Welcome everyone to our Second Post,  all about bringing the 2013 Mazda 6 Wagon to Canada and the USA.

News from our Facebook page:    http://www.facebook.com/notes/mazda-6-station-wagon-for-canada-the-usa/great-post-by-one-of-our-members/148494445307302?comment_id=343518&notif_t=note_comment

Attending the Philadelphia Auto show


Speaking to Mazda Reps:

Great post by one of our Members, P. Williams:

Attended the Philadelphia Auto show Friday night, and spent quite a bit of time at the Mazda booth bending the ear of the Mazda USA rep. I shared some recommendations, such as allowing people to special order the wagon and wait for delivery (which she thought sounded like a reasonable compromise), thst it could be peiced higher than the sedan (no other cheaper wagons on the market anyeays!) and also that it has to be available with a manual transmission. The good news is that she said the feedback at all the car shows has been overwhelmingly positive and consistent: people are very interested in the wagon with diesel and manual transmission. She said all the feedback goes back to Mazda USA and maybe they'll change their mind in a future year. 

Also looked at some other wagons while I was there: the most useful/practical wagons (in my opinion) were the Volvo XC70, the Subaru outback, and the Jetta Sportwagen. The E-class wagon is nice but $65,000. The Audi, Acura, and CTS are all small in seating or cargo space. 

The problem with the Volvo is the terrible gas mileage (18/25 with FWD, worse the AWD). And it's 40,000

The outback is spacious, practical, and even available with a stick shift, but the AWD gives it mediocre gas mileage - it's rated 24-30 or something. And it's not so wagon-y anymore. The price is more reasonable in the low 30's

The jetta TDI is nice, well-proportioned, gets great fuel economy ( high 40's on the hwy by account of a current owner I spoke with), and is even available with a 6-speed manual all the way up the trim levels. The price is sub 30K, so the only 2 drawbacks are the size (a little small) and VW's less than stellar reliability record of the recent past. 

My wife will force me into an outback if the 6 wagon doesn't make it's way over here.

Thanks for sharing that with us all!

and we need more Wagon Warriors like you! :))

Keep up the good work,

and to everyone, it doesn't hurt, to call, or go into your local Mazda dealer and demend to have your wagon, and to demand to be put on a list of buyers that would buy the wagon when they awaken, and bring it back to us.

Also, feel free to message Mazda at thier official websites, and contact Mazda Corporate.

Several of us have written to the Mazda USA website contact, and the Canadian one as well.

I myself, have contacted and emailed several dealerships accross the country as well,  many of which, share our desire to have the platform back, and are in discussions with Mazda Japan about trying to get it back.

Thanks again!

Good luck to us all.

Conclusion, if you love this Platform, the Mazda 6 Sport wagon, or station wagon,  you need to get your voice heard, and contact Mazda corporate at their official websites, and also lobby them on their facebook pages.  They make this car!  its in other countries in the world, for sale, its Mazda who is choosing not to bring this fantastic car to our shores.  Your voice matters, and thanks to those who take the step and be proactive.  

Answers to this post:

Q: What's the size of the wagon storage area? Probably will be hard to beat CX-5.
A:  CX-5 is over one inch shorter in cargo length to my 2004 wagon. I personally measured it. It may be taller in height in cargo. The cargo is fairly comparable, but my mountain bike would need a tweek to get it into the CX-5, it might fit, but its tightin my wagon with longer cargo space. The real differnece between the two, is, that the Wagon is a sports sedan with the trunk switched for a fifth door, and more cargo, where as the CX-5 is a lifted hatchback, trying to be an SUV, without all the SUV perks. Where CX-5 fails in comparison to the wagon is power, considerably lower. And in road an track review, the professional driver was surprised at how he had to reduce speed considerably when cornering due to roll, a factor repeated with any SUV or CUV. Also. The reason is It has a much higher center of gravity, making it more tippy, which also reduces the efficiency of the tires holding onto the road. It's raised frame has a higher ground clearance, good for off road, yet most people will never use or need this in daily driving, where as the wagon has a lower center of gravity, and has greater ground effects, which pull the wagon to the road giving it superior road handling and cornering ability and safety. Basically It's not a truck, it's a sports sedan, with utility. People are buying SUV's and Cross overs because it is the trend, its fashionable, not because its the best platform. It's not faster than a wagon, its not safer, and it has a higher gas consumption, and cargo is comparable. There are no real benefits, other than Fashion, unfortunately, we are not being given much choice these days in that regard.

