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Midsize Sedans 2.0

18218 messages,  Last post on May 23, 2013 at 3:51 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, Kia Optima, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 1822 of 1822

#18209 of 18218 Re: 2014 Ford Fusion [m6user] by jaxs1

May 22, 2013 (10:18 pm)

Replying to: m6user (May 22, 2013 10:03 pm)
Turning up the radio is not a solution for most people who care about noise. Just cover up road noise with loud music? I suppose if you always like to listen to loud music anyway, then it doesn't matter.
The Accord was pretty loud in the last generation and that is a major reason I never seriously considered buying one. That plus the styling was bad anyway.
The 2013 Accord is much quieter to the point where it is finally quiet enough for most people to not bother commenting on it having a noise problem. Some say the Accord Sport model is still noisy due to the louder 18 inch tires tires standard on that model.
Road noise has been repeatedly singled out as one of the worst or maybe the very worst attribute of the Mazda 6. The only thing mentioned as much or more is the small nav screen.
Of course, if the older car you are replacing was even noisier, noise won't seem bad in comparison.

#18210 of 18218 Re: Mazda 6 GT vs Accord EX-L shootout (June C/D) [jaxs1] by backy

May 23, 2013 (7:24 am)

Replying to: jaxs1 (May 22, 2013 8:38 pm)
Honda has pretty much always been near top rated in reliability and Mazda less so.
 
Tell that to the many thousands of Accord owners who have had problems with automatic transmissions!
 
http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/08/honda-transmission-problems-seem-to-p- ersist/
 
I've sat in the back of both cars and didn't notice a significant difference in room. The previous-generation Accord was roomier than the current one. Even the first-generation Mazda6, a much smaller can than the current one, had plenty of rear seat space for me.
 
Given how tough it is to get the IIHS Top Pick+ designation, I think claims that the Mazda6 got the "minimum" score to get that ranking is really pulling out the Big Nit Pick.

#18211 of 18218 Accord/Mazda 6 comparo/ 17"-19" rims by cski

May 23, 2013 (7:57 am)

I have not driven a new Accord, but I have driven the Mazda 6 Touring. I don't remember it being loud. Also, based on the pictures provided by tundra-dweller I can barely tell the difference between the 17" rims and the 19's on the touring.
 
On my Optima, I have 17" rims and 215/55/17 V rated tires. I drove the SX Optima with the 18" rims, but I didn't feel enough of a ride difference that would kill the deal. I can tell the difference visually, and I really think the 18's are nice, but I think the 17's on my car are the right size for the cars mission as a sporty family sedan. I didn't get the turbo because I felt that it would hurt long-term reliability, and it was $5000 more for power I would rarely need and would almost certainly have cost me high insurance rates, not to mention a higher potential for speeding tickets.

#18212 of 18218 Re: 2014 Ford Fusion [jaxs1] by m6user

May 23, 2013 (9:43 am)

Replying to: jaxs1 (May 22, 2013 10:18 pm)
Like I said, low road noise is obviously high on your criteria for a new car. I have three cars, an Acura, a Toyota and and a Mazda. They run from very quiet to some road noise but none of them are bad. I never really thought the old Accord was that bad either for road noise so I guess it doesn't bother me as much as the next person. But all the reviewers used to comment about the bad road noise of the old Accord but apparently a lot of people didn't think so or didn't care that much....like me. I think somethimes when they can't find much else to complain about they zero in and jump all over a minor fault. Like, "oh boy, we finally found something bad, let's really play it up so we look like we really did our job". Kind of like internal auditors LOL. I think that was the case in the old Accord as well as the new Mazda. CR didn't seem to downrate the Mazda much for road noise even though they mentioned it in their review.

#18213 of 18218 Re: 2014 Ford Fusion [m6user] by suydam

May 23, 2013 (11:11 am)

Replying to: m6user (May 23, 2013 9:43 am)
Well, some cars are noticeably worse. I have a Pontiac Vibe that sounds like a rocket taking off (not in a good way as power is not its strong point) and I can't talk on a cellphone (as a passenger) because I can't hear the caller. These cars, though, not so much different. Accord and Altima are pretty quiet now, Accord much more than it used to be. Haven't tried the new Mazda yet.

