Mazda Not Doing Well

[Jason F.]

Throwing a turbo on the Miata, and offering a hatch/coupe option would be a huge win and probably own that market.



The Mazda 5 from 2007 was gorgeous; I am not a fan of the weird front fenders or Voltron face rear ends of the new ones.  They got ugly in a hurry and I doubt I'm alone on this.  

They did throw a turbo on the Miata for several years and it had mixed results from the sales side of things.

The styling of the 5 is split. I do not like the previous generation car at all, ugly as can be to me especially on the rear end. I have heard many people make similar comments. I much prefer my 2012 model in terms of looks from front to back.

[Mookie]

Oh I totally forgot about that horrid grin they put on the newer 3's.  That stupid face must go before they have any hope of increasing sales.  It's the only thing worse than the stupid beaks they put on Acuras.

 

[Rogue]

They did throw a turbo on the Miata for several years and it had mixed results from the sales side of things.

The problem with that is not the turbo, but that Mazda did not have an automatic transmission to go WITH the turbo.  That was true with the Miata turbo, and their current Mazdaspeed3.  There aren't enough enthusiasts that know how to drive a manual-only high performance car to sell in large quantities.  You need an auto for the US market or else it's dead in the water for the most part.

Mini sells tons of Turbo Minis because it comes with a 6-speed auto gearbox.  

[DogBoy]

My wife had a Protegé5 for 8 years. Great car, reliable and really fun to drive. I miss it. She replaced it with a CX-7 Turbo. Really nice car that does everything we ask and its still very nice to drive but has less "attitude" than the P5. Before each purchase we looked at several other makes and models, but the Mazdas won big on fun and value. My brother bought a CX-9 for his family has been happy with it and my parents are looking to replace their Toyota Sienna with a Mazda 5. All were, or will be, new car purchases.

I'd like to find clean used a Miata for fun but I don't commute and don't have time to play with a car on weekends right now. Mazda makes good cars and doesn't forget the fun factor. I hope they turn things around because I'm sure we'll buy from them again.

[Jason F.]

The problem with that is not the turbo, but that Mazda did not have an automatic transmission to go WITH the turbo.  That was true with the Miata turbo, and their current Mazdaspeed3.  There aren't enough enthusiasts that know how to drive a manual-only high performance car to sell in large quantities.  You need an auto for the US market or else it's dead in the water for the most part.

Mini sells tons of Turbo Minis because it comes with a 6-speed auto gearbox.  

The mini 6 speed auto is junk. It is a big part of the reason we got rid of ours. Shifting issues that the dealer and two independent euro shops could not diagnose or fix. Numerous other owners complaining about the same issue and the only real solution I ever found mentioned by any of them was just replace it. It also took most of the fun out of the car. It still handled well but it severely affected the feel of throttle response and the way the car pulled out of a corner.

We got the MS3 partly because it had the 6 speed manual. My wife had never drive a stick until she meet me and the Mini was the only car she has owed in 12 years that was an auto. She was itching to get back to a manual and she is far from an enthusiast.

[phoenix]

when I look at the Mazda line-up, I see economy cars, family cars, and minivans.

They are missing the truck market completely, and the truck-based SUV market. Their SUV's look like minivans to me.

[maddjack]

T

Hyundais ar shit-buckets. Dittto with most Kias (the Sorrento seems to be an exception).  They look nice, but they fall apart and leak.  

HUH?   The one we have is as good as the Toyota  I own.maybe 10 years ago your statement was true, not now.

[Highway Star]

Make a coupe based on a turbo Miata chassis.
Make a hatchback based on a Miata chassis.
Make an AWD Speed 3 wagon.
Get a midsize semi-luxury sedan, think Millenia but better.

  Miata hatchback
w/o turbo would be the spiritual successor of the MGB GT.
w turbo would be a poor man's BMW M Coupe

[birdrunner]

Oh I totally forgot about that horrid grin they put on the newer 3's.  That stupid face must go before they have any hope of increasing sales.  It's the only thing worse than the stupid beaks they put on Acuras.

 

Ditto,

I have an 06,  Great, fun to drive car.
The "Grin" just made it look like a chick's car.

[Johnny Monsoon]

Hyundai had double digits gains last year and they've been building up quite a reputation for making good, reliable cars.  You can't do that if you make shit-buckets.  

Sure you can.  Honda did it for years (and still does).  JDPower and associates rates something 'best new' or 'most reliable' for the introductory year and people buy because of that.  Doesn't mean crap if it doesn't last longer than 5 years.  Just about every 5 year old Hyundai looks like absolute crap.  Compare that with a 5 year old Toyota/Mazda.  How many good looking, original engine NA Miatas (pop up headlights) do you still see on the road?  Those things are over 20 years old!

[Johnny Monsoon]

 HUH?   The one we have is as good as the Toyota  I own.maybe 10 years ago your statement was true, not now.

Wait.  You'll eventually agree.  Or just visit the local junk yards.

[Thunderbox]

I like Mazdas.  The make a pretty well sorted car but sales are just not there for them.  One thing is for sure, something needs to be changed.  Doing the same thing and expecting a different result is madness.  I do agree with some who have said the front grill on some of these cars is hidious.  Mazdas and Acuras.

[CosmicCowboy]

when I look at the Mazda line-up, I see economy cars, family cars, and minivans.

They are missing the truck market completely, and the truck-based SUV market. Their SUV's look like minivans to me.

The Tribute is still in their lineup, but looks like they dumped their trucks.

[CosmicCowboy]

Their trucks and SUVs were rebadged Rangers and Escapes. When Ford dropped Rangers, and when they divorced Mazda, Mazda took quite a hit there.

Yeah, that's why I was surprised that Tribute was still there. Did that get a redesign so that it's no longer based off the Escape?