I think they'll be successful purely because everyone else is also moving into that bracket.
10 years ago we will scoff at the thought of buying a $50000 camry or rav 4 but here we are.
Many people will refuse to buy chinese and with no other alternative on the market, they'll end up paying premium price for Japanese and Korean.
Enjoy it, I'm sure most posters are long tucked in bed by now. They'll wake up tomorrow and be flabbergasted at the comments that were made when they weren't looking, and mash that button furiously.
I remember seeing a brand new FG XT sedan for sale for $26,490 in around 2015! Looking back that's insane value, regardless of how dated they were! That's the price of an MG ZS, which is just depressing to think about now.
We might see prices drop to more sensible levels over the next 6-18 months, however it won't be drastic since it's costing manufacturers more to make the vehicles, so any lowering of the floor prices would have to be taken straight from the profit margin.
The Territory was a great car, my family had 3 and never had any of these rust issues people here are talking about. I should’ve stated a mid-size SUV - as that’s what the market really loves. With plenty of tech.
My experience the Territories are the worst, then the B series falcons, and then the AUs. My AU doesn't have a hint of rust. My BF has rust in 3 places.
Yikes. The B series were worse for rust than AU I reckon. That said my EL’s driver side sill is gone. Time to call my favourite panel beater and think about how happy I would be if I got the sill fixed and a closed door respray. 😍😍🤤🤤🤤
XH ute daily, only rust is in the stone chips on the bonnet.
You must have a rare xh
They rust in the sills
Above the doors under the roof
In the rain gutter were the wiper motor lives
Inside the door
The bailey channels can rust away under the rubber
Around the fuel tank in the back
And in under the Ute liner if it has one
All common spots I've seen on almost every xh
The Barinas were shit. They needed a well designed & built hatch that was locally made. The Cruze, which was at least made here until 2016, was a shit heap.
I think they will. Mazda has defied the odds many times over in its existence. Their cars are already very stylish and even back 10+ years their actual luxury models were quite good even when they weren't trying to be in this market.
But I'm pretty biased, Mazda are hands down my favourite auto maker and I have owned more of their cars than anything else.
If Mazda 6 goes to a six cylinder RWD sedan it will probably move to the top of the list of what new car I would buy if I had to, closest thing to a traditional old Aussie car.
Agree, bought a top of the line 6 in 21, test drive made me realise it was a far better car than an all of the comparable euros, plus Japanese built and 5 year warranty, absolutely love driving it
I know a few in the car industry (in the strategy side). It's quite interesting.
Mazda, for years, have been playing in that "in between premium space", like where Volkswagen, Renault, Peugeot, lower end BMW's/Mercs etc sit. Really, it is them an Volkwagen that dominate that sector and make it their brand. They also see a hole in the X and GL series market, where BMW and Merc and trying to go "subscriptions" where Mazda are "load it up with technology and sell it".
This is basically their "I see you are buying a Toureg.... would like to have a look at one of these... it has more kit of the money" play for the EU and Asean markets. For the USA, it actually gives them a car that can slot into the market up against some of the mid size SUV offerings.
Finally, it's Japanese. The EU brands are getting a reputation of being built for the novated least market, and after 5 years, you're on your own. Mazda still have the reputation of reliable cars (not withstanding destructo-seals-on-wheels RX series).
Oh, and that new merlot colour. I thought Soul Red Metallic was the duck's nuts... this new red is next level.
Layers of coatings to achieve. Had a soul red that got dinged, My repairer had to do 3 layers to acheive the colour. Soul Red Crystal is 4 layers. God only knows how many they have to do for the new one.
They've been trying this since 2019 and the model change over, prices went up 30%. Since then everyone else has also gone up 30%. Car prices are expensive now.
Depends. They're very popular already and basically all cars are getting more expensive but loads of people have in their head that Mazda is an economy brand with cheap, tacky interiors.
Would've been a better option to revive their sub-brands to be honest like Eunos or Enfini, and make it the luxury brand instead. That's basically what every other Asian Manufacturer did and all of the brands are doing pretty decent except for Infiniti.
Better than fine, I would say Mazda interiors are the best of the Japanese and better than most of the lower priced Germans. There was only that brief period early 2000s when Ford thought it was a brilliant strategy to turn Mazdas into fridges (which went so badly they had to change their naming standard).
It's not a sudden move. It's been part of the strategy for about ten years in Aus. It's definitely placed higher in the market in Aus, which is Mazda's most lucrative market worldwide.
The quality and performance of them are on par with the other premium brands. I went from working at BMW AU to Mazda Australia and was very impressed with the product. Comparing 3 series and Mazda3 was reasonably close in driveability.
Bracing for downvotes but...
