Originally posted by: Aztech
Bump...
Plus, I'm looking into a 2003 Nissa Maxima SE with 30,000 miles on it. How does it compare?
I have a 2004 Mazda6 wagon (with the V6) and a 2001 Maxima, so I can offer some level of comparison (though the 2003 and 2001 Maximas are different generations):
1. Do not even consider the cloth seats on the 6. I have them, and they are awful. The seats are supportive and comfortable enough, more comfortable than the Maxima IMHO, but the cloth is cheap and substandard. My Maxima has leather so it's no contest.
2. The Maxima has a more substantive feel to it, not entirely surprising since it lists for 20% more than the 6 (I got them both used, a year old).
3. Engine is a tossup, though the 2003 will have a much stronger one than my 2001. They make about the same power....the Maxima has more torque and pulls stronger, at the expense of noise. The 6 is quite hushed. My Maxima gets a bit better mileage than the 6 but it's within 1mpg.
4. Tranny - both of mine are automatics, but the 5 speed Mazda is head-and-shoulders above my Maxima's. Not sure if the 2003 has a 5 speed or not.
5. Stereo - I hate the Bose system of the Maxima, but it's amazing compared to the POS in the 6 (it's the non-Bose system). I was able to help it out somewhat by replacing the front speakers and adding a tube subwoofer, but my old Eclipse sounded soooo much better (albeit with a lowend aftermarket headend).
6. A/C - the 6 has a better system, because it has more fan speeds. There are only 4 on the Maxima and it seems I'm constantly switching faster/slower/faster/slower. Annoying on an upper-midlevel automobile.
7. Space - Maxima is bigger in both legroom and side-to-side.
8. Handling - the 6 outhandles the Maxima by a comfortable margin. The Maxima used to be the "4 door sports car" but I think it outgrew that label several years ago.
9. Amenities - the Maxima is somewhat basic and the 6 has a few more niceties; I like the little storage areas, etc. in the 6.
Overall - if the 6 had leather seats, I might be inclined to put it above the Maxima, but the fact that it's newer might be swaying my judgement somewhat. I think my wife likes the 6 a bit better but is driving the Maxima because kids+crappy cloth=bad.
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