|
|
|
|
| Author |
|
|
Alright....
|
Toyota or Mazda - Daily driver
The wife and I are looking to get rid of our 2002 Accord. It's a 2 door and we would like to get a 4 door. This car is strictly for commuting in Houston. Which means we do not want another vehicle to covet. Only get from point A to B safely with minimum money spent.
Can anyone share some advice or opinions on the 2003 - 2005 Toyota Camry's or the Mazda 6? What to look for, what type of problems, pros & cons... Thanks!
__________________
Stephen Friendswood, Texas '78 Targa w/ '86 930/20 w/ '74 915/06 |
||
03-20-2007, 11:28 AM
|
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: N. Phoenix AZ USA
Posts: 28,969
|
Get a 4 door Accord. They are bulletproof...
__________________
2021 Subaru Legacy, 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins (the workhorse), 1992 Jaguar XJ S-3 V-12 VDP (one of only 100 examples made), 1969 Jaguar XJ (been in the family since new), 1985 911 Targa backdated to 1973 RS specs with a 3.6 shoehorned in the back, 1959 Austin Healey Sprite (former SCCA H-Prod), 1995 BMW R1100RSL, 1971 & '72 BMW R75/5 "Toaster," Ural Tourist w/sidecar, 1949 Aeronca Sedan / QB |
||
|
03-20-2007, 11:28 AM
|
|
|
Alright....
|
My wife has had issues with this Accord and I am not sure I could sway her. I am not sure if it is normal but we have had to have it in the shop more than I think Honda's should be in the shop.
__________________
Stephen Friendswood, Texas '78 Targa w/ '86 930/20 w/ '74 915/06 |
||
|
03-20-2007, 11:32 AM
|
|
|
Registered
|
We test drove both (with V6's), and the Mazda is definitely a lot more fun to drive.
__________________
John '69 911E "It's a poor craftsman who blames their tools" -- Unknown "Any suspension -- no matter how poorly designed -- can be made to work reasonably well if you just stop it from moving." -- Colin Chapman |
||
|
03-20-2007, 11:35 AM
|
|
|
Alright....
|
V6 would be nice but in the HOV lane its not really needed. If we go used, I noticed the 2003 Camry 4 no longer has the timing belt. They went to a chain.
__________________
Stephen Friendswood, Texas '78 Targa w/ '86 930/20 w/ '74 915/06 |
||
|
03-20-2007, 11:38 AM
|
|
|
Heavy Metal Relocator
|
have you considered the new Impala?
better than the Camry (fit finish, fuel mileage, interior room) and less $$$. new 6/3 engine fuel management system is seamless Dad just bought one, it's a nice ride, even if it's a Chebbie..... regards---rhjames 
__________________
Absence of Evidence, is not Evidence of Absence. Bill Maher 8/4/09--- "I'll show you Obama's birth certificate, when you show me Sarah Palin's high school diploma." |
||
|
03-20-2007, 11:40 AM
|
|
|
|
Back in the saddle again
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Central TX west of Houston
Posts: 56,339
|
I've got a Mazda miata. They are well engineered and reliable. From the other folks on the miata board they seem to think the other Mazda's are similar. I don't have any exp with anything but the miata.
The last time that I looked at buying a toyota was years ago. Because of the toyota reputation, they were very, very expensive. When it comes to Toyota, Mazda, and Honda, I think it's all going to be pretty much the same. You are more likely to run into a particular problem car than a problem brand. It sounds like that's what happened with your wife's car.
__________________
Steve '08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960 - never named a car before, but this is Charlotte. '88 targa  SOLD 2004 - gone but not forgotten
|
||
|
03-20-2007, 12:48 PM
|
|
|
Detached Member
Join Date: May 2003
Location: southern California
Posts: 26,964
|
Buy a Toyota, Mazda is owned by Ford and they put things in the Mazdas like crap trannies that go in their crap Ford products, ask me how I know. 65K miles on a 626 trannie that died, and is dying again at $150K
__________________
Hugh |
||
|
03-20-2007, 12:57 PM
|
|
|
Alright....
|
Yes, the 626 is a Probe.
__________________
Stephen Friendswood, Texas '78 Targa w/ '86 930/20 w/ '74 915/06 |
||
|
03-20-2007, 12:59 PM
|
|
|
THE IRONMAN
|
Toyota are the most reliable cars on the planet right now...If you looking for free trouble vehicle...go with it.
__________________
1984 911 CARRERA RUBY RED TARGA SW CHIPPED-BURSCH CATBYPASS MONTY FREE FLOW EXHAUST <IN GAS WE TRUST> |
||
|
03-20-2007, 01:55 PM
|
|
|
Alright....
|
The price of the Camry's -vs- the Mazda 6 is a large margin.
