Mazda 6??

[Got-6]

First of i am glad i found this site, and would like to say hello to everyone.
Second, I am in the market to buy a car and can't decide if I should get the MAzda 3 oe MaZda 6. But i do know that I will ZOOM-ZOOM in something!!!!
I need to know like what people's monthly payments are like??? my budget is between $250-350.00 and also how is the navigation system for those that Have it??? Which is a better car in handling, performance(M6), the feel for the driver. I have some 17's 5zigen that I purchased for the old car but never had chance to put them on, so will 17's be too small for M6???? or will 17's be perfect fo M3??? I am not a ricer, but would like to be confident while i drive in apperance and performance!!!! which car has more available in aftermarket industry??? and for those in the chicagoland area, which dealership would be good to purchase the car from??? Any or ALL opinions/facts that i missed can also be answered!!!

Thanks before hand!!! (thumb)

 

[Chilly]

3 will have lots of aftermarket parts b/c of the engine size. more widely spread throughout the world. 17s will look good on either car. how much of a down payment are you doing? cuz your budget sounds like the 3 will be better suited to you. handling is debateable between the 3 and 6 owners. performance wise, manual v6 6 is the best, but the manual 2.3 3 works great too.

 

[Necessity]

I need to know like what people's monthly payments are like??? my budget is between $250-350.00

I drive a loaded 6s and my payments around 370ish a month. However, you should probably base your purchase on overall cost vs. monthly payments. Dealers will pull some interesting trickery to get you into an expensive car with low monthly payments.

and also how is the navigation system for those that Have it???

The 6 doesn't come with Nav yet (in the states).

Which is a better car in handling, performance(M6), the feel for the driver.

I've autocrossed the the 3s, the 6s, and the 6i. With that said, the 6 has a more advanced suspension, but also has a size disadvantage.
For everyday driving, all 3 handle wonderfully. They grip the road, they're fairly responsive, and above all, make you feel safe while driving. On the course, the 3 feels nicely planted but slow to accelerate, the 6s plows like a tractor, and the 6i is in desperate need of torque. On the road coarse, the 6s understeers like a true sedan, but still performs well enough in the turns and straights to surprise the hell out of many other cars.

Bottom line, you can't have it all. The 6s understeers, the 6i and 3s both need more umph.

I have some 17's 5zigen that I purchased for the old car but never had chance to put them on, so will 17's be too small for M6???? or will 17's be perfect fo M3???

17s on the 6 look good, they fill out the wells rather nicely if you drop the car. For performance reasons, 17s and 16s are you best bet on the 6. Both the 3 and 6 come with 17" rims stock (on some models).

which car has more available in aftermarket industry???

At this moment, I would say that the 6s has the most "aftermarket". This is because it shares the same block as many other ford, mercury, jaguar, etc, vehicles. However, the 3s and 6i BOTH have a large amount of companies developing everything from turbos (yes, completed at this time), to limited slips, and all the way to fuel management systems. I wouldn't worry too much about any of these products lacking aftermarket support.

The vehicles you're looking at are good cars, you can't go wrong with your choice. What you need to do is figure out what exactly you want. Do you want the size of the 6, the amenities of the 3, or do you feel that you don't want to fi later on and a v6 will be enough power for as long as you have the car?

Hope some of this helps.

 

[Da 6]

Yes they are both good cars...only thing is get rid of the mich and gy that come stock. Have you test driven any of the said vehicles in both trannys? read this site and mazda6tech.com for all the info you need on the 6 and here and mazda3forums for the 3.

Necessity...you are shoing for the 18th right?

 

[genericuser]

I was originally going to get a loaded 3s, and my payments would've been 270 (with a 7k down payment.) they couldnt' get me a 3 so now I have a loaded 6i hatchback and my payments are 299.. so really you could probably swing either one

 

[Got-6]

thanks guys for all the great info!!!!

and about the dealers that would try some interesting stuff to get me into a car that i wouldn't be able to afford would most likely shut-up once i tell them i am a loan officer myself. (The reason i ask what people are paying was for another reason)

At this point the 3 is what i am really leaning towards but like the post before me i can most likely go in both directions!!!

Thanks for the great info the helps me make my mind a little more!!!