Mazda 3 or Mazda 6 ?????????????

I'm interested in purchasing a mazda but don't know what one..Mazda 3 or Mazda 6

depends on a few factors. How much you want to spend. Do you want brand new or used. Do you need a lot of space. Used I would go with a 6 because they depreciate more so you can get good value for a one or two year old one. The 3 I would only go new, because they do stupid money used, so you won't save a signifigant amount of money by buying used

What are the differences between the two? What engines are in eachother meaning that I heard one of them have ford engine in it, is this true?

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quote:

ORIGINAL: joeys

What are the differences between the two? What engines are in eachother meaning that I heard one of them have ford engine in it, is this true?

mazda is partially owned by Ford. this does not mean that for had taken over the mazda line, but rather invested in it to attempt to make a profit out of the company. mazda is currently trying to be a loner from Ford as their marketing/selling has increased tremendously over the last couple of years. Mazda is virtually financially stable and can now afford to be a Mazda Corportation again.

the 3 is available with two different mazda developed 4 cylinder engines. A 2.0L in the 3i sedan that gets the best fuel economy. 150hp (144 in cal emissions states, CA, MA, NY NJ ME) or a 2.3L in the 3s sedan and 5door hatch. That makes 160hp (153hp in cal emmisions trim) It comes with a 5 speed manual or 4speed sport AT(means you can shift it manually) in the i model and 5speed sport AT in the S model. 4 wheel disc brakes ABS available but not standard on the i. 15" steel wheels or 16" alloys on the i, 16" or 17" alloy on the s, and 17" only on the 5door. elink independent rear suspension and macphearson struts up front.

The 6 comes in i and s models. The i has the 2.3L from the 3 making the same horsepower #s with the same tranny options. The s has a ford derived 3.0L 24valve V6 making 220hp (215 on 06 models in cal emmisions states) The difference between this motor and its ford cousins is electronic throttle and VVT...plus the heads and valvetrain are all mazda developed. Uses the same Elink rear suspension. Double wishbone up front. Most all models have 17" alloys. All have 4wheel disc ABS brakes and all speed traction control.

The 6 is available in sedan, 5door and wagon models. The 5 door looks almost the same as the sedan except for a different slope on the rear window and a rear wiper. 22 cubic feet in the trunk of the 5door vs 15 in the sedan. 58.6 cubic feet with the 5door seats folded down.

All V6 mazda 6's 05 and newer have a 6speed auto instead of a 5 speed.


I could go on and on and on

any other specific questions?

I was originally going to buy a new 3, but got a 6 as a loaner while my car was in the shop. Once I drove a 6 I couldn't go back to a 3! The 6 ride vs. 3 was like night and day. I got an 05 6i (22k miles) for a bit less than a new 3 and am VERY happy with my decision!

TEST DRIVE the two -- then YOU decide! ;-)

The 3 is a sportier more nimble ride than the 6 (not that the 6 is a slouch in the handling department) the 6 is a more comfortable vehicle.

it all depends on what type of car you like.

test drive both the 3 and the 6 right after each other so you can get a good feel for the difference between the two. make sure to test the handling on some tight turns, accel, and stuff like that in the same situation in both cars. you will find the 6 to be roomier but the 3 has more of a sportier feel and really makes you wanna go zoom-zoom.

i was actually thinking of this same topic when searching. ok here is my deal. i have a '05 mazda 6i 2.3L sedan 4 speed auto trans. Only the base model but still fun car and i love it. i just purchased it with only 22k miles. anyhow, i had to take my car in because it was leaking freon and power steering fluid  go figure, semi brand new car and i had to take it in, but of course thats a whole new post on its own. good thing its covered under warranty. so as i was saying, i purposely asked for the mazda3 as my rental car to see what was different in terms of driving.
 
i agree, i bit more of a sportier feel. it was the '06 2.3L 5 speed auto trans 5-door (almost looks like a wagon). some of the things that i kinda didn't like about my 6 (dont know if its just my car) but it was the turning radius. i used to drive a honda and right off the bat, i can tell that the turning radius on the 6 is pretty bad compared to it. does anyone experiance the same thing??? well the 3 has better turning radius than the 6 and what also mad me kinda mad is the 3 seemed faster!   call me crazy but arent they the same engine??? why does the 3 seem so much faster off the line. my 6 seems a little sluggish compared the 3.
 
some differences i noticed right off the bat
1. 5speed auto vs 4speed auto (dont know if its because my 6 is a 2005 and the 3 is a 2006)
2. turning raidus on the 3 much sharper than the 6
3. acceleration seemed faster too. not much lag off the line compared to the 6.
 
say it isnt so fella's but is the right? is the 3 better than the 6???

Same engine and a smaller car = better performance.  Wind noise is higher in the 3 vs the 6 and the ride is more stiff (I think sporty).
 
The turning radius is smaller because it is a much shorter wheelbase car.
 
Newer cars are going to 5 and even 6 speed auto transmissions that weren't available a few years ago to get a little better mileage/performance. 
 
Good thing you didn't drive the stickshift 3, or you'd be real disappointed in your 6's acceleration. 

so i just checked. so it looks like the mazda3 2.3L version (3s) not the 2.0L (3i) came with standard 5-speed manual or 5-speed auto optional. the 3i came with 5-speed manual standard and 4-speed auto optional.
 
what gives mazda??? why would they give the 3s a 5-speed auto but the 6i only a 4-speed auto? both same engines... makes no sense. the way i see it, if anything, it shoulda been the other way around since technically the 6 is supposed to be more "upper tier" if you will. the mazda3 shoulda gotten the 5-speed manual standard and 4-speed auto optional in both i and s trims.
 
either way the acceleration seemed faster with the 3s 5-speed auto then the 6i 4-speed auto (which i believe, shouldnt have to be the case!) that makes no sense to me unless the 6i is just THAT much heavier... but then again i dont know. anyone care to throw their $.02 in feel free. 

3i and 6i - 4 speed auto
3s and 6s - 5 speed auto (now 5 or 6 speed auto)
 
Makes sense to me....Base level gets the 4 speed, uplevel gets the 5-speed or more

ssstlature im pretty sure they ditched the 4spd auto for the 07 Mazda6
its now only 5 or 6 spd auto. 

why does it matter. stickshift is the way to go . 

and on the topic of 3 vs 6.  if ur for purely fun-to-drive .get the 3
the 6 ( with the sport pkg ) can look very classy, without sacrificing much sportyness.

You're right...I typed it wrong.

yeah i guess i can see where it makes sense. 4 speed auto for the i and 5 speed for the s. lower and upper tier.
 
i agree, stick shift would be the way to go anyway if one could.  
 
but still, for those who have auto and bought a 6i would feel kinda robbed since the 3 with the same engine got a 5 speed auto. or at least thats how i saw it. also now possibly feeling more robbed since the '07 ditched the 4 speed altogether on the 6's and now the 6i gets the 5 speed auto (option). 

Was really tired of my Prot5 so was looking for a good used 3s but discovered that the used 6s were going for the same, or not much more, than the 3s.
Found a 2004 6s Wagon with 24000 mi. for $13995. Not nearly as sporty driving but I'll just drive on of my Miatas if I start missing the fast corners too much.
The wagons don't seem to be nearly as popular ( so seem to go for less money than the seday) but I think they look great and offer so much more room than the sedan. I had a co-worker say that she thought it sat really low and asked what kind of SUV it was anyway. Guess if it has a wagon back it has to be a SUV. I have been waiting for all those SUV drivers that all the have is a dolled up wagon.