YACT: 4 cylinder vs 6 cylinder

[fLum0x]

4 cylinder has better gas mileage, but obviously doesnt have the power. if you are going for affordability, would you go with a mazda 3/6 with a 4 or 6 cylinder engine. We are talking about 20/27 mpg with a V6 mazda 6 and 25/32mpg in a 4cylinder mazda 6. 28/35 is the mpg for a mazda 3 with a 4 cylinder (they dont make v6's that i'm aware of)

 

[fbrdphreak]

Mazda 3 I-4

The Mazda 6 is too heavy for the I-4 and I hear the V6 is gutless down low. Just get the I-4 and enjoy your gas mileage, as well as the fun-to-drive factor of the smaller Mazda 3

 

[DaiShan]

not all I-4's are underpowerd, look at the S2000. To answer your question, I would test-drive both and make my decision based on my driving style rather than a bunch of numbers posted on the net.

 

[Strk]

It really depends entirely on the person. Personally, I'd go for mileage and get the 2.0L Mazda 3i.

 

[amdhunter]

I drove a Mazda 6 the other day (zipcar) and I was amazed at how nicely it handled. If I would have test drove it before I bought my Civic, I might have bought it.

But then again, my 06 Civic went 420 miles on one tank of gas, with some left to go even further. Sure, it was all highway driving, but I doubt a Mazda 6 would have gotten nearly that much.

 

[vi edit]

The 2.3L in the 6 was pretty anemic IMHO. It was much more lively in the 3. That and the three just has far superior steering, suspension, and seating than the 6. It's just a much more "driver oriented" car than the larger and more family oriented 6.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: DaiShan
not all I-4's are underpowerd, look at the S2000.

Yup, as long as you set the idle to 6,000 RPM, it's powerful.

Don't get me wrong, the S2000 is a wonderful car, but unless you're wringing it out on a racetrack, the car feels a little sluggish. The engine is ill-suited to normal driving.

ZV

 

[GTaudiophile]

I drove an MZ6 V6 with 5-speed before driving an MZ3S 2.3L 4 with 5-speed. I ended up buying the MZ3S and never looked back.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: DaiShan
not all I-4's are underpowerd, look at the S2000. To answer your question, I would test-drive both and make my decision based on my driving style rather than a bunch of numbers posted on the net.

That car weighs a hell of a lot less than a Mazda 6 and only seats two though. I'm sure insurance is higher on the S2000 also as is the sticker price.

 

[d0ofy]

I have the 2.3L Mazda3s and I average about 24-25mpg mixed highway and city. If I go all highway I get max 29mpg.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: DaiShan
not all I-4's are underpowerd, look at the S2000.

Yup, as long as you set the idle to 6,000 RPM, it's powerful.

Don't get me wrong, the S2000 is a wonderful car, but unless you're wringing it out on a racetrack, the car feels a little sluggish. The engine is ill-suited to normal driving.

ZV

unfortunately, the s2k is a little dated, particularly the 2.0L variant. The 2.2L has a little fatter powerband, but what the car really needed to keep competitive would have been something like a retuned TSX motor. The motors in S2Ks lack VTC which nearly all modern cars have and it helps make the powerband wider.

As for the mazda 6, even the V6 is not fast.

 

[BigSmooth]

Really depends on how you drive, but if you are going for "affordability", the 3 is definitely the better choice.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: OS
unfortunately, the s2k is a little dated, particularly the 2.0L variant. The 2.2L has a little fatter powerband, but what the car really needed to keep competitive would have been something like a retuned TSX motor. The motors in S2Ks lack VTC which nearly all modern cars have and it helps make the powerband wider.

As for the mazda 6, even the V6 is not fast.

I do love the S2000 though. And honestly, I love the feel of a peaky, revvy, little engine that explodes to redline. I just don't think it's a sacrifice that most people are desiring to make in a daily driver.

ZV

 

[freebee]

Mazdaspeed 3? It uses a moderately powerful turbo 4...250 or so hp. It might be better than having a V6 as you retain the fuel economy of a smaller, lighter engine while exceeding the power output of the duractec 6 (which if you recall was the engine in the Ford Taurus).

They had that mazda zoom-zoom event where they had the mazdaspeed 6 to drive around a parking lot and its not a bad car. Similar engine (2.3 turbo) to the speed 3, not particularly fast for 270+hp AWD, but it is a heavy car. And the suspension is more family oriented than sport, but still for a commuter its much more fun than a Camry or Accord.

 

[senseamp]

Definitely Mazda3. Big I4 in a small car.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: freebee
Mazdaspeed 3? It uses a moderately powerful turbo 4...250 or so hp. It might be better than having a V6 as you retain the fuel economy of a smaller, lighter engine while exceeding the power output of the duractec 6 (which if you recall was the engine in the Ford Taurus).

They had that mazda zoom-zoom event where they had the mazdaspeed 6 to drive around a parking lot and its not a bad car. Similar engine (2.3 turbo) to the speed 3, not particularly fast for 270+hp AWD, but it is a heavy car. And the suspension is more family oriented than sport, but still for a commuter its much more fun than a Camry or Accord.

