2009 Mazda 6: Not Many On The Road

I think it's lack of wanting to try something new. I like to own as many different brands as possible, but lots of people are happy with the reliable Accord or Camry they've been driving and figure why try something new?

I've seen maybe 4 in the last couple of months in Kansas. I saw that many Camrollas on the way to work this morning.

The car is not being advertised in my area, so people forget about it. Mazda is more known for it's sports cars, not its passenger cars.

The whole, "go large" thing moved the Mazda6 away from its reason of being. It ceased to be something special (a smaller, zippy family car) to just another bloated big family car.

Also, the Fusion is getting all the attention right now because of its hybrid powertrain. Camry had a hybrid powertrain. Altima has a hybrid powertrain. Sonata will have a hybrid powertrain. Accord and Malibu HAD a hybrid powertrain.

Mazda is being left behind.

I've only seen one of these on the road here in the Dallas area.

What I've noticed is that the type of person who buys a Camry/Accord is a sheep who would never consider any alternatives. When the old Camcord dies, they just stroll on into the dealership and buy the latest version.

I would say because the 6 is a good car, but it's not good enough to get people to make a change from their Toyota/Honda mindset. The Fusion, on the other hand, is. The Fusion also has a ton more marketing support behind it, but it's a better car too, I think.

I knew the 6 was behind, but I didn't know it was that far behind - wow, really bad numbers.

Keep in mind that Mazda is a considerably smaller company than Toyota or Honda.

I think it's a lack of differentiation.

What is the Mazda 6 supposed to be? The "sporty" mid-size sedan? That's the Altima. The "practical but sporty" choice? That's the Fusion and used to be the Accord. The "fuel efficient" choice? No, that's the Altima and now the Fusion again. The "high tech" choice? No, that's still the Altima. The "High-End" choice? No, that's still the Maxima/Passat. The geriatric choice? No, that's still the Camry. The fat person's choice? No, that's still the Camry and now the Accord. The 'smooth riding' choice? No, that's the Fusion. The "reliable" choice? No, that's the Accord. The "I'm not driving an Accord/Camry choice?" No, that's the Subaru Legacy. The "I've got bad credit but need a car" choice? No, that's the Hyundai Sonata. The "I'm buying American, damnit" choice? No, that's the Chevy Malibu. The "I'm buying the deluxe rental car" choice? No, that's the Dodge Avenger.

not many mazda 6's. Some Mazda 3's.

20,000 of them must have been sold in Jersey and PA because I've seen quite a lot of them on the roads around here.

Mazda should have given us the awesome Euro version.

Murtman, I think the other 3,514 must have been sold in Chicago, because I've seen plenty.

"The whole, "go large" thing moved the Mazda6 away from its reason of being. It ceased to be something special (a smaller, zippy family car) to just another bloated big family car."

100% agree. The reason I bought my 2004 Mazda6 was because it was the only car in its class where the functionality of the family sedan was second to a fun to drive car with an aggressively exterior. When it came time to replace that car, I looked that the current model but everything that put a smile on my face from the previous model was gone. Despite the bigger engines, this new model says family sedan first, zoom zoom second.

My guess is that most car buyers are lazy and assume that since a product is made by Toyota or Honda, it is obviously the best.

I have seen very few 6's in Maryland, the ones I have been have had out of state plates, a strange color, no license plate frame, and a barcode of the read window. That means only one thing....

I've seen quite a few in Atlanta, but then not as many as I'm sure Mazda was hoping for.

I think it's various issues, lack of strong advertising (they had a ton before the car came out, but hardly see an ad anymore for it), clear advertising (as pointed out before, nothing to distinguish this car from all the other midsize sedans out there), smaller dealership network, and people like what they know. It's hard to get people to switch over from a brand they're familiar/comfortable with...if it ain't broke.

I just wish they didn't do away with the 5-door when they redesigned the 6 because when my current '06 is gone I won't want to replace it with a 4 door as I like hatchbacks way to much.

mikeolan - I agree totally. I really liked how you went through the entire mid-sedan range.