I am finding 80k - 100k Camry's priced the same as Mazda 6's with 30 to 40k.
__________________
Stephen Friendswood, Texas '78 Targa w/ '86 930/20 w/ '74 915/06 |
||
|
03-20-2007, 02:26 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Palm Beach, Florida, USA
Posts: 7,713
|
I've had both a Mazda Protege and two Camrys. In my opinion Mazda and Toyota are pretty equal in quality. I loved my Protege and would take it any day over a Corolla. The Camry fits me way better than the Mazda 6, so I have them now that the family needs a slightly bigger car.
I bought the Protege becuase it was thousands cheaper than a Honda or Toyota. I think Mazda is a real value.
__________________
MRM 1994 Carrera |
||
|
03-20-2007, 02:30 PM
|
|
|
Alright....
|
I did some research and the Mazda 6 is a Mazda design.
"The Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan/Lincoln Zephyr are all built off of the highly successful Mazda 6 platform. This platform was developed by Mazda."
__________________
Stephen Friendswood, Texas '78 Targa w/ '86 930/20 w/ '74 915/06 |
||
|
03-20-2007, 02:38 PM
|
|
|
Registered
|
Even the 2.4 liter 4 cylinder in the Mazda is a good package. And if it's too boring for you Cosworth is now making hop-up kits for the engine that will take you in steps up over 300 HP (normally aspirated) in FA trim. BTW, I don't think that the FA tune is recommended for a sedan.
__________________
John '69 911E "It's a poor craftsman who blames their tools" -- Unknown "Any suspension -- no matter how poorly designed -- can be made to work reasonably well if you just stop it from moving." -- Colin Chapman |
||
|
03-20-2007, 02:56 PM
|
|
|
Custom User Title
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Barrie, Ontario Canada
Posts: 2,954
|
I have 2 mazda's a Protege5 and a Mazda3. The Mazda3 is fairly new but the 5 has 180,000Km and has performed very well. Both are good cars and are a little more "sporty" than the Toyotas and Hondas.
|
||
|
03-20-2007, 03:12 PM
|
|
|
Registered
|
The Camry is a nice car, definetely not about performance, but if that's not what you are after, its good. Buying any car is a bit of a gamble with reliability, but your odds are best with a Toyota. I also find that Honda and Toyota are the best designed when it comes to things being where you need or expect them, which I think you will appreciate over the long term.
__________________
2012 911 Black Edition Cabriolet 2008 Cayman S Grey on Black - flooded, written off 1977 930 Turbo Carrera Black on Red #411 1987 951 Black on Black - sold to make room for the 930 1972 911 2.7 - I regret selling her every single day.... |
||
|
03-20-2007, 03:48 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Anacortes,WA.
Posts: 23
|
Toyota makes reliable BORING cars.If you dont care what you drive get a Toyota. They remind me of Mcdonalds,food sucks but it gets the job done.....
|
||
|
03-20-2007, 04:24 PM
|
|
|
19 years and 17k posts...
|
I just leased a 2007 Mazda CX-7 for my wife and she loves it. It's got a 4cyl turbo that puts out 244hp and it handles great. I bought a 2007 MazdaSpeed3 for me and it's got the same turbo 4cyl, but puts out 263hp with a top speed of 155 and it rocks! We are very happy with the cars!
__________________
Art Zasadny 1974 Porsche 911 Targa "Helga" (Sold, back home in Germany) Learning the bass guitar Driving Ford company cars now... www.ford.com |
||
|
03-20-2007, 06:51 PM
|
|
|
Alright....
|
Well the debate ended tonight. I test drove the Mazda 6 and a Camry 4 banger and a Camry sport 6. The Mazda was too small inside for what we are looking for. I really liked how the Mazda shifted and the features the car offered. But folks, we own a 911 and a DC 2005 Tacoma. So my wife and I had to look at this from a "family to be" point of view. The Camry offers a little more room. The 4 banger Camry seemed to "float" and feel like grannys old car. The Camry 6 SE was just right. The extra power and firm feel sold me. Now we just have to find the right deal and we'll go for it.
Thanks for all the advice and the opinions!
__________________
Stephen Friendswood, Texas '78 Targa w/ '86 930/20 w/ '74 915/06 |
||
|
03-20-2007, 06:56 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Hamburg & Vancouver
Posts: 7,693
|
That's absolutely the correct choice.
__________________
_____________________ These are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others.—Groucho Marx |
||
|
03-20-2007, 07:37 PM
|
|
1969 Porsche 911E 2.0 E
Porsche 914
Porsche 911 Carrera
THE ROADSTER
MazdaSpeed3
