takahashi

We were looking at the Mazda SP23 and a Mazda 6 in the weekend as a family car. We will need an automatic for Mrs Taka.

This will be Mrs Taka's ride and you see we have 2+1, we need something that is easily to get in and out off, Hold all the things that we want - like bicycle, Mrs Taka can bring baby to shopping, family outtings. etc.

Back to talk about the drives.

The Mazda 6 new facelift is great and attractive and actually change the light beige cloth to dark grey to black interior - huge improvement. The new 5 speed auto is less than impressive. It did change the ride a little and cruising is great. It still select the first 4 gears in the same way as previously (which is a disapointment) but when you start cruising at the same speed - it switches to 5th to save fuel (I think) . But it is still lack of urgency and does not respond when it requires. Torque is basically none and 40-60kmh acceleration is hard and kick down does not occur at will. To be honest it drives more like the Camry that I have now . Need to push hard to get it going. In the handling department it is more like a family sedan. It is soft and boat like, but still precise enough for getting A to B purposes. It is very comfort ride and the bump is much elimated on the side streets.

It has a huge boot as usual and can hold anything! 2 big luggage no problem. Can fit a lot of gorceries and baby pram... (to be honest it may become another of my storage room ) . 503 litres to be exact!

The Mazda 3 on the other hand has a much nicer interior, all the button feel sturdy and high quality considering it is in a small car category. The build is good.
Well I have the SP23 to test drive - and it is the target model to buy if we have a 3. The engine is identical to the 6 (well if you don't count the 6kW which I fail to see the differnece). However, I don't know if it is the 200kg difference or actually the gearing of the 4 speed in the 3. I think the SP23 is more responsive and power and torque is enough to have a sensation drive. The steering is good and you can feel the chassis reacting to you in even slow winding roads. Very nice, and little row cf. other similar in the class like Astra or Collora. It is a much better drive than the 6, very rewarding.

It does not have an ample boot space as the 6 but I do not know if it is enough for us. It is 430 litre in size and in the same size as a Accord Euro. But it will be considerably smaller than 6, commonwhore, or falcon.

Difference between the 2 is there: 6 is big and can hold anything; 3 is a better drive.

Also: 6 needs 95 Octane; 3 needs 91 or more.

Sooo... hard to choose. Any advice?

takahashi

Thanks for your advice.

Price wise will be very similar.

RRP on the road: SP23 Auto is $34K and Classic 6 Hatch is $37K. But there are indication that SP23 will have considerably less discount than the 6. Therefore, it will be the same price at the end.

One more difference that we see: SP23 does not have cruise control standard but the 6 classic has. :o

One more thing: In what situation(s) that we need a big boot like the 6?

EZZY

/flame suit on.....
does it have to be a mazda?
have you looked at honda accord euro or subaru liberty?
/me runs away now

playa78

while at it, if you are considering hatchback, the new Golf look very nice.
especially GTI I would really love to have the new one with dual clutch auto~
looks really saucy too :D

Zephyr

i think you should consider other brands like what ezzy mentioned.

have a look at the new 2006 honda civic hatch. got new engines to choose from 2.2l diesels, the interior seems almost better than the 8

the audi 5 door a3 is also another good choice if you can spend a little bit morealot of engines to choose from

xxup

We had a Mazda 6 Wagon before we got the 8. It is a great car with HEAPS of room.. I think that the wagon offers more than the hatch - especially if you want to load two full size bikes and a kids bike in the back.. It is a bit slower than the 8 :D, but it is definately a better performer than the 3 - there's a reason why the 6 engine uses premium fuel..

I also recall, but I may not be correct here, that you can't get cruise control with the 3..

Lock & Load

Taka

Suprised at your decision to even consider these as options :o

I realise that you are looking for a car for your wife and not your girlfriend :D but EZZYS 100% right look at Honda or Subaru , better cars and definetely better dealerships.

If you dont spend the $$$$$$ on your wife now she will most likely get it by either divorcing you or outliving you :D


B...free
michael

takahashi

Haha Eric Michael,

The Accord Euro and Liberty with the same standard of safety, 6 air bag and stuff cost more than $45K.

It is down to money, otherwise Liberty GT will do me fine

Plus I can transplant my 8 parts into the Mazda 3 or 6. Like my stock wheel, seats, and stuff in the furture. Since 3 is sportier - I am leaning towards this but...

