Mazda 6 vs Accord EX vs Subaru Legacy

[soulcougher73]

If you guys were to buy one of these 2015 sedans new which would you get and for what reason over the others? I'm eyeballing the mid level trim on all of them with possibly the moon roof upgrade if that matters

I've test drove them all, but its been awhile other than the Legacy since it just came out more recently. Mazda looks the best, Legacy i think drove the nicest (quietest, least bumpy) and of course the Accord has good resale and low maintenance usually.

Id be keeping it for 10 years minimum.

Just curious how you all feel about them.

 

[Wingznut]

Was in the same boat last year (2014 models)... Drove several sedans, loved the Mazda, bought one. The wife got in an accident, and totaled the car. Immediately bought another, without the slightest urge to consider anything else.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Shouldn't this be your choice? What do you value most - looks, quietness, or reliability/resale?

I'm a Honda fanboi and I'd take the Accord hands down anyday. (Have been looking into getting a '15 model to replace my '04) Just have never been impressed with Subaru and I've seen some horrible Mazda reliability issues with friends. With the new TLX coming out, that's another option.

 

[soulcougher73]

Shouldn't this be your choice? What do you value most - looks, quietness, or reliability/resale?

I'm a Honda fanboi and I'd take the Accord hands down anyday. (Have been looking into getting a '15 model to replace my '04) Just have never been impressed with Subaru and I've seen some horrible Mazda reliability issues with friends. With the new TLX coming out, that's another option.

Well of course its my choice, but its good to get input from real people. No different than reading car reviews online etc.

TLX looks nice, but would be pushing my budget i think.

 

[soulcougher73]

Was in the same boat last year (2014 models)... Drove several sedans, loved the Mazda, bought one. The wife got in an accident, and totaled the car. Immediately bought another, without the slightest urge to consider anything else.

ive heard the Mazda infotainment system is just mediocre and has issues syncing music with ipods or phones plugged in. Have you experienced this or has it been fixed with an update that you know of?

 

[Insomniator]

Buddy at work bought a Mazda 6 and couldn't stand it. He traded it in for a Kia Optima and likes that car much better.

Said the Mazda was slow, interior was cheap and the seats uncomfortable.

 

[MiataNC]

Mazda6 - I would personally opt for a Mazda6 Touring with the 6spd manual. I am a Mazda Fanboi, and I love how they tune the suspension and steering in all of their models.

Accord - Safe, boring with good resale. The EX is optioned nearly identical to the Mazda6 Touring. If I was buying one, I would get the EX with a 6spd manual.

Legacy - I don't need AWD, and I have read that Subaru is having oil burning issues. I have also read that previous years suffer from head gasket failures as the miles rack up..

All cars are appliances. Personally I want to drive one that is the most fun getting from point A to point B. I currently drive a Honda Fit, and while the car does nothing wrong, it kills my soul a little at a time each time I drive it. Mazda is unveiling the new MX-5 in a week. If it isn't an improvement over the last gen, I am picking up another 3rd gen Miata, Mazda3, Mazda6, or CX-5.

 

[MiataNC]

Buddy at work bought a Mazda 6 and couldn't stand it. He traded it in for a Kia Optima and likes that car much better.

Said the Mazda was slow, interior was cheap and the seats uncomfortable.

Which year and what trim level? Based on the complaints it sounds like he had a 2009-2013. It was based on the same platform as the last gen Ford Fusion platform, and it was a real dog with the older 4cyl and the auto trans.

 

[foghorn67]

Buddy at work bought a Mazda 6 and couldn't stand it. He traded it in for a Kia Optima and likes that car much better.

Said the Mazda was slow, interior was cheap and the seats uncomfortable.

Either it's an old 6, or your friend has poor taste. The new 6 is universally known to have great materials inside. Better than the Optima's anyway.

 

[A5]

Which year and what trim level? Based on the complaints it sounds like he had a 2009-2013. It was based on the same platform as the last gen Ford Fusion platform, and it was a real dog with the older 4cyl and the auto trans.

Yeah, my 2009 is pretty slow and gets terrible gas mileage for a 4-banger family sedan. That said, everything else is pretty nice, especially for what it cost at the time.

Only problem I've had was an electrical thing due to the vanity light shorting out and blowing the fuse for the ignition system, but that got fixed pretty easily.

 

[Wingznut]

ive heard the Mazda infotainment system is just mediocre and has issues syncing music with ipods or phones plugged in. Have you experienced this or has it been fixed with an update that you know of?

Oh, the infotainment system is definitely very mediocre. It gets the job done, but it's not going to win any acclaim. It would probably be considered great, if this were 2008. But no, I haven't had any issues with syncing music, and our family has both Apple and Android phones. Pandora, iTunes, Google Music, Shuttle+, BeyondPod, all work without issue.

