Hello,

I am new here and would like some advice. I am currently driving a 99 Infiniti G20 (SR20 motor) that is a 5 speed, however, about a month ago I was in a crash that was not my fault. The insurance company of the person who hit me is paying me the cost of the vehicle since they are declaring it a total loss. I have never really thought of buying a Mazda, but my wife likes the Mazda 6 and they are starting to grow on me. I am looking at either a 2014+ Mazda 3 or 6 and can't seem to make up my mind, could anyone please provide me with guidance? I know the Mazda 6 is bigger, so are there any other differences? My only requirement is that it needs to be a manual transmission. Also, should I be worried about a car that is high mileage? In my price range, I have found cars with as little as 100k to upwards of 180k.

Also, I see so many different models. I SV, Touring, Grand Touring, Sport....can someone please explain the biggest differences? I would like leather seats, but cloth would be ok to.

Thank you!!

 

David Welcome to the forum

Why the odd requirement of manual transmission only?

However the better years (IMHO) are 2018 2.5 N/A with the automatic transmission

 

My price range is only about 10k cash, so that keeps me from purchasing anything newer than a 2016. My current car is a manual transmission and I have been driving it for the last 17 years, so it's more of a preference than a necessity.

Thank you for replying!

 

Welcome to the club

 

[QUOTE=Callisto;220043]David Welcome to the forum

Why the odd requirement of manual transmission only?

Odd? Some of were born to drive manuals.

Pete

 

[QUOTE=Mazda5Newb;223916]Ah golley ok. But it was how the op posted the requirement of a only wanting a manual transmission Mazda. I did mention that a 10k used car these day mean it is like a POS and needs a few thousand spent to bring it up to safe and reliable?
I learned on an automatic but through most of my High school day had nothing but 4 speeds. Muncie's, Rock crushers, T-10s, Saginaw's, Top loaders even a couple of 3 speeds. I cant remember what my Dart or GTX 4 speed was called.

 

Young driver here. If you think that is bad, I had to learn on a ticking time bomb Nissan CVT (I drove Nissan Versas in drivers ed). The only good car there was a Toyota Corolla. Toyota CVTs aren’t bad.

 

The way he posted it?
What does that actually mean?
There are lots of us that simply despise driving with a automatic transmission.
Because its not really driving to us.
As you can tell by now I find it "ODD" that you found it odd.

Pete

 

Honestly as a car enthusiast (unpopular opinion here), I prefer an automatic because I do highway driving a lot. I haven’t driven a manual so I can’t really speak for that.

I did however talked to my acquaintance a while back about automatics vs manuals. He said he driving a manual is challenging on the highway. He also developed cramps (he drove an Acura with a manual) while using the pedal.

So, automatics are a lot easier to operate than manuals, but manual transmissions do improve your driving skill (I think).

I respect anyone’s choice of transmission by the way.