VikingDJ

Well, since I traded in my 01 S2K for an 06 in April, I began falling into some sizable debt, and since the STI was paid off, and I favor the S2K more as a fun car, and a deal came up that I simply could not refuse, it simply had to go. It's devastating to me, and I'm actually depressed at losing that car, but I know financially it was the right decision, and it simply wasn't worth the financial burden to try and keep that while paying off the 06 S2K.

I went to the Mazda dealership, because I saw a really nice 2 year lease deal on the 06 MS6. I test drove the car, and compared it to my STI, since I had just arrived at dealership, and really drove that car hard on the way there.

One of the first things I noticed of course was how amazingly quiet and soft the MS6 was compared to my STI. I felt like I was driving a Cadillac. Night and day vehicles to say the least. It felt big, heavy, yet very smoothly powered. The salesman allowed me to just go all out on the car, regardless of how scared shetless he knew he would be. I took that baby the same route I have taken my STI on. From the same traffic light, around the same windy roads, and on the same freeway. The only thing that really impressed me performance wise with this car when comparing it to my STI was the braking. It's almost as good, even being the weight that it is. When I arrived back at dealership I knew this was going to be a serious power and performance downgrade, yet I agreed to go in and look at the numbers.

In short, they made me an offer I simply could not refuse. $23k on trade (well over KBB, which stunned me). The car has it's share of cosmetic wear due to two harsh winters, and really bad Subaru paint durability. I also had a stripped lug that I of course did not mention. The lease deal offered is 269 a month for 24 months, with 2544 due at lease signing. In the end, they wrote me a check for $20,000, (added $500 when I told them I'd need to buy all season tiresand woudln't take car without them) and after I pay the lease I end up with $13813 in my hand.

I think overall I did very well, considering I paid $29k for this STI new, and drove it over two years and put almost 30k miles on it without doing any maintanence but oil changes. That doesn't change the fact that I downgraded my car, and at this moment don't care all that much for this new car. I do think the MS6 looks nicer both inside and out, it's a much more suitable daily driver, it shifts much nicer, and offers a lot of better features. One thing it doesn't do is perform like it should. There are def issues with the tuning of this thing, because there's just no way in hell it has 274hp. Either way, that's not a concern at this time, and if and when they offer re-flashes to make this car the power, I'll be right there to take it in.

Right now I don't feel happy, but the car had to go, and why not gain a little therapy by owning an MS6 for 2 years. This is also good, because I'll be forced to use my S2K more, instead of it being a garage queen. In the end I had to take this deal, because I wanted to cut this S2K loan in half, and not have financial worries. I'll have it virtually paid off by the time this lease ends, and can then begin the quest for a new daily driver. Thanks for reading.

Ike

Bleh, I just don't like the MS6. At that price it's a pretty nice car, and finances are more important than having "things". Gotta love how well Subarus hold their value, I got over 73% of what I paid for my WRX 3 years and 36k miles after I purchased, and that was in trade. I hope the transition gets easier for you.

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

wow, nice. congrats on the trade. didnt think you would trade a STi for a MS6

Moostafa29

Same here, but as long as it makes you happy!

VikingDJ

Well, it was just something I had to do. Not that I wanted to do. This car is so sought after, which is why the dealer was licking their chops at that trade. I bet car is already pending a sale. Sometimes you can't have the best of both worlds. Although I didn't particularly care for the STI looks wise, it didn't matter because of how fun it was to drive. I look at this lease deal as if I would have traded car in for a cheap daily. Had I sold car, bought something preowned for 9 grand, I'd have had a commitment to a used car, I'd have to perform maintanence, so to shell out 9500 for a 2 year 24000 mile lease on a MS6, while not having to deal with anything but oil changes for the next two years, the hassle of selling a car, the sames tax, my drastic reduction on insurance cost, and the fact that the STI wasn't far from needing maintanence.