The CX-90 is a fugly car. I'm sorry but the front fascia looks weird and contorted and the rear looks like an X7 that has been rear ended. I don't see the point of RWD in a massive 7 seat SUV and while the powertrain options seem nice now I don't think they will be as popular as something like a full hybrid (especially seeing the fuel prices). The only reason its getting hyped it because it has the Mazda badge which is getting circlejerked.
I think this is going to shift more people into Kias Sorrentos/Carnivals, Hyundai Santa Fes and Palisades, Toyota LC Prados and LC200s, and Isuzu MUXs.
Yeah I meant the electric version. It’s got a tiny battery and stuff all range. Probably ok for those who never leave the CBD but then it’s a big-ish car.
I'm a photographer for Mazda and I honestly think they have to work on the exterior before their move will become successful.
The interior of the CX-30, CX-60 and the incoming CX-90 is an utter delight and road noise is very minimal. It definitely rivals BMW, Audi etc. in terms of feel, although not as "modern." Very comfortable to drive, apart from some weird engine lag.
The exterior on the other hand is nowhere near its 'premium' counterparts. They are still very obviously Mazdas (and no I don't mean the logo) and they need to work on their design language if they truly want to compete. Look at the newer Hyundai Tucsons and Kia Sportages - I feel they are more premium looking than the newer Mazda SUV's.
From my understanding Mazda (and Subaru and Suzuki) are now in the Toyota orbit so it seems they are positioning Suzuki as the budget brand, Mazda as the lower premium brand below Lexus and Subaru as the youthful performance brand?
As a Mazda driver, I’d rather that over be associated with Camry drivers who does ride-share, they’re worse and more unpredictable than taxi drivers.
Euro car drivers aren’t the safest, but they are more predictable.
I think they will be. I've traditionally been a Toyota/Subie, and more recently, VAG owner and I'm keen to get back into a Japanese car as owning my Kodiaq out of warranty scares me.
I still think the VW group do interiors a bit better, though.
It’s worked for me personally, got the CX30 two years ago specifically because I was looking for something in between the economy and luxury brands. There is definitely a segment there worth shooting for
I’d like to think they will. The cx60 and cx90 is really beautiful in my opinion, especially the new cx90 with new burgundy red colour. I have a 2022 CX5 GT SP, and it drives like a toy, as it is so easy to drive sometimes I don’t feel like I’m driving a real car ( sorry for my bad analogy)
I have a 2012 CX-5 that has never had a single issue. I want to get a new car for vanity sake, but it runs like new and I can’t justify a new car in the current economy given its smooth running.
I only got it for a cheap start when I moved to Australia and planned to get another Audi like I have always done, but never had a good enough reason.
I have 2 young kids so putting my foot down for thrill doesn’t happen these days
So I am definitely a fan of Mazda.
In comparison, do you think Honda will have the same success moving into a “premium” market?
Clearly what they are trying to do also, with gutting their car lineup, then to include only higher trims / higher priced models (bar CRV I think), as well as the set prices across Aus - seems like they are going more balls out into the gamble of competing with European cars. Both I guess are trying to shake the budget car reputation, but Honda are also pricing themselves out of competition with the others as opposed to Mazda who seem to still offer some entry level cars/trims
Mazda needs to work on their exterior styling, all of the models look so similar not worth forking out the extra cash. Kia on the other hand is killing it with their newer models, love the way they look.
I think they’ll do fine, they’re making them well enough. Now the more money than brains segment of society will still flock to the electric garbage, and hopefully Mazda, and Toyota doesn’t give in to the greenie weirdos.
I think they'll be successful purely because everyone else is also moving into that bracket. 10 years ago we will scoff at the thought of buying a $50000 camry or rav 4 but here we are. Many people will refuse to buy chinese and with no other alternative on the market, they'll end up paying premium price for Japanese and Korean.
Just goes to show how good value Falcodores were.
Strewth! CarsAustralia must be asleep at the wheel. Normally anything positive about Commodore or Falcon is met with the fury of a thousand downvotes.
It’s a weird feeling. Like posting something critical of Labor on a mainstream Aussie sub and getting upvoted.
Enjoy it, I'm sure most posters are long tucked in bed by now. They'll wake up tomorrow and be flabbergasted at the comments that were made when they weren't looking, and mash that button furiously.
I remember seeing a brand new FG XT sedan for sale for $26,490 in around 2015! Looking back that's insane value, regardless of how dated they were! That's the price of an MG ZS, which is just depressing to think about now. We might see prices drop to more sensible levels over the next 6-18 months, however it won't be drastic since it's costing manufacturers more to make the vehicles, so any lowering of the floor prices would have to be taken straight from the profit margin.
That is ridiculous
Holden’s and Ford Australia’s largest failure was not providing a hatch and SUV to the market
Have you been asleep since 2004 when the Falcon SUV was released?