Nah. Not really. The MS3 is rated at like 20/28 AND requires premium. Plus whenever your foot hits the weeeeeeeeee button and that turbo spools up your milage drops like a rock.

If you want an efficient turbo, look no further than the VAG 2.0T. That one pulls around 25 in town and over 32 on the highway.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: freebee
Mazdaspeed 3? It uses a moderately powerful turbo 4...250 or so hp. It might be better than having a V6 as you retain the fuel economy of a smaller, lighter engine while exceeding the power output of the duractec 6 (which if you recall was the engine in the Ford Taurus).

They had that mazda zoom-zoom event where they had the mazdaspeed 6 to drive around a parking lot and its not a bad car. Similar engine (2.3 turbo) to the speed 3, not particularly fast for 270+hp AWD, but it is a heavy car. And the suspension is more family oriented than sport, but still for a commuter its much more fun than a Camry or Accord.

Nah. Not really. The MS3 is rated at like 20/28 AND requires premium. Plus whenever your foot hits the weeeeeeeeee button and that turbo spools up your milage drops like a rock.

If you want an efficient turbo, look no further than the VAG 2.0T. That one pulls around 25 in town and over 32 on the highway.

20/28 is great for 250+HP turbo. And for those of us who don't know your acronyms, what would the VAG 2.0 be? Please don't tell me its the VW 2.0L turbo.

 

[lokiju]

I picked Mazda 3 / 4 cylinder

But meant to pick OP is retarded for even asking

 

[fLum0x]

Originally posted by: Strk
It really depends entirely on the person. Personally, I'd go for mileage and get the 2.0L Mazda 3i.

you like the 3i a lot more than the 3s? I am curious why some of you seem diehard on the 3s and others leave it at the 3i

 

[randay]

Your poll has 2 correct answers. "mazda 3/4 cylinder", and "OP is retarded for even asking".

 

[TomKazansky]

get the mazdaspeed 3. It's perfect for power and daily driving...

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
20/28 is great for 250+HP turbo. And for those of us who don't know your acronyms, what would the VAG 2.0 be? Please don't tell me its the VW 2.0L turbo.

Meh, I get 24/30 from my 951. 2.5 litre, 300hp, 15 PSI.

ZV

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: freebee
Mazdaspeed 3? It uses a moderately powerful turbo 4...250 or so hp. It might be better than having a V6 as you retain the fuel economy of a smaller, lighter engine while exceeding the power output of the duractec 6 (which if you recall was the engine in the Ford Taurus).

They had that mazda zoom-zoom event where they had the mazdaspeed 6 to drive around a parking lot and its not a bad car. Similar engine (2.3 turbo) to the speed 3, not particularly fast for 270+hp AWD, but it is a heavy car. And the suspension is more family oriented than sport, but still for a commuter its much more fun than a Camry or Accord.

Nah. Not really. The MS3 is rated at like 20/28 AND requires premium. Plus whenever your foot hits the weeeeeeeeee button and that turbo spools up your milage drops like a rock.

If you want an efficient turbo, look no further than the VAG 2.0T. That one pulls around 25 in town and over 32 on the highway.

20/28 is great for 250+HP turbo. And for those of us who don't know your acronyms, what would the VAG 2.0 be? Please don't tell me its the VW 2.0L turbo.

VAG = Volkswagen AG (AG = Inc. in German)

My modded WRX gets 22/28

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
20/28 is great for 250+HP turbo. And for those of us who don't know your acronyms, what would the VAG 2.0 be? Please don't tell me its the VW 2.0L turbo.

Meh, I get 24/30 from my 951. 2.5 litre, 300hp, 15 PSI.

ZV

And how much does your Porsche weigh? How many modern safety features does it have?

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: freebee
Mazdaspeed 3? It uses a moderately powerful turbo 4...250 or so hp. It might be better than having a V6 as you retain the fuel economy of a smaller, lighter engine while exceeding the power output of the duractec 6 (which if you recall was the engine in the Ford Taurus).

They had that mazda zoom-zoom event where they had the mazdaspeed 6 to drive around a parking lot and its not a bad car. Similar engine (2.3 turbo) to the speed 3, not particularly fast for 270+hp AWD, but it is a heavy car. And the suspension is more family oriented than sport, but still for a commuter its much more fun than a Camry or Accord.

Nah. Not really. The MS3 is rated at like 20/28 AND requires premium. Plus whenever your foot hits the weeeeeeeeee button and that turbo spools up your milage drops like a rock.

If you want an efficient turbo, look no further than the VAG 2.0T. That one pulls around 25 in town and over 32 on the highway.

20/28 is great for 250+HP turbo. And for those of us who don't know your acronyms, what would the VAG 2.0 be? Please don't tell me its the VW 2.0L turbo.

VAG = Volkswagen AG (AG = Inc. in German)

My modded WRX gets 22/28

22 city? Do you just start in 4th gear?