I actually traded in a car I love for a car I don't like very much at the moment, but maybe it will grow on me. I will say, that trip to my night club job last night was a much friendlier relaxing drive. The roads here suck, and since I had the stock rims and tires on it, it was loud and bumpy, and lets say not a very comfortable journey to work. Now it's very smooth. I swear this is a luxury car, and not a sports sedan. I realize I only think that because I went from a raw 04 stage 1 sti to a slower MS6. I can't even hear this car idle, and I can't hear it rev. I realize Mazda made this car intentionally this way, which why I'm guessing you don't like it. Hell, either do I, but it's about getting to work, and, this is a better car for that. Had I not bought a new 06 S2000, I know I'd have gotten rid of my 01 S2K, and waited for a trade inthe 07 Limited. That's not happening, but who knows. If I like the new STI enough down the road,it might be bye bye S2000. That's always a future option.

I'm not taking well to congrats, and this doesn't make me happy, but sometimes you have to make sacrifices, and this isn't really a bad sacfirice. I have two 06 cars that are both great vehicles in their own respect, so I'll get over this. I guess I really didn't know how upset I'd miss the STI until it was gone, but I can go back to it if I want, so everything will be good very soon. Thanks guys.

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

so what options did the MS6 come with? pics?

VikingDJ

I got the Sport edition, so no leather, heated power seats, ect ect. It still comes with all the kick *** standard featuees like the projection HIDS, stabilitly/traction control. Bose system with 6 disc changer, auto climate control, ect ect. The car simply comes loaded no matter what, The Grand touring gives you a bunch of extras. Mine has some options like cargo net, auto dim mirror compass, alarm shock sensor, and wheel locks. I'll get pics up maybe. Right now, I am not bragging about this new car, I'm more like sulking over it.

BTW, anyone local in NJ, or eastern PA area, if you want a nice set of potenza summer tires, they'll be off car soon, and up for sale for cheap. I also will be selling my Cobb AP, which I obviously un-installed before trip to dealer, and my winter rim/tire set for STI. The stage 1 itself did wonders for this STI. I miss having that, and swapping out maps was a blast. If you know anyone who is looking for these things,, just give me a holla. Thanks!!

crossbow

A better car would be a honda fit. You don't need a 3600 lb, AWD, turbocharged car, to drive to work. Especially one that gets an average of 18 mpg (or less) and requires 93 octane (94 if you can get it). It's a "fun" car purchase, no matter what your tell yourself.

Now if you were talking a commuter car...a honda fit, toyota yaris, etc...now you're making some sense. 87 octane, and nearly 40 mpg and 1/2 to 1/3 the price.

Renesis_8

Why not the Legacy GT?
________
MODESTO CENTRAL VALLEY CO OP

VikingDJ

I wanted something fast, sporty, luxurious and loaded with goodies with respectable performance and gas mileage to use for work, and I only wanted a two year commitment. This car was the best fit period. I don't know how to own those cars. This was only about a grand more then leasing a base mazda 3 or a base mazda 6. I figured I better give myself some therapy for parting with a car I didn't want to get rid of. I wasn't thinking about the ultimate daily driver here, when I could get a better car for my lease, and reduce my debt. The MS6 is way more of a daily driver then the RX8, and many drive them daily. I gained 25mpg overall btw on my first tank mostly highway, but several high speed runs. This car defintely gets a bit better mileage then the STI overall. as I averaged less then that with STI. I don't care about having to break car in either.

There was no doubt in my mind I could have gotten a killer deal had I intended to purchase. I also read recently on an MS forum. This car is pulling an RX8. The deals are starting to become insane, as one could guess sales are possibly lower then expected sales. In my opinion, I think this attempt at making the MS6 luxurious and more tame has somewhat backfired. I could be wrong, so no need to debate it.

As for the Legacy GT. A better car I'd have taken over the MS6, but it cost more to lease, as there are no deals.

