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Why the 6? V6 5-speed hatchback, baby.

2K views 28 replies 11 participants last post by  Steve 6er 
#1 ·
I'm sure this story is familiar to many here... As soon as I learned about the 6, I knew this was a car aimed squarely at me. As long as Mazda comes through in meeting their design goals, this should be the ultimate "sleeper" car (a lot like what I have now)... People won't pay it much mind (unless yours is yellow ;) ); but it'll be an awesome driver's car that also satisfies spousal requirements for practicality. What I mean by "driver's car" is that it's meant for someone who actually enjoys driving to the extent that he shifts his own gears and doesn't yak on his cell phone, read the paper, and drink his morning coffee while behind the wheel (because he's too busy driving!). :cheers

My exceitement grew by a factor of ten when I leanred Mazda plan to bring the hatchback version to the U.S. (I hope that's still the case!). It makes me remember the vast quantities of stuff I could pile in the back of my '91 Escort GT hatch. Zoom zoom!
 
#3 ·
Reading Topic: Why the 6? V6 5-speed hatchback, baby.

:)

Welcome aboard!

Pleas click the "myhome" link under the Duratec Performance add and add info on where you live. Discussions about different things here get easier wit that!

I have to warn you about the Hatch. If you look at it too much, and think of the the long wait, you might end up moving to Europe. :) It sure is a beuty.

Zoom zoom! :)
 
#4 ·
Replying to Topic 'Why the 6? V6 5-speed hatchback, baby.'

QUOTE
Originally posted by Blackbird
Pleas click the "myhome" link under the Duratec Performance add and add info on where you live...[/b]
Yeah, I realized that about 30 seconds after I posted. All better now!

BTW, if anyone has definitive word (okay, I'll settle for an estimate :sarc ) on when the hatchback will be in the U.S., post it here. I haven't scoured the Forums yet to see if this info has already been posted, but maybe this thread will catch the attention of North American hatchback fans. :D

[EDIT: The Release/Pricing Forum had this thread:
http://www.goonish.com/atenza/read.php?TID=1418
I'd already heard the hatch and wagon would be about a year after the sedan in the U.S., but hadn't seen anything from the horse's mouth.]
 
#5 ·
Replying to Topic 'Why the 6? V6 5-speed hatchback, baby.'

Last I heard the guesses for when the Hatchbacks were slated to come out was anywhere between December of this year to March of next year, kinda a long wait. Im hoping I will have a pretty sizeable downpayment saved up by then. Plus my Truck will be paid off by then. Then I will have to decide If im going to trade the truck in or keep it and just use it to go back and forth to work in. Although my commute to work is only about 10 Miles one way.
 
#7 ·
Reading Topic: Why the 6? V6 5-speed hatchback, baby.

What I don't understand is that the hatch has been out for a fair amount of time in Europe, Australia, and Japan. So why is it taking Mazda so long to bring it to the US? I mean, I know they're equipping it with a V6 unlike all those other markets and need to fine tune things so that it meets their standards, but it's not like they're constructing an entire new platform or body! I mean, come on! Quit torturing us Mazda, for crying out loud! You've already got yourself a customer here, you just need to get that hatchback here and claim your money from me!

I just don't see why Mazda can't meet the release date that they themselves set and told potential buyers and magazines (3rd-4th quarter, 2003).
 
#9 ·
Replying to Topic 'Why the 6? V6 5-speed hatchback, baby.'

I suspect the reason is that Mazda wanted to get one production line up and running before introducing two additional models. It may also be that they wanted to see what people preferred for engine and trim levels. Mazda doesn't seem to have enough V6/5sp now, imagine the shortage of if they had two additional models!
 
#10 ·
Reading Topic: Why the 6? V6 5-speed hatchback, baby.

Maybe it's because America's babies can say 'SUV' before they can say 'Mommy or Daddy' and 'hatch' seems to be something like a swear word. Just a thought.
 
#12 ·
Replying to Topic 'Why the 6? V6 5-speed hatchback, baby.'

QUOTE
Originally posted by robgtaasc


            That's true.  For some reason, hatchbacks are like a sin here in America.  I don't understand it, but I guess that's because my 19 year old brain can't comprehend certain things.[/b]
Case in point, the Saab 9-5 or 9-3 was turned back to sedan only after execs decided no American would pay that much for a hatchback!!!

