[jpjr50]

So August of 2016 we needed a new car for my wife since my son took her 2008 Mazda 3 (he got his license, high school kid).

We knew it would be another Mazda since the 08 was good to us, had 160,000 miles on it and didn't even leak. The A/C was ice cold, had Kicker stereo system with sub. We loved it.

With a high school kid added to insurance it increased from $2200 per year to $5400....ouch.

This meant our budget for the price of the car needed to be reduced since the insurance monthly payment would be more than the car payment.

The wife wanted a Mazda 6 Grand Touring but even used at the time they were $22,000+.

We are a family of 4, a large family...both my boys are over 6 foot tall...I'm 6'4".

Because of the insurance we purchased a 2015 Mazda 3 Sport Hatch in Grey. It was pretty much loaded except no leather.

She drives 100 miles per day, on the weekends the car sits...my kids can't fit in it....too small for me to drive. Why are we paying for a car nobody likes?

I bought a Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring in February and told my sales guy to be on the look out for a soul read Mazda 6 Grand Touring with everything.

That car came in last Monday and we decided to get rid of the 3 for the 6. Honestly we should have never bought the 3, we took a bath on it but we did well on the 6.

If you're paying for a car that your still on the fence about....get rid of it. I wish we had sooner. My payment went up only $73 a month and insurance went up $2 a month.

Best $75 I've spent, everyone is happy now.

Pic of the CX-9 and Mazda 3 plus her new Mazda 6 Grand Touring in Soul Red.

Mazda CX-9 & 3 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/, on Flickr

Mazda Rims 1 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/, on Flickr

 

[GerryB]

If only the 6 had come in a hatch...

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[jpjr50]

Have the 6 wagon imported to the States. Looks sharp.

 

[HamptonRoader]

If only the 6 had come in a hatch...

indeed, or wagon...I like the 6 alot, but i'm enjoying my 3. It's sporty and fits everything i need fine, from the family with our dog in the back to musical equipment - it's been plenty big enough for me. But had the 6 come in a wagon in the states i'd probably have one right now.

Congrats on the new ride...looks good!

 

[GerryB]

Same here. I need that utility.

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[jmbrooks4]

When my '14 6 GT was in at the dealer I got a 3 loaner, meh, couldn't wait to get the 6 back. For utility I have the '16 CX-9 GT.......in soul red :grin2:

 

[MarkM]

We drove both the 3 and the 6. Honestly, our 6 has been incredible so far for our family of four. It is a lot roomier than you'd think. The driving dynamics of the 6 were just better than the 3 for us.

 

[Brightshen]

I was originally looking at the 3 because I wanted a hatchback and the better gas mileage, but after a test drive I knew it wasn't right for me. It felt a bit claustrophobic to me, I'm not a large person but I like more space around me. I'd been driving an SUV I'd inherited, that was too big, I've always liked the feel of a midsize sedan. I've owned quite a few cars/trucks and my favorite for driving comfort was a Taurus, but that was a bland looking car. Fortunately, the 6 is comfortable for me to drive and looks amazing. I love my Blue Reflex, it's the perfect color for me, but I must say, the Soul Red is STUNNING!

 

[Tygriz]

Maneuverability...

3 is more fun to drive than the 6 due to shorter wheel base and smaller steering ratio. Easier to throw it around curves.

 

[TalonTsi90]

Maneuverability...

3 is more fun to drive than the 6 due to shorter wheel base and smaller steering ratio. Easier to throw it around curves.

No shit! The 3 now is within .5" of the 1st Gen 6's wheelbase and i LOVE it for that. I WHOLEHEARTEDLY disagree with this thread, go for the 6 if you need the people space, otherwise, get the 3 sedan, the hatch looks horrid and has LESS room than the 3 for hauling. I was explaining to my friend last night about this corner that i can hit in my 3 and how i know i hit perfectly cause of the imperfection making a bump in the tires, i can take it 35+ in my 3 and barely 20 in the 6. I dont know why ANYONE would track the 6, its too large and heavy feeling.

 

[Cdn17Sport6MT]

...I dont know why ANYONE would track the 6, its too large and heavy feeling.

'Hafta agree...
Different tools for different jobs.

 

[Archerfish]

'Hafta agree...
Different tools for different jobs.

I brought the 6 on a track thrice and it seems it looked like an anomaly.

Speaking of an "anomaly", I know someone who brought his CX-5 in an autocross and can beat a few sedans.

Speaking of car size, I don't know how the owner of the Mustang was and is able to race his car in this tight track and win.

That place is memorable for me. That is the place where I "farmed" the car. Well, I lost my composure when I saw the BRZ getting closer and closer to me.

 

[TalonTsi90]

The CX-5 IS an anomaly! Handles quite well and if it had AWD, thats why it did good. Drive it in M mode and vtec the shit outta it.

 

[Archerfish]

The CX-5 IS an anomaly! Handles quite well and if it had AWD, thats why it did good. Drive it in M mode and vtec the shit outta it.

That's exactly what he said, he got a "cheat"! Then again, he is just a good driver. Subarus are AWD, but he can beat those. Perhaps he is yet to meet the "right driver" of Subaru.

 

[Cdn17Sport6MT]

I remember my late college days when I was in the Univ. of BC Sportscar Club. There was this guy in a very early wire wheeled MGB, must've been '64 or '65 model year car. I suspect a non-synchro 1st gear. This guy was a smooth driver. He was waxing a whole host of drivers 'way above his car's class in the autoslalom. Sure the car matters, but set-up (incl. tire pressures and bias), smoothness, corner lines matter a whole lot too.

 

[TalonTsi90]

That's exactly what he said, he got a "cheat"! Then again, he is just a good driver. Subarus are AWD, but he can beat those. Perhaps he is yet to meet the "right driver" of Subaru.

Theres a reason the ***** have adopted the Legacy as their vehicle of choice... its gay Ive not met a fast Sub.

 

[Cdn17Sport6MT]

The centre of mass being considerably lower for the Subie's should favour those over the CX5, aside from (obviously) the WRX's power (albeit very peaky without a Cobb tune)... Power slides often can scrub a bunch of speed off. Smooth and clean often prevails.