'07 Camry vs. '06 Accord vs. '06 Mazda6

[edboc]

Choosing between the three:
'07 Camry SE 5-Speed Manual 2.4L
'06 Accord EX 5-Speed Coupe 2.4L
'06 Mazda6 i 5-Speed 4-Door 2.3L
Prefer dark gray or blue.
Looking for good gas mileage (that's why I'm not getting the 6-cylinders), reliability, and fairly low on repairs and maintenance. More importantly, I am def. getting manual tranny, and prefer a nice interior over a nice exterior. From the specs, I would assume that the Camry is slowest of the group, being about 200 lbs. heavier than the other two, and the Mazda being the best handling.

[95WhiteCamry]

the most two obvious options to look at are prices with the options you want and driving preferance. when it comes down to buying brand new cars, they're all really reliable while new. it comes down to how long you want to keep the car for. and even then it all depends on your care for it. a camry can die before an accord if mistreated and vise versa. i say you test drive them all and see what feels best for you and for your wallet.

[njerald]

'06 Mazda 3 would be lighter, faster, better handling and more economical than the Mazda6. The '07 is rumored to be coming out in May. May have the 6 speed manual that the '07 Mazdaspeed3 is getting.

[edboc]

I prefer the exterior of the 6. I don't like the 3 at all in terms of looks.

[amphipri0n]

When you go test drive these cars, which you should plan on before making the purchase-- take note of the clutch... Since you're shopping for manual transmissions, you'll be working those gears and clutch pedals overtime in city driving.

In my experience, the Accord has a very smooth uptake when engaging/disengaigng the clutch compared to the Gen 5 Camry. Slotting the stick into gear is also a lot less notchy in the Accord.. I haven't driven the Gen 6 Camry but if it's anything like the Gen 5 manuals, the Accord beats it in that respect.

Just my $.02

[felkajamine]

get the 07 camry hybrid

[edboc]

I'll be sure to drive all three before making a decision.

[freestylez]

man the Mazda 6 is one sexy machine but i think the v6 is only pushing 215hp?

[TRDCamryCL]

The 07 Mazda3 is not going to be out in May, the 06's have been around since october because we were completely out of stock in 05 and people had to order them. As for the Mazda6 not being powerful enough, it is an older design/chassis. If you want to compare power, the Mazdaspeed6 has 276 coming from a 4 cyclinder. Turbocharged of course, but nonetheless still more powerful. It is also AWD and 6 speed. The Mazdaspeed3 will not arrive stateside until at least October. I have seen the 07 Mazda6. It is a completely new vehicle. The only thing I can comment on the new Mazda6 is that it will not be around until the later part of the year at the earliest.

[edboc]

I called a dealer, and they said that there are no SE manuals. I emailed her back the .pdf on the Toyota site which says there are. I guess they aren't making too many of those. Does anyone know how many SE 5-speed manuals are being produced?

http://www.toyota.com/images/vehicle...y/features.pdf

[Novice_cardude]

If I were you i'd stay away from the Mazdas. They're fun and all but if you plan to do your own work at all, don't get one. Also they're Ford's so they won't be as reliable in the very long run.

I'd see what kinda deals you can get between the Accord and Camry. The Acccord is going to be easier to find with a 5spd. I've only driven a couple Accord 5spds, but they are a lot easier physically to drive than a Camry. The clutch pushplate springs are weaker, or at least they feel weaker so the clutch is a lot easier to work, the transmission does not hitch at all. Even my Camry seems to hesitate a little compared to those Honda trannys.

Not that my Camry takes superhuman effort to drive, and I really don't mind a slightly (ever so slightly) stiffer clutch. Just test drive both and see what you think. Personally I'd still go with the Camry because i'm betting you will be able to get a better price on one. Honda is under the impression that they make the best cars in the world, and they price them to that mentality. They're still cars, they're not invincible... If I were you i'd drive 'em both, if you don't have a clear preference get the cheaper one. *shrug*

[edboc]

Apparently there are no manual SEs coming to New England:
Quote from a dealer:

Hi Edwin,
The SE model is not made that way for the New Engalnd Region. If you go to buyatoyota.com and put in your local zip code you will see that we are not recieving that model this way. The only manuel you can get is a standard grade Camry. I hope this helps. If you want to order one you can do so however.
Regards,

[dario]

Make sure you also check out the 2006 Ford Fusion SE I4 2.3 5 speed manual it is cheaper than all of those cars and it gives you more than all of them almost.

[edboc]

I sat in one at a Ford dealer, and I found the interior to be apallingly ugly.

[TRDCamryCL]

Not all Mazda's are Fords. Only 2 vehicles out of the entire Mazda lineup is actually built in the US. The Mazda6 and the Tribute (not counting the B-series trucks because they don't sell and are not stocked). The Mazda3, RX-8, Mazdaspeed6, MX-5, Mazda5, MPV and the new CX-7 are all built and designed in Japan. The engines that Mazda uses are designed and tuned by Mazda. Parts are shared with Ford but that doesn't make them unreliable. I have seen tons of 626's and Protege's come back with over 200K miles on them.

Ford in fact takes old Mazda technology and incorportates them into their new cars. For example, the new Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr are based on the current Mazda6 but tuned differently. The Volvo S40 is based on the Mazda3. The technology is rather outdated when compared to the competition. The Mazda6 is due to be replaced in 07 like I said with a entirely new vehicle.