|
CHICAGO
- Ford and Mazda have done little to take advantage of
each other's automotive expertise.
Ford
bought an equity interest in the Japanese automaker in
1979 and a controlling interest in 1996. But other than
exchanging greeting cards, the two have been distant.
Between
1972 and '82, Mazda supplied Ford with a small truck
called Courier until the Ranger arrived in '83.
Ford
supplied Mazda with a version of its Explorer, which
Mazda called the Navajo, as well as a version of the
Ford Ranger pickup, which Mazda called the B-Series.
But
Ford left an ingredient out of the recipe, giving Mazda
only a two-door, two-wheel-drive Explorer when
four-door, four-wheel-drive sport-utility vehicles were
in demand. And initially Ford supplied Mazda with only a
2WD Ranger when 4WD was popular.
Mazda
reciprocated by supplying Ford with a derivative of its
MX6 coupe called the Ford Probe, earmarked as the
successor to the Mustang until wiser heads prevailed and
Mustang stayed in the lineup while the underpowered,
unfashionable Probe disappeared.
But
soon Mazda and Ford will take advantage of their
relationship. Ford will build 10 new Ford, Mercury and
Lincoln vehicles in the next three years derived from a
stretched version of the Mazda6 sedan.
First
up will be a pair of midsize sedans, the Ford Futura and
an unnamed Mercury cousin, for the 2006 model year to
replace the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable. Also expected
for '06 is a Lincoln sedan/SUV crossover.
While
the Mazda6 (105.3-inch wheelbase/186.8-inch overall
length) is smaller than Taurus or Sable (108.5-inch
wheelbase/197.6-inch overall length), the Fords off that
stretched Mazda6 platform will be longer and wider.
Those
vehicles will come in assorted flavors - front- or
all-wheel-drive, 4-cylinder or V-6 or even gas/electric
hybrids.
What
makes the Mazda6 important is that those 10 Ford
derivatives would be no more than Probe IIs if the
Mazda6 wasn't one heck of a well-built, spirited car
that provides a solid foundation for a fleet of
vehicles.
When
we recently asked president Nick Scheele why Ford waited
so long to take advantage of Mazda and derive a product,
he replied:
''We
haven't utilized the strengths of Mazda for years.''
Scheele
could have said: ''There wasn't any Mazda strength to
utilize for years.''
Until
the Mazda6.
The
2003 sports sedan replaces the Mazda 626 and Millenia
sedans, dropped after the '02 model year.
The
Mazda6 was in the running for the North American Car of
the Year by the nation's automotive press but got beat
out by the Mini Cooper. Shouldn't have happened. Mini is
novel; Mazda6 is nifty. But it's hard to beat cute, and
Mini took the title.
The
Mazda6 is offered in i version with a 2.3-liter,
160-horsepower, Mazda-built 4-cylinder with 5-speed
manual or 4-speed automatic ($850); or S version with a
3-liter, 200-h.p., Ford-built V-6 with 5-speed manual or
5-speed automatic ($900).
We
tested the Mazda6 S with manual on the road as well as
at a Midwest Automotive Media Association gathering at
the Road America track in Elkhart Lake, Wis.
Ford
supplied the 3-liter, 24-valve, Duratec V-6 that powers
the sports sedan, but Mazda tweaked it by adding twin
cams. So the V-6 delivers lots of low-end, off-the-line
power for quick takeoffs.
It
excelled on the track with smooth bursts of energy
coming out of turns or scooting down the straightaways,
yet was equally responsive when passing or merging on
the highway. Despite the power, the sedan delivers 20
m.p.g. city/27 m.p.g. highway with its smooth-shifting
5-speed manual (19/27 with automatic).
The
Mazda6 S tested was equipped with the optional ($850)
sports package with 17-inch tires/alloy wheels that
contribute to its performance plus integrated fog
lights, rear spoiler/side door-sill extensions and
sports exhaust that add to its good looks.
Excellent
response to pedal input and to wheel input. Lithe and
limber, quick to react with above-average balance. And
four-wheel anti-lock brakes with traction control are
standard.
