A simple question with most likely a non-simple answer.
A simple question with most likely a non-simple answer.
I've got a 2013 Mazda6, and I like it, but it's not what I would consider to be a "drivers car". I think sporty Camry would be a better description.
IDK, what else is in its class? Accord, Camry, Legacy, GM whatever, Ford whatever, Optima, Sonata, etc...
My parents have had two Sonatas and I've driven both (stock). I thought they were pretty sporty drivers, even with the automatic. They acutally had somewhat of a "Mazda" feel to them suspension-wise - fairly firm and minimal body lean.
Sonata 2.0T Sport, perhaps?
I am only going to include my personal experience with my car because when I bought it I was shopping the accord/es350/mazda6 at the same time
My 2011 E350 Benz is surprisingly enjoyable to drive, I did put pilot super sports on stock rims but it handles quite well for such an obviously heavy car
Yeah, I think it depends on how you define the class. I test drove a new one last year, and while it was certainly pleasant and capable, I'm not sure I'd define as a "driver's car." If the class includes Camrys and Altimas, maybe it's the best; if it includes BMWs and Mercedes, probably not.
Ex-wife has a loaded 2015 Mazda 6 GT with ALL the options. It's fun enough to drive for a large sedan and an enjoyable place to knock down miles, but I don't think I would quite go as far as "sport" although the 19" wheels and low profile tires definitely helped with turn-in.
depends on what year we're talking. The 2018 Camry xse v6 is pretty impressive, but go back a year or two and its a totally different comparison. Only experience I have with the mazda 6 is my ms6, and I'd say its definitely a drivers car. But the base model from that year? meh
I'm not sure how a Bimmer or Benz could ever be considered in the same class as a Mazda. I guess they're roughly the same size. But they're twice the price (assuming we're comparing new).
A 6 is on my short list of new cars I'd own. I also happen to think they're one of the best-looking new cars out there in their segment.
MazdaFace said:depends on what year we're talking. The 2018 Camry xse v6 is pretty impressive, but go back a year or two and its a totally different comparison. Only experience I have with the mazda 6 is my ms6, and I'd say its definitely a drivers car. But the base model from that year? meh
Well yes, at this point that car is more than a decade old. Not really a good comparison to a new car on a new chassis, etc.
volvoclearinghouse said:I'm not sure how a Bimmer or Benz could ever be considered in the same class as a Mazda. I guess they're roughly the same size. But they're twice the price (assuming we're comparing new).
A 6 is on my short list of new cars I'd own. I also happen to think they're one of the best-looking new cars out there in their segment.
Exactly what I was thinking. Infinity G’s vs BMW 3-5’s, Mercedes vs Lexus LS cars, yes. I don’t see Mazda stacking up evenly in those classes.
When we bought my wife's car (2014), the Mazda 6, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Sonata, were all on the short list. Wife did not like the Honda or Toyota and after we drove the Sonata, that was out as well. When we were at the Mazda dealership, we drove the 6 and really liked it. Not fast, but fast enough and the handling was very "Mazda" which means it is a driver's car by default. The Mazda dealership also sold VW and when we were window shopping, we noticed that the VW Passats and CC's were being heavily discounted so we could actually add the CC to the list. After driving both back to back, we ended up with the CC as the turbo 2.0 engine and the DSG transmission were the difference but the Mazda 6 was very close and I would consider it again. My brother (a diehard Honda fan) bought one and loves it. There are lots of "better" cars out there, but in it's "class" competing with the cars above, it is pretty nice for the $$.
If we're talking new the 2.0T Accord sport looks good to me and can have a manual.
AlthoughI do wonder how a Mazda 6 stacks up against a Jetta GLI. Without the benefit of having driven them I would lean towards the GLI.
volvoclearinghouse said:I'm not sure how a Bimmer or Benz could ever be considered in the same class as a Mazda. I guess they're roughly the same size. But they're twice the price (assuming we're comparing new).
A 6 is on my short list of new cars I'd own. I also happen to think they're one of the best-looking new cars out there in their segment.
Yes I did buy used vs a new Mazda6
When the 2014's came out, they were pretty close to the top of the heap. You could get one with a manual transmission, and they were decently fun to drive.
As time went on, everyone else caught up. Honda came out with the Accord Sport, and that offered a similar experience and was available with a stick. Everyone else, however, supplanted manual transmissions with more powerful engines. The Camry now makes north of 300hp with a V6, you can get a variety of turbo motors in the Fusion (including a 325hp AWD model!), and Kia/Hyundai even got in the game with their 270+ hp turbo 2.0L mill. Nissan still saddles most of their cars with CVT's, so they are out of the conversation.
Mazda FINALLY decided to plop the 2.5 Turbo that they have kicking around in the 6 for 2018, but that's auto-only. It's also down on power compared to the competition, but I bet it's a ton more fun than the N/A engine in the same car. Their automatics are excellent, FWIW.
The new Accord Sport with the Civic Type R-derived 2.0 Turbo and a stick would likely be my choice right now. I hear that thing is a hoot.
As said above now that the Accord can be had with a 2.0T and stick it might take the crown in that segment.
I currently have a V6 sedan but would be curious to take one of the new ones for a spin.
