Convince Me - Better Than Accord & Mazda3?

I am planning on buying within the next month and I'll be taking test drives of these three cars in the next week or two.

2006 Honda Accord (Value Package, Auto)
2006 Mazda6 (I Base, Auto, Side Airbags)
2007 Mazda3 (S Sport, Auto, Side Airbags)

How is MZ6's
1) Reliability
2) Backseat comfort for an adult
3) Interior/Ergonomics
4) Build Quality
5) Rattles/Squeaks
6) Wind and Road Noise
Compared to the Mazda3 and Accord?

Unbiased replies would be appreciated, but just in case......I'll go find a MZ3 and Accord forum and post the same thing. :P

[arch4life]

if you dont need the space, a loaded mazda 3 or mazda 3 hatch is a really nice, and lighter, faster and more nimble car.


the auto i4 mazda 6 isnt one of the fastest cars on the planet...

[strtfghtr]

if the Value package is the 4cyl Accord then that thing is a bore...the V6 is a little more fun to drive but still not to exciting IMO.

The I4 MZ6 ATX is a slug too stock (sorry 6i ATX guys).

The 3s is more fun than either the other 2 cars but does not have the style or any type of touring car personality that the others show. It's an econobox and not really in the same class as the others, but still probably a zippy ride none the less.

My opinion: Ditch the ATX in all the cars and go drive the stick versions. I know the guys on here have said the 6i MTX is much more spirited a ride than the ATX and I am willing to bet this holds for the other cars as well.

[zoomnbyu]

1) Reliability
2) Backseat comfort for an adult
3) Interior/Ergonomics
4) Build Quality
5) Rattles/Squeaks
6) Wind and Road Noise
Compared to the Mazda3 and Accord?
[/b]

Let me preface this by saying that I have been a real Honda guy in the past. I worked for an Acura dealer for years and have owned various Acuras and Hondas. I bought my 6 because it was more engaging to drive than the Honda Accord , plus it came with a manual tranny and V6 (Honda did not do that until last year). I am familiar with and have driven all three of the cars you are interested in. I'll go down your list:

1) Probably advantage Honda, but my '03 6s w/ 49k miles has been a good car
2) How often are you carrying adults? 6 and Accord, nearly a tie - the 3 is smaller, but ok for 2
3) All three are very good overall
4) Advantage Honda (it's not huge, but especially on interior materials, fit and finish)
5) All three are equal here
6) Wind noise is pretty equal, Honda has an advantage in road noise isolation

What you need to be asking yourself is "do I need a midsize, or compact car?" You are comparing two brands that have similar flavors, but the Mazdas definitely have a clear advantage in the fun to drive factor. So, are you looking for a more engaging driving experience? If so, then either Mazda will fit the bill - the 3 offering the highest advantage solely because it is smaller, more nimble and has the same 4 cylinder moving less mass than a 6. The Honda is a nice car, but the Mazdas are, too. Plus you get a 3/50 limited bumper to bumper warranty and a better deal ($$$) on the Mazda, so there is a value advantage as well.

Good luck on your decision!

[robbiec_rc]

If your gonna get a 6 go all the way, dont get the 4 cylinder, get the v6.

The MTX is slightly faster cause it has less weight but if your like me and
drive 1 hour each day to work the shifting gets old.

[vagrant10]

Let me preface this by saying that I have been a real Honda guy in the past. I worked for an Acura dealer for years and have owned various Acuras and Hondas. I bought my 6 because it was more engaging to drive than the Honda Accord , plus it came with a manual tranny and V6 (Honda did not do that until last year). I am familiar with and have driven all three of the cars you are interested in. I'll go down your list:

1) Probably advantage Honda, but my '03 6s w/ 49k miles has been a good car
2) How often are you carrying adults? 6 and Accord, nearly a tie - the 3 is smaller, but ok for 2
3) All three are very good overall
4) Advantage Honda (it's not huge, but especially on interior materials, fit and finish)
5) All three are equal here
6) Wind noise is pretty equal, Honda has an advantage in road noise isolation

What you need to be asking yourself is "do I need a midsize, or compact car?" You are comparing two brands that have similar flavors, but the Mazdas definitely have a clear advantage in the fun to drive factor. So, are you looking for a more engaging driving experience? If so, then either Mazda will fit the bill - the 3 offering the highest advantage solely because it is smaller, more nimble and has the same 4 cylinder moving less mass than a 6. The Honda is a nice car, but the Mazdas are, too. Plus you get a 3/50 limited bumper to bumper warranty and a better deal ($$$) on the Mazda, so there is a value advantage as well.

