mazda6, or is300?

I'm looking to replace my 1980s turbo 2 door, for something a little more family oriented. Why have cars sucked so bad for the past 15 years? I don't want boring, I don't bland. F me right?

I think the only 2 four doors that interest me are the mazda6 (04ish) or is300. is300 I doubt I wil find for under 6k, but after owning a 4runner, i heart toyota. It just goes, and goes, and goes...the mazda6 is a lil cheaper, but finding one that is low mileage is also difficult.

So opinions. or ideas.

side note. I will be selling a 89 mx6 gt soon.

Get an 88 to 92 626 Turbo instead?

I'd be scared of an IS300 that cheap (cue someone talking about their $4k wunderfind that's been a delight to own). What you might instead look for is a GS300 or GS400, apparently they're more common in that price range.

There's always the Maxima's. Also Altima's but I think the Maxima is the better car.

Nothin to be scared of in an IS300, mines been reliable as an anvil. So has every one's I've ever come in contact with. I've had several friends with ultra high miles ISs and they're rock solid. I talked to a guy last year with 300k on his, he raved about how maint free it had been. Of all the vehicles I've owned (somewhere in the 30s) I would say the IS has been my favorite in terms of a daily driver/ all around great car. It's got 175 on it and it's just getting it's first clutch, and could use control arm bushings but aside from that, it's been brakes and tires, that's it.

It's comfortable, dynamic, feelsome, and predictable. As far as I can tell they are about impervious to rust as mine is completely rust free and has seen plenty of salt. The factory premium audio is amazing and the alcantara seats are snuggy and hold you nicely. The 2jz is a peach of a motor and makes stupid power with some boost. Mine's got auto-leveling xenon headlamps (pretty common), winter pkg with heated seats and mirrors, premium audio, and sport suspension with an lsd. I think this is how I would spec one if I was shopping for one again. <img src="" />

P.S. Mine will be for sale with an auto trans as soon as I can find a sportcross to swap the tranny into. I'll be looking for $4-5k for it

caveat on the IS300, People over 6'2" need not apply

Yep, just add a couple doors to what you've got. Here's mine:

I'll go Maxima. That budget should get you a clean 2000-2001 SE at least, which is fun, quick, and overall pretty nice.

Flight Service wrote: caveat on the IS300, People over 6'2" need not apply

I'm surprised to see this, I'm exactly 6'2", my seat is not all the way back.

P.S. the IS isn't wrong wheel drive.

carbon wrote:

Flight Service wrote: caveat on the IS300, People over 6'2" need not apply

I'm surprised to see this, I'm exactly 6'2", my seat is not all the way back.

peddle distance is the concern, head against the sunroof rail is.

My seat is adjusted in full low position in rear and full high in front, seatback is reclined a bit but not excessively and Im nowhere near the roof. (I'm 6'2" with a 30-32" inseam if that helps). The distance to the steering wheel reach is right on the money too.

I guess, try one out, see if it fits you. I'm of the opinion that it's been such a great little car, that if it didn't fit me (it does, like a glove), I'd plop in some recaros on low mounts or somethin.

I think of these cars as a super reliable version of the e36 bodystyle m3 with the volume turned up to 8-9 and that's the perfect DD for me. Each to their own though.

My dad sold a 89 626 gt hatchback last year. The hatch is a really sexy car. fantastic interior, new paint...I'm still not happy about that one.

Maxima is a decent idea. I'll check into that one. Early 2000's is before they got stupid big.

at 5'9", I'm like a tall Asian. No height worries for me.

carbon wrote: My seat is adjusted in full low position in rear and full high in front, seatback is reclined a bit but not excessively and Im nowhere near the roof. (I'm 6'2" with a 30-32" inseam if that helps). The distance to the steering wheel reach is right on the money too. I guess, try one out, see if it fits you. I'm of the opinion that it's been such a great little car, that if it didn't fit me (it does, like a glove), I'd plop in some recaros on low mounts or somethin. I think of these cars as a super reliable version of the e36 bodystyle m3 with the volume turned up to 8-9 and that's the perfect DD for me. Each to their own though.

at 6'4" my head is square in to the sunroof rail if I sit up at all. Wearing a helmet is out of the question.

You own one of those, autocross helmet has got to be a consideration.

EDIT: Inlogauge, how tall are you? This may all be a moot discussion

He said he's 5'9.

Regarding Maximas and MAzda6s because that's what ive driven the most of, the 6 feels like a sportier car but the Maxima with a manual feels like a sportier drivetrain. I'm a big fan of 03 Maximas with the 3.5L and they are very available at 5-6k. Much faster than the 3.0/5spd 6, and i'd argue nicer and more reliable as well.

