The problem with a 5-speed manual is the gearing and the fifth gear pop out. Mazda also used plastic to mount the shift cables to the transaxle, which tend to snap off if you miss a shift. The five speed manual gearing is very short, so you end up doing around 3,300-3,400rpm at 80mph (common interstate speed). But it's smooth doing it. Very rev-happy machine, and my favorite version of the Duratec. It's not a torque and lumpy as an old V6 Escape or Taurus, and that shows in the feel and way it revs through to redline. The mazda6 also had and different air box that had a vacuum operated flap for different breathing and sound characteristics. The Fords lacked that. Personally I'd take the updated six-speed automatic like that blue one in your video. I wouldn't want the leather (never ages well), and I wouldn't want those larger wheels (worse ride and added weight), but the updated interior without all the silver trim, updated catalytic converter design, and additional structural rigidity-- those are all benefits. I've driven the six-speed automatic and five-speed automatic sedans at my old job, and the six-speed automatic does a good job keeping it responsive like a manual, but also keeps the revs down to around 2,000rpm on the freeway. Also no pop-out or cable snap-off issues going that route. Another nice thing about the newer facelifted models, the leather on the steering wheel isn't perforated, so it ages better. I owned a 5-speed manual 2006 wagon for a little over a year, and it was a rougher California example. I enjoyed a number of aspects of it, but that's what I took from the experience: pop-out, cable snaps, and too-high revs. Otherwise a fantastic balance of fun and practical. I took out some of the intake resonator in mine, and had an upgraded dog-bone mount combining polyurethane and rubber, not full polyurethane. Increased nvh slightly, but without being unliveable, and definitely helped with powertrain slop.
I did a trade job (helping friends get their home listed for sale). 2004 with currently 144k. It's an auto with leather interior/heated seats, sunroof, no rust (washington state). Just put those same tires as in the video, BFG G-Force Comp-as+. Handles incredible. The lack of low end torque is a bit of a pain compared to what I'm used to, I had a 1992 Acura Vigor (inline 5) that had lots of torque at only 160 hp and the low end acceleration was better. My center dash box (not sure what they're called) is broken so it's always cattywompus which is annoying. There's tons of space with the seats folded down, it's great for Costco runs. Wish it would have been a 5 speed but for a trade job for a couple days work it's been a great deal and hopefully I have it for years as our spare car, grocery getter etc.
Jaguar X-Type wagon is a similarly rate choice, though not sure it cane in manual. When I got rid of my Mazda6 wagon, I missed the practicality of it. I started looking at BMW 3 series wagon. E46 is going to be about as light, and just as quick while being rear-drive. The E90 wagon is getting on the chunky side at 3, 700lbs or so, but it really is a well composed chassis, and the n52 is one of BMWs more bulletproof inline-sixes. You can do a three-stage intake manifold swap out of a 330i, and get the tune to get it from 230 horsepower from factory, move it up to 255 or so. Still available with a six-speed manual, and it has the added perk of having window glass that can open it separately from the hatch. It also has the cool net feature like the Mazda 6 wagon.
Very cool!! Your totally a wagon guy like me. Your right that jaguar doesn’t come in a manual. The BMW is an excellent option. I will eventually do another wagon Wednesday episode… currently looking for the perfect candidate.
@@VikingsGarage I'm torn between E46 and E91. E46 wagon is a bit smaller, though still has an adult-sized rear seat, won't ever have iDrive clutter, and thank GOD for center console cupholders instead of pop-out dash holders. Also still quick and has the rear-window hatch.
I got a 05 Mazda wagon this year. absolutely love it!! it was perfect timing as I was looking for a wagon and it popped up, don't even know the last time I saw one and had to have it. Has 100k on it super clean interior / leather no rust (Florida) paid 5k for it. I just did the typical oil leak / seal replacements on the valve cover gaskets , spark plug seals , new plugs , VVT solenoid seals.. Runs so good. I'm glad it's an Auto though lol I have an STI and I absolutely hate driving in traffic w/ a stick. love the wagon for daily! Hopefully will get to doing stuff to it real soon! I enjoyed the video and seeing some of these rare wagons!! I can't believe you found 2 ! I still haven't seen another.... * btw, what happened to the wagon?
To answer your question, 2 weeks after the video was released both wagons were sold. You got yourself a great find. Wagons make for the perfect daily driver. 👏🏻👏🏻
Hey congrats 🎈🎉 we are cousins, mine is '04 S Sedan same miles when purchased last month 🥰. I'm Looking for 1st gen RX-8 18's now 😈. Can't wait to see your vids up of her 🙂
@keuchen18x9 you’re absolutely right, I live fairly close (about 40 minutes away) I’ve offered to shot some of his cars but he seemed busy. I’ll probably stop by again sometime soon.
