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Midsize Sedans 2.0

13281 messages,  Last post on Nov 29, 2009 at 3:10 PM

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What is this discussion about? Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Volkswagen Passat, Mazda MAZDA6, Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Malibu, Saturn Aura, Car Comparisons, Sedan

#11222 of 13281 Re: EPA certifies Fusion Hybrid [akirby] by mickeyrom Dec 23, 2008 (10:33 am)
Replying to: akirby (Dec 23, 2008 10:00 am) I just read an article about this car,and the writer claims that he had no problem getting 52 MPG on combined.This car,he wrote,can go as fast as 47 MPH on electric power alone.He is concerned that Americans will not buy them because the lowered gas prices.Heck,the oil prices will go up again,unless we continue conserving.Where was this wundercar when we were paying $4 per gallon? I guarantee that if were in the market for a new car,this hybrid would be first on my list.
#11223 of 13281 Edmunds V6 comparo = 6 > Accord > Altima by zzzoom6 Dec 25, 2008 (1:03 pm)
I've driven all 3 cars and I'd have to agree w/ most of what the Edmunds testers concluded. Edmunds V6 comparison test: Mazda6 vs Accord vs Altima    At the time my mom was shopping for a car, the Mazda6 was not out yet so we drove the Accord and Altima (as well as the Sonata and Azera). Of these 4, I liked the Accord the best (though thought the Sonata was the best value). I thought the suspension was the most sorted of the 4 and that the quality of the interior was much better than the Altima which still has some really cheap feeling materials like on the plate that has the window contols by the door... really hollow sounding and has that thin, brittle plastic feeling. I agree that the engine/ transmission of the Altima was better than the Accord, but since the Accord was no slouch either, I preferred the build quality and it's ability to sort out rough roads better.    But a month later, I was in to get an oil change on my 2005 mazda6, and decided to take the time to give the new 6 a test drive. I was not unhappy w/ my current mazda6, but I was curious. First thing I noticed was the responsiveness of the engine: much more torque than my v-6 and quite a bit quicker from a standstill even though my '05 6 has a manual. Really, I'm impressed with everything about this newer version... I came really close to buying one. The interior was very nice, it was as quiet as the Accord or Altima, but had a better suspension that handled rough roads as well as the best but had less body lean in corners that gave the car a feeling of more control. Steering feel was very good, better than the Accord and Altima, but not as good as my current 6. I think what held me back from doing the trade was a lack of a hatchback. I'm sure I would have been very happy w/ the new 6, but I knew I was still happy with my "old" 6...    But this is what my scorecard looked like (best first, worst last): Interior quality: accord (minuses b/c of cluttered dash), Mazda6 (very close to the Accord, but lacked a little finesse), Altima    Drivetrain: Altima, Mazda6 (surprisingly close to the Altima though), Accord    Suspension: mazda6, accord, altima    brakes/ steering feel: mazda6, accord, altima    seat comfort: accord, mazda6, altima    exterior looks: mazda6, altima, accord (by a lot...)    extras: mazda6 (xenon, btooth, blindspot warning system, keyless start/entry, best mpg), altima (keyless start/entry, cvt), accord (navi, resale value)    really, all 3 cars are very, very good. but given a choice, using different ways of analyzing which one to choose (practicality, fun to drive, utility), I would choose the 6 also. well done Mazda! Replies to this message: madpistol (Dec 26, 2008 8:34 pm) mazda6dude (Dec 28, 2008 1:23 am)
#11224 of 13281 '08 Accord by sandman46 Dec 26, 2008 (9:42 am)
