I am the proud owner of a dying 2004 mazda6 v6 180000 km. Has been a great car, did one coil and a pair of ball joints in 9 years, last month brakes, alternator and battery and now the tranny slips. Time for the old girl to retire. Now on the search for either a 2014 mazda6 of 3 still debating

 

I'm sorry to hear that, CN, but all things come to an end.
My guess is that if you've driven a 6 and loved it, a 3 will feel really strange to you. You should likely stick with a 6 series car.
Just my 0.02

I once took my 3 to the dealer for warranty service, and they gave me a 6 series loaner. I liked it, but it felt so different that I couldn't wait to get back into my 3. Of course the 6 was an automatic too, and my 3 is a 5-speed. That was a big part of it, but only a part.
I could get used to a 6 in time though.

 

Hello Carnut! I think it's time for you to sample some rides!

 

It's going to the transmission shop for a free look. Hopefully it can be reasonably fixed or it's time for a new 6 gt