@@VikingsGarage I picked one up from a salvage yard a few years back for like 40-50$ it’s a bit of a gamble but I had good luck with it. It was very simple to change it out as well
63 is less reliable than the supercharged 5.4 that came before it. Even tuned to match in power, the 5.4's hold up better from what a diehard Merc friend of mine has said.
Its an 4/04 mazda6 3.0 However it started losing power a little bit So I pulled the V- covers off cleaned& check the VVT's Put it all back together it's running worse lol maybe it's possible that I could have switched the camp shop position sensors maybe that's my question
The problem with a 5-speed manual is the gearing and the fifth gear pop out. Mazda also used plastic to mount the shift cables to the transaxle, which tend to snap off if you miss a shift.
The five speed manual gearing is very short, so you end up doing around 3,300-3,400rpm at 80mph (common interstate speed). But it's smooth doing it. Very rev-happy machine, and my favorite version of the Duratec. It's not a torque and lumpy as an old V6 Escape or Taurus, and that shows in the feel and way it revs through to redline. The mazda6 also had and different air box that had a vacuum operated flap for different breathing and sound characteristics. The Fords lacked that.
Personally I'd take the updated six-speed automatic like that blue one in your video. I wouldn't want the leather (never ages well), and I wouldn't want those larger wheels (worse ride and added weight), but the updated interior without all the silver trim, updated catalytic converter design, and additional structural rigidity-- those are all benefits. I've driven the six-speed automatic and five-speed automatic sedans at my old job, and the six-speed automatic does a good job keeping it responsive like a manual, but also keeps the revs down to around 2,000rpm on the freeway. Also no pop-out or cable snap-off issues going that route. Another nice thing about the newer facelifted models, the leather on the steering wheel isn't perforated, so it ages better.
I owned a 5-speed manual 2006 wagon for a little over a year, and it was a rougher California example. I enjoyed a number of aspects of it, but that's what I took from the experience: pop-out, cable snaps, and too-high revs. Otherwise a fantastic balance of fun and practical. I took out some of the intake resonator in mine, and had an upgraded dog-bone mount combining polyurethane and rubber, not full polyurethane. Increased nvh slightly, but without being unliveable, and definitely helped with powertrain slop.
Very useful insight, thank you so much for sharing!! 🤘🏻
I love the wagon, I have the 6 S sedan. So rare to see a 6 S Wag manual (sold, rust repaired). The grand touring wagon is very nice too.
Indeed
I did a trade job (helping friends get their home listed for sale). 2004 with currently 144k. It's an auto with leather interior/heated seats, sunroof, no rust (washington state). Just put those same tires as in the video, BFG G-Force Comp-as+. Handles incredible. The lack of low end torque is a bit of a pain compared to what I'm used to, I had a 1992 Acura Vigor (inline 5) that had lots of torque at only 160 hp and the low end acceleration was better. My center dash box (not sure what they're called) is broken so it's always cattywompus which is annoying. There's tons of space with the seats folded down, it's great for Costco runs. Wish it would have been a 5 speed but for a trade job for a couple days work it's been a great deal and hopefully I have it for years as our spare car, grocery getter etc.
That’s freaking awesome, thank you for sharing!!
Jaguar X-Type wagon is a similarly rate choice, though not sure it cane in manual.
When I got rid of my Mazda6 wagon, I missed the practicality of it. I started looking at BMW 3 series wagon. E46 is going to be about as light, and just as quick while being rear-drive. The E90 wagon is getting on the chunky side at 3, 700lbs or so, but it really is a well composed chassis, and the n52 is one of BMWs more bulletproof inline-sixes. You can do a three-stage intake manifold swap out of a 330i, and get the tune to get it from 230 horsepower from factory, move it up to 255 or so. Still available with a six-speed manual, and it has the added perk of having window glass that can open it separately from the hatch. It also has the cool net feature like the Mazda 6 wagon.
Very cool!! Your totally a wagon guy like me. Your right that jaguar doesn’t come in a manual. The BMW is an excellent option. I will eventually do another wagon Wednesday episode… currently looking for the perfect candidate.
@@VikingsGarage I'm torn between E46 and E91. E46 wagon is a bit smaller, though still has an adult-sized rear seat, won't ever have iDrive clutter, and thank GOD for center console cupholders instead of pop-out dash holders. Also still quick and has the rear-window hatch.
