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

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

You are in the Mazda6 Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

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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#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.
#75 of 120 Re: [ribbonspeakers] by keitha3 Sep 20, 2008 (5:40 pm)
Replying to: ribbonspeakers (Sep 20, 2008 12:06 pm) Even though I ended up with the V6 Accord, I really am right there with you on the new Mazda. Of all the cars I've driven in my search for a family sedan, that was the one that most tickled my fancy as a driver's machine. It really is very fine, so congratulations. Honestly, I came this close to buying it, but a consideration beyond the car itself was a deciding factor. I love my new Accord, but definitely understand where you're coming from. It is a pleasure to drive and has great looks as well. The Infiniti G35 was the most fun overall (it is a BLAST to drive), but I don't really consider that in the family sedan catagory. Might have bought the Acura TL, but it truly wasn't as fun as the Mazda (at least to me) and, besides, my family pretty much liked the back seats of the Mazda and Honda best. As an aside, one of the finest speakers I ever heard was a ribbon speaker, so, if that's what you own, congrats there as well.
#76 of 120 Re: Will adding the $4,200 Premium package turn the tables? [maxamillion1] by cx7lover Sep 28, 2008 (10:11 pm)
Replying to: maxamillion1 (Sep 16, 2008 2:05 pm) I'm sorry but the SE's 3M tacked on body kit is hideous and nothing like the 1st gen MAZDA6 body kit. Just the fact that someone can even think Toyota's ugly tacky body kits look good really says a lot about their style. The Camry's entire look is a rip off of the MAZDA6, and it still looks bad, so what if it was inspired, that doesn't mean the old design looked bad because the "inspired" new design does. Words in your mouth? You said the XLE doesn't compete with the Mazda6 at all because it's not the SE which would be better according to the spec sheet, (regardless of the fact that in any trim the Camry doesn't handle as good as the Mazda6). Handling is not the end all on how they should be compared, especially since the Camry is SORELY lacking even with the ugly "sport" body kit and stiffer suspension. You're so set the fact that the Mazda6 has great handling that you believe the only way other cars can be compared is in the sport trim levels, which is like wtf? Not EVERYONE requires the best handling, other MF's offer a sportier setup, Mazda doesn't, so you DON'T always have to compare other makes sport trim levels to any Mazda6 just based on the fact that the Mazda will handle excellently in just about any trim level and it’s worse in some too…and those aspects for which we discuss could be subjective (styling for example, interior design for example) LOL. Seriously, the Altima's bland, basic interior? And it's oddly shaped front end? The Mazda6 is much more cohesive than the Altima, and much more attractive. No matter what you say, regardless of the SE trim both of them have, it doesn't mean that's the only trim they should be compared in, because neither one handles as good as the Mazda6 in any SE or XLE or SL trim. Replies to this message: maxamillion1 (Sep 29, 2008 6:15 pm) thegraduate (Oct 13, 2008 6:19 am) elroy5 (Oct 13, 2008 2:08 pm)
#77 of 120 Which One For A "Company Car?" by ohblue Sep 29, 2008 (5:31 pm)
Any thoughts on which one would be best for a salesmen driving around 20K-30K miles a year? Replies to this message: bvdj84 (Sep 29, 2008 6:05 pm) madpistol (Sep 29, 2008 6:14 pm)
#78 of 120 Re: Which One For A "Company Car?" [ohblue] by bvdj84 Sep 29, 2008 (6:05 pm)
Replying to: ohblue (Sep 29, 2008 5:31 pm) Well the Accord can certainly rack up the miles, and still go on. My father has a 91 Prelude, and it still rolls really well, and really haven't put any maintenance in it. I am sure the other cars will do well, but for the long haul, honda has proven it can stand up to time with minimal costs.
#79 of 120 Re: Which One For A "Company Car?" [ohblue] by madpistol Sep 29, 2008 (6:14 pm)
Replying to: ohblue (Sep 29, 2008 5:31 pm) Probably the Accord. Since it's going to have the most compliant suspension of the bunch, and because it's a Honda, it's probably going to be the best for high mileage driving.
#80 of 120 Ok.. by maxamillion1 Sep 29, 2008 (6:15 pm)