It has nothing to do with the car. Many are still under delusions about infringing on the success of camry/accord just by making a better product. Doesn't work like that. Midsize buyers buy based on reputation- many don't even research cars outside of camry/accord. They believe buying anything else is too much of a risk because Toyota/Honda advertising has convinced them of that.

Best. answer. ever. I disagree with it looking more generic than a Camry, but the first sentence is spot on.

Posted by m3shmem3 - Maybe because it looks like an RX-8 tried to swallow an ES350 but gave up half way through and died of boredom. How did they manage to create something so generic that it makes a Camry look exciting?

@mikeolan: The deluxe rental car is not the Avenger. That's the Sebring. The Avenger is the "We ran out of Accents, here's a free upgrade" rental car.

I think its because the base model of the 6 looks a bit bargain basement. The wheels look small and the wheel cover looks cheap on the base model. The design of the Touring's alloy doesn't look much better either.

I think it's because the 2010 Ford Fusion shares the same CD3 platform as the Mazda 6, but turns out to be a better car inside and out. Let's take a look a the specs:

1) Performance / Fuel Efficiency:

4 Cylinder Engines (The Volume Seller)
Fusion / Mazda 6
175 HP vs 170 HP
172 lb-ft vs 167 lb-ft
23/34 MPG vs 21-30 MPG

*Very similar (maybe identical) engines, but the Fusion slightly out performs it.

2) Options / Packaging / Safety

Fusion / Mazda 6
AWD V6 vs N/A
Hybrid vs N/A
Sync + Nav vs DVD Nav (slower)
Sony Audio vs Bose Audio (better brand recognition)
Rear Camera vs N/A
Rear Sensor vs Only Lane Blind spot detection
Traffic

In terms of exterior & interior styling I'd say they're about even...though better than an Accord or Camry.

The Fusion is one of the few mid size sedans to offer AWD V6 in it's price range along with a dedicated sport model engine. And the Hybrid gets better MPG than a Camry Hybrid or a Malibu Hybrid.

Since I often see Ford & Mazda sold at the same dealerships I simply think the Fusion is stealing the thunder away from the Mazda 6. Both great family sedans, but the Fusion spec wise is slightly better.

I would serious consider a 6 with the 3.7 liter engine IF they offered it with a manual tranny. A friend of mine purchased a 6i with the manual tranny and loves it. He's like 6'5" and he loves the spacious interior and the sportiness of it. I however felt like the 4 was too weak an engine, especially when I currently drive a MS3. The 6 cylinder 6 was quick and sporty but the damned automatic ruins it for me.

I think Mazda was smart ot build the 6 but they should of given the enthusiasts a manual with the 6 cylinder. I'd buy that in a second.

FYI I've seen many 6's in the NE. The Black 6S GTs are very nice in Black and Black Cherry.

Whatever happened to the Mazdaspeed 6? They still make that?

I see lots of 3s and 'Speed 3s around here. A few 6s (and one 'Speed 6,) but none from the new generation.

A lot of people who bought the previous Mazda6 really don't want a bigger, heavier, softer version. The people who buy Camcords buy them because they're dull as well as big, and would be terrified to drive anything that has even the modicum of "Zoom Zoom" that the Mazda6 has managed to retain. And even though the wagon and 5-door didn't sell in huge numbers, without that option the people who would like to buy such a vehicle are forced to look elsewhere.

Take the V6 Grand Touring and call it a Mazda8 or Mazda9 and position it where the Millenia or 929 used to be, and give us the Euro Mazda6, which is still bigger than the first generation, with at least one alternative body style besides the sedan. As long as they have the dealer network and advertising budget of a niche manufacturer, they need to exploit niches instead of trying to compete head-to-head with the volume sellers.

I'm on my third Mazda in 27 years (with a Ford in there 12 years as well), but there's nothing in the current lineup I'd consider buying.