While
the suspension is the same in all Mazda6 models, the
wider, larger-diameter 17-inch radials in the sports
package that replace the standard 16-inch all-seasons
provide a wider footprint to raise handling a notch or
two above the ordinary.
But
two gripes: the optional ($850) perforated leather seats
need larger side bolsters to keep the driver in place on
or off track, and hiding the heated seat controls under
the center console makes them difficult to see, much
less use. Save $850 and go with cloth.
The
cabin in this four-seat sedan is rather roomy. Good leg,
head and arm room guaranteed to be even better when Ford
stretches the platform on those 10 derivatives.
The
trunk is spacious, and the rear seat backs split and
fold if more room is needed.
Above-average
ride, handling and performance with decent mileage at a
reasonable price. The Mazda6 is a well-rounded package
that also makes those 10 Ford, Mercury and Lincoln
vehicles worth waiting for.
While
offered only in FWD in the United States for now, the
platform was designed for AWD, which would make for even
more sure-footed handling on dry roads as well as
insurance on snowy roads. Mazda says it is ''looking
at'' AWD, and Ford says its derivatives will offer it.
The
sedan will be joined by a wagon in January and a
hatchback a few months after that.
Though
one of the best cars Mazda ever has produced, it hasn't
set the world on fire. The reason: Mazda misjudged the
market - and the power of its TV ad, the one in which
the Mazda6 is making the huge ''6'' from clouds of dust.
''The
midsize sedan segment is ruled by the Toyota Camry and
Honda Accord and the majority of those are sold with 4
cylinders and automatics,'' said Mazda spokesman Jeremy
Barnes.
So
when the Mazda6 went on sale last fall, most dealers
were stocked with 4-cylinder models with automatics.
Mazda had sold 18,000 Mazda6 sedans through May.
''Then
we launched our clouds-of-dust TV ad in which the car is
equipped with a V-6, 5-speed manual and the sports
package and people coming into dealerships said, 'Give
me one of those,''' Barnes added. ''We didn't have
enough V-6s or manuals. We're trying to get the mix in
line with demand.''
Base
price of the Mazda6 S is $21,100 and includes air
conditioning, eight-way power driver's seat, tilt and
telescoping steering wheel, power windows/door locks,
remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player with
steering-wheel mounted radio controls, body-color
bumpers/door handles and power mirrors.
Popular
options besides automatic and sports package are power
moonroof at $700 and side air bags/curtains at $450.
---
2003
Mazda6
Wheelbase:
105.3 inches
Length:
186.8 inches
Engine:
3-liter, 200-h.p., 24-valve V-6
Transmission:
5-speed manual
Fuel
economy: 20 m.p.g. city/27 m.p.g. highway
Base
price: $21,100
Price
as tested: $24,805. Includes $450 for side air bags and
side air-bag curtains; $850 for leather upholstery; $700
for power moonroof; $220 for heated front seats and
mirrors; $850 for sports package with 17-inch tires and
alloy wheels, integrated fog lights, rear spoiler and
side door sill extensions, sports exhaust; $635 for Bose
audio package with six disc in-dash CD changer, door
mounted speakers, amplifier and subwoofer and two
tweeter speakers; and $520 freight.
Pluses:
Finally a car with the performance, handling and spirit
that Mazda always claimed its cars had. A potent
zoom-zoom machine that's also lithe and limber. Cabin
room and comfort. Platform will serve as the basis for
the midsize Ford Futura sedan to replace Taurus for '06
as well as a still to be named Mercury sedan to replace
Sable. Excellent performance without sacrificing fuel
economy.
Minuses:
Oh, how those options zoom zoom. No all-wheel-drive
version as yet, though the platform is designed for it.
---
Q.
The lease on my 2000 model Volkswagen Passat ends soon.
The car is worth $1,500-$2,000 more than the agreed-upon
$14,900 purchase price at the end of the lease. I have
four options: Buy the car outright at the end of the
lease and keep it; buy it and try to sell it for what
it's worth and make a little money; buy a new car and
finance it with the very attractive incentives now
offered; or lease a new car and take advantage of the
incentives now being offered. I don't have time to sell
it on my own so selling it at a profit isn't that
attractive. And I don't want another lease, I want
another new car.
