RotoRocket

iTrader: (1)

I know I've been going back and forth, with our new one here, about whether to get a sedan.

Well, my friendly dealer has enticed me with the following deal.

It's a MANUAL 2009 Mazda6 4 banger.

The rebates and price expires 5/31.

MSRP: $20,919.00
Style: 4dr Sdn Man i SV
Color: BLACK ONYX/BLACK CLOTH
Class: 4 Door Sedan

My Price: $15,620

-2.5L DOHC MPFI 16-valve I4 engine w/variable valve timing (VVT) 1236
-6-speed manual transmission w/OD 1236
-Front wheel drive 1236
-Independent double-wishbone front suspension w/coil springs 1236
-Independent E-type multi-link rear suspension w/coil springs 1236
-Front/rear stabilizer bars 1236
-Front/rear gas shocks 1236

-4-wheel anti-lock brake system w/electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) 1343
-Traction control system (TCS) 1343
-Dynamic stability control 1343
-Front/rear side-impact door beams 1343
-Dual front air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) 1343
-Front side-impact air bags supplemental restraint system 1343
-Front/rear side curtain air bags 1343

-Tilt/telescopic steering wheel w/audio controls 1220
-Black gauges w/white lettering, red nighttime illumination 1220
-Center instrument panel display -inc: clock, audio, A/C, outside temp 1220
-Instrumentation -inc: tachometer, (2) resettable trip odometers 1220
-Warning lights -inc: air bags, battery charge, check engine, door ajar, high-beam, low fuel, oil pressure, parking brake, seat belts 1220
-Pwr windows -inc: front 1-touch down, cancel switch 1220
-Dark gray pwr window switch panel 1220
-Pwr door locks 1220
-Remote release -inc: trunk, fuel-filler door, hood 1220
-Engine immobilizer system 1220
-Air conditioning w/pollen filter 1220
-Rear seat heater ducts 1220
-Rear window defogger 1220
-Lockable illuminated glove compartment 1220
-(2) front cupholders 1220
-Coin holder 1220
-Central dash panel storage -inc: mat, lid 1220
-(2) 12-volt pwr outlets 1220

-AM/FM stereo w/CD player -inc: digital clock, MP3 capability, (6) speakers 10689
-Sirius satellite radio compatible audio system (requires additional hardware) 10689
-In-glass rear radio antenna 10689

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

for a family sedan, you can't go wrong with that price, that's a honda civic price! lol

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

but wait, are you ridding of the 8 to get this said family sedan???

Juice

iTrader: (1)

My mom recently purchased an 09 Mazda 6 herself. They are great cars and are fun to drive like all mazdas are. They have an extremely big backseat, I'm 6ft 220 and my knees don't even touch the backseat when I adjust the front seat to my height. Comfortable on long trips and a great choice for the family guy who wouldn't be caught dead in a minivan. I wouldn't have any problem driving one daily. Also like the fact that it doesn't just look plain like the Accord/Camry does.

If you want to move away from the sports car category, there is much worse you could do then get a Mazda 6.

RotoRocket

iTrader: (1)

Zoom - I think so. I'm not sure. I may keep the 8 but I would have a debate with the Mrs. if you know what I mean.

Juice - Exactly. When I was behind the wheel, all I could think about is how boring the Camry and Accord are in comparison. Did your mom get the V6 or 4 cylinder, manual or slushbox?

The new 6 is a heavy car, however, at nearly 3600 lbs, and the new 4 cylinder makes 170 horsies versus the last gens 154.

delhi

It's not the lack of horsepower that is the issue with this 4-banger 6. It's the way it will drive. At 3600lbs, braking, maneuvering will all be dumb down compared to the scalpel-like rx-8. We have a 3400lb Mazda6 GT wagon (v6, 18", double wishbone suspension etc) and it's already felt like a lumbering yacht after driving the rx-8. What more to a 3600lb mac-strut setup with soft lumpy 17" tires and tiny brakes?
So many folks think that a heavy car can be cured with judicious amount of horsepower but fail to think about the other performance aspect that makes up a car.

DarkLord7854

Brakes? Who needs brakes when you have trees and other cars to slow you down?

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

um, the 2009 6 still has double wishbone suspension up front

RotoRocket

iTrader: (1)

Damnit.

There's no cruise control on the car that's on sale for that price.

I literally just realized this today and looked up the specs. It has steering wheel mounted audio controls, but no cruise control.

One would think that cruise control would be standard on just about every car, especially mid-sized sedans like this. I almost cannot believe that it's not.

I had a Jeep Liberty that did not have cruise control back in 2003 and never again - I never realized how much I used and appreciated cruise control until then.

Now maybe if there was a comparable cruise control to the factory one that I could get installed aftermarket for a very reasonable price....hmmm.....

