Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Branches Northeast My latest addition

Really nice! Can't wait until I buy my first new car now, too bad it will probably be at leat 6 years before I do. Oh well, at least I can drool over someone elses.

How does the MTX feel ?
I've been looking all over for a 6s MTX to test drive
and they are very hard to come by here in NY.

I'm torn between the following...

2004 Mercury Marauder
2004 Pontiac GTO
2004 Mazda 6s (w/accessory package)
2004 Mercedes C320 SPORT (6-speed)

Unfortunately the Marauder only comes in an ATX, but the rest are MTX cars.

Yes, the 6s 5-speed is apparently only like 5-10% of what Mazda is building, so when the exact car I wanted showed up in VT, I jumped on it... I probably could have found it in MA or even NYC area and saved a few hundred bucks but I liked being able to check it out and sleep on it for a day.

The 5-speed is sweet, somewhat of a short-throw... I'm still taking it easy on the engine so my shifts aren't silky smooth yet, but the clutch/tranny just feel "right" - an easy transition from the Mystique, unlike other MTXs I get into and have to take some time to learn their feel I felt right at home in the 6 the first time I drove one.

GTO = compelling but dealers will probably mark up
Maurader = nice but I think they're overpriced and will probably depreciate fastest of the group
Mercedes C320 - NICE but not a lot of car for the money

all your other choices are rear-wheel-drive, I don't know if that's an issue for you, but for me, the 6s was the no-brainer choice in terms of performance, value, and practicality.

PM me if you have any specific questions... but I've only driven my car a half-dozen times to the tune of 100 miles. I'm away on business and will be gone for 2-3 weeks, so I hope my car is still there when I get home

-Peter

A TSB for the rusting problem.

http://www.4doorzoom.1hwy.com/mazda6/problems/Mazda-09-020-03.pdf

Thanks (as always), Chris. Heh... "TSB" - haven't seen that acronym in a while, haven't had a warranty in years! It indicates 2003MY only and mine is 2004, so I hope they changed the assembly process before they made mine. I don't even know the "born-on" date of my car...

I'm such an idiot: "Hmm... I think I'll buy a brand new car right before I'm going out of town for nearly a month and then not drive it all winter, so it can just sit there while I pay through the nose for it." I think I managed to get all of 115 miles on the clock so far (40 of it being the drive home from the dealer)

-Peter