Good luck on your decision!
[/b]

ditto

just would add that traction control is a big bonus for safety - i think this is standard on the 6 and not avail on the accord i4. also, brakes on the 6 are better. plus if you get the hatch version of the 6, you get sedan styling with a huge extra dose of functionality. I drove the accord (been a big honda-fan for quite some time) and felt that the 6 was just more fun to drive without sacrificing much in terms of reliablity. the deals available on the 6 right now are pretty outstanding, so the value proposition benefits the 6 as long as it's characteristics are in line with what you're after.

good luck!

[Amphicar770]

Another factor to consider is how long you keep your vehicles.

The Mazda will cost you less up front. If you drive it for a long time then resale value is not much of an issue.

If you to trade your vehicles after 2-4 years then I suspect the Honda will have better resale. In the end it is probably a wash (pay me now or pay me later) but just something to factor in.

I drove both the MS6 and the AccordV6/6Speed before buying my MS6. The Accord was really nice, felt very solid, was pretty quick with the V6, it definitely had a more refined interior than the Mazda and better seats. The Mazda felt more like a drivers car, is a bit more fun to drive, and seemed less "vanilla" than the Accord. At least with the MS6 I do not see a dozen others sitting in the parking lot at work as I do with the Accords.

I have not driven the Mazda3 and I would see that as more comparable to a Civic. In terms of the Accord vs. Mazda6 the good news is that there is really not a bad choice. Go with what you prefer and not what anyone or any car magazine tells you.

[zoomzoomfan]

1) Reliability
2) Backseat comfort for an adult
3) Interior/Ergonomics
4) Build Quality
5) Rattles/Squeaks
6) Wind and Road Noise Compared to the Mazda3 and Accord?
[/b]

1. If you're comparing to Honda, then Mazda reliability has always been somewhat less.
2. About the same as the Accord in the 6. Worse than the Accord in the 3.
3. Interior on the 6 is very ergonomic and tastefully designed. Tasteful design IMO is all together lacking from the Accord. However the Accord interior is more likely to be superior from a build quality point of view. I prefer the 6 interior over the 3.
4. The 6's exterior build quality is top-notch. The interior suffers from poor quality fabrics in the case of the lower models. Also, dashboard squeaks have been reported quite often on the 6.
5. Interior rattles and squeaks have been reported by a few owners
6. The Accord is a quieter car than either of the Mazdas

Now... to put my response into context:

The Accord is made for comfort. Hence it appeals to a certain type of driver/owner. Now, the 6 is comfortable and all, but its main focus is to generate that "zoom zoom" feeling... to put a smile on the face of the driver (and also of the 5 year-old kid in the back seat egging the father to "go faster daddy...weeee")

An Accord driver probably doesn't look forward to taking S-bends at 50mph, nor does he shift gears around 4000rpm or higher. A Mazda6 driver does.

Hence, the car's engineered with a stiffer harder suspension. The engine has a difference power band.

People looking for high class perfection and pin-drop silence inside the cabin aren't going to like the 6. Best stick to an Accord or even a Camry.

Just my couple of cents worth.

PS! If you're considering the Mazdas, then I'd buy it with a 5-speed manual.

[StylinM6s]

Side by side comparison wasn't sure what model for Accord but close results: right here

[vagrant10]

[*]The 6's exterior build quality is top-notch. The interior suffers from poor quality fabrics in the case of the lower models. Also, dashboard squeaks have been reported quite often on the 6.

[/b]

Personally, I think the 06 seat fabric is quite good; much better than the older stuff. In terms of rattles, I had one in the front "A" passenger pillar, but have since had that taken care of by my dealer. Which is why checking out the service department of where-ever you buy is important. One thing that is nice is that Mazda will give you a free loaner if your car does require warranty work. Lastly, having sites like this are very helpful in figuring out problems or learning about how you can improve your car. I can't speak about accord sites, but this site has been great in terms of getting the most out of the car that I chose.