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my R-spec is faster since I removed the ash tray.
23 Telluride SX-P X-Line, 23 Camry XSE
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
The 2015 Nissan Altima continues to be a top choice among family sedans, delivering excellent fuel economy and a rare blend of comfort and agility.
Pros
Impressive acceleration and fuel economy with either engine; strong crash test scores; satisfying ride and handling balance; capable and user-friendly electronics; above-average cabin quality.
Cons
Relatively modest rear headroom and legroom; four-cylinder engine can be noisy.
Driving Impressions
The 2015 Altima is one of the most rewarding family sedans to drive. The four-cylinder engine provides good power for passing and merging, which is particularly laudable given its exceptional fuel economy. The CVT does leave room for improvement when matched to the inline-4 -- we've found it too eager at times during moderate acceleration, causing needless engine noise, only to settle into a cruise at an rpm that feels too low -- but on the bright side, its gearless operation means you'll never feel a shift. The V6 powertrain, meanwhile, is one of the most capable in this class, and the CVT draws less attention to itself with the bigger engine.
In real-world driving, it's the Altima's well-roundedness that stands out. The ride is hushed and compliant, even on rough surfaces, but there's a sense of control that you don't get in some similarly smooth-riding competitors. Should you find yourself alone on a winding road, the precise steering and well-tuned suspension will quickly make themselves known. The Altima isn't the sportiest family sedan, nor the most luxurious, but if you're looking for both traits in the same package, it's hard to think of a competitor that does it better.
23 Telluride SX-P X-Line, 23 Camry XSE
Thanks. My friend had asked the dealers about the 2015 models OCS software update and was told the problem was corrected . A problem with a airbag/ sensor is scary. Could you imagine that bag deploying when it shouldn't or worse not deploying at all.
Nissan claims to be correcting this problem with its recall on the Altima, Leaf and a few others.
I will have my friend look into this matter further . I'm sure if this problem isn't resolved or many cases with complaints are still out there he might want to buy something else.
WASHINGTON — Nissan North America is recalling 989,701 2013-'14 vehicles, including the Nissan Leaf and Altima, because the front passenger seat airbag may not deploy, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Other vehicles involved in the recall include the 2013-'14 Nissan Pathfinder and Sentra, 2013 Nissan NV200 and Infiniti JX35, and 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60.
"In the affected vehicles, the occupant classification system or OCS software may incorrectly classify the passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult," said NHTSA in its summary of the problem. "If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated.
This recall started in May, 2014
23 Telluride SX-P X-Line, 23 Camry XSE
So- no heated or leather seats = no sale on the Accord Sport. Also, my best friend drove the Mazda on a closed new road. The Mazda was fast off the line, but by 50 I had passed him and by 80 he was a distant memory in my rear view mirror. I really do have a very light car and I cheated by using PUG and Octane 108 down the pipe.
I gotta tell you, after spending 24 hours in the Mazda, it was ice to return to my comfy Optima.
Lastly...and most importantly. traction and stability control can be 80% shut off, but that 20% allows me to toss the car into decreasing radius on ramps and just floor it,,,, with no worry at all. It SEEMS like "oh no were all gonna die", but the tires never howled and the car just destroyed the 6 by those increased speeds on ramps, curves and turns.
I am keeping my car for another year. Then...maybe a car I like will become affordable. Like an Audi A3 2.0 or some sort of 6 cylinder BMW. Even a GTI is a contender. However, I would be happier with a Mazda 6 turbo. Gosh Mazda, would it kill ya to give me 220 HP??? That would be PERFECT.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
Mazda6 owners seem to like their cars. It had the highest owner satisfaction of any mid-sized car in Consumer Reports' most recent Car Owner Satisfaction Survey:
http://consumerreports.org/cro/2012/12/owner-satisfaction/index.htm
While fooling around and a friend, who chased me mildly in they Mazda 6 Touring I killed off the traction on a decreasing radius on/off ramp. I took a risk and released the limited slip diff and brake distribution by 75% allowing the/ 25% to do all the work. It worked GREAT. Try it in a safe area like a track-day place, or a giant dis-used parking lot. Bring two cars. One for teenager and one for myself.
