Fëakhelek
03-26-2003, 04:04 PM
Hey Guys,
I haven't posted anything for about a month now. The reason is that no matter how I work it, I won't be able to afford the RX-8. :(
I kept working numbers and budgeting out cable TV, DSL, food, etc until the pre-order deadline and then had to give it up.
The Excited part is that last weekend I test drove the Mazda6 and the MazdaSpeed Protege.
I had read tons of good press on the 6 and was really looking forward to it. In person it looks great especially with the Sport package. I couldn't find a 6s (V6 model) with manual and Sport package to test, so I drove a V6 manual with standard tires. I have to say that I was not as impressed as I expected to be. It just felt big to me. I mean, it handled well, had plenty of power (220 hp), but to use a word I've heard from others, it didn't feel "tossable". Another thing was the interior. The leather was fine, but I hated the cloth interior. I thought the carpeted door panels felt cheap. The dash looks great in photos, but in person I think it looks like too much silver plastic. The lighting on the center panel is red and actually looked kinda blurry to me. I would still have it in a heartbeat over an Accord or Camry but it is not the car for me.
The MSP on the other hand was totally different. Weight / HP is higher on the MSP than the 6, but it felt much faster. Very zippy, very tossable. There was tons of torque from 2k on to redline. The salesman was egging me on to power through a curve (I was already well over the speed limit) and my sister was clutching the "oh shit" handle in the passenger seat when I lost my nerve well before the car's limits. I did notice a lot of torque steer, but it actually felt fun, like riding a bronco!
I like the interior too. On paper the Mazda6 way outclasses the MSP interior but in person I didn't see it. All of the stuff I want is in the MSP and I don't think I'll miss any of the 6's extras. I was very pleased that it didn't look "ricey" inside or out (of course I looked at a black one :) ). The stereo is cool. Wish it had the round vents from the 6, but I will live. And I can't get over how it doesn't feel like a 4 door at all. I am driving a Probe now and I swear it feels like a 4 door compared to the MSP.
All in all, this car is a big step up for me in performance, will be very unique, and looks better than anything else available for the money.
That said, I will still mourn for the RX-8 that never was. Oh well, maybe in a couple of years and a couple of raises I can get an RX-7 :D
Hope you all have fun with your cars. Appreciate the opportunity that you have and don't ever wreck them or I will come and haunt you!
P.S. I'm gonna miss this forum. The MSP forum seems to be mostly highschoolers that can't wait to tear up their cars and blow up the engines with bigger turbos. Oh well. :)
I haven't posted anything for about a month now. The reason is that no matter how I work it, I won't be able to afford the RX-8. :(
I kept working numbers and budgeting out cable TV, DSL, food, etc until the pre-order deadline and then had to give it up.
The Excited part is that last weekend I test drove the Mazda6 and the MazdaSpeed Protege.
I had read tons of good press on the 6 and was really looking forward to it. In person it looks great especially with the Sport package. I couldn't find a 6s (V6 model) with manual and Sport package to test, so I drove a V6 manual with standard tires. I have to say that I was not as impressed as I expected to be. It just felt big to me. I mean, it handled well, had plenty of power (220 hp), but to use a word I've heard from others, it didn't feel "tossable". Another thing was the interior. The leather was fine, but I hated the cloth interior. I thought the carpeted door panels felt cheap. The dash looks great in photos, but in person I think it looks like too much silver plastic. The lighting on the center panel is red and actually looked kinda blurry to me. I would still have it in a heartbeat over an Accord or Camry but it is not the car for me.
The MSP on the other hand was totally different. Weight / HP is higher on the MSP than the 6, but it felt much faster. Very zippy, very tossable. There was tons of torque from 2k on to redline. The salesman was egging me on to power through a curve (I was already well over the speed limit) and my sister was clutching the "oh shit" handle in the passenger seat when I lost my nerve well before the car's limits. I did notice a lot of torque steer, but it actually felt fun, like riding a bronco!
I like the interior too. On paper the Mazda6 way outclasses the MSP interior but in person I didn't see it. All of the stuff I want is in the MSP and I don't think I'll miss any of the 6's extras. I was very pleased that it didn't look "ricey" inside or out (of course I looked at a black one :) ). The stereo is cool. Wish it had the round vents from the 6, but I will live. And I can't get over how it doesn't feel like a 4 door at all. I am driving a Probe now and I swear it feels like a 4 door compared to the MSP.
All in all, this car is a big step up for me in performance, will be very unique, and looks better than anything else available for the money.
That said, I will still mourn for the RX-8 that never was. Oh well, maybe in a couple of years and a couple of raises I can get an RX-7 :D
Hope you all have fun with your cars. Appreciate the opportunity that you have and don't ever wreck them or I will come and haunt you!
P.S. I'm gonna miss this forum. The MSP forum seems to be mostly highschoolers that can't wait to tear up their cars and blow up the engines with bigger turbos. Oh well. :)