Subaru, Mazda, Honda, Great Choices For Just Over $25,000
By Mike Garcia
Mazda 6
Perhaps it’s a bit too small, and you still want a piece of the Zoom-Zoom philosophy. Enter the Mazda 6.
At a base price of $21,485, the Sport trim Mazda 6 comes with a 6-speed manual transmission, a 184-horsepower, 2.5 liter SKYACTIV engine, with an EPA rated 25 city, 37 highway with the manual transmission.
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If there is a little confusion between the Mazda 3 and Mazda 6, don’t worry. It is the same engine, and similar 6-speed manual transmission (for the Grand Touring), at a lower general price. While the S-Touring comes with a lot more features such as the Navigation system and 9-speaker Bose system, the Mazda 6 compensates with more interior room and styling that is reminiscent of their KODO-designed concept vehicles.
Step up to the Touring model of the Mazda 6, and a 6-speed manual transmission is still available, but it comes with climate control, 19″ wheels, rear seat heat and A/C vents, and a blind-spot monitoring system.
By far, this sounds like the best vehicle. Why? It has tremendous styling, similar power to an Accord Sport, and a more taut suspension for enthusiast driving. However, unlike the Accord Sport which starts at $26,065, the Mazda 6 Touring without additional options and the 6-speed manual comes in at $23,945. Add the optional rear-parking sensors, use the Google Maps or Waze on your phone, and you are squared away with a lot of car.
This is why I rave about the Mazda 6 so much.