#18214 of 18218 Re: 2014 Ford Fusion [suydam] by m6user

May 23, 2013 (11:30 am)

Replying to: suydam (May 23, 2013 11:11 am)
yeah, all my cars are midsize or larger and I think that makes a difference. When I used to travel all the time for work I would get compact or subcompact rental cars and I really did notice how loud they were. Both engine noise when accelerating and general road noise while cruising. I think newer cars are a little better as you say and I think bigger is better usually when it comes to noise but there are always exceptions.

#18215 of 18218 Re: Mazda 6 GT vs Accord EX-L shootout (June C/D) [backy] by igozoomzoom

May 23, 2013 (2:16 pm)

Replying to: backy (May 23, 2013 7:24 am)
Tell that to the many thousands of Accord owners who have had problems with automatic transmissions!
 
Amen, backy!
 
The worst part of all was the flippant response and refusal to accept responsibility until class action suits forced them to do so. It was a page right out of the 70s-80s GM playbook!
 
When it was all said and done, the number of transmissions replaced was in the HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS!!! Many cars (more than half according to some sources) had multiple transmission failures, not just one.
 
I know a guy who was a Honda fanatic from the time he was a kid. He never even considered anything else. When he got the new car itch, it wasn’t a question of what kind of car to buy, but which Honda to buy! ‘
 
He leased a 2002 Acura TL Type-S in March 2002 for 42 months. The first transmission was replaced at 13k, then again right at 30k. At 37k, the third transmission went and it needed yet another replacement. There was only four months remaining on the lease and he demanded that they terminate the lease early. They initially said they would, but only if he made a lease or purchase of a new Acura.
 
That guy was me and I almost leased a 2005 TSX, which I loved and still think the ‘04’-‘8 TSX is a great car! But it was a matter of principle and, even if I ultimately decided to get a TSX, they were going to terminate the lease on the TL four months early UNCONDITIONALLY! It was either that or, when the finally put the fourth transmission in it, I would probably create a drive thru in their showroom! I’m only half-kidding; it was the most infuriating experience of my life.
 
The guys at the dealership were sympathetic, but they were powerless to do anything. The transmission replacements under warranty were ultimately handed on a regional level, like most significant warranty repairs are handled. But by 2004, they all had to go thru Corporate in Torrance, CA. And my car always had at least five or six others ahead of it waiting for approval and/or parts!
 
It may sound silly, but it felt almost like a death in the family when I walked out of the Acura dealership leaving my TL forever. I had a folder full of legal documents terminating my lease. They also required that I sign a release preventing me from taking future legal action, which was fine. They also ‘tried’ to get me to sign a “Non-Disclosure Agreement” preventing me from speaking to the media or anyone else about my experience. Thankfully, an old college buddy married an attorney and she went with me to handle the termination process. She warned me ahead of time that they would probably try to get me to sing a non-disclosure. I wanted to write something very vulgar on the signature line, but instead I let her tell them to shove it in “legal-ese”.
 
Before the TL, I had six other Hondas starting with an ’85 CRX when I was 15. The TL Type-S was sort of my realistic dream car and it turned out to be the worst automotive nightmare and lease reliable car anyone in my immediate family has ever owned!
 
I had the same sort of numbness and confusion that accompanies a death and the grieving process. So I followed the same advice experts give after a loss – DON’T make any major purchases or changes for at least 6-8 weeks, then discuss it with at least two people you trust before you actually do it. My mom had just bought a 2003 Explorer and her ’95 Grand Cherokee was retired to ‘extra’ car duty. So I had a vehicle to drive and could take as long as I wanted to buy a new one.
 