SilverHokie

iTrader: (1)

Girlfriend bought a black 09 Mazda 6 GT last year. Six speed 4 banger. Awesome car...the GT package is ridiculous...with the blind spot monitoring and whatnot. It's a BIG car though....alot bigger than the old Mazda 6's. It is very comfortable to drive and I believe its the best out of the 4 door sedans in the price range.

I drive the Mazda 6 and my 8 all the time...and I don't mind the 6 at all. I wouldn't take it down the mountain roads or anything...tried that yesterday. The power steering is too ridiculous for that.

- Ant

kersh4w

iTrader: (3)

what sedans are in the 3000lb range?

only nice one i can think of is the bmw e30. and those are 20 years old.

Transam kid 01

iTrader: (1)

Dude, I would be all over that. It's a great grocery getter for an outstanding price. Even if you DD in place of the 8, you have something decent to get you from A to B, and the 8 for weekends. If I had the $$, I would be all over it.

RotoRocket

iTrader: (1)

I'm not sure if the manual has cruise or not. Mazda's specs are very confusing.

I can get a red/black automatic with cruise for $900 more.

The auto is tempting because of traffic, but I know the slushbox will be a real dog.

exsequor

iTrader: (1)

Yea don't get the slushbox unless you get the v6. Then again I had an 03 6i with the ATX and it was actually a quick car for what it had. Mine was a freak. I timed 0-60 in 8secs at my elevation!

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

hey roto, does that price you got quoted include the additional $1000 Mazda owner loyalty cash rebate?

and if you REALLY want the cruise, i highly recommend just splurge the extra money and pick up a 6i Sport trim model. the 6i SV trim doesn't even come with steering wheel stereo control! never thought I'd see a new car without that feature anymore lol

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

and i'm pretty certain all 6i sport trim and above will have steering wheel cruise/audio control regardless of auto or manual tranny

exsequor

iTrader: (1)

my 03 was base as possible and it came with cruise & steering wheel audio
besides that 16s, no sunroof, cloth, beige, no spoiler, no antenna, no foglight, etc

no cruise control wtf?

RotoRocket

iTrader: (1)

Yep, it includes all rebates including Mazda Owner Loyalty of $1000 that expires 5/31.

I talked to the salesperson - looks like Mazda cheaped out b/c this has audio controls on one side of the steering wheel, and no cruise control, which would ordinarily be on the other side.

$20,800 OTD would get me a V6 auto w/cruise.

Different dealer offered a 4 banger w/cruise and automatic trans for $16,870.

delhi

Why not just get a cheap G8? Screw resale, fack warranty support from a soon-to-be defunct brand!

RotoRocket

iTrader: (1)

Guys, the dealers are desperate. I didn't call them back today and they are all calling me.

I finally picked up the phone this afternoon and was told by a sales manager that they'll sell me a Sport i 2.5 liter with automatic, cruise control, upgraded 17" wheels with alloy, all other power equipment (no leather or nav, obviously) for $16,200 plus TTL.

MSRP is almost $23k.

He told me point blank that sales are way down (on all brands - they have 5 different brands they sell) and that they have to move some cars by the end of the month.

That's only $580 more than the manual w/out cruise control.

What'dya think?

RotoRocket

iTrader: (1)

If I buy this car tomorrow or Saturday, the big question will be whether to keep or sell my mint 2005 manual w/28k miles (Jeep mainly driven during winter).

I saw that someone sold a '05 GT w/48k miles for 15k, and that's just unbelievable b/c I don't have leather, nav or auto climate.

Juice

iTrader: (1)

Sorry for the late reply to your question, but to answer, My Mom got the 6i Touring with the automatic. Car has the Bose system, which is much better than the one in the 8 or MX-5 IMHO. Black cloth seats and the moonroof. Black cherry mica paint like the 05 Shinkas as well.

The auto is not nearly as bad as you may think. Regardless of people trying to compare it to the 8 it is NOT a sports car and never will be. 2 different cars for completely different purposes that share nothing more than the badge front and rear.

That said, it doesn't have any problems running around town with its power and is easily maneuverable. The car just feels smaller than it is which I think is great. I would try and find a manual anyways just because that is what I prefer but the auto still isn't bad.

To those that still want to compare it to an 8. Do you compare S2000s and Accord sedans as well? I haven't ever heard anyone say "man that Accord is pretty nice, but it sure as hell can't accelerate, brake or handle like the S2000". Of course a comparison to the 8 is almost obligatory on RX8Club, despite what it is.

RotoRocket

iTrader: (1)

Juice, thanks.

4 banger or V6?

Juice

iTrader: (1)

4 cyclinder. Tried to get her to buy a V6 but she wouldn't. Said she didn't need it, and in my opinion after driving hers, no-one needs it. That isn't to say that people buy it because they need it. They buy the V6 because they WANT it.

REsuperD

that is a ridiculously good deal. i love those cars. really good deal. go for it