Problem is two fold:

1. Former owners were screwed over
2. Nobody outside of Mazda people know the car exists.

It's a shame because the 6 is a great car and Mazda builds good stuff. It's also made in the USA, near Detroit on the same line as the Mustang, in Flat Rock. I've owned 2 Mazda 6's. My current one is a 2007 6i 5-door. I like the sleeker look and utility of the 5-door. Mazda my have made a mistake by not bringing in the Euro 5-door and wagon. Plus the masses now follow whatever Consumers Reports ranks highest. I'm glad Mazda does not follow thw mainstream. BTW, the Ford Fusion would not be as good a car without having the 6 aws a base platform.
Rodman in Detroit

ocramida: I have a 2009 Mazda6 V6, and I was concerned about the lack of manual option too; my last 4-door was an old Altima with an MT. But having now driven the car for several months, I can say that the lack of an MT hasn't bothered me, even from an enthusiast standpoint. There's plenty of power, and the AT is well programmed, so that it never feels slushy. It's not European automated dual-clutch manual quick, but it's a way better engine/gearbox pairing than anything else in the segment, Fusion Sport included.

As for the lot of you, I bought a 6 precisely because there are so few of them on the road, especially the V6 version. I've seen tons of 3s (there are three Speed3s in my neighborhood), but I've only seen a handful of the 6s, and I've only seen one other V6.

Only 1 or 2 others seen on the road over the last year. Noticed that drop in advertising after launch. (Same now for the 3) Toyota and Honda bombard the airwaves daily. Ford now too. When CR is wrapped around your finger the masses believe.

Find my '09 6iAT w/ Convenience/Bose spot on. Couldn't get a better group of features for the price last fall. Room for a young family still with some soul. Likes it if you push it around a corner. Rattle and trouble free at 11K.

Everyone I talked to who owned a Mazda before reminisced "that was a great car."

Younger co-workers call the 6 "hot" when they see it.

Older parents ride along and remark how "nice" they throught it was.

Enjoy that I don't see 5 or more each commute.

Sometimes even the good players don't get to be #1 and thats alright too.

I live in Northern Canada and have the big three as dealerships (this is truck country). The Mazda dealership from a larger town has set up a kind of "offsales" dealership (piggy back on a lease return lot) here in our community. In the past year, sales of the 3 (both styles, 08 and 10) have been amazing. They are everywhere but not a 6 to be found. Lots of CX-7's too. The product is there but I still can't figure out why this car isn't more popular...

Mazda sells vast numbers of Mazda3s in Canada (ties for the top selling car with the Civic) but very few Mazda6s.

It's a lot more money and aside from a little more space isn't much better a car.

It's not that the 6 is bad, it's just that the 3 is that good.

1487 - Toyota/Honda advertising convinced everyone that their cars were better and that's why Mazda6 sells are low? Maybe, but eventually owner experiences (good or bad) catch up with a manufacturer over time. It happened with GM. They've made great cars in their time, but lived off their reputation for some periods and gave customers lousy service. The 1990's is an example. GM made crap in the 90s. I was a long time consumer, emphasize WAS, in the 90s. I hope people begin to realize the crap that is the current version of the Camry.

Actually, the 6 never sold well and I've been fine with that. Bought mine in 2003 (first model year) and really like the car because of how it handles. Problem with Mazda is two-fold. First, they are trying to cut into Toyota/Honda sales by assimilation. They've moved away from zoom-zoom with the 6...believe me. Obviously, this hasn't worked for them. Too bad.

Secondly, I don't think there's much loyalty from previous 6 owners because of how drastically different the new model performs from the old one. I know I won't be buying a new 6 because it's a totally different car from the previous version. Too bad.

I agree with altimadude and lj182. The new 6 is a bloated family car to compete with Camry and Accord. Too bad.

