Mazda6 must overcome tough rivals

[NFS4]

Now this is definitely a better looking vehicle than the Altima and surely more so than the Camry or Accord. Hope it turns out well:

http://autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=carnews&loc_code=&content_code=08395314

 

[Red Dawn]

You think that's good looking? To me it has that classless generic Japanese look. Imagine what the Buckethead Ricers will do to it.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn
You think that's good looking? To me it has that classless generic Japanese look. Imagine what the Buckethead Ricers will do to it.

Ok then, you tell me what's a good-looking mid-sized sedan?

 

[Red Dawn]

Ok then, you tell me what's a good-looking mid-sized sedan?

Any BMW, Mercedes or Lexus.

 

[iamwiz82]

the altezza thing has to stop.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Ok then, you tell me what's a good-looking mid-sized sedan?

Any BMW, Mercedes or Lexus.

Yeah, not all of us have money for those three.

the altezza thing has to stop.

The US version doesn't have the clear rear lights.

 

[Red Dawn]

Yeah, not all of us have money for those three.

That's true Brandon. It's a shame you have to spend big bucks to buy a car that has decent styling to it.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Yeah, not all of us have money for those three.

That's true Brandon. It's a shame you have to spend big bucks to buy a car that has decent styling to it.

Actually...Mercedes and Lexus cars are quite boring as well. The C-Class, new E-Class, and S-Class all look alike...just small, medium, and large. The Lexus models are pretty boring too with the exception of the IS300.

 

[Red Dawn]

Actually...Mercedes and Lexus cars are quite boring as well

We need a car with the classic styling of a 1967 Buick Rivera.

 

[Nemesis77]

In Finland, Mazda 6 has already been in one comparison, where it beat the new Opel Vectra, Ford Mondeo and Toyota Avensis (not sure that was Toyota the third competitor, but Mazda won the comparison)

EDIT: nope, I'm pretty sure that the third competitor was the new Nissan Primera

 

[vi edit]

The key to the 6's success is going to be pricing. They MUST undercut Honda, Toyota, and even Nissan to make it alluring enough to at least look at. If it isn't you aren't going to get buyers. They don't need to pull a Hyundai and sell at razor thin(if even that high) profit margins, but they do need to be VERY competative.

The borrowed engine from ford should help lower the costs some. The duratecs are pretty cheap and should keep costs down. They need to be very certain that they have all pre-production bugs worked out and avoid the Ford Recall syndrome. A handfull of recalls on fairly signifcant things will put a nail in the coffin of the 6.

 

[Rallispec]

Originally posted by: Nemesis77
the new Opel Vectra, Ford Mondeo and Toyota Avensis and the new Nissan Primera

no opels here,

ford mondeo = what in the us?

guessing avensis and primera are the camry and altima?

 

[vi edit]

ford mondeo = what in the us?

Was the former Contour/Mystique. The Jaguar X-Type is built off of it now.

 

[Parrotheader]

An older article, but with better pics of the new Mazda6.

That hatchback shot isn't the best IMO. I too think this is by far the best looking of the upcoming/current generation of affordable midsize sedans (I don't like the ugly sharp, square lines look everyone seems to be pushing for these days.) Unfortunately, a lot of people will probably overlook it due to the factors cited in the article. It's a shame too since it'll probably be a good car with just horrible timing. If I end up looking at new cars when I'm shopping around next Spring this one will definitely get some consideration. While I'd like a car with solid performance, I'm not 17 anymore and I'm not going to wet myself with glee and completely overlook one car for another simply because it's a a little faster in 0-60 times. I'd like one that offers a unique, attractive styling (which rules out the Camry and Accord for my personal tastes) and one with decent performance.

After all that's said and done though, I'll most likely just end up picking up a slightly used Maxima to save on cost and still get pretty much the same thing

 

[BigJohnKC]

IMO it seems like an unattractive, underpowered car with a dumb name. Unless they sell the v6 version for like 15K they'll never sell anywhere near their quota.

 

[AU Tiger]

I don't see that style making many sales for Mazda. They will continue to rank behind Toyota, Honda, and Nissan.

