I would go with the Mazda 6, I dont care for the looks of the Honda Accord ( the new one any way, I like the 4 and 5th gen accords the best). Accord has the Mazda in the hp department, but can you get a stick in a v6 accord? You can in the Mazda. Handling I would hand to the 6. The aftermarket for the 6 is getting to be better and better. Mazda has been stepping up their game ie the Mazdaspeed Protege ( which I own, 4 sale though, because I bought my EVO), The sporty Mazda 6, Mazda 3 has turned out to be very popular. The Rx-8 is good, and the upcomming Mazdaspeed 6 ( twin turbo, AWD, 270+ hp). Im telling you Mazda is a company to be watched. Oh one of the only things that I dont like about the Mazda 6 is the fact that the v6 they offer is a Ford Duratec motor, the 4 cylindar is a Mazda motor ( which is the one that they are putting the twin turbo on). So again Mazda 6 is what I would go with.