Joe M

After reading all the responses to Mr. Troll comparing his 6s to an RX8, I feel that I have to get a few words in; I deliberately started a new thread so we can hopefully let his die....

I had a 6s, pretty much loaded, for a little more than a year; the only option it didn't have was the 6 disc player. Sticker on the car was ~$25,000. At the time I purchased it, it was "the car to have" from Mazda, so I paid real close to sticker. Sporty looking, sporty handling (for a FWD), room for five, great trunk space, extremely stable (for a 4 door sedan) at 80+ MPH. I thought it was a great car, my only complaint was that I wished it had 20-25 more horses.

Then, one day when I was having it serviced, I looked a lot more closely at the 8, which I had kinda blown off as not being very practical. I have had the following sports cars: a 1985 RX7, a 1990 MR2 and a 1990 300ZX TT. I got rid of the TT to buy the 6s, thinking it was time for me to "grow up". The 6s seemed to me to be a compromise, cool looking, quick enough but also plenty of room for 4 or 5.

Well, when the salesguy, whom I had done business with before, told me about the rebates and the S plan that Mazda currently had going, and that he had exactly the car I wanted on the lot, I said screw being practical, I want a sports car again, where do I sign?

I took a huge hit on the 6s but at that point, I didn't really care, I WANTED that 8.

I've now had the car for about 6 weeks and it is, by far, the best, sports car I have ever owned. Not as fast as the TT, not quite as unique as the MR2 (mid-engine, but close) and much quicker and more reliable (I hope) than the RX7.

Bottom line; the 6s is a great car for what it is, I sporty, good performing family sedan. The RX8 is a great car for what it is; a moderately priced, great looking, fast-enough-for-me SPORTS car.

Also, for what it's worth, I'm a 62 year old grandfather of three. Thanks for letting me rant....

ZOOM, ZOOM....... :D :D

mysql101

Nothing wrong with the 6. But it's a different class of car.

I'm thinking about buying a 6 for the wife.

Ike

I haven't read that post in a long time and don't plan to... However the 6S is a great car, probably handles better than anything in its class and is a lot of car for the money. My one gripe is it could benefit from a few extra ponies like many of Mazda's other cars. There are also some reliabilty issues with it, but nothing major enough to be a deal breaker.

I think most have been trouble free, but my best friend has the 6s and is in the process of looking into the lemon laws in Wi, he's prettymuch had it with Mazda and their inability to fix his brakes.

NomisR

Having driven the 6 at the Rev it up, I wasn't exactly impressed with the car. Might be because of the slush box but the car felt heavy and unresponsive compared to the 3.

Senseny

The 6 is a nice car. The manual 6 cylinder is a very nice car. I like the 8 much better (styling and tossability), but there is no reason to bash the 6s. The cars are designed for different niches and I think both fill their purposes well.

Black-dragon

The 6 is an excellent car for a 4 door family sedan. I would have no problem with having one myself. My decision was actually between the 6 or the 8, I love my 8 but I wouldn't have a problem with a six either.

shelleys_man_06

I think the 6 is a fantastic car. It took me by surprise when it came out in 2002. Hopefully, there will be stronger variants, like a 6 with FI.

marcj1

My girlfriend bought a 5MT 6s last year.
I bought a 6MT 8 this year.

We love both cars and each has it's time and place.

Cars are more important to me then they are to her...can I assume that I'll always get the cool car while she has the practical car?

Ciao

cgrx

I had one as a loaner car. ( A base model AT 4cyl.) It was decent. I think the loaded ones look MUCH better

julian

i'm waiting for AWD turbo'd 6 to come out to see how that drives. too bad it won't come in a wagon though.

SuPerHerO::tOnY

if the 6 is a FR then i think it would be a really good car. add a turbo or supercharger on it. Purrrfect

picosrx8

Traded in my 8 for a 6s a few weeks ago. I bought for my wife as a daily driver and the times Ive driven it, I thought it was great. I think the ride is quiet, comfortable, and smooth. I dont get the ear to ear grin that the 8 gave me behind the wheel, but thats ok. Life is about compromise (unless you can afford otherwise)

shelleys_man_06

I personally hate the idea of FR Mazda 6. It probably wouldn't get the same acclaim, not to mention slightly poorer gas mileage. The 6 is a fine car. It just needs more power, like you said.

SuPerHerO::tOnY

i like FR cars to DRIFT With =P

zoom44

if you want more power out of a 6s then i got a website for you- www.mazda6tech.com - those guys over there are making some great gains now. check it out

JimW

Boy, I'd say. Mazda 6s making 250 Crank H.P. with just and Injen intake and ecu reprogram. Can they do anything with the RX8s?

zoom44

we'll see. it be nice if we could get an injen spec'd for an 8 and see how it works. the problem on the 6s was the intake was causing an "extremely too lean" code in the pcm throwing a cel. the maf customizer fixed that plus gave them some more power. i hear a certain piggyback maker is working on something for them so they can work on the ignition timing too. they are making monsters there! now imagine all of the unleashed power in an awd6s when they come out soon. UK already has an awd 6wagon talk about sleeper :D


p.s.- and then turbo it too

JimW

I read that they might do something to extract more power using 93 octane with the 6s. Seems to be a big difference between the maunual and auto. I sure wish they could get equal gains with the auto since it's probably what I'm going to need and you could put it in sport shift mode for some fun and then back to drive for the unreal traffic. The allwheel drive system bought from Nissan seems like a big advantage due to it's light weight and extra grip. Yep, this is going to be one heck of a machine.

grogiefrog

The 6 is a good looking sedan. I might look at one myself next Spring to replace my daily driver (an Accord).

Omicron

We have both - a 6S as my wife's car and the family sedan, and my RX-8. They are totally different. The 6S is an awesome car, and I almost bought one for myself. But it's a practical family sedan, while the '8 is a sports car. I have not regretted buying either one, even once. And our 6S has been 100% trouble free, as has my '8.

shelleys_man_06

You're so lucky Omicron. My 8 decided to light up the TPMS warning. No, my tires weren't out of air, it just decided to come on. I couldn't figure out what it was, so I reluctantly accepted help from the dealer.

PistolPete-RX8

My wife just traded her 6 for a Tribute and I traded my Mazdaspeed Protege for my 8. The 6 was a great car and I was sad to see it go. I almost bought one myself before buying the Speed. I don't have anything bad to say about the 6 it was a great car.

Aeterna

My wife is getting a 6 for Christmas. That's a trade/compromise for saving for the 2006, RX...sev... oop wait, what was that, did I seven ???

JimW

Omicron since you had the 6s for quite a while, are you still comfortable in it? I don't know your size, but I'm 6'1 215. The only thing that concerns me about the 6s is that it is smaller compared to the other sedans. During my test drive I sure was comfortable, especially with the telescopic steering wheel and seat all the way back. But things can change over time or extended trips. If you are, then I'll take your word for it, just as I have on the RX8.

picosrx8

I am 6'2" 215lbs and it is a very comfortable car in any seat. The drivers seat lumbar adjustment is nice too.