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Comments
http://www.familycar.com/RoadTests/Mazda-6/Images/RightRear.jpg
The Mazda plant has been making cars since 1986 with no major problems. It is about the same level as the other 'Transplant' auto plants.
They were almost Mustangs, phew.
http://www.bonforums.com/plants/plant_closings031201.htm
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadtests/firstdrive/68223/article.html
And here's what the editors have to say about the Accord's styling:
"Want to see a beautiful mainstream Japanese sedan? Look at the 2003 Mazda 6."
Score Mazda 6 1, Honda Accord 0
YEAH!!!
I smell a new midsize sedan comparo test in 2003!
2003 Mazda 6
2003 Honda Accord
2003 Nissan Altima
2003 VW Passat
2003 Toyota Camry
the ultimate showdown!
1 Passat
2 Mazda 6
3 Honda Accord
4 Altima
5 Camry
bwahaha
2)Altima
3)Mazda 6
4)Camry
5)Accord
Actually, when I listed them it wasn't my intention to rank them, but since you guys start to rank them out of blue, I might as well throw my ranks in there!
my ranks (pure guessing and base on pictures/specs, haven't driven any of them)
1. Mazda 6 (extremely, totally, completely BIASED vote
2. VW Passat (gets high ranking solely by being GERMAN :P)
3. Nissan Altima (the Power, the Power, the POWER!)
4. Honda Accord (Looks less flabby than the Camry, even though according to Edmunds it handles worse than Camry SE)
5. Toyota Camry (still execellent car, but against these competition, somebody's gotta take last
Mazda6
Passat
Camry
Altima
Accord
Jeff
Mazda wins no questions. People just need to get rid of old ideas they have about certain car companies. The Passat is a lot less sporty but not at all a bad car.
Altima
Camry
Accord
Passat
Reliability plays a part, as well as being fun to drive and being efficient. Sorry, but "average" doesn't play so well when the others are "above average" or "well above average" in CR's rankings.
Besides, I don't like the chromed bloated-pig look of the current Passat (or new Accord).
Whoopee! I can't wait to drag my wife out and check them out when they arrive. I'd like to see how the wagon and hatch compare to the P5 (which I'd get if the 6 hatch or wagon don't prove out better...I'm giving the next-gen Protege/Focus platform a wide berth until it proves itself, given the spotty record of the Focus in NA so far).
I guess all the input to their customer service lines and the chat messages have gotten Mazda NA's attention and convinced them to not wait until next winter to introduce the hatch and wagon to NA!
~alpha
1. Passat. Why? There is just something about VW interiors. That's what it's all about for me. The front seats are very uncomfortable though, but the interior is the best of the lot, reminicent of an Audi, for thousands less. The power is pretty good, but they need to firm up the base suspension a little bit and reduce the body lean.
2. Altima: Nice power, nice ride, very roomy inside, nice comfortable seats. But KILL that cheap plastic interior! And those taillamps are hideous as well. Car also looks pretty large, and I don't like larger cars with bigger turning circles. They are a headache to park. View out the back isn't really perfect either.
3. Camry: It's a boring ride. So tranquil, so quiet, almost puts you to sleep. I can be put to sleep watching TV at home. I prefer to be kept alert, awake, aware, and having fun when driving. I also don't really care for the styling either. It looks like an Avalon that someone left in the dryer too long.
I can't wait to drive the Mazda6. I hope that it has driving dynamics like the Protege ES I used to have (Edmunds said it does). That was a good handling little car. I also hope the Duratec engine is more reliable than the one in the Taurus is. I read that there were alot of problems with the car when it first came out. Also, the last 2 cars that were introduced (Focus, Tribscape) by FoMoCo were riddled with recalls. I will wait to see how the records of the cars are before buying a first year model, since it looks like Ford can't be trusted.
But I tell you what, if they can mix the driving characteristics of the Protege ES with the interior quality/ambience of the Passat/Jetta and have decent power and no recalls, I will definitely be checking out one once the lease on my Jetta expires.
brand bias, however, still runs rampant
Closed Circuit to Vocus: If you find the seats of the Passat are uncomfortable, why would you even consider it? Sure, the interior is nice to look at and touch, but if your [non-permissible content removed] hurts from sitting in those rock hard, short bottomed seats, what's the point?
