I'm surprised at the number of people here who don't dig the Mazda's at all. I did the "Rev-It-Up" event for the last couple of years and was looking at a few of the Mazdas for awhile- Protege5, 6, and 3. They definitely did not have the greatest motors, but I was amazed at the overall driving experience. The only word I can use to describe it is "intuitive." First time I got into a Mazda6, I was driving it like I stole it within three minutes because I got so comfortable in it. I would imagine that the Mazdaspeed6, with a serious motor and suspension tweaks, could only be better. The Protege, back in the day, is underpowered, but is ridiculously fun to flog through corners. The 3 took away some of that edge.

That was a bit longer than I intended. I guess I just wanted to say I like Mazdas as well.