Article Comments - Mazda 6 vs. Honda Accord vs. Nissan Altima

120 messages, Last post on Feb 27, 2009 at 2:31 PM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDA6, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Finding the Sweet Spot in Family Sedans - After all the poking, prodding, driving and scoring, the $30,690 2009 Mazda 6 s Grand Touring earns a total of 70.3 points in our comparison for a 1st-place finish. (more)

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#65 of 120 by ribbonspeakers Sep 18, 2008 (7:09 pm)
IMO so-called "features", in a very general sense, are one of the worst aspects of modern autos. No, not saying I dislike all features, but they always add at least some weight. There are very few to no "passive" features. Virtually every one must be powered when operated. That power requires a source, usually the motor. The more the features, the larger the alternator. The larger the alternator, the more fuel is consumed to power it. It's a vicious, endless cycle. I see & hope for a day soon coming when one of the more enlightened companies (Honda?) will spend millions of dollars for an ad campaign proudly announcing "FEWER FEATURES!" toward their goal of saving fuel. Just a thought.... Replies to this message: bvdj84 (Sep 18, 2008 7:24 pm) maltb (Sep 19, 2008 7:34 am)
#66 of 120 Re: [ribbonspeakers] by bvdj84 Sep 18, 2008 (7:24 pm)
Replying to: ribbonspeakers (Sep 18, 2008 7:09 pm) I saw a Mazda 6 in person today, I was impressed, and it was quite the car. Its pretty big, nice seats, fit and finish feels good. Very classy looking car! Love the red color they have.
#67 of 120 Re: [ribbonspeakers] by maltb Sep 19, 2008 (7:34 am)
Replying to: ribbonspeakers (Sep 18, 2008 7:09 pm) Good luck on your quest. Just don't expect much of a following.
#68 of 120 Re: Ummm.... [maxamillion1] by madpistol Sep 19, 2008 (7:00 pm)
Replying to: maxamillion1 (Sep 17, 2008 11:10 pm) It's interesting that there's this much debate over the Altima's interior design when compared to the Mazda6 and Accord. Remember that interiors have never been Nissan's strong point. Nissan always seems to push towards ergonomics and inoffensive interior styling that is usually fairly bland. The only real exception to this would be with the new '09 Maxima and Infiniti's G and M cars... Notice how those cars are significantly more expensive than the Altima, Accord, and Mazda6. Also, notice how Nissan's packages are only "stackable" as one package usually requires the others below it. Nissan has a game. It's called "How much money can we make you spend on our cars?" I mean you can buy a boring Altima 2.5S with cloth interior and "ugly" interior styling, or you can buy an Altima 2.5 SL, which has premium double-stitched leather, dual-zone climate control, heated seats, and special wood or carbon fiber inserts and a host of other "niceties" for about $5000 more. When you move up to the Maxima or an Infiniti, you get even nicer interior materials, and more features. I think the Altima 2.5 SL's interior has a flare to it, especially in the black on black/silver color scheme. Is it nicer than the Accord's? That's subjective, but I think the Accord's interior looks very upscale, especially in the EX-L trim. At the same time, Honda has an agenda, and they know that their customer fan base will not put up with Nissan's pricing tactics. I guess that makes people that buy the Accord "smarter" right? So why did I buy the Altima? Why did I buy the Altima 2.5 SL w/ connection pkg over the Accord EX-L 4-cyl? Every reason that I will throw out is subjective to the buyer; the Altima is lighter and more tossable, it gives more road response through the wheel, it has a quicker 4-cyl than the Accord, the trunk is bigger, the rear seat is 60/40 split folding, the Intelligent key system and push-button starter are stupidly convenient, the Altima has a trip computer, the Bose stereo sounds better than the Accord's premium stereo, the CVT is cool AND it has a manual-shift mode, the rear seats have individual reading lights versus the Accord's traditional center light, the doors have built in ground lights, the rear seats get air vents, and the center stack is more ergonomic in its design compared to the Accord. As for the 2009 Mazda6, it wasn't on the market when I purchased this car back in April '08, but if it had been, I can guarantee I would have purchased the Mazda6 instead. It's funny because the Mazda6 either meets OR exceeds nearly every reason I just listed when compared to the Altima. The only thing that I believe it doesn't win on is curb weight, but apparently, that doesn't matter as the car is still a lot of fun to drive. There. I said what I believe about all 3 cars and what I've experienced so far. Flame away!!! Replies to this message: gooddeal2 (Sep 19, 2008 7:42 pm)
#69 of 120 Re: Ummm.... [madpistol] by gooddeal2 Sep 19, 2008 (7:42 pm)
Replying to: madpistol (Sep 19, 2008 7:00 pm) ...I mean you can buy a boring Altima 2.5S with cloth interior and "ugly" interior styling... Wow! I found the interior in the Altima is as good/nice as the Accord but is way better than the Camry. I can barely read the CD's display (odometer is bad as well) on the Camry, I cannot comment on the Mazda b/c I never like them.
