[t0md0]

Hey guys, first of all, sorry if this is such a lame topic but I am aware that our Mazda 6's has a pretty good reputation for handling but I guess I'm kinda curious as to why??

I mean, what makes this car stand out from the other cars in it's class? For example stock for stock, does this car handle better than lets say a Scion tC? Or how about the new Civics? Civic Si? Integra? RSX? Mazda 3? Ford Focus?

Or what about if all the cars in its class has the suspension beefed up a bit i.e. struts, springs and front & rear sways. Would the Mazda 6 outperform these other cars in autocross? Would this car outperform a stock BMW 3 series for example? Just trying to get some real world examples and some food for thought...

And only reason why I'm asking like I said, I know a lot of people love to autocross this car and it seems to have like a cult following or something.

Comments? Thanks fellas.

 

[Spazdog]

Hey guys, first of all, sorry if this is such a lame topic but I am aware that our Mazda 6's has a pretty good reputation for handling but I guess I'm kinda curious as to why??

I mean, what makes this car stand out from the other cars in it's class? For example stock for stock, does this car handle better than lets say a Scion tC? Or how about the new Civics? Civic Si? Integra? RSX? Mazda 3? Ford Focus?

Or what about if all the cars in its class has the suspension beefed up a bit i.e. struts, springs and front & rear sways. Would the Mazda 6 outperform these other cars in autocross? Would this car outperform a stock BMW 3 series for example? Just trying to get some real world examples and some food for thought...

And only reason why I'm asking like I said, I know a lot of people love to autocross this car and it seems to have like a cult following or something.

Comments? Thanks fellas.

In all fairness, the Civic/Si/RSX are a different class of vehicle. They dumbed down the front suspension in 01 for the Civic (02 for the Si and RSX)

The 3 is a different class of car too.

The 3-series is RWD.

A more fair comparison would be:
Mazda 6 = multilink rear. Altima = torsion beam.
Mazda 6 = sport tuned spring rates. Camry = mushy 70's Buick springs
Mazda 6 = sport tuned spring rates. Optima and Sonata = see Camry above.
Mazda 6 = original. Fusion = Bad Ford copy made in Mexico
Mazda 6 = made out of awesome. Galant = not made out of awesome.
Mazda 6 1st gen = happy. North American Accord = sad.

 

[t0md0]

Haha my bust. Maybe I should have rephrased it. Not same "in class" but "somewhat similar" cars on the road.

And duh me, BMW's rear wheel and 50/50 weight distribution obviously handles differently. But could the 6 (talkin bout first gen models of course) possibly be able to hold it's own against a 3 series?

Anyways stupid topic feel free to put in general talk or something.

 

[NorseMan92]

I own a 2004 6s sportwagon and a 2010 BMW 328i with the M Sport package. There's a world of difference between the two cars. Even after all the $ you sink into the Mazda suspension, it's still FWD at roughly 60/40 weight distribution. The 328i with sport suspension and stick is a perfect 50/50. I thought my Mazda handled well till I got this car. No comparison.

 

[jmoncer978g]

For what it is, a 4 door saloon, I think it has a much better stock ride than comparable 4 door sedans (i.e. Accord, Altima, Galant, Camry, etc.). When I was shopping for my 6i I kicked the tires of a lot of cars in the same class (except the Camry). Part of that "Zoom Zoom" philosophy to attract younger buyers, and that is one of the primary reasons I actually bought my 2004 6i back in November 2003 (well, that and my father in-laws Ford discount

After upgrading to MS springs and MS shocks/struts, the car holds much better on stock rubber with much less body lean. You throw on a nice set of coilovers and I think you increase that even more (with some trade-offs in ride comfort, of course).

Does it handle like a sports car? No.
Is it a fun to drive, dependable, and economical daily driver? Yes.