Also:
CX-7 I measured was a longer Cargo area than my 2004 Wagon, the CX-9 was just over a foot longer. With these two choices however, you are definitely into a much larger and bulkier Truck Platform. If you want a truck, then its great. Trouble is, if you want a sportier sedan, but don't want to compromise on the Utility of say, a wagon, there is no choice. There is only the M3 hatch, or you have to jump up to the CX-5. Aesthetically, the CX-5 is a good looking vehicle, it has similar styling to the new Mazda 6 Wagon, except that on the CX-5, it looks cute, where as on the wagon it looks more like a Panther. Which is interesting, as the designer of the Mazda 6 2014, was inspired by the Cheatah I believe. For me, it reminds me, and harks of the Maserati, or the Aston martin in its front end styling. Its just a gorgeous car, and we would like the choice. If you want an SUV, or Cross over, great! If you want a Wagon? we should have that option. The sales of the CX-7 last year, were lower than the Wagon the year before they stopped bringing it in. Why have 3 suv like platforms?? Seems to me the CX-7 is the one that should go, and bring back the wagon

Bring the Mazda 6 Sport Wagon back to Canada and the USA

Story to follow below these photos selected from our page at:    Scroll Down

http://www.facebook.com/Mazda6WagonForCanadaTheUsa

Our Partner page:
http://www.facebook.com/SpeedWagonStationWagon

+Mazda 6 Wagon for Canada and the USA

Introduction to our Page:

Hi everyone, this is the first post on Blogger, but we've had a page up in Facebook for some time now, and the group is growing quickly.   Come and join us, and spread the word.

   Help To: BRING The Panther back! This Gorgeous car should be here. Help Lobby Mazda to Bring it back! We want our Sports Car Utility Vehicle, Bring it with 250 HP + Please! Also, this page is to celebrate the Mazda 6 Wagon Through the Years

Mission

The purpose of this Blog page is to celebrate the Mazda 6 Wagon. And to lobby the Car maker, +Mazda Corporation, to bring it back to North America. Also to lobby them to bring in a Sports car Model Wagon, in line with other Sports car Wagon models sold in the rest of the world.

Description

What is the:
SPEED WAGON, Sport Wagon?  Station Wagon, Long Roof.

Comparisons are there are:

The Sedan and then Sports car.
The Station Wagon, and the Sports Wagon-Speed Wagon

What is a Speed/Sport Wagon?
There is a 1960's Volvo, with all Volvo parts, that has beaten Several Ferrari's on the Track. See its photos in the Volvo Album in the Speedwagon page.  Its a custom build, but, its all Volvo.
A quote from GM.ca About the new Cadillac Sports Wagon
"There's more power on tap than you get in a Porsche 911 Turbo S* - 556 hp, to be precise".

THIS IS NOT AN SUV WITH UTILITY IN THE BACK,  THIS IS A SPORT WAGON!

Before there were Cars, A Wagon was pulled by Horse Power.
Now, the Wagon is pulled by Hundreds of Horses.
With the invention of the Car, Wagons are pulled by a different kind of horse power, even as much as 500 HP and more when driven right off the manufacturers car lot.
'The Station Wagon', as it was first known, was the first car wagon. It got that name, as it was used to transport people to and from the Train station with all their bags and gear, thus the name "Station wagon".
As the "car" evolved, we no longer needed the trains for fast transport, and the "Road Trip" was born, and who lead the charge? The Station wagon, which became the Locomotive in its own right, left the station and becomes the touring wagon, the family wagon, the hauling wagon, the everything wagon.
    As Horse Power was explored, power was added to all cars, for towing trailers, and eventually for speed, and sport. That extra power for hauling and pulling was a real treat for Wagon owners, with sneaky power.