#70 of 120 altima 4 cyl by 06g1k Sep 20, 2008 (4:47 am)
When I test drove these cars the altima 4 cyl is just flat out head and shoulders above the others.It really is the only one that doesn't have you wanting a 6 cyl.And it seems fuel mileage is better than the others too.That's one of the reasons consumer reports likes it so much.My wife is averaging 27mpg with no highway.I've had three accords and I truly was going to get the 08.But the wife thought it was to big.I wanted to drive it anyway and although I liked it, it just had alot of road noise.To me it cheapened the feel of the car.The mazda 6 had not come out yet. Replies to this message: bvdj84 (Sep 20, 2008 9:26 am)
#71 of 120 Re: altima 4 cyl [06g1k] by bvdj84 Sep 20, 2008 (9:26 am)
Replying to: 06g1k (Sep 20, 2008 4:47 am) Most sedans have blown up, but some carry it better than others. The Mazda6 is out, and it looks pretty big too, but not overbearing. Holds it weight good.
#72 of 120 by ribbonspeakers Sep 20, 2008 (12:06 pm)
Most of my trips have been w/ the wife. Today got to drive the '09 Mazda 6i A/T by myself to my Par-Course workout. This things a riot. IMO this is the most fun you can have for this price on four wheels w/ all the usefulness of four doors, largest trunk in class, great comfort & fuel economy (first tank 27.5mpg & I wasn't babying it...I wear a size 13EEE shoe & am used to driving high-performance motorcycles). Again, for those that have not read my earlier posts, I'm 6-3/230+ & can barely get into the Altima. The Accord is finished to a very high level similar to the Mazda 6 & may be roomier but Honda's four decidedly lacks low end torque & no Mazda-like cornering thrills. I traded a Honda Ridgeline. It can not be overstated how much more fun almost every driving manuever is in the sedan. I love trucks, but will never again have one that big for a main vehicle...ditto truckish SUV's. Every time I brake, corner &/or accelerate I'm towing around 1166 lbs less weight than than truck; it feels like an even bigger difference. Turning radious went from 42+ to 35+ feet. Driving is fun again. It's nice having all the storage of the truck, but all that storage was filled w/ stuff I practically never used, always detracting from driving dynamics. Good riddance. Am I blocking? Replies to this message: keitha3 (Sep 20, 2008 5:40 pm)
#73 of 120 ribbonspeakers by 06g1k Sep 20, 2008 (1:18 pm)
We have alot in common.I'm 6'3 and 230.I also ride hi performance motorcylces.Look at my forum name.Have a Aprilia Tuono now though.Anyway I dont seem to have any problem at all with the Altima's size.It is my wifes car though so I am not in it most of the time.I drive a 06 Ridgeline that I need for dirt bikes and just about anything else.There is no way I could unload it just b/c I want a sportier drive.Basically I need it.Also, I was soured with a 03 mazda6 that had rust in the door seams and they would do nothing for me.If you google it I'm sure you'll see what I'm talking about.Anyway the local dealer yanked me around and I swore I would never drive another mazda.However I do like the new one and I would probably consider it now that enough time has passed and I'm not so angry about it.
#74 of 120 by ribbonspeakers Sep 20, 2008 (2:00 pm)
I'll probably get a truck again for a second vehicle but more like a midsize. The Ridgeline's turning radius is larger than our '04 Tahoe; absolutely inexcusable. But it IS the best handling truck you can buy as far as I know. Love your Tuono. My only bike right now is a Suzuki SV650 track bike.