Ok, so he is right on my tail until I killed off the safety nannie's, knowing how steep, uneven, and has a high rate of decreasing radius. Anyway, I just floored it. It felt like it was going to slide right out from under me, but stayed in n line..just barely...like I was Mario Andretti....not some hack...which is what I am.
Well, Jeff didn't know how to turn off anything on the Mazda...which is good because he wasn't authorized to drive it. I slaughtered him. I was at least 3 car lengths ahead before we both had to cool it art the exit. At the next light...traffic was light. It was drizzling by then, so I turned the tec back on. It was an even race, but still my car had a power advantage. Sorry guys...the Mazda 6 is great to drive, but I will NOT buy one unless it has 220 HP or more. It's chassis can handle it, a turbo will fit under the hood, and I STRONGLY believe there will be a Mazdaspeed6 version on the books as we speak. Are you hearing us Mazda??? 185 HP om a 2300 lb car does not equal zoom-zoom. More like doom-doom until
Needless to say, Jeff was very unhappy...especially since he had to buy me 3 lemon drop shooters as part of the deal.
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
Driving one's personal car which all the driving characteristics are known and comparing it to a buddy driving a car that he has never driven before and one that he isn't even supposed to be driving is hardly any kind of "test". Of course, you would drive your car faster and to it's limits.
0-60 website lists the midsize cars as follows. Some are not for the current model year as they get their data from variable sources. Found results for some of the latest years but most of the times I'm listing are for years that are pretty comparable engine/weight wise. All auto trans too.
Altima 7.3
Accord 7.5
Mazda6 7.5
Optima 7.7
Sonata 7.7
Passat 7.8
Malibu 7.8
Fusion 1.6 ecoboost 7.9
Camry 8.7
Legacy 8.7
Doesn't appear the Mazda6 is slow in this group at all. By the way, it weighs about 3,200 lbs. not 2300. A few pounds less than the Optima and the Mazda6 actually has more torque that kicks in at a much lower RPM which usually helps in off the line and 0-60 times when dealing with similar weight. From what I've read the Mazdas jump up through the gears pretty quickly to get to MPG sweetspot. This probably is one of the reasons it gets class leading MPG. Unless it is really floored it probably won't give the best times and somebody new at driving it and being a little bit careful would certainly not get it's best performance.
I just wouldn't use a test like this to "prove" it needs more horsepower. It's pretty much right in the 170-190 area that every car in this pack is in and weighs right there as well. It does need an option for people that want to go fast. That will probably come in the form of a Mazdaspeed version in both the 3 and the 6 models.......someday????
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Very nice. Enjoy it.. I like the color. When you get a chance put up a picture of the interior.
23 Telluride SX-P X-Line, 23 Camry XSE
The 2013 models are faster than the 2014 models.
2013
Accord I4 MT
(2.4 L models- including sedan and coupe)
0-60: 7.1 sec
1/4 mile: 15.3 sec
Engine: I4 – 2.4 L DOHC 16 valve
HP: 185 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque: 181 lb-ft @ 3900 rpm
FWD
6-Speed MT
Fuel Economy: 24/34 mpg
2013
Accord V6 AT
(3.5 L V6 models – Sedan and Coupe)
0-60: 5.8 sec
1/4 mile: 14.3 sec
Engine: V6 – 3.5 L SOHC 24 valve
HP: 278 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque: 252 lb-ft @ 4900 rpm
FWD
6-Speed AT
Fuel Economy: 21/32 mpg
23 Telluride SX-P X-Line, 23 Camry XSE
make:Honda Model:Accord
Engine:inline-4Transmission:six-speed
manualHorsepower @ RPM:185 @ 6400MPG
(Cty):24 (Est.)MPG(Hwy):34Torque @ RPM:181 @ 3900Displacement:
2.4 L0-60 time:7.5 sec.
(Est.)Top Speed:125 mph (Est.)
23 Telluride SX-P X-Line, 23 Camry XSE
The Mazda 6 motor needs more low end torque. That's why it feels slow. Both Accord and Mazda 6 4cyl. are very close in H/p. A test drive is what sets these two apart realizing the 6 lacks in the zoom dept.