The Sport Wagon is Born. Adding hundreds of Horses, and later into the 1960's we see the birth of the Muscle cars, and the Wagon becomes a Powerhouse, you can find photos of Racing wagons all over the net, drag racing was king in the 60s and 70s of course.

    Speed Wagons are raced on the streets, get amazing paint jobs, big horse power, and all the trappings of daily use are still at your fingertips. Race a guy down main street while you go on a run to the hardware store? Why not. Wagons are suped up and Drag raced down the 1/4 mile at neck snapping speeds.
In the 70's Drag Racing is King, and the Wagon is seen all over, roaring down the strip.
Want to see this alive and well in America today? check out the Dodge Photo Album on our Speedwagon Facebook page, and what culture sprung from the Magnum. Custom paint, super Hemi engines and more.

All over the world, the wagon grows in the hearts of little boys and girls, playing in the back of its long deck, under the long roof.

Today, we are seeing people turning from the Wagon in North America, and its because the Manufacturers got their wires crossed and their perspective too. Why were North Americans buying big SUV trucks and tricking them out? One of the many reasons was because of the huge V8 Horse power, a sign of prestige and power. The wagon was ousted by the Mini Van as a Family Car. Where is the spot for the Wagon? The Manufacturers got a glimpse of the future, and made a few Sport wagons for a short time, that fit the bill. Volkswagen Turboed their wagon, but didn't give it the face lift and quality interior it needed, Dodge brought the Magnum with any level of Horse power you wanted, it got its own cult following, Mazda came out with the 6 Sportwagon, although under powered for its sporty speedy looks in 2004, then Mazda lost the vision and went back to a family style mentality once again, losing the sporty looks, but upping the horse power on the wrong look, and a bit late. Other Manufactures like Mercedes and BMQ still hold the Wagon in their lists, and see the Sport Wagon importance.

Who is seeing that the Sport Wagon is a niche wave of the future?
Porsche, BMW and Mercedes, Bently. The top Sports car style companies in the world today. Coincidence? They see the niche. The wagon is no longer the mini Van of the Family unit.
Then what is it?

Why a Wagon?

-Well, just because you're a family person, doesn't mean you want to give up your Sports Car does it?   
-What if you only have room for 1 car? or, don't want to commit to 2 cars? 
-A sports car and an SUV? or A Sports car and a Mini van or sedan for the family or partner?
-Why can't you have Sports car performance, and family utility? or even single person Utility??

Porsche reverse engineered their Wagon style +Panamera for the world only in recent years. They were a sports car only company, so why a Wagon 4 door car now? Simple, they saw the niche and that their Sports Car clients and enthusiasts wanted a faster, sportier and speedier family style car. 
-Plus! In a 2 seater sports car, we all know the back 2 seats are useless, right? and if you have 3 or 4 passengers, and you're on say, a road trip, where does your stuff go?? Where do your ski's go? your bikes? your surf gear? your camping equipment? Your DOG? Pile it on top?? Reducing aerodynamics, gas milage, looks, etc. etc.
Porsche engineers a sport Utility Vehicle, more sport, than utility, and the light goes on. They see the market for reality sake, and make a 4 door Panamera. Why "Pan Amera" Sounds like across America yes? So, its targeted at North America, because we love our Road Trips, and we Want to take our stuff along on it, and drive at 100 mph!

Speed wagon is the future of the Sports Car Utility Vehicle.

Its Sports car First, Utility Second, but you'll use the Utility all the time!!

Take me for instance, I want a sports car, but I need the utility of a wagon. My 2004 Mazda 6 Sport wagon, is way easier than the 4 Runner SUV I had before it. I can put 2 mountain bikes in the back, without removing the wheels in a about 1 minute, close the hatch, and race away to the mountains to bike. My 4 runner, I had to remove the wheels, and jimmy the bikes around the wheel wells, not as easy, and then had to fiddle with putting the wheel back on right after. Plus, it was no sports car, it was a truck, I had to sacrifice sporty driving for the 4 Runner.