 

[vi edit]

Does anyone know why these Japanese companies are only going against other Japanese companies? How come none of them try to take on Pontiac, or Oldsmobile, or Ford, or Dodge?

 

[psteng19]

Originally posted by: BigJohnKC
IMO it seems like an unattractive, underpowered car with a dumb name. Unless they sell the v6 version for like 15K they'll never sell anywhere near their quota.

It's not unattractive. It looks very nimble, sleek, for the sportier, younger crowd.
The Altima is more mature and handsome, and looks a lot bigger... looks almost luxury class.
But very true on the price. The looks will get buyers in the door, the cost will get them out, either with or without the car.

The new Mazda 6 mid-size sedan, to be called 'Atenza' in Japan

Wow, so they have the Altezza, Atenza and Atessa from 3 different makes. Could it get any more confusing?

 

[Nemesis77]

Originally posted by: Rallispec

Originally posted by: Nemesis77
the new Opel Vectra, Ford Mondeo and Toyota Avensis and the new Nissan Primera

no opels here,

Thank your lucky stars for that.

ford mondeo = what in the us?

I believe they used to be called Contours/Mystiques there.

guessing avensis and primera are the camry and altima?

Negative. Camry is one step above Avensis. And I guess Altima is more or less equivalent to Nissan Almera (Almera is about the same size as VW Golf/Bora/Jetta). Pimera is one step aboce Almera. Toyotas go like this:

Yaris
Corolla
Avensis
Camry

 

[iamwiz82]

Negative. Camry is one step above Avensis. And I guess Altima is more or less equivalent to Nissan Almera (Almera is about the same size as VW Golf/Bora/Jetta). Pimera is one step aboce Almera. Toyotas go like this:

Yaris
Corolla
Avensis
Camry

i think the Altima here is the Primera over there.

 

[Ultima]

Originally posted by: NFS4
Now this is definitely a better looking vehicle than the Altima and surely more so than the Camry or Accord. Hope it turns out well:

http://autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=carnews&loc_code=&content_code=08395314

Their wagon was good looking. As for that sedan... I sort of agree with Red Dawn.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: BigJohnKC
IMO it seems like an unattractive, underpowered car with a dumb name. Unless they sell the v6 version for like 15K they'll never sell anywhere near their quota.

Spoken like a true Altima owner

This thing will most likely run circles around the Altima in handling...and I'm guessing that it will be lighter than the '03 Accord EX Sedan/5-speed auto (0-60, 6.53 seconds). With a 5-speed manual and the 219 HP Duratec, the "6" should come close to a 6.2 - 6.3 second 0-60 time.

And the overall shape is better than the Altima IMHO. The Altima looks good until you get past the rear doors...then it fauls flat on its face (design wise) once the roof meets the rear "shoulders" and onto the screwed up rear-end (a hallmark of current Nissan designs...crappy rear-ends: Altima/Maxima/Sentra/Murano/G35). That's what happens when you try to design the Altima to look like a Passat from a rear 3/4 view.

And who cares what the name of it is? Does it even matter? What kind of name is RSX or WRX? Who cares, it's how the car performs that matters (performance/comfort/features/price/safety/etc).

 

[StattlichPassat]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: Red Dawn
You think that's good looking? To me it has that classless generic Japanese look. Imagine what the Buckethead Ricers will do to it.

Ok then, you tell me what's a good-looking mid-sized sedan?

Agreed. I think the new 6 will have everyone in the can when it debuts. Mazda really needs this boost and the 6 is going to do it for them. From everything I'm reading on it, it looks nothing but great! I love the look of it too- best looking Japanese sport sedan on the forthcoming market, IMO. I can't wait to see one in person and watch it trump all over the new fugly Accord in sales! Go Mazda!

 

[EvilYoda]

I dunno, I like it. If a person can do enough research to get past any stigma there might be about the "Mazda" brand, I think that the car will prove to be a very viable choice for the budget-minded consumer, since Mazda is forced to keep prices competitive due to the fact that they know that Toyota and Honda have more behind their name. I'd buy one if I could afford it.

 

[yllus]

Nice! What's Mazda's rep on reliability like these days?