Replying to: cx7lover (Sep 28, 2008 10:11 pm) Never said the Camry XLE didn't compete with any Mazda6...what I said is that the Camry SE aligns better to be compared with the Mazda6 than say an Camry XLE. And that's for obviously reasons. Also, the Camry SE's styling is based directly off of the previous generation Mazda6...and styling is subjective....I personally find them both to be a bit offensive looking (both being the Camry SE and the previous generation Mazda6 with the body kit..not my cup of tea...but that is my opinion) Just because we differ in opinions doesn't make one right or wrong... I never said that Camry SEs or Altima SEs should be ONLY compared with the Mazda6 Touring or Grand Touring..what I SAID was that those models line up best with the Mazda6...regardless of styling, handling or whatever...and i'm sure as more comparisons come along those two trim levels (SE models) will be tested against the Mazda6...why because the Mazda6 leans to the sporty side of things. Answer me this, has an Altima 3.5SL ever been used in a comparison test??? NOPE...it's almost always a 2.5S if it's a four cylinder comparison or the 3.5SE if its a V6..thats the point I'm making. Never said that one trim level can't compete with varying trim levels, as a matter of fact, it was YOU who said the 3.5SL and Grand Touring are most comparable based on feature content...though in reality the SE can be had with more content that aligns better with the 6 Grand Touring. That's the basis for our entire discussion...you see it one way I see it another... When I get back home I'm going to spend some extensive time behind the wheel of the new 6, Accord and Altima and I'll post my impressions...
#81 of 120 by ribbonspeakers Sep 29, 2008 (7:56 pm)
Salesman question is too personal IMO. The published comparisons are fairly objective. Mostly, car nuts like me can & will post more subjective opinions. I don't care what kinda driving anyone else is putting them to. For me, touring, vacation, errands, it's all the same. The 6 is so much more a hoot to drive it's always gonna be my fave. You won't believe it's cornering compared to the other cars. It's that much more fun. Fun is the best part of driving for me. I'm pretty sure the Accord has a more compliant suspension but this deficit in the 6 is well worth it. I had an 1999 VW Passat 4 M/T. The 6 handles significantly better, tho the VW might have had a more compliant suspension. Replies to this message: bvdj84 (Sep 30, 2008 6:21 am)
#82 of 120 Re: [ribbonspeakers] by bvdj84 Sep 30, 2008 (6:21 am)
Replying to: ribbonspeakers (Sep 29, 2008 7:56 pm) I would like to test drive the new Mazda6 sometime soon, I am really impressed with the new design of the 6. The red is stunning! The interior is very much improved. It looks like a fun car, and the reviews are reflecting that. Who knows, when I look for a new car next spring, maybe I'll be so impressed with it, that I'll pull myself away from the Honda name. That will be hard. I think the 6 would be more fun than the accord, If they offered a sport transmission in the Accord, that would top it all off for me. I could look at the TSX, which offers that, if I wanted the Honda name. Its not a big deal, but something I will look for in a new car. I am car nut, I trade my leased cars way earlier than needed, so I could lease a 6 and an Accord within 2yrs....lol
#83 of 120 by ribbonspeakers Sep 30, 2008 (12:44 pm)
bvd: I thought I was bad trading cars! You're much worse (I'm jealous!) Just as I've read, you can hammer the 6's throttle mid-corner & it stays in gear till you either straighten out or let up. It really gives the driver the feeling of driving a sport sedan; most cars, esp in this class, subjugate the driver to the CPU programming. Meaning they won't stay in gear & rev out when you want them to. I try to make up reasons to do errands as an excuse to get behind the wheel of the 6. Stereo on Touring model could be better but I'm sure the Grand Touring is an improvement. Problem is by that time you're getting close to the price of Cadillac CTS (really)! Only other (extreme) nitpick is that the lock functions on the key fob are inverted vs. the door panel switch. The 6 has understeered only once so far; steering is incredibly neutral, esp for FWD. The Mazda Speed version (I assume it's in the works now) is going to be hot. Edmunds car review was spot on IMO. I got a red Touring; Touring seems well worth the extra $2200 or so; beyond the mechanical upgrades the interior looks far better w/ two-tone, leather wheel/shift, etc. It's a head turner, esp since I removed all badges (trunk & wheel center caps) except the front nose, which I painted black w/ a paint marker. COLD CLIMATE ALERT: the brochure states heated front seats ONLY on Grand Touring; SURPRISE! We got them on our Touring...great for north Utah. Replies to this message: bvdj84 (Oct 03, 2008 6:33 am)