POLL : 03 Mazda6 or 03 Nissan Altima, which to buy...
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POLL : 03 Mazda6 or 03 Nissan Altima, which to buy... Which would you rather buy and why??? I am contemplating on either one for my wife. We need a 4 door for the baby. One seems to lean more towards sport, while the other leans towards luxury. 
Last edited by fraga; Jul 28, 2003 at 03:37 PM.
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Rep Power: 382 6. Much Better looking car. and a very well performing car. Mazda has for the last few years tuned their cars twards Sport. I remenber reading an article that said "THe Mazda 6 is every thing that the Toyota camry and Honda Accord arn't."
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From: Long Island, New York, US
Rep Power: 397 I would go with the Nissan all the way. Here are my reasons:
Nissan is a much better built car
Better quality
Better reliability
The 6 is still in its first year and still has all the first year bugs
I like the look of the Altima better
The Altima will keep its value more than the Mazda will.
Even though Mazda is Japanese it isnt as great quality than the Nissan is
Nissan is a much better built car
Better quality
Better reliability
The 6 is still in its first year and still has all the first year bugs
I like the look of the Altima better
The Altima will keep its value more than the Mazda will.
Even though Mazda is Japanese it isnt as great quality than the Nissan is
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From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Rep Power: 0 Originally posted by civicdude
I would go with the Nissan all the way. Here are my reasons:
Nissan is a much better built car
Better quality
Better reliability
The 6 is still in its first year and still has all the first year bugs
I like the look of the Altima better
The Altima will keep its value more than the Mazda will.
Even though Mazda is Japanese it isnt as great quality than the Nissan is
I would go with the Nissan all the way. Here are my reasons:
Nissan is a much better built car
Better quality
Better reliability
The 6 is still in its first year and still has all the first year bugs
I like the look of the Altima better
The Altima will keep its value more than the Mazda will.
Even though Mazda is Japanese it isnt as great quality than the Nissan is
Mazda 6's interior is near Accord quality, in terms of fit and finish. Dash material is lightyears ahead of the Altimas. But again, engine is coarse and ride is choppy. And typically of Mazdas, parts are very expensive (rivals price of German parts).
There's no doubt that Nissan Altima & Mazda 6 are athletes of Japanese front wheel drive family sedans. But what people are forgetting now are the fact that you are buying a FAMILY SEDAN.
The most important qualities in a family sedan are:
- ride comfort,
- low interior levels
- high level of safety (active & passive)
- low gas consumption
- resale value
- large interior volume
- low maintance fees
Acceleration and handling are the second points you should be looking for. Especially when you have children in the family. Those things are great and are important for sports cars, but not for a family hauler. There is a reason why Toyota Camry & Honda Accord are consistantly #1 sellers, year after year. It's proven, and there's more depth to them than just flash & dash.
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From: Oakland, CA
Rep Power: 0 Sorry to suggest a completely different car, but i like the TSX 
Altima's interior is very cheap. I've been in one, and my civic uses more quality plastic than that car. They basically cut costs everywhere else so they can put that better engine in.
The Mazda 6 looks kinda ugly in my opnion, that's my only reservation. Too slanty. Quality wise it is a lot better than a Nissan Altima, that's for sure. Performance wise I think Mazdas have better transmission and suspension.
Nissan's have been pretty shoddy lately, I don't like them. I used to be a Nissan fan too.
Altima's interior is very cheap. I've been in one, and my civic uses more quality plastic than that car. They basically cut costs everywhere else so they can put that better engine in.
The Mazda 6 looks kinda ugly in my opnion, that's my only reservation. Too slanty. Quality wise it is a lot better than a Nissan Altima, that's for sure. Performance wise I think Mazdas have better transmission and suspension.
Nissan's have been pretty shoddy lately, I don't like them. I used to be a Nissan fan too.
