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Midsize Sedans Comparison Thread
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Comments
Nah. The Fusion is a stretched version of it and it handles just fine. Mazda, or SVT for that matter, could make it a lot better too.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't we have access to it now, in the form of the Mazda3 and the Volvo S40? I thought the CD3 platform is what the euro-Focus is built on as well...
As I understand it the Modeo's platform is actually called the CD345 and it is the new version of the CD3 which the Mazda6 is based on. The C1 is what the Mazda3 and S40 are based on. Apparently the 2008 or 2009 Mazda6, whatever it ends up being, platform will be called the CD3 2 and from what I'm reading on Wikipedia (I know, take it with a grain of salt) several other FMC (not just the Ford brand mind you) models will be based on it too.
Yeah, it handles pretty well, but I still think it's a little more floaty and less precise than the current 6. It's better (IMO) than the CamCords, and I haven't tried the '07 Altima for size yet, but the Fusion handles better than the prev-gen.
Mazda, or SVT for that matter, could make it a lot better too.
That's what I'm hoping, for Mazda to work it's magic and keep it a true Mazda.
The C1 is what the Mazda3 and S40 are based on.
Ahh, my mistake.
...several other FMC (not just the Ford brand mind you) models will be based on it too.
This wouldn't surprise me, since Ford is losing money so fast it would be smart of them to do so.
I was lucky, neither of them ever had an accident, or for that matter even a ticket - but I would suggest to you that it had little to do with me teaching them to drive, more likely what kind of kids they were to begin with?
I think in my mind, my physical existence began that day.
I actually was shocked it passed as well. I know my license made my parents life easier as I was one less kid to schlep and I could also cart siblings around.
(Which was done in a variety of mid-sized sedans ranging from sorry to dreamy).
Kind of funny article talking comparing what Buick and Oldsmobile went through to Toyota's effort to lower median buyer age.
I'm not sure anyone who is a serious driver would call the any Scion sporty... they tC has been criticized as being too soft in the handling department. Sounds familiar to me (EVERY Toyota lately is a softie)...Bling/younger styling do not make a sports car.
do seem to be appealing to the younger set - maybe a lot of that having to do with silly things like 8 million watt subwoofers and custom colored trim panels. 50 yeare olds like me will never understand that - give me a shotgun to handle those subwoofers at traffic lights or car washes, and I couldn't give a damn about the color of my mobile phone is or whatever a text message is.
The CX-9 production numbers shouldn't be that big anyway.
and yes, it is most likely that those 3.5s will make it into lower production vehicles a long time before it sees higher production ones.
Sounds like the math works to me.
The 500 is the car that perhaps needs the 260hp the most and was 'promised' in 3 years - should have been for the 2007 MY. We are now working on 4, and still haven't seen it. Maybe they planned on being a year late from the beginning?
Which is wayyyy different the way the Honda does it?:
C-engine family
The 08 Five Hundred is due out in April with the 3.5L.
There are no beaches, open roads, lakes, pastures, twisties or parents in any of the commercials. It's all urban environment.
The redesigned Mazda6 is rumored to also get the 3.5L, as well as the revised Fusion/Milan twins, in '09.
I don't remember exactly, but I've seen and heard this from more than one source. I'd assume that capacity at the engine plant will be up by then, if they're clearing out the other two assembly lines.
This could also be the reason why they bumped back the Mazda6 redesign until mid-'08 as a '09 model, just to give themselves enough time to ensure adequate supply of the 3.5L.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Cyclone_engine
Its certainly a competitive engine in the V6 space. I doubt if anyone else has an answer to compete with a Honda 4 though.
It also mentions that future expansion is planned for the Clevland engine plant. I had not read that before and I don't know how true it is because that plant is not flexible IIRC and the Lima plant is. Ford's statements seem to imply the two need to go together. Probably because the Mazda version will have different heads, the lincoln version probably has something different, etc, etc.
Rocky
Now that's funny...I don't care who you are...
BOR-ING.
Except some of the things I have seen have impled the 6 is to get bigger than the Fusion/Milan.
Kinda like the looks of the Fusion and really like the Milan. I know the tail is a bit high. Looks like the Milan stylining sort of controls the big butt look, just a tad compare to Fusion. Overall, a good looking auto. So will Ford be around for years to come? I am more concerned about the company than lack of a few ponies in that 3.o engine. The V6 seems adequate. Would be nice to have the 3.5 - no doubt. Let's see, the side air bags are standard. No stability control standard, but I guess I can live without it. That said, stability control is suppose to be a very good safety feature to have -- there when needed. And Hyundai has it on the Sonata. Is it really a gotta have? I have never had a car out of control and sideways, but that doesn't mean it can't happen. Only takes once to ruin a lifetime. At the moment, it appears not to be a deal breaker though, as people buy loads of cars without that feature. Speaking of safety features, my PT has no side bags, no stability control, no anti-lock brakes, and well not much other than brakes and an old pilot steering it. About 38 years of driving now without an incident -- not bad!
-Loren
I would like to see orange back lit gauges. Seemed like nice seats, as I recall.
-Loren
I hope not. If they want to go big they should bring back the 929 or something. Midsized cars should be midsized. If I wanted to pilot a barge I would get a cop car or something.
The Mazda6 is the most fun car at its price point, like the Contour was before. I hope they don't mess with it too much.
Its interesting that the cars keep getting bigger to the point the manufacturers have to keep adding cars in at the bottom. Look at the Civic...it got as big as the Accord used to be so they had to add the Fit so they would have something actually small. Mazda realized this nitch with minivans...the Mazda5 and MPV are both smaller than other imported minivans...that is to say they are actually mini.
The 3.5 is apparently a really new engine (I appreciate the wikipedia reference) that is, at least, in terms of HP/torque, competitive, although it is not apparently going to end up in things like the Fusion/mazda 6. Unfortunate because putting an engine with those kind of specs might seriously improve those cars, both of which ARE solid designs to start with.
But OK, enough about the 3.5 - we'll see how well it really does.
Y'all carry on with whatever y'all like, I'm not the boss in here
PS Captain2: And I do love that I4 in my Accord...
actually probably is, but please read a comparo done in this months (02-07) C&D on the new M5 with a MT. Stability control has apparently almost ruined what ought to be THE premium ride. The article will give you a good idea of how these systems as well as other electronic systems, improperly applied, can work to make a car almost undriveable.
This is why I don't trust wikipedia...
Click Me
More '09 Mazda6 info:
article
It also mentions that the redesign will retain the 5-door and wagon as well as the sedan, and a hybrid version is expected as well.
Am I saying any of this is set in stone? Nope. It means that I'm not ruling ANYTHING out (in terms of the 3.5L or body styles) until official word comes from Mazda.
Which is why there should always be an OFF button to these systems. I'm all for putting these systems in every car made, but WITH AN OFF BUTTON like Honda provides.
I find it fascinating (and amusing) that many of those who diss the Optima justify their comments simply on the grounds that `its a KIA`!! It`s my bet that they have never closely looked at, sat in, or driven one and the long -held negative perception prevails .
Hope the article is right, the 6s would really be nicer with a smooth 260hp or so and likely less pricey than the Speed6. It is interesting to me that also in the same article it is noted that the better acceleration times on the Speed6 were possible only with the stability control off