I was at a suburban Mazda dealer, making a second examination of the Mazda 3 wagon's interior and ergonomics, and he told me that lately the Focus-like 3 has been selling like gangbusters, while the Contour-like 6 has hardly been selling at all. Which means that you might be able to get a big ol' three liter 6 at a price scarcely above what you'd pay for a 2.3 liter 3, like barely above $20000.
I looked at a 6 liftback and it was pretty darn cool. Plenty of reasons to expect it would have all the advantages of a Contour and one or two more besides. But I didn't drive it. I do want to stick with something smaller... since moving to a larger car doesn't seem to buy me any more legroom, I might as well stay with the little one.
The guy also told me that people have been trading in enormous Escalades and Excursions at huge markdowns. Mostly buying smal SUVs to replace the large ones. Add it all up and midsize family cars such as Accords are moving real slow these days. Which helps drive down the price on a 6.
Best price quote I've yet heard on a 3 wagon (atx) was $18000, and that's a long drive from here. Meanwhile a Vibe can be had for $15500.
Lamest feature of the 3: the radio has a row of ricer lights on it that flash back and forth in sequence for no reason, in a manner reminiscent of Battlestar Galactica.
