Year-End Deal Reality Check: Mazda

The end of the year means dealers are trying to move old product to make room for next year’s new cars, trucks and SUVs; it also means more deals for new-car shoppers. According to Mazda, ‘Tis the Season of Saving. The automaker’s annual year-end sale program offers well-qualified shoppers 0% financing and no payments for 90 days on select 2011 and 2012 Mazda vehicles.

Model-year 2011 vehicles that qualify include the Mazda2, Mazda3 hatchback and sedan, Mazda6, CX-7 and CX-9. Also eligible are 2012 versions of the Mazda2, Mazda5, Mazda6 and CX-9. For example, qualified shoppers can purchase the redesigned-for-2012 Mazda5 small minivan for $19,345 and get 0% financing for 60 months and forgo payments for 90 days.

The sale ends Jan. 3.

Mazda Concept Foreshadows Next Sedan

The Takeri concept (shown above and in more photos below) is Mazda's sneak peek at its next midsize sedan. The design style builds off the current Mazda6, especially in terms of the front fender flares, and adds a new style of grille and a sculpted rear that reminds us of recent BMWs.

It's the grille that will likely get the most notice. While it's not the smiley face seen on the Mazda3, it is large and rests under a domed hood, which is similar to the Infiniti M sedans.

Otherwise, the design looks stylish and aggressive but so does the current Mazda6, which didn’t sell as strongly as the company or journalists expected.

The Takeri concept will debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in late November and might be on display at Detroit’s North American International Auto Show in January.

What's the Most Affordable Midsize Sedan?

The midsize sedan is by far the most popular car segment in the U.S., with more than 2 million sold so far this year. So it’s no surprise that some of the best-selling vehicles in the country are midsize family sedans, such as the Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima and Ford Fusion. It’s also one of the most competitive markets, with over 20 moderately priced models on sale today.

Over the past few months, the market has heated up even more. Toyota is launching the all-new 2012 Camry this month, and it will boast more features, improved gas mileage and more-affordable pricing for midlevel trims. The redesigned 2012 Volkswagen Passat is now a legitimate player in the moderately priced family sedan category, moving away from the premium category. Its starting price of $19,995 offers novel features, such as dual-zone automatic climate control, standard.

So which sedan is the best-equipped — and also the most affordable — car for the money? For this latest affordability study, we decided to pit the redesigned 2012 Camry and 2012 Passat against the 2012 Hyundai Sonata and the 2012 Fusion. All four have attractive pricing with lots of features.

It's Time To Buy 2011s, But Incentives Are Hard To Find

Around this time every year, dealers are hard at work trying to sell the remaining cars on their lots as new-model-year vehicles start to roll in. This year is no different, and while some 2012s haven’t arrived yet, it’s still the best time to buy a 2011 … as long as you know what to look for. That’s where we come in.

We diligently report on even the slightest changes between model years as soon as possible. Sometimes this means a car will look the same but get an all-new engine and transmission like the upcoming 2012 Mazda3 sedan that’s expected to get 40 mpg highway. Other times, nothing significant has changed between model years, and then there are the all-new cars that have been redesigned from the ground up.

You’ll find the best deals in that second group of vehicles that go from 2011 to 2012 without much change. It’s been a challenge this year to find bargains because manufacturers are making more significant model-year changes and incentives for these older models just aren’t that alluring.

Here are some of the best deals we could find:

Recall Alert: 2009-2010 Mazda6

We generally don't expound on recall announcements because of the seriousness they entail. But Mazda is recalling 52,000 Mazda6 sedans due to a certain type of spider. Yes, spider.

The official recall notice with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration doesn't specify the type of spider, but it says the spider may weave a web in a vent line that could lead to increased pressure in the evaporative canister. That could lead to a crack in the fuel tank, leading to fuel leaking and potential for fire.

The recall only affects vehicles from the 2009-10 model years and built between April 8, 2008 and Feb. 8, 2010. You can check your car's build date on a sticker affixed to the driver-side doorjamb.

The recall will begin on or before March 25. Dealers will inspect the canister vent line and clean it before installing a spring that should prevent a spider from entering the line in the future.

