The updated Mazda 6 has just been released in Australia.

Very minor body changes, grille, Mazda3 design tail lights, few new colours,
updated interior with minor changes.

Now a 6 speed manual gearbox.
New 5 speed auto.
12 volt throttle accelerator!

NO V6, still the MZR 2.3 litre engine.

Should still maintain its class leading spot, against Accord, Camry.

www.mazda6.com.au

 

What does 12V throttle accelerator means?

I have not seen it live yet. They do not have one in stock last week. The old stock are in crazy prices - $6000 off RRP.

Since we decided (or I decided ) not to have a second baby for a while. We might go for a Mazda SP23 rather than the 6, although it is tempting. May drive both to compare.

 

"drive-by-wire electronic throttle".....electronic? 12Volt.

As the TV adds show, Mazda seem to have removed the "chrome" from the top grille, and added the body coloured sports grille with chrome logo...like the SP23.

What about the MPS 6, (Mazdaspeed6) takahashi?, AWD, turbo and just a few $$$s, cheaper that the RX-8.

Mazda in OZ are charging us a premium for new cars compared to Canada,US and Japan.
The 8 was offically priced about 6 months before release when the Aussie dollar was around 57/58cents.....and yen at 68. When they released the 8 the Aussie $ was 72cents and now 75 for the past 2 years with the yen 82/84.
Mazda Oz are making a killing (huge profit) and record sales, with now only 10% duty and stronger dollar Mazda Oz cars (8,Mx-5) are around $10,000.00 more than they should be!

 

In fact all the Japanese cars are!

The STi and the EVO are of the same price range... they are ripping us off.

No Ash I think I am buying the 3 for Mrs Taka and save some more mods for my 8

 

They are a great car anyway Taka (the3). Mazda can't Make enough of them!
.................

I emailed Malcom Gough MD at Mazda Melbourne about the 8s price Just before
release, I was taken back when he replied, wanted my phone number...may of thought I was the press.... he called and said that the 8s price would not be lowered, and that if the $$ held its high price they would "add" more equipment!
Yeah sure...like the Limited, up went the price! to 63K....
In Japan the Shinka retails for about 36k Australian!and they have more in them as you know...

Yes, all the Jap and other importers are ripping us off, IN fact I was thinking of sending an email to Ray Martin (ACA) to see if they would make a story out of it?
What do you think TAKA?...OTT?

Now M Gough is a head honcho for Mazda Japan, NO WONDER, with the high prices here and Mazda OZ profits, we are keeping the Factory going...lol

 

Dream on

Do you know how much tax and cost it is involve to get the car across. They prob get about $10K margin per car. And they have to run warranty on those as well. Yes they are much ahead because of the good sale, but they did not know the response that the 8 is getting. They admitted somewhere that they were expecting to sell 1/5th of what they are selling now. They expect only 500-750 cars per year not 2400 per year.

 

Taka, I was just using the Jap 8 as an example, price quoted is a retail price rough conversion which would include margins, not sure about "add" on taxes.
Yes, then there are the shipping cost , etc etc, but Canada and the US also has that input cost.

If Mazda Oz reviewed the price they may sell more of them, but, then there are the existing vehicle park (owners) resale value, which is always high here in OZ.

Did you see the best/worst models for resale value, A merccedes(cant remember the model) was one, the MX-5 rated no 2!.
The worst was a Daewoo, then Kia and a TOYOTA?
Cant recall who performed the data work.

Cheers

 

I think all the prices are over the top for all import cars.

Does the S2000 worth 79K on the road?

Tell you what in Singapore, the 8 is selling at 125000 AUD

 

YOU ARE !!!
What the hell are the minimal wages in Singapore or minimal hourly rate
$23.oo AU per HOUR!

I love the imported cars too, but, non of them are worth what you pay.

Look what it costs now for a loaded ,DOOR or Ford Falcon

 

Is that a question or a comment?

I know the 8 is the same price in Hong Kong as in here but I can earn 3 times as much in Hong Kong doing the exact same job. :o

Oh I will spend 3 times as much in Hong Kong compare to here so I think it will break even, and the house is 3 times more expensive.

The petrol is only double as much as here though.

The worst thing is the mods are cheaper there than here!

 

Speaking of Petrol Taka...

I am a little concerned at the price of fuel and what it will do to the industry..
in particular the RX-8.

I recall the 1974 oil crisis the price of fuel skyrocketed, the only difference to today is there is still fuel available compared to 74, my father used a 20litre drum of Shellite (heating fuel) in his Toyota Crown, because petrol was scarce.

At Mazda SA in 74, they had a few hundred new RX-4 13B AUTO COUPEs sitting in Bond Store for over 2 years outside in the sun..They could not sell them, no one wanted rotaries or V8s.....eventually they sold them off after replacing cracked dash pads. (dashboards).

Already they are saying that gas guzzlers here 4WD (SUV) sales have crashed!..

I just hope this does not spell the end already of the 8

 

Taking about expensive to maintain....

The Japanese are changing the spark plug every 10000km. And some tuned RX-7 have plug change every 5000k!

RX-8 will soon be my track car after I have got the 3 for my wife.

 

The spark plug issue and life span does not surprise me....
There are a lot of factors which will determin their life span, you know Taka,
how hard (RPM) you push your car, fuel quality/plug fowling, even ambient outside
temperatures...let alone engine temp!.

Hate to say it but, 10000 Ks could be the norm for some owners.

BTW What model/colour 3 are you getting and will it be the SP23, have you road tested one yet...

ALSO BTW, who is your AFL footy club, If you follow one :D

 

I have done one plug change already for my 8. Apparently the 8 can allow long plug change in Japan 15000km

Australia scheudle for change @ 60000K. When I told my dealer I want to change plug @20000K they went ehhhh

I will be getting a white SP23 automatic with some accessories. Will try to cut a deal when I move houses. Also looking at the Golf but I think Sp23 is a better choice.

AFL.... I tipped only 2 last week

I follow the Kangas.... although not very closely and never been to a live match. In fact, I don't watch anything live unless I am in it

 

Yes, the Golf and SP23 are a close match in road tests I have read.

I think the 23 will be cheaper to maintain down the track though....I go Mazda, but I am
one eyed supporter.

What a week for tipping just gone....

Kangas are my no 2 team.....
Crows... no 1!!!!...Go the Crows....

Thanks for the chat Taka....have to go!
Cheers