Car and driver had this to say about the 6 on the 2014 review which I agree.
I found the 2.5-liter inline-four more thrifty than thrilling.
I found the 2.5-liter inline-four, rated at 184 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque, more thrifty than thrilling. With just one soul on board, the excellent six-speed automatic moves the sedan with ease. However, when more passengers and luggage are added, the four-cylinder quickly becomes overburdened, especially on a hot day or when altitude gets added to the mix. Pulling into fast-moving traffic and overtaking maneuvers requires planning. During a family trip over a high mountain range, the Mazda6 didn't have enough scoot to safely pass a heavy truck – I was left crawling up the hill wishing for a small turbocharger or an extra liter of displacement (or, better yet, the upcoming diesel with about 300 pound-feet of torque).
When we test drove the Mazda 6 there was 3 people in car including the salesman. This vehicle was zoom less. I think this motor needs more low end torque or option a bigger motor. We were not impressed with the motor either. . I mentioned it 3 or 4 times this past year.
@cski who test drive and bought car home and had it a couple of days realized the same thing .
Most street cars love low end torque. Road racers like mid torque and top end HP.
Drag racers need high RPM HP.
The legacy also needs a engine boost / upgrade.
23 Telluride SX-P X-Line, 23 Camry XSE
I received 3 speeding tickets in 3 weeks. I really am upset about it. I have not had a ticket in 3 years. This fall they have stepped up speed traps and I got all the tickets at the bottom of very steep hills. The kind of hills no one rides their brakes down.
I have one already beat. The last one is a doozy. 67 in a 35. It is a road I drive 3 to 4 times a day. I have never had a ticket on that road. SO, it's a 6 point ticket if I don't get it knocked down to just speeding, which I will because the policeman was young, cool, and mostly wanted to check out my car. He said "So how much? WHen I told him $21,880 (actual..sticker was $24,600) he couldn't believe it.
Anyway, he said he would point out to the judge how steep the road is and I have a zero point balance.
I can't talk or think about it any more.......irritating.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I am still thinking about new cars..but these speeding tickets just killed all that.
Anyway. sorry to have pounced on you. I am going to driving school to knock 6 points off but I have to wait until I HAVE any negative points.
We will see. I need help guys. Who here has upgraded their front struts and had as close to an epiphany as possible on how much better the car handled.
I cannot afford more than $150 per strut.
I forget which ones I spec'ed out from tirerack, but definitely higher end than OEM. Not anything track ready or adjustable though.
I do know that they are more than $150/pop, when you factor in installation (Though if you are ambitious, can try that yourself. I am not).
Tire rack does not seem to show anything for your car so you will have to shop around.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Please explain what you mean by the "6 needs more low end torque". The Accord has 181 ft lbs at 3900 rpm and the 6 has 185 ft lbs at 3250 rpm. The 6 weighs just a little less than the Accord and has the same 0-60 speed as the Accord CVT. The Accord times you posted were for the stick and I was referring strictly to the auto trans. The auto/cvt times were virtually identical. Like I said, the gearing may be a little taller, which translates into better MPG than the Accord, which may make it feel a little different in the seat of the pants but I fail to see where the Accord has more low end torque.
Bottom line, in a family sedan, I'll take 2-3 better MPG than a .1 or .2 second faster to 60 any day of the week. If I want to race around cloverleafs and drag someone at a stoplight(really, how old are we??) I would be buying a Mustang GT or something.
You need to test drive the Mazda6 before making any comments on how the motor handles especially with a family of 4. Outside of your charts O to 60 times your pulling online you have no clue what others / I'm talking about with this motor. . Go test drive this vehicle then comment.. The mazda6 motor would benefit with more low end torque. This would give this motor some more punch at lower speeds. Did you read the review I posted from car and driver? Or mine?
If you want to race buy a mustang? I said nothing about racing. Nor did I say the 0 to 60 times were incorrect.. I said nothing about Accord torque compare to Mazda. You are implying this. If you want to compare family sedans and be objective test drive some of these models before commenting..
