9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

I was looking into a turbo 3 series or a G35 in a year or two but a quick trip to a dealer to look for a new car for my wife today may have changed my mind. They have a used mazdaspeed 6 GT with nav with 4k on the odometer for 20k. The car is in perfect showroom condition and they sell Fords so it seems to be about 5k cheaper based on a quick search locally. The cars I found generally were about 5k more and had double the mileage.

All I could find was positive input about the 6. Any problems or concerns that you guys are aware of? I would like something more road trip friendly for the family and the gas mileage would help too. This way I can stop racking up 35k a year on my 8 and it will last long enough for my son to have it. This may just be an impulse and I may just drop it but I thought I'd get your input. Thanks.

Shamingo

mazda6club.com check the forum there, when i used to own a 6, there was so much information there it was nearly overwhelming. From my personal experience, I don't remember any major problems at all, in fact, the only thing I had to take it in for in 8 months besides oil changes and 30k service was 4 nails conveniently stuck in each of my tires...****** that live around me. Anywho, great car, reliable, and fun. 0-60 is exactly the same as the RX-8...but don't tell anyone around here that I said that

9291150

If the MS6 attracts you, I'd also consider the Legacy GT. Both are fun and should be much more refined and "road trip friendly" than STI's and Evos. But I heard of some problems with the location of the intercooler robbing some power, but nothing serious. I've driven the regular 6 on several occasions as rentals and it's a decent ride that I'd pick over the camry/accord/anything domestic types.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

I think the suby is sort of ugly. And the speed6 is way faster than the 8 in straight line. I have seen guys at the track running high 13's with just a boost controller. I just cannot believe you can get all that car for 20k.

I found conflicting information on model year differences. Does anyone know if the 06' or 07' has an auxliary input for MP3 players, satillite radios, etc?

knight7

iTrader: (1)

really??? my brother was looking into one when they first came out, and we test drove it and the reason we didnt get it was because it felt slow compared to the 8.
the MS3 tho, now thats a fun car, sucker is QUICK! and cheap. the only down for me is the FWD.

Razz1

I like the M6

It will probablt be my next family car once the Buick dies.

Cody Red

The MS6 is great. The only problem I would have with it is the weight. Other than that, it's one of the coolest sporty sedans I've seen.

-Cody

Ike

The tuning of the engine is a little odd (very little power up top) and they've had powerloss issues which I believe have been sorted out... The intercooler is fairly insufficient and they're prone to heatsoak. Also, I wouldn't do too much in the way of mods to that engine without doing some internal upgrades. The automotive press for the most part seems to prefer the Legacy and A4, but the MS6 is still a good car and can be had for much cheaper than those two. As for the 20k used price, keep in mind they could (can?) be had for 22-23k new, and for that price the car is tough to beat.

chickenwafer

iTrader: (9)

they can be made to be fast, but stock they aren't a speed demon. A guy in a local Mazda owners club has one- it's pretty sweet. Has an upgraded turbo, intercooler, ECU, etc. Pushes som good power- good enough to whomp on modded SRT-4's.

CarAndDriver

I like the MS6, but it ended up being a bit of a disappointment compared to expectations. Not quite as fast as it should be and a bit overweight. I think Mazda learned its lesson and that is why the MS3 is such a great car.

Stavesacre21

I've given a few different glances at the MS6, but the fact remains that our nearest MS dealership is 100 miles away has limited any further interrigations.

The only thing that i've picked up about it is that it's had some power issues in the past. Also, others have noted that for the HP, it's somewhat of a dog when compared to the competition. However, the AWD would be saweet.

Personally, unless your really after the AWD, i'd agree with CaD and say that the MS3 sounds like a more sure thing.

But hey, IMO, for that price, that's not bad at ALL. I've heard some pretty freaking rediculous prices on those things round these parts...likely because of their rarity in NW ohio.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

In the 1/4, Stock MS6's run 14.3's easy and I was the fastest stock RX8 that any guys in the group had seen at 14.8. That may not seem like much but most stock 8's I have seen run about a 15 flat. Now we are seeing MS6's in the low 13's with minor mods. The only 8 in our area breaking 13's (besides me once I run N20 and get some numbers) is a turboocharged 8 with more than 10k into it. I have yet to see a MS6 at an autox so it would be interesting to see how they compare in that venue. But that is why I would like to keep my 8 also.

