?

 

[skyhawk]

regardng mazda6...

maybe its in the number.

In the 80's they had mazda323 and mazda929 that were popular.. the mazda 626 sat in the middle but was always 'out of place'.

Today, there is the mazda3, the mazda5 CX-7 and CX-9. If you noticed they are all odd numbers.. and again the mazda6 is like 'out of place'.

why would one get a mazda6? upgrade from mazda3?

 

[x10dude]

regardng mazda6...

maybe its in the number.

In the 80's they had mazda323 and mazda929 that were popular.. the mazda 626 sat in the middle but was always 'out of place'.

Today, there is the mazda3, the mazda5 CX-7 and CX-9. If you noticed they are all odd numbers.. and again the mazda6 is like 'out of place'.

why would one get a mazda6? upgrade from mazda3?

The Mazda6 is designed to compete in the midsize sedan arena... ie Camry, Accord. It is one of the biggest segments of the market and also one of the most competitive. It is a good car but I still think Mazda (if production is not a problem) should shift some of their advertising dollars over.

I'm not sure if people really pay attention to the even/odd theory... but it's interesting to think about.

 

[ms6acton]

toyota really cleaned up on that list.. stupid toyota *shakes fist*

 

[Timotee]

US News and World Report just released their Best Cars for the Money 2009 ratings.

The Mazda5 is the Best Compact Crossover for the Money.

Damn straight! (breakn)

 

[x10dude]

toyota really cleaned up on that list.. stupid toyota *shakes fist*

What's wrong with Toyota? They make great cars. I don't think it is a coincidence they are #1 in the world.

But getting back to Mazda. I wonder how much of the "good publicity" has an effect on Mazda5 sales. It is probably too difficult to accurately measure it but honestly, the US News ratings compilation for the 2008 Mazda5 actually did have an big influence on my decision to ultimately get it over the half dozen cars that I were considering.

(previously I never even knew it even existed... thanks to Mazda)

 

[AIMWO4]

What is really Japanese? I think the Camry has 55% American parts! LOL

Assembly:
Camry - US
Sienna - US
Tacoma - US
Highlander - Japan
Lexus RX - Canada/Japan
Lexus GS - Japan
Avalon - US
Lexus ES - Japan

 

[x10dude]

What is really Japanese? I think the Camry has 55% American parts! LOL

Assembly:
Camry - US
Sienna - US
Tacoma - US
Highlander - Japan
Lexus RX - Canada/Japan
Lexus GS - Japan
Avalon - US
Lexus ES - Japan

55% made in America but most of the profits definitely go overseas.

 

[Mazda5wannabe]

But they have profits, and aren't latching themselves to the taxpayer teat.

 

[x10dude]

But they have profits, and aren't latching themselves to the taxpayer teat.

Obviously this being a Mazda thread we probably aren't too sympathetic to Detroit's big three... but even so, the car market has literally fallen off a cliff.

Even as almost "fully-built-overseas-Mazda5" owner I still hope they big 3 survive and actually become more competitive.

 

[coolmazda5]

Hey guys, good stuff, but this has headed off-topic.

If interested there are several related Big 3 "bailout" threads under the Automotive News, Articles & Pics in the forum:

http://www.mazdav.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=12

Thanks