class.

The 626 chassis is shared by Mazda's MX-6 sport coupe as well as the Ford Probe and

it's got the kind of rigidity that makes it easy for the suspension engineers to

create the "right" kind of ride and handling traits.

For the 626 sedan, this translates as slightly softer than the coupes, but still firm

and responsive. If your priority is cushy ride quality, this probably isn't the car

for you. Camry intenders need not apply.

But if you like exceptionally quick, precise steering combined with minimal body roll

and right-now responses to your commands, the 626 LX V6 has few equals in its

competitive realm. About the only one that comes readily to mind at this end of the

size spectrum is the Ford Contour SE.

If you've got more money to spend--say $2500 or so--the slightly larger and

substantially more potent Nissan Maxima SE is a good bet. But $2500 is a pretty

good-sized jump.