This car is not selling poorly because of the additional size. People crack me up when they talk about Mazda abandoning the formula from the last car- of course they did. It didn't sell. This car is better in every way except fuel economy. It doesn't sell because Mazda isnt on the radar screen for midsize sedans and most Americans default to Accord, Altima and camry. Arguably the 6, Fusion and Malibu are equal to or superior to all three and yet they are outsold by those 3 established sedans.

The lack of loyalty amongst previous 6 owners (if such a thing exists) isnt a bid deal because there arent many owners of the old car. Mazda was going for the mainstream and the car got great reviews so they did something right.

It's always a bad idea to introduce an expensive new model just in time for a recession.

1487 - Then how are you supposed to build any kind of reputation with a car if you disregard the input and buying power of previous owners? That's non-sensical...but you know better, right?

Your matter-of-fact tone doesn't persuade people that you are right about everything. It might work in other facets of your life, but not here. You know, you should really get a job doing marketing for a car manufacturer. You seem to know exactly why cars sell well and why they don't. Man, I bet Mazda wishes they could get their hands on 1487. Has anyone approached you about a consulting job?

Oh, and the new Mazda6 is better than the old one in every way except gas mileage? You should know as well as anyone: THAT IS A MATTER OF OPINION.

As a previous owner, the larger size, poorer fuel economy, more floaty ride and less communicable steering, flared front fenders and smile on the grill...they are all reasons why I won't buy a new 6. You don't have to agree with me, but let's acknowledge that it's just a matter of taste and that Mazda didn't do their sales figures any favors when they changed their formula with this car and disregarded previous owners. It's a completely different animal now.

1487 - I sat in on a focus group going over the new 6 at Irvine headquarters before the car was released. We were all 6 owners. Our consensus was that we didn't like the new version. Guess we should have had you there...oh that's right, you've never owned one.

"1487 - Then how are you supposed to build any kind of reputation with a car if you disregard the input and buying power of previous owners? That's non-sensical...but you know better, right?"

They had a formula that didnt work. It would be ridiculous to offer a 2009 model that was unchanged from the old one. You cant build a reputation on a car no one buys. The old 6 registered with the press but not the public. Saying the new car isn't succeeding because its too different from the unsuccessful prior model makes no sense.

blobster:

I know its a different animal but Mazda's move made sense. The car isnt selling poorly because people don't like the size or styling, it doesn't sell because people don't know or care that Mazda has a nice midsize sedan. To argue that they made a mistake in supposedly abandoning the owners of the old model is illogical because there werent enough owners of the old model. Besides, the car is not really less efficient than the old car. It's just bigger and faster.

"Guess we should have had you there...oh that's right, you've never owned one."

Don't get mad at me, the numbers don't lie. the car was aimed at the millions of people who skipped over the first one moreso than current owners. Why would Mazda redesign the car to appeal to the same 50k people a year who bought the old one? Something about the old car didn't appeal to potential camry/accord owners and that is what Mazda tried to correct. Mazda's ad budget is much smaller than GM, Ford, Toyota, Honda, etc. When the Fusion and Malibu came out their manufacturers could afford to saturate media with ads to boost awareness. Mazda's ad campaign was much smaller and seemed to last a few weeks at most. Not enough to establish awareness of a little known player.

Maybe it's because it's HUGE and the those ridiculous front hunches over the wheel arches look retarded? The front end and front wheel arch areas need to be thought. And we need the Euro model size.

I have seen several ads just today for the new 6 here in SoCal. Maybe this isn't true for every location. I do think that Mazda has done a much better job of marketing this car than, say, GM did for the G8.

"Something about the old car didn't appeal to potential camry/accord owners and that is what Mazda tried to correct."

It's not working.

I've owned my V6 Mazda6 sSport model for 8 months now. I've literally seen only one other V6 Mazda6 on the streets of NYC and western Long Island. (Ironically, that car was also silver, just like mine).

Only seen a handful of the 4-bangers.

My ride is about as rare as one of the Exotics, at a fraction of the cost. I keep catching folks looking at it. Including a group of young kids who seemed very excited as the pointed at my ride. I just smiled. You have to.