A Mazda6 V6 will easily show an IS300 its taillights. It's really tough to find a manual Is300, too, plus the clutches on them are finicky from 1-2 and 2-3. The autos are pretty reliable, though, and they are really fun to drive. I know of many Mazda6 3.0 owners with 200K+. Check out the forums for more details

Also-I'm 6'1 and fit in the Mazda6 well. As far as the wrong wheel drive argument goes, you can't beat RWD, but the 6 does a good job handling-wise

There's also this;

http://www.fuelly.com/car/lexus/is300 vs. http://www.fuelly.com/car/mazda/6 vs. http://www.fuelly.com/car/nissan/maxima

The IS300 is pretty hard on fuel, Maxima not a lot better, 6 trumps all comers. Well, save for the 88-92 626 Turbo...

I've been seriously shopping those to cars as well as the G35. The impressions that I've gotten are that the 6 is a great car, but some people have had reliability issues with the Ford-sourced 6 cylinder. The IS300 is very reliable, but the ride can be skittish, the back seat is cramped and its thirstier. The G35 (Sedan) is roomier and has strong performance but the overall quality isn't as high as the IS300.

Those are second-hand impressions and should be taken as such. Where I live, the IS300 and G35 coupes are very popular cars with the same douchy crowd who seem to have snapped up all the spare e36 m3s after they got raises and dumped their slammed Civics. Whenever you see a reasonably priced one it's either got tons of miles,has been ridden hard and put away wet, or is salvage. The G35 sedans and Mazda 6s seem the best value. The is300 wagons (Sportcross) are something of unicorns, but if I can find one for a decent price, that's my first choice.

kreb wrote: I've been seriously shopping those to cars as well as the G35. The impressions that I've gotten are that the 6 is a great car, but some people have had reliability issues with the Ford-sourced 6 cylinder. The IS300 is very reliable, but the ride can be skittish, the back seat is cramped and its thirstier. The G35 (Sedan) is roomier and has strong performance but the overall quality isn't as high as the IS300. Those are second-hand impressions and should be taken as such. Where I live, the IS300 and G35 coupes are very popular cars with the same douchy crowd who seem to have snapped up all the spare e36 m3s after they got raises and dumped their slammed Civics. Whenever you see a reasonably priced one it's either got tons of miles,has been ridden hard and put away wet, or is salvage. The G35 sedans and Mazda 6s seem the best value. The is300 wagons (Sportcross) are something of unicorns, but if I can find one for a decent price, that's my first choice.

Most of the reliability issues with the V6 were resolved in the 06+ models with revised headers, fixing the PCV issue which was blown out of proportion anyway. The G35 is a great car, but some VQs have oil-consumption issues, and maintenance will be more expensive than either the 6 or IS300. I would say if you're after an auto, go for the IS300, but if you're looking for a manual, look around for 6s.

JamesMcD wrote: Yep, just add a couple doors to what you've got. Here's mine: Nice RX7 GXL wheels!

I miss my IS. The alcantara is really great, especially in winter. The car is smooooooth. Headlights are excellent. It never breaks. The stock stereo really sounds good, but it lacks AUX input and eats homemade CDs. The engine sounds fabulous at WOT. It gets crappy gas mileage, but the money you don't spend on repairs can be spent on gas. Get one with the rear LSD, better still get a Sportcross. You should be able to find a good 2001 sedan for under $6k

I have a friend that has had some serious engine issues with their 2000 Maxima even though it was maintained to a ridiculous level. Take that FWIW, only one car....

And i LERVE our Mazda 6, but it's a '14 so not really a comparison.

The IS clutch sucking is a $35 fix from figs. There is a valve between the master and slave cylinder that slows release in order to make it feel hateful and vague, have it be your first mod. http://shopfigs.com/v1/index.php?route=product/product&path=35&product_id=50

$6k? Four door?

Jaguar XJ8. 2000-2003 will fit in that price range plus it has class a Lexus can only dream of.

Jag? I think reliability falls somewhere pretty high on that list :D

So from what everyone has said, I cant go wrong with either car. I think I'll just watch both on craigslist, and see what kind of decent deal I can get on either one.

ultraclyde wrote: I have a friend that has had some serious engine issues with their 2000 Maxima even though it was maintained to a ridiculous level. Take that FWIW, only one car.... And i LERVE our Mazda 6, but it's a '14 so not really a comparison.

Mine was sold with (IIRC) 180k miles (including several dozen autocrosses and a track day), 5 years ago, with zero engine issues (still had the original clutch!!) I know for a fact that it's still on the road today and hasn't had any notable issues.

So yeah, YMMV. The VQ30DE-K is generally considered one of the most reliable engines Nissan has ever built, they can go forever . Surprised to see the above comment about the VQ35....the first few years of those had all kinds of problems with timing chain tensioners, some oil and HG issues, but they were mostly sorted out by '04.