I got a 05 Mazda wagon this year. absolutely love it!! it was perfect timing as I was looking for a wagon and it popped up, don't even know the last time I saw one and had to have it. Has 100k on it super clean interior / leather no rust (Florida) paid 5k for it. I just did the typical oil leak / seal replacements on the valve cover gaskets , spark plug seals , new plugs , VVT solenoid seals.. Runs so good. I'm glad it's an Auto though lol I have an STI and I absolutely hate driving in traffic w/ a stick. love the wagon for daily! Hopefully will get to doing stuff to it real soon! I enjoyed the video and seeing some of these rare wagons!! I can't believe you found 2 ! I still haven't seen another.... * btw, what happened to the wagon?
To answer your question, 2 weeks after the video was released both wagons were sold.
You got yourself a great find. Wagons make for the perfect daily driver. 👏🏻👏🏻
might be worth checking out the newer mazda3 hatchbacks. the turbo model comes in manual, awd, and modern tech
Not a bad choice, I actually checked one out. Unfortunately not enough trunk space. 🤷🏼♂️
I appreciate your tip.
No manual turbo Mazda3 AWD. And they really aren't a hot hatch type car.
It’s a bit older, but a Buick road master with the LT1 engine could be an absolute speed demon sleeper
Absolutely my friend, what a sleeper that would be 🤔
My 2004 Mazda Sport Wagon top speed is 120 MPH. (Specs, 3.0L V6 225HP, 5 Speed auto/Manual Mode.) Miles 174K Miles.
👍🏻 thank you for sharing
same mine wouldnt let me use the 5th gear also i had to do 120 in 4th so if u can get a limiter removed 140 should be possible
Good to know how does it handle on fast corners?
My 2005 mazda sport wagon top speed is 140 (specs, 3.0L v6 200 something man 6 speed automatic 187k miles will dust your 2004 buddy.
What about a Subaru Forester XT. Its kinda like a station wagon, AWD Turbo, I think around 260 HP and you could get them with a stick shift
Sounds good, I’ll have to look into it.
Thank you for the tip!
I just bought my 04 with 186k miles automatic. Threw on some mazdaspeed 3 wheels amd let her ride
Sweet!! Enjoy!
Hey congrats 🎈🎉 we are cousins, mine is '04 S Sedan same miles when purchased last month 🥰. I'm Looking for 1st gen RX-8 18's now 😈. Can't wait to see your vids up of her 🙂
I did not buy it 🤷🏼♂️
@@VikingsGarage I know was replying to the other comment 🙂
👍🏻
I have one and love it.
🤘🏻
Check out a versa.
😂😂
Was this at Fuelin Fine Auto in Saylorsburg PA?
Yes it was.
@@VikingsGarage Tom usually has some pretty unique stuff you dont see everyday. Neat place
@keuchen18x9 you’re absolutely right, I live fairly close (about 40 minutes away)
I’ve offered to shot some of his cars but he seemed busy. I’ll probably stop by again sometime soon.
Hello my brother.i want to Ask you one question,ok,thé diesel or masda 6 wagon IS good ?please tell me
No diesel Mazda 6 in the USA. 🤷🏼♂️
I have an 04 wagon with 130k miles, wanting to remove the roof rails, any way to do it?
They should be held by screws, remove those and you should be good.
You will need the trim needed to cover that area afterwards.
Buick Regal Tour X
That’s a solid wagon right there.
Can you tell me how to open the hatch
Unlock the doors from the drivers side.
Most of those Mazda 6s have busted radio displays and rust in that exact spot.
What a shame, that display alone is $700 😧
@@VikingsGarage I picked one up from a salvage yard a few years back for like 40-50$ it’s a bit of a gamble but I had good luck with it. It was very simple to change it out as well
I hear you! Electronics from salvage yards are always a gamble.
Mercedes Benz E63 AMG Wagon 😎
🤔 Now we’re talking!!
If only this channel was making $$$
One of my top 5 wagons right there!!
63 is less reliable than the supercharged 5.4 that came before it. Even tuned to match in power, the 5.4's hold up better from what a diehard Merc friend of mine has said.
That’s very good to know, biggest problem is actually finding one.
I have 04 EVERY TIME IT GOS IN TO 2ed it will burn a 2ed and 3rd and its an (automatic) o yea
Its an 4/04 mazda6 3.0 However it started losing power a little bit So I pulled the V- covers off cleaned& check the VVT's Put it all back together it's running worse lol maybe it's possible that I could have switched the camp shop position sensors maybe that's my question
Not much at all a ford man But this Mazda 63.0 wagon is sweet
Thank you for sharing. I’m not sure what your issue is either. Just double check all your steps.