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From: San Antonio, Texas
Rep Power: 378 Originally posted by O1Coupe
WHAT?! Have you ever been inside of an Altima??! How you can say better quality? The plastic bits are VERY CHEAP (Kia level), and edges are sharp enough to draw blood. Engine is coarse, and ride is choppy.
Mazda 6's interior is near Accord quality, in terms of fit and finish. Dash material is lightyears ahead of the Altimas. But again, engine is coarse and ride is choppy. And typically of Mazdas, parts are very expensive (rivals price of German parts).
There's no doubt that Nissan Altima & Mazda 6 are athletes of Japanese front wheel drive family sedans. But what people are forgetting now are the fact that you are buying a FAMILY SEDAN.
The most important qualities in a family sedan are:
- ride comfort,
- low interior levels
- high level of safety (active & passive)
- low gas consumption
- resale value
- large interior volume
- low maintance fees
Acceleration and handling are the second points you should be looking for. Especially when you have children in the family. Those things are great and are important for sports cars, but not for a family hauler. There is a reason why Toyota Camry & Honda Accord are consistantly #1 sellers, year after year. It's proven, and there's more depth to them than just flash & dash.
WHAT?! Have you ever been inside of an Altima??! How you can say better quality? The plastic bits are VERY CHEAP (Kia level), and edges are sharp enough to draw blood. Engine is coarse, and ride is choppy.
Mazda 6's interior is near Accord quality, in terms of fit and finish. Dash material is lightyears ahead of the Altimas. But again, engine is coarse and ride is choppy. And typically of Mazdas, parts are very expensive (rivals price of German parts).
There's no doubt that Nissan Altima & Mazda 6 are athletes of Japanese front wheel drive family sedans. But what people are forgetting now are the fact that you are buying a FAMILY SEDAN.
The most important qualities in a family sedan are:
- ride comfort,
- low interior levels
- high level of safety (active & passive)
- low gas consumption
- resale value
- large interior volume
- low maintance fees
Acceleration and handling are the second points you should be looking for. Especially when you have children in the family. Those things are great and are important for sports cars, but not for a family hauler. There is a reason why Toyota Camry & Honda Accord are consistantly #1 sellers, year after year. It's proven, and there's more depth to them than just flash & dash.
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From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Rep Power: 0 My ultimate choice?
Toyota Camry is a sweet car in its own right. You have to drive one to appriciate its Rolls-Royce like ride. You don't hear JACK. I've driven the Camry back to back against my dad's Lexus GS400, and the Camry is just as comfy and quiet.
Unfortunately, Camry lacks some of the new technology. 200HP today doesn't exacty cut it. Same with 4-Speed automatic. It's a has-been technology.
In the end, I choose Honda Accord, because it's the car that is #2 in sales. They're trying that much harder to become #1. How much harder? It has following major things that Camry doesn't have.
3.0L V6 240HP (oil changes every 10,000 miles!!)
5-Speed Auto (or 6-Speed Manual if you so desire)
17" Rims
LED Guage Clusters
Available navigation
Available MP3 player
It's not as quiet or supple as the Camry, but it comes mighty close. But obviously, you get a lot more for your money. And it's resale value is just as good as the Camry, if not better.
Toyota Camry is a sweet car in its own right. You have to drive one to appriciate its Rolls-Royce like ride. You don't hear JACK. I've driven the Camry back to back against my dad's Lexus GS400, and the Camry is just as comfy and quiet.
Unfortunately, Camry lacks some of the new technology. 200HP today doesn't exacty cut it. Same with 4-Speed automatic. It's a has-been technology.
In the end, I choose Honda Accord, because it's the car that is #2 in sales. They're trying that much harder to become #1. How much harder? It has following major things that Camry doesn't have.
3.0L V6 240HP (oil changes every 10,000 miles!!)
5-Speed Auto (or 6-Speed Manual if you so desire)
17" Rims
LED Guage Clusters
Available navigation
Available MP3 player
It's not as quiet or supple as the Camry, but it comes mighty close. But obviously, you get a lot more for your money. And it's resale value is just as good as the Camry, if not better.