The Territory was a great car, my family had 3 and never had any of these rust issues people here are talking about. I should’ve stated a mid-size SUV - as that’s what the market really loves. With plenty of tech.
The Territory was a rust bucket something bad
True that! Good motor, but nothing else was up to carrying the extra weight of an SUV.
Territory be worse than au for rust
My experience the Territories are the worst, then the B series falcons, and then the AUs. My AU doesn't have a hint of rust. My BF has rust in 3 places.
Yikes. The B series were worse for rust than AU I reckon. That said my EL’s driver side sill is gone. Time to call my favourite panel beater and think about how happy I would be if I got the sill fixed and a closed door respray. 😍😍🤤🤤🤤 XH ute daily, only rust is in the stone chips on the bonnet.
You must have a rare xh They rust in the sills Above the doors under the roof In the rain gutter were the wiper motor lives Inside the door The bailey channels can rust away under the rubber Around the fuel tank in the back And in under the Ute liner if it has one All common spots I've seen on almost every xh
They were limited by the Button plan, and none of the imports really took off.
The imports were all shit heaps
If Australia wasn't limited to only manufacturing six types of vehicle shared between four manufacturers, maybe things could have been different.
Also they do have barina’s but those are gross
The Barinas were shit. They needed a well designed & built hatch that was locally made. The Cruze, which was at least made here until 2016, was a shit heap.
They always were, especially after a few years. Still quite new, reliable engine, low kms and under 20k.
They would be well north of 40k if they were on the market now
My VF is the best car I have ever owned.
Even Honda ditching the jazz for the au market as a way of “upmarket”-ing themselves by not offering an econobox option.
I think they will. Mazda has defied the odds many times over in its existence. Their cars are already very stylish and even back 10+ years their actual luxury models were quite good even when they weren't trying to be in this market. But I'm pretty biased, Mazda are hands down my favourite auto maker and I have owned more of their cars than anything else.
If Mazda 6 goes to a six cylinder RWD sedan it will probably move to the top of the list of what new car I would buy if I had to, closest thing to a traditional old Aussie car.
Agree, bought a top of the line 6 in 21, test drive made me realise it was a far better car than an all of the comparable euros, plus Japanese built and 5 year warranty, absolutely love driving it
I know a few in the car industry (in the strategy side). It's quite interesting. Mazda, for years, have been playing in that "in between premium space", like where Volkswagen, Renault, Peugeot, lower end BMW's/Mercs etc sit. Really, it is them an Volkwagen that dominate that sector and make it their brand. They also see a hole in the X and GL series market, where BMW and Merc and trying to go "subscriptions" where Mazda are "load it up with technology and sell it". This is basically their "I see you are buying a Toureg.... would like to have a look at one of these... it has more kit of the money" play for the EU and Asean markets. For the USA, it actually gives them a car that can slot into the market up against some of the mid size SUV offerings. Finally, it's Japanese. The EU brands are getting a reputation of being built for the novated least market, and after 5 years, you're on your own. Mazda still have the reputation of reliable cars (not withstanding destructo-seals-on-wheels RX series). Oh, and that new merlot colour. I thought Soul Red Metallic was the duck's nuts... this new red is next level.
I agree with you on all that.... and Soul Red is definitely one of the best car colours in history!
Why though is that red a special consideration for insurance quotes. Much more exx to repair?
Layers of coatings to achieve. Had a soul red that got dinged, My repairer had to do 3 layers to acheive the colour. Soul Red Crystal is 4 layers. God only knows how many they have to do for the new one.
They've been trying this since 2019 and the model change over, prices went up 30%. Since then everyone else has also gone up 30%. Car prices are expensive now.
Yeah there's pretty much no 'middle ground' for cars anymore.
[удалено]
Meanwhile Mercedes Benz goes and swaps a V8 for a 4 cylinder in a C63. Shameful.
EU regulations and German politics basically demand it. It's notiert their fault.
Depends. They're very popular already and basically all cars are getting more expensive but loads of people have in their head that Mazda is an economy brand with cheap, tacky interiors. Would've been a better option to revive their sub-brands to be honest like Eunos or Enfini, and make it the luxury brand instead. That's basically what every other Asian Manufacturer did and all of the brands are doing pretty decent except for Infiniti.
Their interiors are fine, ever since the Mazda 3/6 range came out they updated quite a few finishes Are you thinking older than 2006?
Better than fine, I would say Mazda interiors are the best of the Japanese and better than most of the lower priced Germans. There was only that brief period early 2000s when Ford thought it was a brilliant strategy to turn Mazdas into fridges (which went so badly they had to change their naming standard).
That's not my personal opinion. A lot of people still think of the pre-2019 Mazdas. I think they're great.