Concerned owners can call Mazda at 800-222-5500 or the NHTSA's hotline at 888-327-4236.

Mazda Offers Zero-Percent Financing

Mazda is offering zero-percent APR financing for 60 months on 2010 Mazda3, Mazda5 and Mazda6 models through June 1.

On top of that, certain Midwest customers qualify for an extra $500 cash toward the purchase or lease of new select Mazda models on top of zero-percent financing. We found the deal extended to the most vehicles in Midwestern ZIP codes, so check in your area, as eligible cars may vary.

Note that the Mazdaspeed3 does not come with this offer.

Mazda is also offering $500 in owner loyalty cash for previous Mazda customers who buy a 2010 Mazda3, Mazda6, CX-7 or CX-9.

Why is No One Buying the Mazda6?

UPDATE: Mazda spokesman Jeremy Barnes contacted us to clarify that the 900 jobs lost at the Flat Rock, Mich., plant aren’t due to slow sales of the Mazda6, which was widely reported online last night and today. Barnes says the plant has improved efficiency so much that the lines move 35% more quickly than they did last year and can now produce more vehicles than they did in 2009 — around 100,000 — with one shift instead of two, which led to the layoffs.

Barnes suggested the 33% dip in Mazda6 sales was indicative of the segment. Nissan Altima sales were down 24% for 2009, Honda Accord sales were down 22% and the Toyota Camry was down 18%, so the Mazda6 is still lagging the well-established competition.

Our original poll below remains valid, though, as response in our comments and on Twitter has largely agreed with the assessment that the Mazda6 is an overlooked model in its segment.

ORIGINAL POST: Sales of the Mazda6 midsize sedan, redesigned just last year, are so slow that Ford is laying off 900 workers at the plant that assembles it alongside the Mustang in Flat Rock, Mich.

We’ve tested the four-cylinder base Mazda6 and the powerful V-6, and both impressed for different reasons. The Mazda6 also holds up well against the competition in interior room and value. And we think it looks good, too.

So why isn’t it catching on? Sales in 2009 were down 33.7%, and the redesign was out for the entire year. The Mazda3, which was redesigned halfway through 2009, saw its sales drop just 12.3% in 2009. Car sales overall for Mazda dropped 19.6% in 2009, but the Mazda6 was by far the biggest drag on that number.

The Mazda6 currently has a 0% financing deal for 60 months, plus $500 cash back and no payments for three months. The offer expires March 1.

The only real negative about the car is its mileage, which is 1-2 mpg less than the comparable Camry and Accord. Why do you think the Mazda6 is having a tough time selling? Check out our poll below.

Would you Buy a Mazda6 Wagon?

I’ll admit it: I’m a station wagon fan. There are two wagons in my garage. I love testing anything called Avant, Sport Wagon or Touring. And I also thought the last Mazda6 wagon sold in the U.S. was a terrific vehicle.

However, wagons don’t sell like hotcakes these days — unless they’re called Outback — and Mazda doesn’t plan to bring a wagon version of the 6 here anytime soon. Images of the new wagon for the global market were just released, and you can check them out above and below.

Would you buy one if you were shopping for a new car? Take our poll below and let us know why in the comments.

2010 Mazda6 Video

Stacked against two of the most popular cars around, the Mazda6 sedan has a lot of work cut out for it. But as Cars.com reviewer David Thomas discovered, the Mazda6 compares favorably to the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry by offering features and pricing that match or exceed both those vehicles. Check out the full video to find out why Accord and Camry shoppers should check out the Mazda6 before they buy.

Cars.com Reviews the 2010 Mazda Mazda6

Mazda was pretty disappointed to see last year’s redesign of its family sedan, the Mazda6, fail to connect with buyers. Cars.com reviewer David Thomas is equally perplexed. He can’t see why shoppers in this segment would fail to give the Mazda6 a shot considering the value and performance it offers. Read his full review to find out why the Mazda6 looks especially tempting to him.

2010 Mazda Mazda6 Review

2010|Mazda|Mazda6