Mazdas won't win on straightaways... they'll win on curvy roads.
That said, I did a 0-60 in 8.1s in my 2007 Mazda 5 with the 5 speed manual, not too shabby if you ask me, but it has to be revved high. There's no go at the lower RPMs, and you have to stay under 3,000 RPM to save gas, but the power's not there until at least 3,500.