Used Mazda3 vs Mazda6?

[Sephy]

So I've been shopping for a used car recently, and everywhere I look, the Mazda6 (2.3L) engine seems to be priced 2-3,000 cheaper than the 3. Now I haven't test driven either yet, but I've been doing my research online, and the 3 grades out well for both performance and reliability, and the 6 seems to be a decent performer, but has pretty shoddy reliability ratings.

Does anyone have any comments on the 3 vs. 6? Either on the 2.0 3 vs. the 2.3 6 performance or the reliability factor. Cause I really like the styling of both, and am trying to figure out the price discrepancy.

 

[Chunkee]

how does the same manufacturer make one car that is somewhat shoddy and the other good? sounds odd... i had a mazda protege 5...great car.. not one problem ever..and sold it for 1300 less than i bought it for three years later.

jC

 

[Sephy]

I have no clue, but Edmunds reviews seem to indicate reliability issues and so does Consumer Reports.

 

[BZeto]

Originally posted by: Chunkee
how does the same manufacturer make one car that is somewhat shoddy and the other good?

Doesn't seem that far stretched to me. Different engines? Parts?

OP: you may also want to take fuel economy into account, the 2.0 is gonna do better. I wish they would release the 3 hatch with a 2.0.

 

[Jawo]

They really are two totally different cars. The 3 is a compact with a small trunk, while the 6 is basically a "regular" car with a much larger trunk. What size of car are you looking for?

The 2.3L Mazda6 is an I4, and has had some problems. I have the 3.0L v6 Mazda6 for nearly a year and its a great car....still get 32 mpg highway, and ~26 city.

 

[vi edit]

Price is due to desirability(3 is a much more trendy/popular car) and the fact that Mazda flooded the market with rental and fleet 6's killing the resale value.

A used Grand Touring or decked out 6s is a pretty good value.

But drive them. The 3 is an undeniably more enjoyable car to drive. The seating position, steering, and overall feel is much more dialed in than the 6.

 

[sniperruff]

it's because the previous generation of 6's was never an industry leader, in terms of price, performance, and interior space. it is one of the best-looking mid-size's though.

 

[MiataNC]

The "reliability issues" with the 6 are nonsense.

It is essentially the same car/platform as the Ford Fusion or Mercury Milano, and both of those get great reliability reviews in consumer reports.

 

[CptCrunch]

there is a new mazda 6 coming out very soon that will kick the crap out of the current 6, so they are trying to off-load the current gen in a hurry. the 6 is an ok car, the 3 is an awesome car. if you are looking for a new car, wait a few months for the next-gen 6 because that is an amazing car.

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: CptCrunch
there is a new mazda 6 coming out very soon that will kick the crap out of the current 6, so they are trying to off-load the current gen in a hurry. the 6 is an ok car, the 3 is an awesome car. if you are looking for a new car, wait a few months for the next-gen 6 because that is an amazing car.

he's looking for a used car. but if new, I agree, the new 6 should be nice. I don't like the styling or the fact they catered toward the US and made it bigger than a camry... but that's business. I want thew nwe 2.5L engine in my 3 🙂

And to address the OP, my mom has the v6 6, and I have the 2.3l 3. The 3 is more fun to drive IMO because of the smaller size. But the 6 is far more useful if you need to move stuff/buy bulky items (specifically, the 5 door 6, I love the look of it).

The mileage on the v6 though is pretty subpar IMO. I don't know the exact numbers, but then again, my mom drives mostly city, so it sucks. My 3, about 65-75% highway, driving with rush hour, I have a lifetime average of 27mpg.

The 2.3L engine is the same engine in the 3/6.. so shouldn't be an issue. The 2.0L 3 should get you even more mileage, but I think my car will benefit the most from the new 2.5L coming out.