mts Posted April 25, 2006 Report Share Posted April 25, 2006 by Joe Duarte posted September 18, 2000 The Mazda Millenia was to be the flagship of the Amati line, back in the days when Mazda was entertaining ideas of competing with Acura, Infiniti and Lexus. Those plans fell through and Millenia was left to head the Mazda lineup, eventually replacing the 929. In a way, Millenia is out of its element - it is too small to be a flagship in the same way Avalon heads the Toyota lineup, yet it is too luxurious to be a serious contender for Toyota's Camry or the Honda Accord. Besides, Mazda already has a perfectly good sedan (the 626) to compete against those heavyweights. So the question then becomes why buy Millenia, when you can do quite well with 626? There is no denying that Millenia outshines its stablemate in performance and luxury. Whereas 626 gets its power either from a 130-hp, 2.0-litre "four" or a 170-hp, 2.5-litre V-6, Millenia uses a 210-hp, Miller-cycle, 2.3-litre V-6. One of the best-liked engines in the world, the 2.3 V-6 uses delayed intake valve timing to better pack the fuel/air mixture into the combustion chamber in order to produce more power and improve emissions. A Lysholm compressor aids in the task. The result is more power than a conventional V-6 with fewer emissions than we've come to expect from a V-6. Is that better than the 626? Although 50 hp is substantial, the increase in weight of about 120 kg (about 260 lbs.) goes a long way toward negating that substance. Indeed, there is very little sense of a difference between a Millenia's get-up-and-go and that of the 626. Similarly, there is virtually no difference between the two cars in fuel economy. The Millenia ride is smooth yet firm, with noticeable tire thump over the most basic of road imperfections. It is not harsh, though, with nary a hint of pitching from the car and a solid muffled sound throughout the cabin. The 626? Ditto. Although the Millenia does have that sense of cast-iron quality that is most evident on luxury nameplates - it's the difference between a Camry and a Lexus ES 300, or a Civic and an Acura 1.6 EL. If you've experienced the difference you'll know what I'm talking about, and to some buyers it more than justifies the premium price. Handling is superior to what you would otherwise encounter in this market size, with the Millenia able to keep a flat stance at all but the most extreme of cornering manoeuvres. In this case it is slightly superior to 626, but lags behind the likes of the Acura 3.2 TL or Nissan Maxima SE. There is very little difference in size and shape between the Millenia and 626. Both are sleek four-door sedans with comfortable room for four (or tight room for five). Millenia is marginally longer, wider and shorter in height, riding on a wheelbase that is nearly four inches longer. The result should be a slightly larger interior, yet the 626 is roomier (marginally). In terms of our usable space, there is very little difference between the two. In both cases our kids fit comfortably in the rear, and the room is quite good should either Sue or I choose to sit back there. Seat comfort is comparable between the two with neither providing great thigh support, yet neither is uncomfortable either. Ryan is able to sit with his feet flat on the floor, and Raechelle's car seat sits flat and high enough that she can enjoy the view out. Trunk volume is almost equal, with the Millenia's being a little smaller. Still the space is useful with a flat floor ensuring heavy things can be slid in easily and removed just as easily. The cut of the lid presents a wide opening, again facilitating loading and unloading. As for features, the Millenia is practically an all-inclusive model, with the only options being trim add-ons (like wind deflectors and splashguards) or convenience items (a trunk net, CD-changer or bike rack). On the other hand, the 626 can be equipped in various configurations (three trim levels) with a wide array of options (in addition to all the accessories mentioned above). And therein lies the relevant question: Is a $39,745 Millenia better than a $32,000 ES-trimmed 626? Personally, for all the differences (or more appropriately, similarities) I would save myself the $7,000+ dollars and enjoy a fully equipped 626. Yes, it's nice to have the heated seats, butter-soft leather seating, fully automatic climate control, 17-inch wheels and traction control, but none are on our list of absolute necessities on a family sedan. Similarly, if you compare the Millenia to either an Acura 3.2 TL or Nissan Maxima SE, it falls short not only on performance, but also fuel economy and price. About the only competitor on which Millenia has an advantage is the Lexus ES 300, and that's really only a price advantage. Overall, we think the Millenia is a car trying to force-fit itself into a niche, and it doesn't really succeed. It's too upscale to play the price game and not performance-oriented enough to compete in the sport-sedan league. from the Toronto Sun's DriverSource Hmmm some parts were hilighted.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arsonist Posted April 25, 2006 Report Share Posted April 25, 2006 I agree with this guy, Mazda really slipped up with the Millenia...the bastards should've given it to the Germans or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
excluesiveonez Posted April 25, 2006 Report Share Posted April 25, 2006 why dont they compare to the shitty 2.5TL that was out when the millenia came out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synesthesia Posted April 25, 2006 Report Share Posted April 25, 2006 because it wasn't even considered to be in the same class, the millenia / amati 500 had its sights on the bmw 525, and down the road, the 540...imagine a millenia today that competed wit hthe top line 5 seris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arsonist Posted April 27, 2006 Report Share Posted April 27, 2006 That's exactly what I'm saying. When the Millenia came out, 210 bph was something not a lot of sedans had, plus with all of that bullshit about the post-gas crisis. Then the Millenia stayed the same, classy as ever, while the competitors got slick and overtook it performance wise. If it would've been up to me, fuck the 626 and 929...Millenia would've increased in performance and class every 18 months, and I would choose who drives it, and it would've been so good that the Germans would've eventually bought it... like Volkswagon bought Bugatti. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synesthesia Posted April 28, 2006 Report Share Posted April 28, 2006 I have posted many times EXACTLY what the millenia would be if it had followed the trend, meaning the S version would be about 320-330hp now, cost around 38k, and more or less, be a badass sports sedan, had it gone under amati it would compete with the 540 with ease, and who knows, maybe even the m5 if there was interest for an even faster version.... visually however they would need to employ the same designers, it drives me insane, but the current gen acrua rl seems alot like what a 2006 millenia might look like.... except the darkened headlights, DRL, and retarded ass rims Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arsonist Posted April 28, 2006 Report Share Posted April 28, 2006 I'm dying to see what the Mazda 9 will look like, since it's rumored it'll be a "reincarnation" of the Millenia... But still, I mentioned somewhere (I think it was myspace) that if I had the Cash, I would take my Millenia to the McLaren headquarters and tell those fools to make the next generation of Millenias with improved, bigger and noisier MCE engines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synesthesia Posted April 28, 2006 Report Share Posted April 28, 2006 I have been attempting to track down any reference of this, but so far it seems that the project was either scrapped, or a myth started by millenia owners in hopes of the car going into production. None the less, should it come out, and not be based on some honda crap, I will be the first person in line regardless of cost Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mts Posted April 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2006 Yes sir, we know.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoN_BLaZe34 Posted April 28, 2006 Report Share Posted April 28, 2006 I have posted many times EXACTLY what the millenia would be if it had followed the trend, meaning the S version would be about 320-330hp now, cost around 38k, and more or less, be a badass sports sedan, had it gone under amati it would compete with the 540 with ease, and who knows, maybe even the m5 if there was interest for an even faster version.... visually however they would need to employ the same designers, it drives me insane, but the current gen acrua rl seems alot like what a 2006 millenia might look like.... except the darkened headlights, DRL, and retarded ass rims that's funny cuz i've had the same thought about the rl...that it looks like a moder millenia.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synesthesia Posted April 28, 2006 Report Share Posted April 28, 2006 I do wonder if the designer for the millenia did the RL, that or they did what they always do, steal shit and make it crappy. unlike mazda who comes up with this crazy concept of NEW ideas, and then does what they want Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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