Well, as I do more and more research about costs of buying and owning the RX-8, it turns out that there is no way I can afford it...yet. I need a vehicle that will suit my needs until I get a full time job. So what should I go with? A Mazda3 with 150hp or a Mazda6 with 160?

KEEP IN MIND, that I want to trade this vehicle after a couple of years for the RX-8. I'm not looking for the top of the line car. I'm ONLY looking for a ride with will suit my needs of cost/performance/looks.

Any input will be GREATLY appreciated.

mazda 6 imo

if your going to trade it in get the 6 and have fun wit it

Mazda6 S with the V-6 has 220hp.

Does anyone know if the car (3) is Japan or US built? Since they are no longer making The Protege' it's possible that the plant will be retooled for the 3. Also wondering if like the MPV, the motors will be built here and shipped over for final assembly or built completely here. I'm kind of sorry to see the Protege go away, especially the 5. Mazda always had a winner with that line. Few problems, good value, just an all around good car. One of the vehicles, besides the Miata, that has kept the company afloat. ..From Mazdas web site the 3 looks really good. Some interior styles from the 8 and it doesn't have that silver cheap looking dash radio console of the 6.. Anyway my choice would be the 3.. ..now if you could eliminate that chrome mustache over the grille on the 6..

The 3 is built in Japan. There will be 2 versions, sedan and 5dr HB. The sedan will be available with either the 2Ltr. 148HP or the 2.3 160 HP. The HB will only be available with the larger engine. Both engines are built in Japan. If your looking to get out of the car within a couple of years though, you would probably be better off financially going with the 03 Mazda 6. The non SE pkg has a $2000 rebate on it right now, at least in the Gulf Region.

So the motors are Japan built? ..Then they are shipped here for the 6 and the Ford Ranger and Mazda 2300 non balance shaft versions? .. I know the motor is of Mazda design, but it sure looks like a Ford..

The motors for the domestics are built here, but the 3's engines will be built there. The 3 will replace the Protege and the PR5 which has already ceased production. We are going to have one of the HB's here at the end of the month for a womens conference on the 1st. I'll post the lowdown on it when it gets here.

Woman's conference?? The possibilities are endless......

You are correct budaman.. the 6 engines are built here.. well if you call Mexico here for the 4 cylinder.. so Mazda will build the same engine in more than one place. I wonder what the reliabilty will be with the Mexican built compared with the Japan built motor.. or even if the 6 and 3 use slightly different versions... the truck doesn't use a balance shaft and the 6 does... I guess we will know soon enough...

Originally posted by Habeeb
Woman's conference?? The possibilities are endless......

Hahaha! I dont know why, but I laughed after reading that ... :D

you laugh cause its funny

MikeB, you are the master of the obvious, I bow down to you!

I prefer the 5dr 3 over the 6. I may be biased because I have the P5, but the smaller size of the 3 makes it more fun to drive than the I4 6.

The 6s is a different story though.

Get the Mazda 3 HB. It looks awesome!!!!

Before I knew about the RX 8 and it's 4 doors I was going to buy a 6. Now I have seen the 3.........tough choice. I'd have to see the 3 in person and drive them both. I like the silver on the dash in the 6 but I think the gauges in the 3 and the seats(cloth) will look better than the 6. Either car is an excellent choice. Good deals on financing on the 6's though and probably not on the new 3. Up to you.

Go with the 3...spend less now so when you get your 8...its on!!!

150 horsepower in a smaller 3 should be more fun than 160 horsepower in the larger 6. Test drive both, though.

But if you're really trying to save money, I would just by a used car. It'll be less fun until you get the RX8, but you'll be able to afford it that much sooner.

The 3 uses the same 2.3 as in the 6 with 160 hp.. along with the 2.0 motor.. it seemed a few thousand too expensive,19k, but that was sticker and I'm sure there will be incentives. Speaking of incentives, in the vendor section, Trusseville Mazda was selling 25 8's at sticker. The silver on the dash in the 6 is cheap looking and seems to scratch and mar easily. The 3's dash is more pleasing. The silver mustach on the front of the 6 needs to go also.. my choice would be the 3...

Ok.. no *e* in Trussville and and *invoice* instead of sticker. It looks like Mazda is on the move. Wait until the electric motor assist Miata/Ibuki and RX7 come. Electro motor assist turbo. Damn... When can you remember Mazda's lineup this good???

Since you're planning on trading it in soon, you want to get a car that holds it's value well. The problem is, both these cars are new so you don't really know.

Personally, I'd either go with a 3 hatch. I think I looks sweet and I love hatchbacks. I came really close to getting one myself.

If you go with the 6, I'd get the 6s. The price difference between the 6i and 6s isn't that much, and the v6 is worth it. It'll probably have higher resale as well.

Since you will be trading it in couple of years as you said.

Go with the Mazda 3, by the way 3 has 160HP.
Either way you put it.. the 3 is a better buy. Xenon HL.. Navi... etc.