My
question: Do all VW dealers have access to my lease
terms by using my VIN to know the car is worth more than
the buyout? Can I use the higher value of my car as a
trade-in as a negotiating chip if I buy a new car?
-J.H.,
Chicago
A.
For starters, where did you come up with your car being
worth $1,500-$2,000 more than the buyout price?
According to the National Automobile Dealers Association
Value Guide, your car is worth about $14,600, so if you
buy it for $14,900, you will pay $300 more than the car
is worth, not pocket $1,500 to $2,000 in profit.
And,
according to Illinois law, if you buy the car at the end
of the lease, you have to pay the 8.75 percent sales tax
levied in Chicago (7.75 percent in suburban Cook County)
on the $14,900, or about $1,300.
If
you live in Lake, Will, Kendall or whatever, you'd pay
the sales tax at the rate in those counties.
Four
options? Looks like you have one: Turn the car in at the
end of the lease and take advantage of the incentives
being offered on new cars.
As
for other dealers having access to your lease terms,
only the dealer who leased the car has access to those
records.
Q.
Is Saturn's no-negotiation pricing on the level? If I
purchase a Saturn at full sticker, am I a sucker because
other people can get the same vehicle for less?
-J.P.,
Wadsworth, Ill.
A.
Saturn spokesman Mike Gardner said the company's
philosophy practiced by its retailers nationwide is that
every customer pay a similar price without haggling. For
the most part, then, what the sticker says is what you
pay. But Saturn by law can't control what a dealer
charges a customer, so you can always attempt to
negotiate. Rather than negotiate down from the new
vehicle price a dealer might offer more for your trade.
But whatever the dealer does, it's at his discretion.
So,
the simple answer is, you can always try and see what
happens. One of the reasons for the so-called no-dicker
sticker is that customers grew tired of one person
paying $20,000 for a car, another paying $18,000, and
the one paying $20,000 feeling taken.
Q.
I'd like to buy a new Chevrolet Suburban, but the '03
model doesn't have remote start as an option. This is
important to me. Will the '04 have a remote-start
option? If not, is this an option that can be added as
an aftermarket item that will be reliable? I've been
told an aftermarket unit will cost $800 on a Suburban.
-E.R.,
Elgin, Ill.
A.
The Malibu sedan will be the first Chevy, and only one
for 2004, offering optional factory-installed remote
start, which allows you to start the car from the your
home on freezing cold or sweltering hot days to get the
heat/air conditioning going before you enter. No price
as yet.
Remote
start eventually will be offered in a greater variety of
Chevy as well as General Motors vehicles.
Aftermarket
remote starters are available. Can't vouch for how well
they work because any time you get into the car's wiring
system there's potential for problems, but for the most
part we've heard more people swear by them than at them.
But $800, we were told, sounds rather high.
Keep
in mind with an aftermarket unit you'll probably have to
carry two key fobs, one that contains the remote-start
function, the other that came with the car and controls
all other functions such as automatic door locking and
unlocking.
Q.
I think portholes on early-model Buicks were cosmetic
and not functional. Did portholes have anything to do
with the engine or were they just decorative?
-D.M.,
Blue Island, Ill.
A.
You call them portholes, Buick calls them Ventiports.
They were first used in 1949, according to Buick
spokesman Larry Gustin, and helped provide engine
ventilation, thus the name Ventiport. ''In the '70s and
'80s Ventiports were mostly decorative,'' Gustin said.
They
disappeared in the early '80s and reappeared on the '03
Park Avenue Ultra Centennial edition, where they are
decorative and offer some engine ventilation, Gustin
said. Ventiports will be offered on the '04 Park Avenue
Ultra, too.
-----
Send
questions about cars and trucks to Jim Mateja, Chicago
Tribune, 616 Atrium Drive, Vernon Hills, IL 60061-1523,
or send e-mail, including name and hometown, to jmatej@tribune.com.
-
- -
(c)
2003, Chicago Tribune.
Visit
the Chicago Tribune on the Internet at http://www.chicago.tribune.com/
Distributed
by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.
|
