It's the gearing.

 

You've got your information all wrong here bud.

MSRP on an '09 Altima 2.5s is $21,540 while an '09 Mazda6 i Touring has an MSRP of $21,850 with a few options that you won't get with that Altima, including stability control. These 2 trim levels are easily the best apples-to-apples comparison for the Mazda/Nissan comparison. Take another $2500 off in rebates for the Mazda ($3000 if you go for the Grand Touring). For the Nissan .. take off nothing because they aren't offering anything. A Camry will run you even more and come with even less and again - it drives like crap. Camrys are fine A-to-B cars but they don't handle worth a damn. Also, your pricing is way off there too. A 2009 Camry LE has an MSRP of $21,650 for the I4 and $24,215 for the V6. Fusions are nice but again, more expensive even then a Mazda for now (comparably equipped). Since we should be compariing apples to apples, the 2009 Fusion's design is very bland (both inside and out) and fuel economy falls below the Mazda6 while putting out less torque and HP. The 2010s look great but thats apples-to-oranges again as the 2010 Mazda6 isn't even out yet in the US.

The price your friend paid was for an Altima BASE model - the 2.5 and not the 2.5s. The 2.5 comes with nothing.

Keyless entry? Nope. (is this 1985?)
Fogs? Nope.
Radio? Nope. (ok who cares, but still this is just silly)
Steering wheel controls? Nope.
Stability control? Nope.
Power seats? Nope.
Lumbar support? Nope.

Back to that Camry .. why would you even consider the V6? It has a proven track record of unreliablity pretty much since the conception fo the Camry. Go for the I4. You're going to have slam on the brakes at every corner anyway so why bother with a V6?

Seriously, compare apples to apples. All of this misinformation that you are spreading helps no one, including yourself. There are many vehicles to suit many tastes and if you choose a Camry, great. Don't choose one or encourage someone else to choose one based on your totally inaccurate financial and MPG figures though.

btw, the 2007 Ford 500 gets 19-21 mpg which puts it behind all 3 vehicles we were discussing in an I4 and about equal for the V6 Mazda6 which averages 20.5mpg in the V6.

The new Malibu interior is horrible and I couldn't get past it. However, it has a great engine and is s**tloads of fun to drive. I standby my Camry comment though. It's a nice car but it's just no fun to drive. (just like Grandpa's old 1986 Buick Century)

 

Really? I quite liked the interior of the new one. It's much better than mine, as is the engine - the new 3.6 puts out ~250HP/250TQ, while my old 3.5 (which is just a bored and stroked version of the ancient 3100 block) was only rated at 200HP/220TQ. The new one's about 300 pounds heavier though.

You better believe it! Take a trip back to 1976 with me, 'cause I've got a 3 speed autotragic with 4th gear overdrive!!

 

Really? I hadn't met anyone yet who thought it was anything but bottom rung quality ... including the salesman. lol It looks nice enough in pictures and even when peering through the window. However, one you actually get into the car you find that hard, cheap plastics cover everything. Tapping on them makes that hollow plastic sound also.

The engine is great though as you said.

To each his/her own though. If you liek it, great. I just couldn't sit in that interior day after day no matter how great the engine was.

 

Well, I liked it...I was certainly not in love with it. lol. To be honest, my favorite interior of anyone at the auto show was Ford's Fusion and Focus...at least as far as family stuff goes. The best overall, both ergonomically and in quality, were the Volvo C30's and the Cobalt SS coupe's.

 

Both v6 on mazda 6s and malibu are good engines which are available on more expensive cars, such as MKS and CTS. I will consider both car because of 6 sp automatic. I just don't like any 5 sp automatic. In my opinion, 6 sp is much better than 5 sp and cvt. That is why I don't want to buy a Honda/Acura.

Nissan altima 2.5 stiill is the cheapest automatic car in 4 cy mid-size cars but cvt transmission change is only available at Nissan dealers. This is too bad.

I like 2010 ford fusion 4 cy with 6 sp but I don't like built in mexico not in USA. Honestly, I will still consider buy another mazda6s than other brands.

 

You're still wrong. I explained above and I didn't even mention the Hyundai Sonata or Kia Optima which both have a lower base price than an Altima.

Read any comparative review and they will rank the Altima as one of the highest price in its class if you compare apples to apples.

 

No one would like to buy a used Korean car over 5 years old. No one would like to spend money on close out new 09 pontiac g6 or chrysler sebling. Why waste time to look at those new cars?

I will consider to buy a new 09 ford fusion instead of g6, sebring, or Korean cars. The price on 09 ford fusion may not cheaper than 09 Nissan Altima 2.5 because dealers did not have many stocks.

Now you could get 09 altima 2.5 around $15,000-$15,500 Plus tax& lic if you did not need to finance thru Nissan or even trade your old cars. This is definity the cheapest midsize car with automatic in Los Angeles. The only complain for nissan alitma is no traction control under safety specification besides CVT.

 

Wrong again. Hyundai resale values have actually gone up considerably and fall only a few percent below their primary Japanese competitors now. You can actually view those stats on Nissan's website as they have reproduced them to showcase their own resale stats. The Sonata has the nicest interior out of all the mid-size sedans it is competing against in the current market. It's too bad that the car handles and rides like a Camry.

As for Kia, you are correct - but that is likely to change in years to come as Kia's build quality is on the upswing also.

As for your "definitely the cheapest" comment I have already proven that statement incorrect in the other thread numerous times.

Finally, in regards to the Pontiac G6 ... They are going for $11K now at some dealerships so you would be a fool not to consider it. It will still be worth $11K in a year and GM is covering the warranty.

 

Yep, the G6 is my Malibu's younger brother. It's aged well the past 6 years.