Buddy at work bought a Mazda 6 and couldn't stand it. He traded it in for a Kia Optima and likes that car much better.

Said the Mazda was slow, interior was cheap and the seats uncomfortable.

Either it's an old 6, or your friend has poor taste. The new 6 is universally known to have great materials inside. Better than the Optima's anyway.

Definitely must have had a pre-2014 model. The previous generation was very lackluster, in pretty much every area. The current generation is quite excellent.

 

[Insomniator]

Yeah it was a 2013 4 cylinder, said he felt like he wanted to stick his foot out the door and pedal it flintstones style.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Another vote for the Mazda 6. Drives like a car should and is damn nice looking too. Haven't driven most recent Subaru so can't comment. Hard to go wrong with the Accord but I don't care for some of the styling choices, the handling is OK up to about 7/10th's, and the ride quality is bit off.

 

[PricklyPete]

Due to my needs, I would get Legacy, but if I didn't want AWD, I would go with Mazda 6.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Accord. Extremely roomy and without the added complexity of AWD. Honda cars have traditionally had the lowest rates for recalls issued out of all manufacturers. Safety should never be neglected. Also the Accord has better aftermarket support out of all 3 cars.

 

[theeedude]

Subaru Lesbacy. AWD, nuff said.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Just basically did this. Looked at 2014 models of Accord, Passat, Fusion, Mazda6, Legacy

Accord at the time wasn't dealing, but was quite nice. My mom preferred this and the Fusion the most but Accords in top spec were about 30k OTD. We really wanted the Fusion but as is the norm all Ford dealers in socal are trash and they lost the sale.

Mazda6 was out due to the terribad navi system.

Ended up with the Passat SEL TSI for 26k OTD. Was an insane deal for the car we got.

 

[A5]

My friend got a Passat loaner when he took his Jetta in for service. The backseats in that thing are redonkulous.

 

[reallyscrued]

Was in the same boat last year (2014 models)... Drove several sedans, loved the Mazda, bought one. The wife got in an accident, and totaled the car. Immediately bought another, without the slightest urge to consider anything else.

Damn. I'd at least let her explain before buying a new wife.

 

[soulcougher73]

Just basically did this. Looked at 2014 models of Accord, Passat, Fusion, Mazda6, Legacy

Accord at the time wasn't dealing, but was quite nice. My mom preferred this and the Fusion the most but Accords in top spec were about 30k OTD. We really wanted the Fusion but as is the norm all Ford dealers in socal are trash and they lost the sale.

Mazda6 was out due to the terribad navi system.

Ended up with the Passat SEL TSI for 26k OTD. Was an insane deal for the car we got.

Wow looked at those. 26k is a hell of a deal. Starts at like 33k on their website

 

[Jumpem]

The AWD one.

 

[Demo24]

I've been quite happy with my Mazda 3, and I really liked how the 6 looked. However, ive heard the first bit of this latest gen had a poor enfotainment system which i think they have updates and fixed. The one in my 3 has worked well.

Ive also had 2 subarus and really enjoyed them. They are quirky at times, but apart from one time (may have been my fault, dunno) they never failed to get me where i wanted to go. The new legacy looks nice, I'd not hesitate if it was what I needed.

If you consider the Passat, I'd only get the TDI model since you plan on a 10 yr life span.

 

[chin311]

Was shopping same category but ended up with a 2014 2.5 Altima SV, couldn't find anything with the features/comfort for the $$.

 

[foghorn67]

I've been quite happy with my Mazda 3, and I really liked how the 6 looked. However, ive heard the first bit of this latest gen had a poor enfotainment system which i think they have updates and fixed. The one in my 3 has worked well.

Ive also had 2 subarus and really enjoyed them. They are quirky at times, but apart from one time (may have been my fault, dunno) they never failed to get me where i wanted to go. The new legacy looks nice, I'd not hesitate if it was what I needed.

If you consider the Passat, I'd only get the TDI model since you plan on a 10 yr life span.

I saw a review of the 3's infotainment system, and it appeared to be quite intuitive. If the 6 has something similar now, that wouldn't stop me from buying one.

 

[joutlaw]

We have a 2010 Honda Accord and have not had your typical Honda experience. The car started consuming oil around 30K. It was using 3-4 quarts low with 40% oil life when the check oil light came on. Took it to the dealer and got dicked around for months. They tried ECM flashes and oil consumption tests. It was consuming 1 quart per 1K miles and the dealer said that was normal. I made a scene at the dealer and was able to get the regional Honda tech to agree to a rebuild. Since the rebuild things have been normal, but still not happy with the whole experience. The 2008-2010 4 cylinders are known have had cylinder walls not honed to spec which caused this condition.