Sports Car Attributes:
Idealy, I feel a Sport wagon should have over 250 HP, although my 6 came with 220, that feels really sporty and peppy, but I did want more at the time I bought it, nearer to 300 hp.  I plan to mod it to more HP, about 255 when I'm done. Stock wagons are being offered at about 179 hp and up to 300 or so.

Performance:
Handling is far superior to an SUV or Cross over, not even a comparison. Which you can read about in virtually any road test of an SUV or Cross over in any sports car magazine, they usually discuss having to slow down considerably in the cornering.
Looks like a Sports Car, not a Truck.
Drives like a Sports car, not a Truck.
Has all the Utility of an SUV!
Drives like a Sports car!!
It is a Sports Car!
Sport Wagon. Speed Wagon wins.

Utility:
-Carry your Guitars and amps to a gig, or a friends place for a jam,
-Dogs, have their own space in your Speed Wagon.

-Access to a roof rack is at or below shoulder height, you don't need a ladder like on an SUV.
-Hardware store Runs are easy in your Wagon. My Mazda 6 Sport Wagon can take 8' boards easily and more, my step ladder goes in easily.
-Travel: Carry everything you want for your trip, you don't have to leave anything, or anyone behind, because you have the back loading area, plus a long roof if you need it, attach a hitch, and pull more. lots of room for passengers.  In Europe, the same platform Mazda 6 Wagon, with the same horse power is rated one of the best Towing cars in Europe.
- Friends, bring your friends and their stuff anywhere, and do it in style and have a great drive getting there.
-Camping. take 1 car. 3 or 4 friends, and all your camping gear... get there before anyone else, because you have a Sports Wagon.
-Business. Own a business? I did, haul anything and everything around with ease.
-Sports. Haul you bikes just by opening the hatch and tossing them in, I can get in 2+ bikes without removing the wheels.
carry your 3 hockey buddies and all their gear. Haul the kids and all their sports equipment to the meet, match or game, take the dog too! and beat everyone else there in style with your passengers big smiles.

- Best part, when you're not hauling stuff, you have have a Sports Sedan!!

Conclusion:
The Station Wagon, and Sport Wagon, has been a part of the fabric of our culture from since the beginning of driving, and before.
  The trend of buying into the SUV and Cross over Market, is a trend only, and will not sustain into the future as a platform for the masses,  like all trends, people will see what they are sacrificing by going to a truck.

SUV's people think are safer, though they have a much higher roll over rate than the station wagon, by a long shot.  They have a very high centre of Gravity.  So, not safer.   When you hit something in a collision,  you may roll.  As for road handling,  in the photo above, is a Jeep doing 40 miles per hour on an official test track, and it almost rolls in a test turn and Fails the test.
Misconcepton:  SUVs are safer, they may feel safer, because you are higher up, but the stats show it is much safer in a wagon.

I don't know about you,  I love a sport car,  sure, I like the SUV's and I've even owned a 4 Runner,  I sold it for my Sport wagon, because I wanted to drive something sportier, that could corner and be more responsive and more fun to drive, but I didn't want to lose my Utility.
by buying the Mazda 6 Sport Wagon in 2004,  I got more cargo space, and the sporty driving I wanted.

On  as sad note:
 Mazda has no plans to bring the Wagon platform at this time to Canada, or the USA.  Its a tragedy and a crying shame.
  The buzz is, that it wasn't selling enough, so they pulled it,  but how are they to know if the sales numbers would have gone up? if they don't even offer the platform??
The only conclusion, is they want us to buy the pricey SUV platforms.
Also they are following the trends, and offering their CX-5 as a consolation prize.
Sadly, it is way under powered, shorter cargo, and its tall, not a sports car design, so no, its not an option for a Wagon buyer.

They year that Mazda drops the Mazda 6 Wagon,  Toyota comes out with the Venza, Promoted as a "Cross over" but clearly a wagon.  It sells over 40,000 units, outselling all the SUV platforms presented by Mazda last year, by 2 x or 4 times.  And Mazda has no wagon to compete.
  Bad choice Mazda,  bad choice.

Stay tuned for more insights into the Mazda 6 Wagon.