Last edited by O1Coupe; Jul 28, 2003 at 06:20 PM.
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From: Chelsea, Michigan
Rep Power: 0 Altima all the way, the engine is pretty damn powerful.
The ride noise is minimal (especially compared to Civic, its light years ahead).
The brakes on the Altima are powerful, very good for safety.
The Altima looks 10 times better in person than the Mazda 6.
My friends dad got an Altima and he replaced all the interior dash with a silver material (dont know the name right now) for a few grand, it looks amazing now. Now its getting tinted.
The ride noise is minimal (especially compared to Civic, its light years ahead).
The brakes on the Altima are powerful, very good for safety.
The Altima looks 10 times better in person than the Mazda 6.
My friends dad got an Altima and he replaced all the interior dash with a silver material (dont know the name right now) for a few grand, it looks amazing now. Now its getting tinted.
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From: San Diego, California, US
Rep Power: 297 I don't know what everyone is talking about that the interior is cheap on the Altima. My mom has an 03 Altima 3.5SE and I don't see anything wrong with the interior. One thing is for sure - at least it doesn't rattle like my Civic. Of the two cars, I would go for the Altima (the 2.5 even...), the Mazda 6 looks cool, but at the same time looks really plain.
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From: Long Island, New York, US
Rep Power: 397 Hey sorry...but yea I have been in a few Altimas, 4 cyls and 6 cyls and I would still say to buy an altima over the mazda 6. If I had other choices than the altima and the 6 I would say to go for the Camry first and then the Accord...They are much better cars than the Altima and the 6...I would get the Camry out of all of them...It is prolly the best made car in its class....
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From: San Antonio, Texas
Rep Power: 378 Well thanks a bunch guys for your help. Right now the Mazda 6 is edging out between me and my wife. I guess it will come down to who can throw in more options with a better price.
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From: Vancouver Canada
Rep Power: 0 C&D did a comparo on the Mazda 6, Accord V6, and the Altima,
1) Accord
2) Mazda 6
.
.
.
5th place..altima
Here is the article
Clickclick
Ill find the article and post it.
The altima drives like a boat. So what if it's got all that power, it's a family car where you drive your wife and kids. Mazda6 looks a million times sportier/nicer than the altima - new look and not so conservative.
And to the guy that said the mazda6 had the one of the worst crash saftey ratings? Please post fact before fiction and stop pulling crap out of your @ss.
Mazda 6 was also on C&D's 10 best cars.
"If a mid-size family sedan is what you want, the market is flooded with 'em"
Here's a comparo of 10 family sedans..
The contenders:
Dodge Stratus R/T
Honda Accord EX
Hyundai Sonata GLS V-6
Kia Optima LX
Mazda 6 i
Nissan Altima 3.5SE
Saturn L200
Subaru Legacy L
Toyota Camry SE
Volkswagen Passat GL 1.8T
The rankings:
1)Accord
2)Mazda 6
3)Passat GL 1.8T
4)Camry
5)Nissan Altmia 3.5se
..etc.etc..
or
1) Accord
2) Mazda 6
.
.
.
5th place..altima
Here is the article
Clickclick
Ill find the article and post it.
The altima drives like a boat. So what if it's got all that power, it's a family car where you drive your wife and kids. Mazda6 looks a million times sportier/nicer than the altima - new look and not so conservative.
And to the guy that said the mazda6 had the one of the worst crash saftey ratings? Please post fact before fiction and stop pulling crap out of your @ss.
Mazda 6 was also on C&D's 10 best cars.
"If a mid-size family sedan is what you want, the market is flooded with 'em"
Here's a comparo of 10 family sedans..
