05 Mazda6 vs 07/08 Fusion...

I'm currently looking at 2 different cars for my father: a Mazda6 and a Fusion/Milan. His current car is a high mileage, Vulcan-engined, '02 Taurus sedan. (The Vulcan puts out all of 155 horsepower.)

I'm thinking he might be satisfied with the 4 cylinder used by both of the cars in question, but would like to hear from folks who have long(ish?) experience with the 4 cylinder and/or the 6 cylinder. The 6 cylinder engine in the Mazda and Ford "seems" to be slightly different, with different power outputs and the Ford is supposed to get by on regular gas, while the Mazda needs premium.

The Mazda is getting my "nod", so far, because it's slightly smaller and slightly lighter, so less car for 160 horsepower to move around. Unfortunately, there are 3 Ford dealers closer to my father than either of the nearest Mazda dealers (each Mazda dealer is in a different direction and over an hour of driving away).

2.3 works fine, especially with 3 pedals. I had a 2007 Mz6i and really liked that car a lot.

I recommended a 4-cylinder Mazda6 to some friends almost 7 years ago. The type of people to whom oil changes are a lot for a car to ask. They have abused the crap out of that poor car and put over 100K miles on it. Nothing has broken, it gets great mileage, and it's literally only gotten the qwiky-loob oil changes about every 7K. Can't recommend those cars enough!

I had a 4cyl/5spd Fusion. Turrble combination.First, the shift knob is enormous. It would be big for Shaq. There seemed to be some lag in the throttle. The biggest problem is there was a "dead spot" somewhere in first and second. Depending on how far you pressed the gas, the engine would go flat...as in no power. I almost got T boned a few times since I'd pull out and the engine lost power. A computer update was done a few times and never fixed it. I had the same powertrain in a ZX3 and never had an issue.

I'd go for the Mazda just based on weight and a smaller car. The Fusion is a porker. It handled OK, but I would never use the word sporty to describe it. Not a bad ride on the highway, which was the trade off. If he needs a stick, get the Mz6. I've driven a 4cyl auto Fusion and it's not that bad.

FWIW, I never had anything go wrong with it in over 60k aside from an annoying dash board pop that 2 dealerships and about 5 trips to service couldn't fix.

Ive had two 2008 Fusions, a 2010 and now 2012 Fusion as company cars. All 4cyl autos.

Put anywhere between 20,000 and 55,000 on them. Only thing aside from oil was a tensioner in the 2010 that got noisy at 40,000ish miles. You can get over 30mpg on the highway. I get about 30mpg without trying and generally traveling 75 - 85mph (Florida). Around 26mpg in the city.

They handle better than I thought they would and I have enjoyed them much more than comperable Camry's, Accords etc I have driven. I think it drives nicer than my dads 04 Maxima.

The 4cyl auto is adequate in power. Unless loaded I don't feel the need for more power (and I like power).

My DD has been one Mazda or another for exactly 25 of the 30 years that I've been driving, so I may be biased. Get the Mazda!

i have an '03 mazda6 with the 3.0L duratec V6 and 5-speed manual. bought from the original owner at 125k, now showing 162k. replaced both front wheel bearings when i bought it (one was noisy). the only failure so far has been the water pump tensioner pulley bearing at about 148k. still on original clutch. so i can't complain.

Looks like the Mazda wins..

oh, and at least in '03, the 3-liter Mazda runs on 87.

all the mazda 3.0 duratec's are run on regular. power output different difference is due solely to the tune. ive had mine since it was 6 months old in 03. had 8k on it when i got it. i now have 165. i did have to replace my motor(my fault not the engines) actually have a block from a fusion in it. aside from things ive broken out of stupidity only issue ive had has been sway bar links(im cheap and refuse to buy good ones and they cant handle the racing beat bars) the fusion is alot quiter and smoother riding vehicle. but also heavier. the 6 is deff alot sportier in stock trim however. modification wise to make power it is easier to make power on the fusion just because the ecm is flash tuneable where as the 6 is not.

I used to spend a lot of time in these cars when new as rental cars. I found I really liked the Fusion and Milan. I especially like the two tone optional leather interior of the Milan Premier.

Sample:
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=44870&endYear=2007&modelCode1=MILAN&startYear=1981&makeCode1=MERC&searchRadius=100&listingId=326317462&Log=0

One of the Milans I'm looking at is an '07 Premier with AWD, and of course the 6 cylinder. For some reason, it's priced about the same as some (admittedly newer) Fusions and Milans without AWD, and even some with 4 cylinders. Only downside to that particular car, and I know you will same it's a tiny nit...is that it's black, in and out.

FWIW, I've done some more research, and Fusion/Milans had more airbags than Mazda6s. ABS seems to be "hit or miss" on all these cars, depending on year.

I have a '05 Mazda6i with the sport package and 5-speed.

It needed a clutch when I bought it at 78k but it was still somewhat driveable. Pressure plate broke - very strange failure.

I like the 2.3L. Plenty of power with the manual and I added a K&N cone filter off ebay because I like a bit of intake noise under full throttle.

20,000 miles later I've done nothing but change oil on it. Really great car for the money.

My car has the side curtain airbags front AND back which I think was an option. In fact, my car has ABS, traction control, moon roof, Bose radio (highly recommended!) and factory sport package lower body cladding. All this but with a cloth interior and no heated seats. Wierd but I'll take it.

We're a 2-Fusion household. '06 and '08, both 4cyl/5spd. I have to tell you, Ford clearly designed this package for the auto, with the manual for us "6%ers". Transmission ratios: I'd like a taller 5th, all three drivers instinctively look for one more gear on the highway. Clutch: Nothing like the quality of clutch feel any of us are used to. Hell, all of my Escorts (1 first gen, three second gen) had a more intuitive clutch feel. No matter how long we drive them, none of us have gotten completely comfortable with the clutches. Weird. Don' no nuttin' about the 6.

The oem clutches are terrible in both. Useing something like a spec stage 2 or clutchmasters improves things a lot. In my v6 6 the clutchmasters stg3 actually has a softerpeddle than oem had too.

I'll put in my $.02... I have a '10 Fusion Sport. The throttle lag seems to be in the autos too, however its not any different than any other drive-by-wire ford Ive driven. It might be the most comfortable car Ive ever had. I feel like I could drive any distance and not feel like poo after. The mileage in the 3.5 isnt that bad either. Im returning mid-20s on mid-grade gas. All in all, I really like it as a DD.