Uh oh - Mazda's starting to go all Porsche on us...

"Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing." (granfury)
06/09/2020 at 15:34 • Filed to: None

Like Porsche and their crazy option lists, putting leather on everything including the damn door lock knobs, Mazda is starting to offer individual Alcantara trim upgrades in the Miata RF I just priced out. I’m surprised that they didn’t just offer a full Alcantara package instead of individual bits and pieces, but you know they will probably spec all if the spec one.

DISCUSSION (45)

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
06/09/2020 at 15:48

I mean, I get that it’s kinda crazy for everything a la carte but it’s the same strategy that makes Porsche so profitable too. You can get exactly what you want out of a car and if Mazda wants to be more premium, this is the direction that they need to go.

Would I buy any of it? No, but I’m a base model kind of guy anyways unless it’s a bigger engine or other sporty upgrades.

Textured Soy Protein > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
06/09/2020 at 15:50

Without opening the configurator myself I’m going to guess these are dealer accessories rather than factory options. Still could offer all of them as a package though.

sony1492 > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
06/09/2020 at 15:57

Id wouldn’t necessarily want a whole package, and j ust do the door cards, shift boot, and parking brake

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
06/09/2020 at 16:06

I have no problem with automakers making money like this, as long as they make the stuff that should be standard equipment standard equipment.

A fool and his money are soon parted.

Might as well be the one to take it if he’s willing.

RallyWrench > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
06/09/2020 at 16:07

You’ll know they’ve gone full Porsche when they start charging tens of thousands of dollars more for removing the interior and installing some scaffolding. Never go full Porsche.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > RallyWrench
06/09/2020 at 16:10

Can you imagine what they’d charge for this one with no windshield?! =)

Kinja'd!!!

Milky > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
06/09/2020 at 16:12

Thats hot. I need to get even fatter summer tires.

Just Jeepin' > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
06/09/2020 at 16:14

That looks suspiciously like the color that sha ll not be named.

Monkey B > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
06/09/2020 at 16:19

I service a Mazda dealer weekly. I’m impressed with Mazda and their direction. This showroom was just completed 6 months ago. If you have a chance stop by a remodeled showroom if you can. The race car art is worth it. The cars, they are getting better. Noticeable quality improvements over the last few years. Small things like carpeted cargo areas in the spo rt utility stuff ...vastly better than bare plastic and the type of thing you find in European cars.

user314 > Just Jeepin'
06/09/2020 at 16:21

Aquamarine?

Just Jeepin' > user314
06/09/2020 at 16:22

The one that rhymes with Ally McBeal.

user314 > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
06/09/2020 at 16:25

I mean, I get the appeal of being able to order bit ala cart, but then again seeing what a shit-show that’s turned into WRT tv and streaming services I can see this going pear-shaped in a hurry.

user314 > Just Jeepin'
06/09/2020 at 16:26

I know; I was kidding.

Nick Has an Exocet > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
06/09/2020 at 16:29

10/10 would buy

Goggles Pizzano > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
06/09/2020 at 16:29

Less than I would pay.

Nick Has an Exocet > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
06/09/2020 at 16:31

I’m okay with this. Moving Mazda up market will do good things for NA miata values. Haha. Says the guy dumping money into his NA.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Just Jeepin'
06/09/2020 at 16:33

LOL

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > Monkey B
06/09/2020 at 16:33

The problem with having a reliable car is that I rarely need to visit the dealer. In addition, since they no longer make minivans with manual transmissions I’m in no great hurry to replace current Mazda . I did stop in back in December, I think, for my annual oil change, and they were nearly done with the remodel. Like you, I was quite impressed. I think I even posted some pictures of the artwork whilst I was there. Whenever I get in a newer Mazda I’m impressed with the overall quality feeling of the interior. It’s so unlike my cheap and cheerful 5, and reminds me more of the BMWs and Porsche that I had before (I’m not going to include the W210 because that interior felt ridiculously cheap for a $50K car...)

Just Jeepin' > user314
06/09/2020 at 16:33

I figured but I couldn’t resist pulling that ancient show out of my back pocket. How often do I get to use that?

Milky > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
06/09/2020 at 16:36

You mean how keyless entry is now standard on Miatas and not the 911?

wafflesnfalafel > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
06/09/2020 at 16:37

one quin”teal”ion dollars

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Just Jeepin'
06/09/2020 at 16:38

Steel Gray?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Milky
06/09/2020 at 16:41

Keyless entry, CarPlay, radar cruise... A bevy of things that’s now standard on like, a Corolla.

DipodomysDeserti > Just Jeepin'
06/09/2020 at 16:41

Dark Sea Foam?

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
06/09/2020 at 17:04

ok but that alcantara trim looks hawt.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > sony1492
06/09/2020 at 17:04

I appreciate the use of alcantara on non-wear surfaces.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
06/09/2020 at 17:05

wait why is this based on the RF?