The contenders:
Dodge Stratus R/T
Honda Accord EX
Hyundai Sonata GLS V-6
Kia Optima LX
Mazda 6 i
Nissan Altima 3.5SE
Saturn L200
Subaru Legacy L
Toyota Camry SE
Volkswagen Passat GL 1.8T
The rankings:
1)Accord
2)Mazda 6
3)Passat GL 1.8T
4)Camry
5)Nissan Altmia 3.5se
..etc.etc..
or
Last edited by n00dleboy; Jul 29, 2003 at 10:07 AM.
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From: Moore, Oklahoma, US
Rep Power: 318 mazda 6 beats the altima on price, you can get into a 6cyl mazda 6 for less than an altima 3.5se, plus, the mazda 6 (and i think all mazda's) have a better warranty (4 year/50,000 mile).
the altima is a larger vehicle, has more power in both 4cyl and 6cyl trims. i drove both, and i thought the altima had a better ride quality, and as far as the interior goes, they both look cheap, we have more vinyl in our cars than both of those combined, but thats not to say the interiors ARE cheap.
if you really want a family car, get a 4cyl altima, otherwise shoot for the 6cyl mazda 6 (the 4cyl feels a little sluggish).
the altima is a larger vehicle, has more power in both 4cyl and 6cyl trims. i drove both, and i thought the altima had a better ride quality, and as far as the interior goes, they both look cheap, we have more vinyl in our cars than both of those combined, but thats not to say the interiors ARE cheap.
if you really want a family car, get a 4cyl altima, otherwise shoot for the 6cyl mazda 6 (the 4cyl feels a little sluggish).
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From: San Diego, California, US
Rep Power: 0 I would go for the 6.
But how come you aren't considering the Accord at all? IMO, the new generation Accord sedan looks even better than the coupe version. And very few cars in this class can top the value and quality of the V6 trim.
But how come you aren't considering the Accord at all? IMO, the new generation Accord sedan looks even better than the coupe version. And very few cars in this class can top the value and quality of the V6 trim.
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From: San Antonio, Texas
Rep Power: 378 Originally posted by Ronin
I would go for the 6.
But how come you aren't considering the Accord at all? IMO, the new generation Accord sedan looks even better than the coupe version. And very few cars in this class can top the value and quality of the V6 trim.
I would go for the 6.
But how come you aren't considering the Accord at all? IMO, the new generation Accord sedan looks even better than the coupe version. And very few cars in this class can top the value and quality of the V6 trim.
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From: Oakland, CA
Rep Power: 0 Originally posted by fraga
I don't know man, the new Accord just doesn't do it for me style wise. Somebody who works here has one and I'm just not feeling it. Going to go test drive the 6 today after work. I'm so anxious.
I don't know man, the new Accord just doesn't do it for me style wise. Somebody who works here has one and I'm just not feeling it. Going to go test drive the 6 today after work. I'm so anxious.
Sorry, not that its exactly relevant, but the mugen accord looks awesome
The US Accord looks decent, but the grill looks kinda weird. As a family car though, I think its the best choice. Plus Hondas have a better resale value, have better reliability.
-Aki
Last edited by aki; Jul 29, 2003 at 04:03 PM.
i drove both of these cars when my sister was shopping
she ended up with the 6, premiem package, abs, traction, out the
door for $19,200
if you are willing to play the phone/price game, u can get a great deal
the 6 has a smoother transmission(auto) and much better handling
both of the 4 cylinder lack power
she ended up with the 6, premiem package, abs, traction, out the
door for $19,200
if you are willing to play the phone/price game, u can get a great deal
the 6 has a smoother transmission(auto) and much better handling
both of the 4 cylinder lack power
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From: Phoenix, AZ
Rep Power: 0 If it is in your price range, I'd suggest a TSX, as someone else mentioned. You can't get a 6 spd V6 Accord sedan, but you can get a 6 spd TSX sedan. TSX is about the same size as the 6, which are both smaller than the new Accord/Altima, so if space is a concern, the Accord/Altima win in those areas. But the TSX has more features/content than the other 3 for the money, IMO.
