Design1stCode2nd

I'd go for an 06, current offerings from Mazda are 1,500 cash to customer and 500 if you take their financing which you won't want to do at 8-9%. You can expect at least 1,500 below invoice including all fees.

I shopped around very hard for an e46 M3 just before buying my RX8 but when the average was 4k more for a 4 year old car to a loaded new 8 I went with the 8.

I found that the 8 handles similarly to an e90 but seems more tossable. The road manners are much better than an e46 but there is no pull until you hit 5krpm. If you want to go fast in an 8 you have to keep it on boil. I'd reccommend nothing under 6,500RPM if you are hammering some twisties.

If this will be your daily driver and your drive is all highway then I wouldn't bother. If you will have some curves or twisty back roads then the 8 is a great car. It is a very easy car to drive fast.