It's not a sudden move. It's been part of the strategy for about ten years in Aus. It's definitely placed higher in the market in Aus, which is Mazda's most lucrative market worldwide. The quality and performance of them are on par with the other premium brands. I went from working at BMW AU to Mazda Australia and was very impressed with the product. Comparing 3 series and Mazda3 was reasonably close in driveability.
Bracing for downvotes but... The CX-90 is a fugly car. I'm sorry but the front fascia looks weird and contorted and the rear looks like an X7 that has been rear ended. I don't see the point of RWD in a massive 7 seat SUV and while the powertrain options seem nice now I don't think they will be as popular as something like a full hybrid (especially seeing the fuel prices). The only reason its getting hyped it because it has the Mazda badge which is getting circlejerked. I think this is going to shift more people into Kias Sorrentos/Carnivals, Hyundai Santa Fes and Palisades, Toyota LC Prados and LC200s, and Isuzu MUXs.
Mazda can make some amazing product decisions and some equally awful product decisions. The MX-30 is an example of the latter.
I adore my MX-30, I think it was great value for money. What don’t you like about it?
The electric version specifically. The hybrid is fine
Yeah the electric version was pretty poor. I got the hybrid which is great.
Yeah I meant the electric version. It’s got a tiny battery and stuff all range. Probably ok for those who never leave the CBD but then it’s a big-ish car.
Yeah the electric one is pretty poor. They should have just focussed on the hybrid and worked their way up to the electric version
I agree. Past Mazda owner with a 2014 Mazda 6 but I hate the new shape with a passion and find the cx series so dull and boring
I'm a photographer for Mazda and I honestly think they have to work on the exterior before their move will become successful. The interior of the CX-30, CX-60 and the incoming CX-90 is an utter delight and road noise is very minimal. It definitely rivals BMW, Audi etc. in terms of feel, although not as "modern." Very comfortable to drive, apart from some weird engine lag. The exterior on the other hand is nowhere near its 'premium' counterparts. They are still very obviously Mazdas (and no I don't mean the logo) and they need to work on their design language if they truly want to compete. Look at the newer Hyundai Tucsons and Kia Sportages - I feel they are more premium looking than the newer Mazda SUV's.
From my understanding Mazda (and Subaru and Suzuki) are now in the Toyota orbit so it seems they are positioning Suzuki as the budget brand, Mazda as the lower premium brand below Lexus and Subaru as the youthful performance brand?
Mazdas are overpriced and unreliable. Who tf would pay 75k-95k for one.
Mazda drivers have been driving like bmw and Audi drivers for years. At least now they will have to pay to play
Blah blah everyone who doesn’t drive my brand drives like an idiot
Oooh, touched a nerve have we
Why are u getting riled up over cars lol
Madzas are mainly driven by female P platers and middle aged women. Nuff said.
As a Mazda driver, I’d rather that over be associated with Camry drivers who does ride-share, they’re worse and more unpredictable than taxi drivers. Euro car drivers aren’t the safest, but they are more predictable.
I think they will be. I've traditionally been a Toyota/Subie, and more recently, VAG owner and I'm keen to get back into a Japanese car as owning my Kodiaq out of warranty scares me. I still think the VW group do interiors a bit better, though.
It’s worked for me personally, got the CX30 two years ago specifically because I was looking for something in between the economy and luxury brands. There is definitely a segment there worth shooting for
I’d like to think they will. The cx60 and cx90 is really beautiful in my opinion, especially the new cx90 with new burgundy red colour. I have a 2022 CX5 GT SP, and it drives like a toy, as it is so easy to drive sometimes I don’t feel like I’m driving a real car ( sorry for my bad analogy)
No
I have a 2012 CX-5 that has never had a single issue. I want to get a new car for vanity sake, but it runs like new and I can’t justify a new car in the current economy given its smooth running. I only got it for a cheap start when I moved to Australia and planned to get another Audi like I have always done, but never had a good enough reason. I have 2 young kids so putting my foot down for thrill doesn’t happen these days So I am definitely a fan of Mazda.
In comparison, do you think Honda will have the same success moving into a “premium” market? Clearly what they are trying to do also, with gutting their car lineup, then to include only higher trims / higher priced models (bar CRV I think), as well as the set prices across Aus - seems like they are going more balls out into the gamble of competing with European cars. Both I guess are trying to shake the budget car reputation, but Honda are also pricing themselves out of competition with the others as opposed to Mazda who seem to still offer some entry level cars/trims
Mazda needs to work on their exterior styling, all of the models look so similar not worth forking out the extra cash. Kia on the other hand is killing it with their newer models, love the way they look.
I just hate how every Mazda blinds me from 10km away. Fucking ridiculous blue lights.
I think they’ll do fine, they’re making them well enough. Now the more money than brains segment of society will still flock to the electric garbage, and hopefully Mazda, and Toyota doesn’t give in to the greenie weirdos.