When you drive a cvt Accord you did not have this problem.. The Mazda would feel more adequate if it had more low end torque .
Please go test drive the 6. Then drive the Accord or Altima for that matter. You will see and feel the difference in motors. The mazda6 has the best handling of all the midsize cars. Road noise has gotten better inside the cabin.
23 Telluride SX-P X-Line, 23 Camry XSE
No way in h$%^!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Thanks! It is very refined. Materials are all top notch. High quality and soft touch plastics are everywhere. Fit and finish is excellent.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
same with the Mazda 3. in the past, every one I looked at was all black. After seeing one with a sand interior (like the legacy, seats tan, dash split, carpet dark) that is absolutely the way I would go. Looks much richer, and a whole like brighter and airier.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Brian125
Did I say I didn't drive the 6? Assume much do we? Just because I don't agree with you there is no need to be insulting. I've tested the 6 twice and once was for half a day while my Mazda6 was being worked on. Probably longer than your test drive but I don't know so I won't make accusations. So before you assume wrongly........just ask. And just because I reference specs doesn't mean I don't have practical experience.
I read what C&D said but I don't consider them to be the gods of all test drives. Many other pubs and blogs have found the 6 to be just fine. Not fast not slow. Maybe it's because Mazda likes to throw around the "zoom-zoom" stuff that some reviewers think it should be faster because it's marketed that way. But with 0-60 times in the top third of mid-size family sedans and leading MPG I fail to see what all the complaining is about.
Stinks to hear about all the speeding tickets you've gotten lately. I've noticed stepped up patrols around here too. Speed limit on the highway within the 5 boroughs of New York City is 50 mph. So if you are going 70, and don't break for a down hill you are going 75 without a problem. 25 mph over and the NYPD's Highway 1 unit will want you to stop for a chat.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I have driven that road for 30 years, and have NEVER had a ticket. I was COASTING.
The other one was in a school zone, but I made some phone calls about what time the wig-wam (flashing yellow sign) was activated and what time the kids get out. Well, it is automated. No human hands touch it or control it. It is programmed when installed./
So, it "activated" like a damn*d Star Trek Probe or a Borg drone at 2:45, but the kids are not released until 3:00 PM. So, I was written a ticket doing a legal speed in a school zone where no kids were present.
I think 5 minutes is adequate to warn folks that kids will be released at 3PM, and also the sign needs to be more visible as it is located where I turn to go to to the main road and is parallel with my car. There should be a sign visible to people stopped at the light on my main thruway on Carleigh Parkway.
The last ticket...I was straight busted. However, there was a cafe-style hot road motorcycle on the other side of the truck I was passing. He was doing well over 90. It is a HUGE road and there was NO traffic. It is brand new. So, I am not even sure what the limit is there. I assume it was 50 and I was doing 65.
So, two speedings and one reckless. NICE. I just pissed that new car away.
I deliver pizzas part-time - after the first ticket I got (failure to stop at a stop sign - $160 fine), I realized that it's not worth the extra money to flaunt traffic laws.
I might do 5 over the limit, whether it's in town or on the highway. And I come to a full and complete stop at every stop sign.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
My son is a NYPd Sgt. A couple of years ago at 4am they spot a red 1977 Caddy Deville. blowing thru 5/ 6 lights on Metropolitan ave in Queens. . When they pull the fellow over he is asked why he went thru these lights.
He responded... Officers I apologize I put the car on automatic pilot and was reaching in the back seat to get a beer out of my cooler and didn't realize I was going thru the lights.
Here is the best part when they look in the back seat they find his cooler full of beers.
23 Telluride SX-P X-Line, 23 Camry XSE
Id like to try that stunt driving thru VA with a radar dector on my windshield
23 Telluride SX-P X-Line, 23 Camry XSE
The speed limit on local roads in Stamford, CT (where I live) is 25 mph. My wife got pulled over for going 40 the other day. Thankfully she was wearing her scrubs and just given a verbal warning. She has really been doing her best to drive 25 to 30 mph since then & it is close to impossible.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.