Ike

I wonder what lease deals are like now for the new GTI, I've heard they're not selling as well as VW had hoped. Did you by chance check it out Viking? My girlfriend could jump into a MS6 and not pay a dime more than she does for her POS Altima. Perhaps a GTI would be even cheaper...

VikingDJ

Perhaps it might be cheaper, but I don't know. I am not sure as to how the GTI is selling, but the salesman said the new Rabbit is very popular, and I believe him. I've seen several on the road already, and even more GTIS. If you drove even a base rabbit, as a car enthusiast and a guy who knows a lot about cars, you'd quickly realize just as I did how great of a deal that car is even for 15k-18k, assuming it's gonna be reliable of course. It's a noticably improved car. You get a lot more for your money then previously I can guarantee you that. my dad has had insane success with the Golf, and I hope this new Rabbit keeps that streak going.

That thought tends to cross my mind, as leasing a GTI would have been a better suit for me, but I realized I can't be leasing a car I can fall in love with, and any lease deal with a buyout option always means you paid more for the car then if financing to own. I did the right thing by taking this car, as I did not want to own, and a buyout on a lease to end up paying more for a car isn't ever an option. for me. The lease deal on the MS6 is fabulous, but the buyout that's on my slip is not as friendly. I could have bought the car for 3 grand less then leasing and a buyout after lease ends.

You should try and talk the GF into checking out the GTI or the Ms6.

crossbow

Well now's the right time to check out the MS6...dealers are falling over themselves trying to get rid of them. It's fast becoming one of the worst selling mazda's ever.

You can (with negotiation) actually purchase one CHEAPER then a standard Mazda 6s. Prices and deals will only increase as the 2007's become available in aug/sept. Of course, like the rx8, this is upseting many owners who paid well over 30k to get one of the cars early. Some people are finding out they've lost over 7,000 dollars in value in just a few months.

And ya, I agree with your reasons, I'm just pointing out its not really a good commuting car...multipurpose fun car sure, but I would never bash it by calling it a "car you bought to drive to work".

I would have to agree that the car isn't the best at 30k, but when its in the low 20's, its a hell of a buy. Very few cars can match it in the 22-23k price range.

Though you should already have the power loss reflash, if you ever experience something akin to "the car just died", make sure to visit a dealership to get the car reflashed. Also try and keep 93 or higher octane in it if available. The car goes bonkers nuts when temps rise and cuts WAY back on the power if you don't have sufficent octane.

Umbra

Exactly, buying a mazda 3 would have been smarter, or if you really need sporty and cheap there are a bunch of those too..... civic si, sentra spec v, etc.

Probably the smarter thing would have been to get rid of the s2k you just bought if you need money. Trading up cars all the time is just going to leave you in constant debt for not much if any benefit. Besides the s2k looks pretty much the same regardless of what year it is.

Rotary Rasp

iTrader: (2)

true dat

VikingDJ

Well, I love the experience of owning new and different cars, and that is my benefit. I drive a lot of miles, and I love nice cars, so it's all good. Selling the STI wasn't a do or die must, it was a a way to pay off that S2000. As for the S2Ks looking pretty much the same I agree, but believe me they have changed in how they drive from 2004 on, and the interior is very different on this 06 compared to my 01. Much improved interior, stereo shifting, handling, a glass rear window, and a noticable increase in torque as well.

This MS6 deal is even smarter then buying or even leasing a mazda 3. For $1000 more, wouldn't you lease the MS6 over the 3? I have to get 2 years out of a car, so there's no way I'd unload a 3 month old and take that kind of a hit. I drive a lot of miles, and I love nice cars, so it's all good. Selling the STI wasn't a do or die must, but it was a way to pay off a car I absolutely love in 2.5 years instead of 5.