RallyWrench > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
06/09/2020 at 17:23

Whatever it is, it would be worth it! And probably less than just the option list on a 992.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
06/09/2020 at 17:49

This predates the RF.

Miata Speedster - SEMA 2015.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > RallyWrench
06/09/2020 at 17:51

Miata Speedster - SEMA 2015

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
06/09/2020 at 18:12

Easy there with the NSFW images!

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
06/09/2020 at 18:13

Agreed. If it’s standard on a C orolla but not a C-class, I take issue with it.

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
06/09/2020 at 18:43

I’m 1000% with you on the manual vans thing. Every time I drive the Sienna that I have in my family I’m disappointed it’s not manual because it’s otherwise an EXCELLENT vehicle (imo). Feels way more fun to drive than it has any right to.

I’ve always wanted to try hustling a manual Mazda 5

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick)
06/09/2020 at 18:50

I look for excuses to go shopping at stores distant from me, or taking back roads instead of highways, just to keep driving . I always get out of this car with a smile on my face, something I didn’t expect after 8 years of ownership. It’s such a great vehicle, and I’m disappointed that it didn’t catch on in the US, unfortunately the land of ‘Bigger is Better’.

Monkey B > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
06/09/2020 at 19:30

2 days a week I have to walk by new Mazda’s...so I’ll end up with a Signature 6 or a new 3 hatchback. I like my Mazda 5 so will keep it so long as it’s fighting the good fight .

I went from an E46 to a Mazda 6 in 2006. T he 6 was acceptable fun, but nothing close anywhere else aside from looking good . Now I think they are around that BMW sweet spot from the 80's through the mid 00's. Fun, very attractive, reasonably simple yet refined without too much unnecessary tech . If RWD is on the horizon they will, IMO, be BMWing better than BMW if they can keep the reliability and reasonable costs. I’ll never BMW again after my last few. I don’t think Mazda will ever be primarily luxury like Lexus though.

I also had a W210. I liked it, but it did lack inside. Still, not a bad tank compared to the Saab 9- 2 x I came out of.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
06/09/2020 at 22:31

It is drop-dead sexy...

404 - User No Longer Available > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
06/10/2020 at 09:18

More like car makers are fully embracing the Pay to Win model, making everything DLCs.

Compasteedee > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
06/10/2020 at 11:41

We got them straight through the MY 2018 in Canada, infact the last place on earth that you could get one new. We had one and it was easily one of the best handling FWD vehicles I’ve ever owned. I wish we could have held onto it forever. The current Mazda crop makes me want to get back into one. If they being a RWD wagon Mazda6, I'm in for sure. I just won't be taken by their silly options.

Meepue > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
06/10/2020 at 15:17

Fwiw: very happy with the alcantara in my 30AE mx5!

Kinja'd!!!

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > Meepue
06/10/2020 at 17:27

Oh, that’s sweet ! If I was ordering a new Miata I’d have a hard time saying no to that.

I’m actually pleased t hat they’re offering it as individual pieces and not making it standard and driving up the price, or making it all part of an expensive option pack. I’d probably like it on the non-contact surfaces, but I have to admit that those seats look fantastic.

Meepue > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
06/10/2020 at 23:27

Yeah its really cool the option exists, but i bet when they end up at a dealership it will be all or nothing...unless you special order ofc

At least they managed a straight line stitch too , better than the new c8 alcantara!

Vyoman > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
06/11/2020 at 04:45

Top of line trims of Mazda still is left behind in race against Toyota. Hybrid and Plugins are the norm and everything ij the future is plug-in.

Plus, simple features like motion sensors for trunk lift gate, h ood hold, off road ground clearance like Subaru and their rear space/leg/car go room . Noise levels are way too high.. forget Porsche.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > Vyoman
06/11/2020 at 05:52

Agreed on the hybrid front. I really wish Mazda would realize this and jump in with their usual clever engineering to come up with a better solution than the competition.

Since 98. 726% of SUVs never touch dirt I really don’t worry about that capability in a modern SUV. The only reason I chose the CX-9 in my example is because it’s the closest thing they offer to a minivan, my choice of vehicle. I would prefer that things are kept relatively simple and mechanical instead of relying on too much technology. For example, I am extremely grateful that the sliding doors on my van do not have power assist; they’re easy enough for almost anyone to use, they’re lightweight, and there’s less to malfunction. All this competing feature creep is just going to be a headache once the warranty is over.

If there's one thing I wouldn't mind changing on my current car it would be the noise level. I don't want it living room quiet, but toning down the noise would be appreciated. Newer Mazdas are a lot quieter than the older stuff, as expected in their push upmarket, and I'm fully aware that this is one of the things I would have to live with given the price of my car.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
06/11/2020 at 09:23

I could really do without radar cruise control, as in I really don’t want it.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
06/11/2020 at 09:26

I’m fine without it, but it comes in handy in certain situations.

You can always disable it if you’d rather go old-school.