I have never heard anything bad about the duratech in the Taurus. Now if we are talking about the 3.8 (not in the duratech family) then I agree.
I know a number of people with very high mileage (150K+) cars, and a cousin that has a 2-year old Taurus SE that he's already put 75K miles on - absolutely flawless performance, and better highway mileage than my car at an average speed of 75mph (around 34 mpg).
Although I'm pretty certain I'd be happier with the lighter front-end (and associated improved handling dynamics) of the 4-cylinder Mazda 6, preferably in hatchback trim (if I can wait that long!)
Malt, do you (or does anyone else) know if the 4-cylinder will have something along the lines of a "Sport" package - larger, low profile wheels and tires (16" or more) and a tighter suspension?
I have heard of transmission problems in the Duratec Taurus, not engine. Sorry for the confusion.
BTW, I heard there are only two trim levels.
In my book - this would be a good thing, although if they use a Ford transmission for the 5-speed automatic (again, I understand the Tribscape and Taurus use a 4-speed auto, right) - then I might be worried.
I think the JATCO 5-spd is the AT for the 6cyl, same as that now available for the MPV, I think. I haven't driven one, but I hear from a reliable source that it's very good (right maltb?).
(3.0 Duratec and JATCO 5 speed auto transmission)
I am pleased with it so far.
Also I had done some research and found lot of
postitive reviews on duratec. It is considered
as one of the better engine designed.
According to some posts on MPV forum, the
same (may be with slight modifications) engine
is used in some Jaguar model as well.
Edmunds'MPV formus (some old posts) have good info about
the 2.5 and 3.0 lt engines.
JATCO (Japan Transmission Co ???) is reputed for
its transmission designs. Although I don't know
if this 5 speed in MPV/Mazda 6 is brand new design
or not.
03 Accord/03 Mazda6(Sedan)
Length: 189.5/186.8
Width: 71.5/70.1
Height: 57.1/56.7
Wheelbase: 107.9/105.3
F-Head Room: 38.3/38.7
F- Shoulder: 56.9/56.1
F-Leg: 42.6/42.3
R-Head Room: 36.8/37.1
R-Shoulder: 56.1/54.9
R- Leg Room: 36.8/36.5
Trunk: 14.0/15.2
The Mazda6 sedan and hatch pretty close in size. The hatch is a few inches shorter overall, with basically the same passenger volume.
I like the interior of the new Accord better, and have more confidence in Honda's reliability. The Mazda6 may be an interesting out-of-the-box alternative, however. I'm not buying for a while, so I have plenty of time to contemplate matters related to the Accord, TSX, and of course the Mazda6. I would predict something like the Mazda6 winning a Car and Driver comparison test, but the Accord being named a "10-Best".
~alpha
yeah, that's it
From carseverything.com: "The A5M transmission is used for leveraging the higher-torque engines, including the V-6 gasoline engine and the diesel variants. This five-speed manual transmission also features Mazda attention to detail for optimal shift quality."
Although that isn't an accurate or justifiable line of thought any more - I'm told the S-type feels like a Lincoln (LS V-8) these days. Pity, "Ford Killed the Jaguar Star" (Queen!)
I'll post more as soon as I get it.
These new 4-cyl engines (ranging from 1.8 through 2.3l IIRC) will form the basis of the drivetrains in all FoMoCo (that's Volvo, Ford, Mazda and others) cars over the next few years.
The V-6 will likely ultimately go faster, but the 4cyl. may end up being the better all around choice. We drove both 4cyl. and V-6 Accords before buying, and I found the 4cyl. to be better balanced with better steering. This is obviously due to the weight, or lack thereof, over the front axle between the 4cyl. and the V-6.
This is one reason I'm interested in comparing the Mazda6 to the Acura TSX, which will likely have only a high reving 4cyl power plant.
If anyone hasn't seen the CAR review, I'm planning on scanning it. Hope to have it up in a day or two...
Meade