CarAndDriver

The MS6 for straight line speed and the 8 in the corners/twisties and the MS3 for all around practicality and blazingly fast speed.

However, the deal on the MS6 will be great because I think they are slow sellers. The MS3 would probably be a good deal at MSRP.

MichaelBrown

Get the MazdaSpeed3 Those things are awesome! They changed alot about that car that makes it just wicked fast and handles excellently. The first thing they did was add a bunch of bracing to it, you can add more with AutoEXE, but trust me MS did a good job. The MZR 2.3 Turbo is on of those engines that are an instant classic. kind of like the Honda's K20, Nissan's VQ Series, or Evo's 4G63.

The MS3 has 230WHP...
Thats more WHP than the Integra Type R, Lancer Evolution, WRX, and almost anything else you can think of.

The MazdaSpeed3 has had alot of reviews, and it has been titled the fastest FWD car ever. Trust me, if you want a 5-door family vehicle, but still spank all those other cars out there, get a MS3.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

yeah, I'm torn on the MS3 and they are hard to come by right now in my area. The MS3 is great but I don't think I could ever go back to a FWD.

chickenwafer

iTrader: (9)

reguarding the MS6 allwheel drive, I may be dead wrong about this so don't jump all over me if I am; but doesn't the MS6 use a Haldex clutch pack (like the VW R32) that makes it drive like a FWD most of the time, then only engages the rear wheels when you get on it or throw it in a corner? I'm actually pretty sure I read that in Sport Compact Car magazine when the MS6 was coming out.

CarAndDriver

I've seen a few on the dealer lots here in the Bay Area, but no GT models. They are asking $2k-3k above invoice.

Ike

The MZR 2.3 has a long way to go and it shouldn't even be mentioned in the same breath as those other engines. You make this thing sound like it's gods gift to the automotive world. Yes it's a good car, no it does not have as much power as an Evo and no it's not the fastest FWD car ever. It's just the fastest FWD car made right now... Lastly since when does "wicked fast" mean low 14s and traps around 100mph? For those downing the MS6 and praising the MS3, they're pretty damn close when it comes to 1/4 mile times and speed.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Yep.

CarAndDriver

Either way, get a Mazda.

MazdaMonkey

The MS6 is basically FWD, using the rear wheels when traction is needed (mostly for straight line acceleration). The clutch leaves a lot to be desired on the Speed6, especially if you are used to other Mazdas such as the RX-8 or Miata.
The MS3 is a lot faster car than the Speed6 (Road and Track) tested it at nearly 10 seconds faster to 100mph). You can’t beat the performance/dollar ratio that the car brings, and the hatchback is a huge plus. The regular Mazda3 hatch is already a great handling and spacious car (my girlfriend just bought one). It handles great, with the FWD driving characteristics only coming through when the car is pushed to its limits.

If you want more cargo room and zoom-zoom I would go with the Speed3. If you want more passenger room and AWD (maybe you travel north of Texas once in a while?) the Speed6 might be for you. Either way you should test drive both to make the best decision and see if you can live with the stiff on/off clutch

Ike

Your understanding of AWD leaves a little something to be desired...

The Road & Track MS6 was experiencing the powerloss issues I pointed out earlier. An MS6 that's working properly is rather close in acceleration to the MS3.

Stavesacre21

I always found that rather odd that R&T never bothered to change their numbers on their stat page for the MS6, reguardless of the fact that numerous articles followed with more accurate times.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

That's the key. I have autocrossed FWD (RSX, CRX, GSR, MR2 Turbo, MSP) cars for many years and I have lapped many AWD (all somewhat different technically I know) and they are nothing like a FWD. The MS3 is still a 3. I'm done with the hot hatch part of my life. I know exactly what the speed 3 is capable of but I don't want a hatchback or a FWD car. The MS6 AWD system can allocate a full 50/50 split. That makes a big difference in certain situations where a FWD would be crazy. But again, this car will just be a cruiser and my RX8 will be for the cones and twisties. But it would be nice to have a quick highway cruiser for the long trips I take. I just want a AWD Turbo sedan so bad for some reason.

Ike

The MS6 could have been a very good car even with the AWD system it has. It's just not implemented very well and if you're after an AWD sedan there are a few better choices out there. Lastly, the MR2 turbo is/was RWD...