Therefore. You get in mid-size suburbia hell at around-the same time that you buy into Mazda's 'Zoom-Zoom' campaign, which for decades has been luckily bereft of that weird bowl-haired kid from 'The Omen.' And you believe that the same folks working overtime to please the scores of Miata acolytes are proffering their skills for the 2014 Mazda 6, aping Nissan's 'Four Door Sports Vehicle' designation from once the Maxima had an of sportiness within it. That is a notion, right?

Effectively, one learns to temper one's enthusiasm. The Mazda 6 isn't just a Miata, like preliminary studies could have one believe -- and in terms of sedans with 5 per cent manual-transmission get costs get, the Mazda 6 is aggressive however it is obviously not progressive.

A bottom-hinged accelerator feels unusual for a family sedan, yet throttle response is quick. Current Mazdas have already been accused of getting inadequate power -- the CX-5 in particular -- but there is moderate output from your 2.5-liter, 182-horsepower Skyactiv motor, enough to gently push residents into their seats. It never seems flustered; as well, it doesn't therefore much 'blow past' traffic as it 'gallivants.'

The Mazda 6's was the Sport cut stage, a manual transmission its strongest advantage, as base because it got within the selection. Those anticipating a snick-snick operation -- if not within the Mazda 2 -- is going to be unhappy. It is somewhat crisp and reminds us of a Volkswagen shifter, that was never confidence-inspiring to start with. The shifter is along with a clutch that is blessedly gentle and simple to use in Los Angeles traffic.

The only source of brightwork is a bit of smooth, aluminum-look plastic; at times, even that's dark enough to flee notice. Doors and dashboards are smooth to the contact, and controls are of the old-school, extremely simple variety. What is this? A radio with real switches, types that respond instantly to tactile sensations? The tyre, shift knob, and emergency brake handle -- any piece that is supposed to imitate leather, actually -- is covered in comfortable, fine-grain material that seems magnificent and impressive to the touch.

But perhaps the very best area of the 6, just as in most Mazdas, is its tight frame. The Mazda 6 rotates properly through sides and never feels upset, and only the Yokohama all-season tires register noisy complaints. Steering is correct but obscure, and the suspension holds itself with small human body move.

Looking to get your kicks in a household car? At a base price of $21,975, the Mazda 6 is an excellent start -- but it is also worth checking out the Honda Accord Sport-sedan, which 1.) Has related managing but the best front-drive information sign today; 2.) Is not just a base-spec cut line; and 3.) Carries accolades of the Accord popularity behind it. But that cost increase contains fog lights, Bluetooth, and 18-inch wheels -- these aren't available before the Touring cut to the Mazda 6, at $24,180. Mazda versus Honda might appear just like a David and Goliath story, but in this case Goliath is big for a reason.