Civic hatch and GTi is OUT! The boot is not big enough. Useless. We have to get the SP23 Sedan, the hatch is useless! You see

Lock & Load

Taka

Test drive the Honda jazz VTIS 1.5 LITER 7 SPEED AUTO great car for family heaps of room safety is excellent and zippy 6.5 ltr per 100km , you can get intu one of these for around $26000 much better resale value than others .


B...free
michael

timbo

taka, I find myself violently agreeing with Lock :D Have a good, hard look at the Honda Accord Euro. 140Kw, handles really well, great quality interior. And if you haggle, you'll get the base model at very close to SP23 prices.

We went through this recently for my wife, who previously had an employer-supplied Calais. As part of salary re-packaging, she needed to get her own car and was very keen on the SP23. In fact she also liked the Golf, but to get the DSG auto and so-on, you are soon heading towards $40k, OTR. The Accord proved the obvious choice and we've not regretted it for a moment.

I also like the Subaru but prices quickly steepen for the model you'd like.

ILIV48

Well I now drive my wifes SP23 as a daily driver as you know Taka... so why didn't you ask.

It's a great little drive (although it is not an auto) and compared to driving the 6 I think it is the better car by a long way. My best mate has an Accord Euro and side by side the performance difference is marginal as I am able to stay with him through the bends and level at his side from the lights (well boys will be boys :D )

From a comfort point of view the Accord Euro definately wins (even the base model) and it is roomier than the 3.

If I was buying again I would stick with the SP23 except get the bose/leather option one. The wife just likes the sp23 more than the accord and the same goes for most her female friends.

... And it is for Mia isn't it

takahashi

Thanks a lot guys for the inputs:

Lock, I am sorry. I am looking at a family car. Not another compact car that cannot fit into my pram, go for a trip for 3 or get my bike in so I can train anywhere I like (e.g. Bright).

Yes Timbo. I drove the Accord Euro and Mazda 6 (old version) back to back and yes I love the Euro. No curtain airbag is a big minor mistake for the base model, but there is stability control! The boot (*although there is no actual figure) in the Accord Euro is minimal compare with even the 3. The base model is at $39K drive way. $5000 from the SP23 but there is similar little discount from Honda so I think it is going to be considerably dearer. :o

Stuart, Yes it is for Mia and yes I did not ask you because you will give me a baised report :p.
Maybe I should look at the Honda again and take the $5K on the chin. Now there goes
my Tein and my Brembo brakes .... you see what you have done Timbo ???? :o

timbo

If I told we managed to get an Accord for a tad over $34...where would that put you??

labrat

A recent motor magazine rated the Mazda 6's road performance above the BMW 3 series. They said the Mazda 3 was fine in the dry but not so good in the wet (could be tyres, I guess, but.....)

takahashi

I can get the 6 and SP23 under $34 too!

Well it really depends how much it is over the SP23 after discount. Very close. If it is within 1-2K I will consider Accord over the SP23.

2 reasons: Accord is a better drive, and it has stability control.... Well 3 really. Better fuel economy.

I can't see much downside. Only thing is do we need a bigger boot like in the 6? I can't still get over the no curtain air bag thing. Nowadays I see all the car crushes with skull fracture related to side impact :o

I was planning the transplant project into the other Mazda... timbo :p.... Oh I have to look at the Honda again. I still not sure.

BTW I won't get the car until I move house next year but it is good looking and start to set up some deal in the 2 months ahead - so by the time of delivery it will the end of summer

takahashi

Well if we put the Accord in the equation but why not the Maxima then???

Anyone care to comment on the Maxima --- it is 170kW V6 :p and 6 airbag, and leather too!

timbo

and by that time the base Accord may have curtain airbags??

takahashi

How to compare a front wheel drive boat to a RWD dinosour is beyond me. Even though I don't think the 6 is in that class yet

takahashi

Oh then it WILL solve my problem!

Get keep my fingers crossed.... then :p

timbo

yep, just drive one -- had a Hertz TI -- what a contemptible PoS -- turning circle that the Queen Mary II would envy, seats that have less support and location than a park bench :blech!:

But if you really must, here's a wildcard: new Hyundai Sonata V6 -- 173Kw ....eeewwww!

ILIV48

I don't think this forum could handle you not getting your coilovers. The sobbing, the moaning, all those tears would drive us crazy!

Stick with the coilovers... Mia can take the bus :D :D :D