Do they call a hatchback something different in Europe? For example, they don't use the term station wagon, they say estate. I love that word estate, makes me want to buy an Audi S4 Avant (Estate car)!! What about a hatch? Maybe if they termed it differently, more people would jump on it?
 
#14 ·
Replying to Topic 'Why the 6? V6 5-speed hatchback, baby.'

QUOTE
Originally posted by GreenNuggs

Case in point, the Saab 9-5 or 9-3 was turned back to sedan only after execs decided no American would pay that much for a hatchback!!![/b]
Add to that the neutering of the perfectly good Ford Escort hatch (I had a '91 GT) in the form of the utterly uninspiring late '90's Escort (sedan only) and ZX2 coupe. At least Ford saw it fit to bring the Focus to the States... :sarc
 
#16 ·
Replying to Topic 'Why the 6? V6 5-speed hatchback, baby.'

QUOTE
Originally posted by applejax


            QUOTE
Maybe if they termed it differently, more people would jump on it?[/b]
How about the Mazda-more-practical-and-better-looking-than-the-sedan '6?[/b][/quote]

That's very catchy for the marketing people... :sarc.

But you're right though... :)
 
#17 ·
Replying to Topic 'Why the 6? V6 5-speed hatchback, baby.'

QUOTE
Originally posted by Blackbird


            IMHO SAAB 9-3/900 hatchbacks look like shit. Like a egg chopped in half... The new sedan 9-3 on the other hand looks really nice. To bad all Saabs has the same interior now as they had 20 years ago...[/b]
As they say, looks are in the eye of the beholder. I actually like the way hatchback Saabs look and I really like how they drive. The problem in my eyes is that Saabs are way overpriced. They're not as luxurious as BMWs, Lexus', Mercedes', etc and the build quality is not as good but they are nearly equally priced. I would personally buy a Saab 9-3 if it were priced in a more practical range, but as it is, you don't get enough in a Saab to justify the price they're asking.
 
#20 ·
Replying to Topic 'Why the 6? V6 5-speed hatchback, baby.'

QUOTE
Originally posted by robgtaasc


            I know, I meant a used 9-3 hatchback.  I would never buy the new Saabs... well, MAYBE a Vector but as I said, they're overpriced.[/b]
There are no 9-3 hatchbacks. Used or new. Has never been.

You think of the 900, its predecessor, me thinks. Or even the 9000, the predecessor of the 9-5?
 
#21 ·
Replying to Topic 'Why the 6? V6 5-speed hatchback, baby.'

QUOTE
Originally posted by Steve 6er

There are no 9-3 hatchbacks. Used or new. Has never been.

You think of the 900, its predecessor, me thinks. Or even the 9000, the predecessor of the 9-5?[/b]
Yes there are 9-3 hatchbacks, my friend owns a used luxury car dealership in Pennsylvania and has one on his lot. Here are some pictures of it, a year 2000 model.









As you can clearly see from the third and fourth picture, it is a Saab 9-3 and it is clearly a hatchback.
 
#22 ·
Reading Topic: Replying to Topic 'Why the 6? V6 5-speed hatchback, baby.'

Sorry. Me mix up. I was thinking with only a part of my brain. A small part... :)

I forgot that car was labelled 9-3. But it is, in fact, a 900. A bit enhanced, but a 900 nevertheless.

The first "real" 9-3 developed as a new one is the "new" 9-3. And that doesn't come as hatch.
 
#23 ·
Reading Topic: Replying to Topic 'Why the 6? V6 5-speed hatchback, baby.'

Ok, I get what you're saying. No biggy about the mix up, I just got confused for a second when you said that because I knew in my head that a 9-3 hatchback existed. I know it's really just a 900 with a 9-3 label, but technically it's still a 9-3 ;)

The new 9-3 sedans aren't that great looking. I actually prefer the hatchback look to be honest, but what can I do right? Well... maybe I could buy Saab from GM... but that's a whole other story.
 
#26 ·
Replying to Topic 'Why the 6? V6 5-speed hatchback, baby.'

Children, children! What have you done to my thread? :sarc

This reminds me of the Ford Focus enthusiasts group. There's practically been blood spilled over which is better: Sedan, hatch, or wagon. To which I answer:

--There are "dog people" and "cat people,"
--There are "Coke people" and "Pepsi people,"
--There are road bikers and mountain bikers,
--There are "sedan people" and "hatchback people."

Some people may not have a strong preference between one or the other, but most people strongly prefer one, and very few people are truly passionate about both!

:D
 
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