Crapwagon Outtake: 2004 Mazda6 Wagon
The internet hivemind is a funny thing. Considering nearly everyone on the earth has an easy way to broadcast their opinions worldwide, one would think there would be a wide variety in those opinions. Often, though, through groupthink or whatever, a solid consensus emerges as an overwhelming favorite.
See bacon. Or cat videos. Or Bernie Sanders (I promise, that is the last political statement I’ll make on these pages).
Car enthusiasts, when asked for an ideal daily driver, respond similarly:
Brown, diesel, manual, all-wheel-drive wagon.
The iconoclasts (some call them hipsters) love the subrosa appeal of an earth tone, oil-burning longroof. We always want what we cannot have. Heck, look at the funky Citroen I posted on our forum the other day. A brown(ish), wagon(ish) French car that would get some serious street cred in Williamsburg bench racing circles.
For me, practicality is the nexus of the appeal of any wagon. All the load carrying capacity of an SUV — or more, considering Mark’s experience with the CX-3 — with nearly the economy and performance of a low-slung family sedan. Here’s a somewhat rare beast: a 2004 Mazda6 wagon, sporting both the 220 horsepower V6 and a five-speed manual. For six thousand dollars. I’d love to fly into Dulles with the family, pick this car up, and haul the kids westward through the Shenandoah Valley twisties. That roofline gives plenty of room for camping gear, or were one so inclined, a large dog or two.
I’ve been trying to convince my wife that her Trailblazer is due for replacement, especially considering the 12 mpg she reports in her daily commute with the thirsty SUV. A Mazda6 wagon — really, any wagon — would be a perfect alternative.
Some enthusiasts say they were born with gasoline in their veins. Chris Tonn, on the other hand, had rust flakes in his eyes nearly since birth. Living in salty Ohio and being hopelessly addicted to vintage British and Japanese steel will do that to you. His work has appeared in eBay Motors, Hagerty, The Truth About Cars, Reader's Digest, AutoGuide, Family Handyman, and Jalopnik. He is a member of the Midwest Automotive Media Association, and he's currently looking for the safety glasses he just set down somewhere.
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Still one of the most beautiful vehicles out there. Even better looking than the sedan. I always do a double take when I see one. Disappointing to read about the problems though.
I bought the sedan before the wagon and hatch were available. Should have waited, but it was a great car. Speaking in Canadian trim levels, I didn't get the GT because I didn't want the all black interior. Had a blue V6 GS with a 5 speed. Power was a bit lower than other V6s of the time, combined with a 1st gear ratio that was a bit too high, made for some poor 0-60 times, but handling was great. Dealt with the cheap looking nose by getting the optional sport grille from the GT. I should add the only reason I didn't keep it when the lease ended was because the wife and I decided we could get by with one car and hers was paid for and an automatic.
So you took my idea for Today's Rare Ebay Find, lightly renamed it, and used it yourself on the forum. Cool.
I bought one of these new in 2005 when we moved to Texas from Manhattan. It was the same color as pictured, Squall Blue Pearl. V6, manual combo. The only option it had was the body-color sport grill and I basically named my price for it ($19,500). As a first-time homeowner, it came in very handy and was pretty fun to drive. However, the doors felt paper-thin and the clutch made a clicking noise that the dealer couldn't fix so I dumped it after 2 years. Traded it for a new XC90 Sport that's still in my garage.