Motor Trend J30 article
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diamondj30
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Did some digging...
1995 J30 MSRP ~$40k1995 929 MSRP ~$36k
Differences?929 is larger, J30 is slightly quieter, both produce the same amount of power. J30 is 3550lbs, 929 is another 100lbs on top of that.
J30 0-60 ~8.9s.929 0-60 ~8.9s.
I think the J30 wins for smoother engine and plusher interior, while the 929 gains a little bit in size.
They both offer smooth flowing dashboards and analog clocks. Back seats are smallish in both.
Why are the two even comparable? The 929 and Millenia were originally going to be sold under the Amati brand, until Mazda realized it couldnt afford it, was late to the game, and lacked a unique luxury product offering.
A 1995 929 can be had for about $3700. A 1995 J30 can be had for about $6700 in the same condition with average mileage (10k/yr).
Man, talk about sour depreciation on the Mazda. Thats what happens in America when you dont put a luxury nameplate on a luxury car.
Both are a royal pain to work on, but at least transmissions and engines are readily available. 929 uses a Jatco transmission with a similar V6 used in the MPV. We all know about the J30's sweet V6.
The 929's transmission in the early 90s had a reputation for being weak, along with the J30s. A transmission cooler and annual flush/filter change makes a difference between failure and reaching 200k.
The J30t of course is different, and there's no comparable model with Mazda.
Edmunds and Carpoint readers give both cars about the same extremely high overall ranking, 9.something.
From what I've read on forums, and my own forum, both are extremely rewarding to own if you take basic care of them. But in the real world, you can acquire a used 929 for half the cost of a J30.
The J30 is the belle of the ball. Everyone wants them, knows what theyre about, and admires them. When a J30 pulls up, you know it, recognize it, and instantly conjure up memories of Johnathan Pryce leaping around in television ads. And then you think of its powerful V8 sibling... the Q45.
The 929 however is a forgotten automobile that doesn't fit Mazda's new sporty image, and Mazda wants us to forget it existed.
Rumors point to a Mazda9 coming in 2006/2007.
Not sure anyone cared about all that, but I love automotive history.
-Jesda
1995 J30 MSRP ~$40k1995 929 MSRP ~$36k
Differences?929 is larger, J30 is slightly quieter, both produce the same amount of power. J30 is 3550lbs, 929 is another 100lbs on top of that.
J30 0-60 ~8.9s.929 0-60 ~8.9s.
I think the J30 wins for smoother engine and plusher interior, while the 929 gains a little bit in size.
They both offer smooth flowing dashboards and analog clocks. Back seats are smallish in both.
Why are the two even comparable? The 929 and Millenia were originally going to be sold under the Amati brand, until Mazda realized it couldnt afford it, was late to the game, and lacked a unique luxury product offering.
A 1995 929 can be had for about $3700. A 1995 J30 can be had for about $6700 in the same condition with average mileage (10k/yr).
Man, talk about sour depreciation on the Mazda. Thats what happens in America when you dont put a luxury nameplate on a luxury car.
Both are a royal pain to work on, but at least transmissions and engines are readily available. 929 uses a Jatco transmission with a similar V6 used in the MPV. We all know about the J30's sweet V6.
The 929's transmission in the early 90s had a reputation for being weak, along with the J30s. A transmission cooler and annual flush/filter change makes a difference between failure and reaching 200k.
The J30t of course is different, and there's no comparable model with Mazda.
Edmunds and Carpoint readers give both cars about the same extremely high overall ranking, 9.something.
From what I've read on forums, and my own forum, both are extremely rewarding to own if you take basic care of them. But in the real world, you can acquire a used 929 for half the cost of a J30.
The J30 is the belle of the ball. Everyone wants them, knows what theyre about, and admires them. When a J30 pulls up, you know it, recognize it, and instantly conjure up memories of Johnathan Pryce leaping around in television ads. And then you think of its powerful V8 sibling... the Q45.
The 929 however is a forgotten automobile that doesn't fit Mazda's new sporty image, and Mazda wants us to forget it existed.
Rumors point to a Mazda9 coming in 2006/2007.
Not sure anyone cared about all that, but I love automotive history.
-Jesda
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maxnix
- Posts: 22627
- Joined: Mon Jul 22, 2002 8:11 pm
- Car: 1995 Infiniti Q45
1995 Infiniti Q45t
2000 Infiniti Q45
I believe only the Millenia was to be an Amati, along with a V12 sedan, which I do not know if it was ever developed before the launch was abandoned by Mazda in the early 90's.Jesda wrote: The 929 and Millenia were originally going to be sold under the Amati brand, until Mazda realized it couldnt afford it, was late to the game, and lacked a unique luxury product offering.
The 929 was to continue in the Mazda brand.
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maxnix
- Posts: 22627
- Joined: Mon Jul 22, 2002 8:11 pm
- Car: 1995 Infiniti Q45
1995 Infiniti Q45t
2000 Infiniti Q45
Boy, wish I could remember where I read that snippet. It was pre-internet, so around 1994 or before. I never have seen nor heard of the big V12 sedan they were developing (going to develop?). I wonder if they even had a rolling prototype. Ford probably killed it (if it existed) when they bought-in to Mazda. Couldn't have a failing Japanese economy car maker showing-off a V12 sedan, don't you know.
One would think Mazda would have had at least a design on paper while they were developing the Millenia. I think the whole thing went Tango Upsilon in early 1991 or late 1990. Toyota, Honda, and Nissan had beat them to the segment, and Mazda had too steep a hill to climb in market perception without the funds to do it.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45
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One would think Mazda would have had at least a design on paper while they were developing the Millenia. I think the whole thing went Tango Upsilon in early 1991 or late 1990. Toyota, Honda, and Nissan had beat them to the segment, and Mazda had too steep a hill to climb in market perception without the funds to do it.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45
Discover the power of the button!
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diamondj30
- Posts: 830
- Joined: Wed Aug 21, 2002 10:49 am
- Car: Not to low , not to high , just right .
- Location: 3rd world seattle
- Contact:
Problem with the 929 is it is very problematic. My parents had one and the engine lasted well beyond 200k, but all the little thigns broke on a regular basis. Windows stopped working, plastic door handles broke, couldnt open the doors from the inside on the drivers side, couldnt open from the outside on the passengers side. Mouldings was peeling, etc...quality isnt there.