Rented an Accord two weeks ago and thought the seats were very good and I have persistent spinal issues which necessitates the use of a cane. Better than my '06 Civic but still lacking those of the Volvo S40 I almost bought two years ago. The Accord drove flawlessly with four occupants and a truck stuffed to the gills. Would definitely buy an Accord in an instant if we needed a mid-sized car...even the wife agreed.   The Sandman Replies to this message: akirby (Dec 26, 2008 6:32 pm) plekto (Dec 27, 2008 11:11 am)
#11225 of 13281 Re: '08 Accord [sandman46] by akirby Dec 26, 2008 (6:32 pm)
Replying to: sandman46 (Dec 26, 2008 9:42 am) The 09 and later Fusions also have better than average seats.
#11226 of 13281 Re: Edmunds V6 comparo = 6 > Accord > Altima [zzzoom6] by madpistol Dec 26, 2008 (8:34 pm)
Replying to: zzzoom6 (Dec 25, 2008 1:03 pm) the "hollow sounding" plate on the altima door controls is Carbon Fiber (on the SL models), so regardless of what it sounds like, it's a much higher quality material than can be found in the other 2 cars.   Other than that, you're right on the money on virtually all fronts. The 6 is a great car, and if I got to pick my car again, I would have picked the '09 Mazda6 over the Altima. I was very torn between the Altima and the Accord (I flatly refused to get the Camry...) I think the Accord is a little more comfortable for long distance travel, but the Altima is far superior on twisty roads. I also believe Nissan has the best powertrain with their current generation of CVT. No other Automatic Transmission this side of a DSG is as responsive or quick.   There's a reason that the Altima is selling nearly as well as Camry and Accord, but as far as the best midsize sedan currently, I think the Mazda6 has it. Unfortunately, not many people realize this.
#11227 of 13281 2004 Mazda6 with 120k miles... Is this a safe buy? by mjmacky Dec 27, 2008 (8:52 am)
I'm looking to buy a 2004 Mazda6 with 120k miles... The asking price is 5,975. . . .? I don't know to much about Mazda's.. I am a honda person. How long would I have before the transmission cuts out? Replies to this message: backy (Dec 27, 2008 11:35 am) explorerx4 (Dec 27, 2008 7:00 pm)
#11228 of 13281 Re: '08 Accord [sandman46] by plekto Dec 27, 2008 (11:11 am)
Replying to: sandman46 (Dec 26, 2008 9:42 am) Volvos have always had a Swedish chiropractor's ideology in mind. I don't think there's better seats to be had in anything that's not some exotic car.
#11229 of 13281 Re: 2004 Mazda6 with 120k miles... Is this a safe buy? [mjmacky] by backy Dec 27, 2008 (11:35 am)
Replying to: mjmacky (Dec 27, 2008 8:52 am) On a car with 120k miles, Mazda or Honda or whatever, anything can go at any time. There is no magic time or number of miles as to how long a tranny (assuming you mean automatic here) will last in a specific car. Your odds are better if the car has been well treated and maintained over its lifetime. Are the maintenance records available? If so, check to be sure regular maintenance was done including the big services at 60k and 120k. Also you should have the car checked by a mechanic you can trust.
#11230 of 13281 Re: 2004 Mazda6 with 120k miles... Is this a safe buy? [mjmacky] by explorerx4 Dec 27, 2008 (7:00 pm)
Replying to: mjmacky (Dec 27, 2008 8:52 am) is that question a setup?
#11231 of 13281 Re: Edmunds V6 comparo = 6 > Accord > Altima [zzzoom6] by mazda6dude Dec 28, 2008 (1:23 am)
Replying to: zzzoom6 (Dec 25, 2008 1:03 pm) I used to own a 2005 Mazda6 i sport edition and now have a 2008 Honda Accord LX. After reading edmunds comparsion, of the altima, accord and mazda6 seemed like the accord and mazda6 were really close. I admit I was suprised/shocked that the mazda6 beat the accord and that the overall MPG was higher for the mazda6 compared to accord.   The v6 accords MPG rating is 19/29 and the Mazda6 is 17/25, yet the mazda6 got 20 mpg overall and the accord got 18 mpg overall.   I still believe the accord has a slight edge over the mazda6 and then being a long track record of reliability and resale value, otherwise, a dead heat. Always thought the Altima was over priced. Seems like nissan took a step backwards with the new altima.

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