Hercules

I think it's going to be good.

If you read the press release, they have a whole page dedicated to how the sound is set up in the car, and the innovations that came with it.

If it were simply a no highs, no lows, must be Bose setup, then it wouldn't even be included, or just mentioned "Bose stereo optional". Putting information about how it was designed and how the materials in the magnets (wow?) are better than those in traditional magnets says something... hopefully it's something good.

I was pretty pleased with the Mazda6 Bose system, and I run 1200 watts with 10 speakers in my car (using infiniti speakers thruout and Polk Audio subs), and while it's not that level, it's definately easy to appreciate from other cars.

BryanH

So in order to get the premium audio system I'd have to shell out for the Touring Package which includes several things I do not want (sunroof, traction control, HomeLink).

If I were in the market right now I suppose I'd be looking for a base 6-speed model, with the hope that the basic sound system is easily upgradeable.

No Bose without the sunroof... bah.

Jerome81

All those complaining about packages, remember this is the preliminary setup. If the 6 gives any indication, we were all complaining about how we had to get a fully loaded 4 cyl just to get the ABS/Side Airbags as an option. Just maybe 2-3 weeks into production, guess what? Thats right, Mazda made the ABS/Side Airbags a stand alone option for those who want safety but can't afford the other $4000+ for the other options.

Lastly I'm surprised to see only a couple are going for the 6speed bare bones model. Myself, I'm going for the sport. I LOVE Xenon lights (they turn night into day) and DSC is nice. To be honest, I"ve never been a huge fan of leather, and all that other junk that comes with the leather package is stuff that is nice, but not something I"m paying $3000 for just so I can sit on a dead cow. To a much lesser extent, all that stuff adds weight too.

I know I'd be a happy pup with a $28,000 RX-8. Maybe the only thing I wish I could get was the BOSE stereo in the sport package. Oh well, I can't get one of these cars for at least a year, so who knows what'll happen between now and then.

I'll take mine in Titanium Grey baby!

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

forgot to mention my color of choice.....

blue, winning blue, of course

MazdaMan182

all i have to say is that at least mazda doesn't charge extra for metallic paint like bmw does... those bastards

ZoomZoom

Mazda $105.00
BMW $800.00

KKMmaniac

I visited the dealer today, (Morrie’s, good folks so far) and put in my order. He didn’t have any answers to the hard questions anyone here has, such as curb weight, acceleration, (both models) and fuel economy, and didn’t even have real paint samples. I’m wondering; is it possible the automatic has better fuel economy?

I figured, part of the reason I would want the 6-speed is for bragging rights, (yeah, it’s got a carbon fiber driveshaft, 250 HP, revs to 9-grand, auxiliary intake port, blah blah blah…) but I know with my WRX, I have to work it hard to get the power, and I don’t have the chance or inclination to do that all the time anyway.


After much agonizing and scenerio building, I decided to go with the paddlematic tranny and its less powerful engine. Although I would enjoy driving a 6-speed some of the time, (as I understand, Mazda gearboxes and clutches are mighty nice) the reality is, it’s will be my daily driver, and much too often, my forward progress is hampered by traffic. So it’s the old shuffle routine. Let out clutch, move along in first. Get going too fast for first and hit second. Immediately be forced to hit brakes. Second gear too high. Double clutch and back into first. First gear ratio just a little low. Dammit! And so on.

Anyway, I chose Winning Blue, and the sport package. For $27,500 (they’re charging MSRP) compared to the 6-speed’s $27,200, I thought it offered a lot (ok, except for ultimate straight-line performance!) because it includes DSC and traction control, xenon lights, and fog lights. (an $1100 package on the manual) It really kinda’ pisses me off the sunroof isn’t available as a stand-alone package though; I refuse to waste all that extra money to get the Bose and Homelink.

I can only hope the power and acceleration of the auto is reasonable, (compared to the manual) and I’ll step aside and let the bottle rockets like the WRX, Evo, and others fight it out. I’ve also got my FB in the warmer months if I feel like stirring a shift lever.

In a (giant) nutshell, that’s my story. Now the wait!

khoney

Ditto. I'm not sure I'll even use the nav much, but I plan on keeping this car for at least a decade, so I might as well go for it. Don't have an 'official' order placed yet, but I think I found the right dealership anyway. The first one I went to said they'd have them in March, so I knew they were blowin' smoke up my tailpipe (one great thing about this forum - you know more than the dealrships, so you can find out who to trust). They were also giving me the old 'fair market value' routine. Second dealership I tried is a Gold Club member, so I figure they're better to deal with. They also provide a 10yr/125,000 mile powertrain warranty for no extra charge.