Just test drove a 3s sedan and a 6i sedan

[conjur]

I just test drove a 3s sedan and a 6i sedan (both 5-speeds).

WOW!

I want them both!

3s

The 3 doesn't have much leg room with the front seats back a fair bit but yet my legs weren't really hitting the seatback in front of me. Then again, I'm only 5' 8 1/2". With the front seats up some but still comfortably back from the steering wheel, rear legroom was ample. The sedan's trunk doesn't lose much to the 5-door's hatch as far as space is concerned. The hatch's 'trunk' cover can be removed for storing some taller items so it does have some benefit but I really liked the looks of the sedan over the 5-door. The outgoing Protege 5-door was sharper looking from the rear than the new 3s 5-door, imo. The new 3's rear looks too much like an Escort or Focus wagon while the Protege doesn't.

Performance is quite good. But, I'm used to driving an ~3600lb car with only 146hp. The 3 is lighter and more powerful and a ton of torque (but no noticeable torque steer). The shifter was SILKY smooth! VERY impressive! The dash/console lighting is exquisite and my daughter loved it.

The radio was so-so. Wasn't impressed with the bass (distorted early) but overall clarity was good.

6i
The first thing that impressed me was the power. This particular 6i actually seemed more powerful than the 3s despite having to haul more weight. The looks are top-notch. I love the rear of the 6 vs. the 3 but I like the sport grill of the 3s (an option to get that same grill is available on the 6, though.) The shifter had short throws similar to the 3 but this particular car felt clunky releasing the clutch unless I let it slip some more. The seating position feels lower in the 6 and there's noticeably more hood in front than the 3. The trunk is much bigger than the 3 and has remote handles for laying the split-folding rear seats down. Very nice touch. I liked the chrome-look center console but the 6 needs the same instrument cluster as the 3.

All in all, I'm still torn. The 5-speed 3s sedan with sport grill, ABS, 6-CD changer, NAV, moonroof and leather will run around $22,000 with not much room for negotiating, I would imagine, since it's a new model. The 6i does not have NAV as an option but otherwise equipped the same will be about $24,000 - $25,000 and currently the 2003 models have a $2000 rebate which puts it at the same price as a new 2004 3s...bigger car...good performance still...hmmm...VERY tough choice!

I'll be back at the dealership later this month to hopefully buy, at least to do more test driving. I will probably have to wait until Jan. 2004, though.

[conjur]

BTW, this is in Louisville, KY.

There's another dealership here that has even more of the Mazda 3 in stock (saw them Fri. on the way to visit my mom. )

[zc1]

I know where you're coming from. I went to a local mazda dealer a few weeks ago in search of the 3 and ended up driving a 6 GS (equivalent to 6i)...and loving it. Here they're priced so that payments would be pretty much the same with either vehicle. I've driven a 3 Sport (AT), but am still waiting to get behind the wheel of a 3 sedan. It should happen this week. Good luck with the decision!

[gruss]

I dont think you'll talk em down alot on the 3...6i's have been flying out the door @ a little over invoice, that might change now with the 3 being released who knows
Cant beleive the 6i felt peppier, how many miles on it, maybe broke in a little more
both cars look pretty nice, thats personal perference...I guess whatever car suits your needs better, do you want a couple more miles per gallon? or do you want the xtra room?
and even though the guages are a pretty small item, dont count em out, your gonna spend hours and hours looking at them over the next few years. I'm not much help, listen to your gut...

[conjur]

Thanks for the...umm...help (?), gruss



My personal financial situation may be changing dramatically in the next 24-48 hrs precipitating a much sooner purchase.

Going to have to go to the financy guy directly and see what they can do...if anything.

hmmm...decisions!


And, as far as the 6i being peppier...I might have been babying the 3 a bit more...don't know...I need to take them for drives sans salesperson! The 6i was new, 32 miles.

[3fan]

I'm still considering the 6i too. I drove a 6s 5 speed and loved it. I haven't driven the 6i 5 speed yet. I'd prefer a hatchback so I was going to wait for the 6i hatchback. Then the 3 came out. I'm going to wait to drive a 3 and the 6i hatchback. If the 3 has enough interior room for my 6'4" size, it may get the nod, based on the fun to drive factor, fuel economy and moddability (I predict will be more aftermarket mod parts available than for the 6).

[DannyG]

If you don't mind a 2003, a 6i with 5sp and zero options can be had for as little as $16K at http://www.carsdirect.com (including $2500 rebate). If nothing else, print out the carsdirect.com page & use it for negotiating!

Personally, I'm going to test-drive the 3i for the better MPG and lower price...

Good luck.

[conjur]

A 2003 would be fine with me. I'm driving a '96 Sebring convertible with almost 150,000 miles! A 2000 car would be like new to me

I just may go for the 6i 5-speed if I can do it before the end of this month and take advantage of the $2000 rebate (saleswoman told me it's $2000 with an extra $500 that had something to do with Ford employees/family or something??)

Hmm...just priced a 6i 5-speed with leather and all kinds of options and it came out to $20,206!

I could get a 3 loaded (but minus NAV and TPMS, at least) for the same price...

Well...I'll test drive a different 6i 5-speed. If it's clutch/drivetrain feels clunky like the other one did, I'll go the 3s sedan route....**** that thing is just SMOOOOOOOTH

[Number Eight]

Sebrings are cool. My girlfriend goes absolutely nuts when she sees a Sebring convertible, but apparently hates Porsches, Miatas, and S2000s (go figure )

[conjur]

Well...test drove another round of the 3s vs. the 6i. The 3s' interior is certainly snazzier and the shifting is incredibly smooth (this 6, too, had some stuttering when flooring it after a shift.

But, I ended up signing on the 6i 5-speed. Not sure if it's mine or not yet. I won't hear back until Friday sometime (my financial situation is complex, to say the least ). But, the 6i was LOADED! Leather with heated seats, Sport pkg (side sills, rear spoiler, 17-inch wheels, ABS), moonroof, no CD changer (and it doesn't play MP3s but I can get an iPod I guess), auto-dim mirror. Sticker was $22,990 and it's eligible for the Ford (Mazda) S-plan pricing which is, essentially, $2000 off. Plus the $2000 rebate and it's a steal at $18,990!

Now...if I just get it!


EDIT: Oops...had the price wrong