I actually loved that old Jeep and would have kept driving it longer than I did (about 10 weeks). But my daily commute was over 50 miles round trip, lots of stop-and-go and when I wasn’t in gridlock, my right foot tended to be quite heavy. I averaged 12.4mpg over 10weeks in the Jeep. I was paying a car payment just to put gas in it.
 
I decided to see what those “Zoom Zoom” commercials were all about and, long story short, I ended up with a 2006 Mazda3 s 5-door. My paternal grandmother’s family has a huge picnic every summer (she had 10 siblings) and they were all ‘Honda people’. When I pulled up in my Mazda, I felt like I might end up being hung for treason before the day was done. I made it out alive and over the next two years, I noticed fewer and fewer Hondas at the family picnic. The largest faction ended up with Nissans and now at least seven of them (that I know of) drive Infinitis. Two cousins copied me and got Mazda3s, but the both got sedans, so they’re not as cool as me! =)
 
Anyway, I have no intention of ever returning to a Honda or Acura product. I might have reconsidered after 8-10 years passed, but the way they’ve screwed so many out-of-warranty Honda owners since then is unforgivable...

#18216 of 18218 The Duel by tundradweller1

May 23, 2013 (3:02 pm)

After driving some others it came down to these two. I test drove the 6 Touring, then the Accord LX, then the 6 Sport, then the Accord Sport finally the 6 Sport again.
Personally I noticed a slight amount more noise in the 6. Beyond that the driving dynamics, functionality and ergonomics were won by the Mazda. Styling being subjective as always but from any angle the Mazda absolutely smokes the Accord. It harkens to a 70's RWD muscle car with modern overtones. Suffice to say I bought one. Waxing it now....

#18217 of 18218 Re: Mazda 6 GT vs Accord EX-L shootout (June C/D) [igozoomzoom] by cski

May 23, 2013 (3:51 pm)

Replying to: igozoomzoom (May 23, 2013 2:16 pm)
Great story man. My wife's 2004 Mazda 6 had similar issues with the A/C compressor being replaced 3 times, and two transmission replacements before 100k, but Mazda took care of her at least. I had an 03 Protege', but it's lack of ABS and downright dangerous wet traction led to a terrible accident. Motortrend just experienced a taste of that Jekyll and Hyde handling in their last compact car review, validating my experience. Their car HAD ABS and traction control..mine did not, so I quote: "In claiming its previous victory, the Mazda3 dazzled the judges with its crisp, natural steering feel; responsive, unshakable chassis; and sport sedan handling. It led this competition with the same trump card, at least in the dry. As it happened, rain struck during our evaluation loops, and opinions of the Mazda changed quickly. Those who drove it in the dry were again smitten with its excellent handling on the winding road portion. Those who drove it in the wet, however, told a different tale. Editors found it breaking loose at both ends on wet roads."
 
Ultimately, there was a thundershower on I-95. Having already slid for almost 1/4 mile previously I slowed WAY down. I was doing 40 mph in the slow lane, with basically zero throttle input, and she hydroplaned at both ends, slamming me into the wall, bounced off a truck, and into the wall again. The car was crushed into a cube with wheels, but to Mazda's credit I drove it behind police to the off ramp (3 miles) where a tow truck could reach us safely.
 
I still have family that swears by them. Getting a completely reliable car seems to be a luck-of-the-draw kind of thing that no manufacturer can completely avoid. There are so many contractors making parts for vehicles, with contracts awarded to the lowest bidders, that failures are bound to happen. All we can hope for is that they happen infrequently.

#18218 of 18218 Re: 2014 Ford Fusion [m6user] by gee22

May 23, 2013 (3:51 pm)

Replying to: m6user (May 22, 2013 10:03 pm)
I have to agree with you. Obviously, road noise is relative, what one may find acceptable another would not. After reading almost every available review of the Mazda6 I, my expectations regarding road noise were not high. I went from a 2010 Camry to a 2010 Accord and the Accord was somewhat louder but I have noticed no difference between the 2010 Accord and my Mazda6.

Messages Page 1822 of 1822

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