 So far my Mazda6 Wagon has been a blast to drive. The sportshift auto keeps it interesting. It's been on three long trips (3 dogs-in back, bikes on roof, luggage on rear seats).  Despite the seeming clutter of all that, it was surprisingly comfortable.  Plenty of leg and headroom.  On another trip, I had four bikes on the roof, all the gear in the back and 3 passengers beside myself.  There was still plenty of room.  The car is built solid...no rattles.  The engine has plenty of power and is smooth (with the traction control turned off).  The only problem, and it's small, is the ticking noise (not the cams) just behind the passenger-side firewall.  It's a solenoid that Mazda won't repair.