The new Accord is also about $2k more than the 6. And I see discounts on 6's. That said, the Accord will hold its value much better. Mazda's still haven't shaken their ability to rust with aplomb anywhere it snows.
In reply to volvoclearinghouse :
My 2012 3 is going to hit 160k today, and I've been beating the ever living hell out of it since day one in New England, and it gets driven every single day. No rust issues whatsoever. My wife's 2010 has no rust either, and I think that thing has been washed probably about 4 times in the time we've had it. I think they solved the rust problem.
That said, HOLY CRAP DO THE OLDER ONES RUST!!!! 
My father has a 2016 Mazda 6 MT, and it's a very pleasant car to drive. They only offered a n/a 4cyl back then. Comparing the Mazda to a 4-banger Camry or Accord, I'd pick the Mazda. Add a turbo, or 6cyl, and the Mazda isn't really competitive.
That said, his car was something like $23K out the door. It's a heck of a nice car for that little coin.
The 2017+ Mazdas are very different in driving dynamics (maybe it started in 2016? - I test drove a MT 2015 Mazda6 and didn't enjoy it the same way). My 2017 CX-5 in "sport mode" with an automatic is more fun on normal roads than my 2013 Speed3. The speed3 is obviously a gaggle of laughs on the track and when you just "wanna go fast," but the limits are too high. It feels super boring driving at any normal speed, too much grip, too high of limits. I'll get on it and start to get a little joy when I realize I've doubled/tripled the speed limit - obviously not OK.
Also I think it's important to separate driving feel from raw numbers "performance." Because on paper, the CX-5 is boring as all get out. I cross shopped a lot of cars (including a manual 2016? Challenger SRT 392), and none of the others had as fun of feeling or driver connection (and I test drove manuals and autos). The Mazda 6-speed auto has a great feel and does early lock up on all gears over 1st.
Joe Gearin said:My father has a 2016 Mazda 6 MT, and it's a very pleasant car to drive. They only offered a n/a 4cyl back then. Comparing the Mazda to a 4-banger Camry or Accord, I'd pick the Mazda. Add a turbo, or 6cyl, and the Mazda isn't really competitive.
That said, his car was something like $23K out the door. It's a heck of a nice car for that little coin.
Yes, my thought exactly. I was just in the market for a mid-size to large family sedan that had some luxuries, was somewhat sporty, reliable and a good cruiser with a budget of $20k or less. I think the Mazda6 is in the same "class" as the Accord, Camry, Optima, Sonata. In that class, I agree the '14+ Mazda6 might be the best of the 4cyl lot. But I don't think it can quite compare the the V6 Accord (now a turbo 4 as of '18) or the V6 Camry. I ruled the Mazda6 out simply because it didn't have enough power to satisfy me, as nice of a car as it is.
I wound up with a CPO '13 G37 for $15k. An older platform for sure, and not in the same "class" as the Mazda6, but a hella fun sports sedan.
In reply to Klayfish :
To each his/her own, but I do find it odd in a place that largely covets Miatas - this thread has a particular fixation on peak horsepower. Personally I find it kind of fun, but does nothing for me after the first few pulls - plus speeding tickets and general public safety issues are a major drag.
On a racecar or track car, sure, go nuts - On a road car peak HP is more or less pointless *to me* as long as you're above a certain threshold (threshold meaning torque/weight/rpm), but I suppose that has to do with the contentious nature of the term "drivers car."
In reply to accordionfolder :
I guess it's all about what your perception is of speed and acceleration, how high your "thrill" tolerance is, and expectations. My daily driver has 68 horsepower and weighs a ton and a half, but man it's fun to toss it into turns and rev the piss out of it. Today I was chasing a car with triple the power down a windy road on my way to work, and staying right on his tail while going quite quickly.
I'm sure a 6 would feel like a rocket compared to what I drive now, and I'd probably rack up several speeding tickets.
Everyone has just gotten so spoiled. A freaking base model Impala has 300 ponies, and I see them weaving in and out of traffic around here. I'm old, and crotchety, and you all can hate me for this, but, I wish we'd go back to a base model car having about 20 pounds per horsepower. Who really needs to accelerate that quickly, or go that fast? Most people can't handle that sort of power, anyway. It's simply ridiculous bragging rights.
You can't even build a car nowadays, it seems so pointless. You can invest dollars and sweat into something and end up with, what? It _might_ be as fast as a stock Accord?
In reply to accordionfolder :
It's funny... my wife and I have been car shopping for a new ride for her and we test drove a 2018 CX-5 a few nights ago. All she could say is how well the thing drove and handled. Even just riding shotgun, I could tell that it was fun to drive. She wasn't even in sport mode!
In reply to Tony Sestito :
I found a "used" 2017 Spec'd to the gills with 1500 miles. It was the perfect intersection for me - I got adaptive cruise control, LDA, etc, etc. Really fun car to drive in the wet, mine is AWD and in the rain lets you have a slightly hilarious amount of slip angle. It's definitely an appliance, but it rubs the line perfectly between reliable/boring and fun. Plus the interior on the new CX-5's punches WAY above it's price tag. Such a nice place to be.
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