I just signed up to this forum. I'm a current Acura RSX owner and I guess I'm at the point where I need something more practical and professional and "adult". I love driving my car and I know I'd miss it if I do get rid of it, but I guess I'm looking ahead to the future. I have never owned a Mazda but the 6 has always been appealling to me. I plan on test-driving a used '05 6s sedan 5-speed manual this week. Here's the link for it:

http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dd...1981&cardist=0

It's about a grand below Blue Book so it's definitely a fair price prior to negotiations. What are people's opinions about the 5-speed vs. the auto? I've heard good and bad about the manual. I've always enjoyed driving sticks and I'd like to find another in a sedan in this price range. The RSX is known for a buttery smooth transmission and I know it will be hard to find something to compete with it, but what can current 6s stick owners tell me? What's the good and bad? Any reliability issues in general with the 6? Any major recalls? Thanks for the help everyone.

 

Dang this forum is dead. No replies?

 

i aint got no stick shift so i got no comments[8D]

 

11k miles on my 4 month-old '06 Mazda6 4cyl 5 spd. Disconnected the annoying seatbelt alarm at 1k, converted the engine to spin-on oil filter from cartridge filter at 10k. No other issues. Pretty happy so far. 31 mpg consistent, and I use all the tach and a good bit of the speedometer.

Mark in MA

 

I have a 5 speed v6. YOu lose some power with the atuo. I am pleased with the 5 spd 6

 

performance-wise, the mazda6 hangs turns pretty darn tight considering the factory rubbers they sit on. as for the speed/acceleration part of the vehicle, it wasn't enough for me. so i went ahead and purchased a cold air intake and now it is very zippy and accelerates instantly.

 

Forgot to mention the one thing I don't like about the 6...the turning radius. I think my suburban turns a tighter corner than the 6.

Mark in MA

 

I can spin mine on a penny

 

very good point, i had a ford explorer that could turn around in a cultasack with ease, but my 6 can't make that cultasack turn at all, i have to take the very edge of that road area and still have to back up to make it... [sm=sigh.gif]

 

I have a 2006 V6 with 5 speed manual trans. 5 months and 6000 miles later, I am still happy. The steering is quick but the turning circle is big. The RXS is a sports car, ( I had a 97 Prelude before the 6) while the 6 is a sports sedan, but I guess we all at one point grow up. Manual shift is always more fun as you are more involved in the driving. The difference in gearing and high revving V-tec means your can simply lift off the gas in a manual RXS to slow down at highway speeds (70-80 mph) rather than hitting the brake on a manual 6 with V6.
Comes to driving pleasure, the 6 beats a Camry or Accord, but not a RXS. So keep the RXS if you can afford to.