CROSS BOW: You are right. I could have purchased this MS6 for an insane deal, there is no doubt about it. I took the lease deal, because I couldn't ever keep the car. The last thing I want is to take a big loss like I took on RX8. Of course my 04 RX8 was giving me all kinds of tiny problems, and I lost all trust in that car, which made it easier to go S2K as the summer daily/fun car. This MS6 might be visiting dealership a few times in my two years, but I get a a free loaner, and I don't own it, so it's much more comfortable then owning. Thanks for the info on the MS6. It's possible that the dumbasses put regular as my free tank, because the power loss seems deliberate, so running 93 is a must, and I'm sure in winter this car will pick up some nice juice. I have to remember I went from an STI to a heaviver, likely overstated hp MS6. There s simply a huge difference in power between these two cars.

You are right though, for 23K-$24k for a MS6 sport, it's just an insane killer deal, because Mazda really built this MS6 up nice. Just because I'm a compact guy who doesn't enthusiast mind to more luxurious cars, I have to stop bashing the car. It is really a nice machine, and I'm gonna really enjoy this for the next two years as a daily, no doubt about it.

crossbow

Viking,

Definitely get that higher octane in there!!! Makes a HUGE difference.

If with a full tank of 93, you still experience power loss after 4k rpm, contact the dealer for a reflash.

The power drop off after 5.5k is normal. After around 5800 rpm, the turbo can no longer sustain enough flow to meet the engines demands, so the torque dropoff is substaintal. (over 100 ft/lbs dropoff from 5500 to 6500 rpm). You'll find that the car rewards early shifting with faster performance. Very very different from the standard 6 or rx8 tuning (especially the 8). Where as you need to rev the 8 or 6 to get the power, you get penalized for doing the same thing in the MS6.

VikingDJ

Thanks for the info Crossbow. I need more time with this car, because I'm still adjusting to the big power difference in the STI, and the totally different power curve like you describe. This thing is definitlely different in it's tuning. Seems pretty pointless to me to have a 6700 redline and a peak power at 5500. All this power does come early, I will say that. It's like you can go fast and not be revving much, but the car feels more muscle like. That's why it feels so luxurious to me. I can't even hear the engine revving. Obviously this is what Mazda wanted. I defintely feel the power drop off after 5500. That's where the car just falls flat. It really doesn't feel that fast, but it might just be me. I went from an STI to this, so the heavier feel, and less power is blatently apparent. IN time I'll adjust, learn more about this car, and get used to it's large size and feel. Thanks again.

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

so you experience almost no turbo lag in the MS6?

crossbow

For discussion purposes, here's a shot of the torque graph of the MS6. This pretty much shows exactly how the MS6 is tuned.

Heaploads of low end torque...damn graph is nearly vertical. You can also see the massive dropoff in the upper rpm's.



I wouldn't say the car is lagless...the power just comes on really early. Minimal lag would be a better term, as almost anyone coming from an NA engine will notice some level of hesitation from a standstill momentarily. Of course if you owned a turbo car previously, or had an NA engine that was tuned for upper rpm power, you won't notice it at all.

Mazda specifcally designed the MS6 to address the primary complaints of the Mazda 6 powerband. Though you 8 owners would never believe it, the average joe hardly ever rev's their car. There are some mazda 6 owners who didn't even realize the peak powerband on a standard 6i/6s was 5500-6500...one guy wasn't even reving it to 5000!!! He thought it was "bad for the motor".

You don't even have to try to rev the MS6...that tiny K04 spools up ultra fast. Of course it also limits the maximum power output, negatively impacts mileage (small turbo = heaploads of backpressure) and causes the car to run out of umf in the upper end.

Unfortuantly there isn't any tuning available to enable any hybrid or turbo swaps yet. Best you can get is a turboback/intake/midpipe, which will net around 30-40 whp. Cobb has recently annouced that they may make an accessport for the speed3, but unless the 3's ecu is identical to the speed6's, it probably won't cross over. (The standard Mazda3s and 6i have different ecu's)

Ike

Cobb has announced the Accessport for many cars (including the RX-8 nearly 3 years ago), but they have yet to do anything for any cars besides a Subaru. We'll see, but it seems the next car on their list would be the Evo. Unless of course they feel the market is too crowded already...