Anyone seen one of these yet? I note all the major car mags have ads this month, but I haven't seen one yet in CT.

 

Yeah, you gotta order them in Iraq and have them shipped here in a crate.

 

I've heard Houston has one or two of them

 

I called every Speed dealer within 100 miles and told them to call me when one came in. Not a word yet up in the Northeast, I'm really looking forward to this car!

 

"Most" speed dealerships will have them by the begining of november. Whether or not a particular dealership gets one sooner is based on when they placed the order, and their relatively proximity to the west coast.

Canada is getting them slightly sooner, and some canadian owners will have them in hand within the week or two.

 

Great I don't think I could be further away from the west coast! Oh well I heard it looks real good in person can't wait!

 

Hasn't it been delayed? I'll see if I can dig up the article. Something along the lines of management taking the blame for the hold up.

EDIT: Oh, here's the article...
http://www.autoblog.com/entry/1234000930058425/

 

Mazda's in california are not going to have the mazdaspeed 6 until late december or january from my sources at the dealerships all over the bay area. They said that its been delayed due to management just like Snizzle said. Its been delayed since i believe november or october i think. But they should be having one in the showroom by mid to late december. I hope this helps out. (Lucky japanese already have it).

~Jon

 

They've been delayed for a number of reasons. Here's the current web tally on delay reasons.

It was supposed to be out in winter 2005 (jan/feb of this year). Its almost an entire year behind schedule.

Some of these sources are non mazda sources, so take them with a grain of salt.

Online Source: Direct Injection
Online Source: Turbo Issues
Mazda Source: Up/Down Auto Windows Jamming the hell outta fingers
Online Source: AWD system (engaging disengaging issues)
Mazda Source: Car too slow, adjusted final drive

The latest reason was the Final drive one. Mazda was disappointed in the acceleration figures (it wasn't much faster then a standard 6s mtx), so they started tweaking the final drive.

Final Drive Info

Old ratios: 3.611(1st-4th), 3.095(5&6th)
New ratios: 3.941(1st-4th), 3.350(5&6th)

Do note this comes with a 2 mpg penalty, but now the car will be zippier. Average mpg will now be similar to v6 ATX 6s's (18-20 city, 26-28 highway). Hopefully the new final drive will help it to run low-mid 14's (without clutch drops), and possibly a high 13 in the 1/4.

Car still makes the same power figures, with the same odd max power at 5500 or so rpm's...when the redlines at 6700. I gander they're dialing back the boost after 5500 rpm or following the new mazda procedure of trying to drown the cats with fuel in the upper revs in order to meet EPA2 requirements.

 

I was surprised that they didn't have one at Zoom Zoom Live, even if it was for display purposes only.

 

Correct me if I am wrong but I think this was put into place around 2002. Started with the mp3/msp and continued to the msm and the 8 dumping as much fuel as possible into the exhaust. Possibly the ms6 as well.

I love Mazda, but I have learned to expect a car 1year+ after they announce it to be released.

 

How long was the MS6 in development anyways? I know cars won't always be released on its scheduled date, but this one seems to have been done with great haste. My belief is that Mazda is being pressured to put this car out on the market, and I only see one clear competition: the Subaru Legacy GT.

 

Saw a couple of them at Mazda North America before Sevenstock. Even got pictures.

 

Test drives in mags here say that engine is awesome. It loves to rev. Handling... like turn-in is pretty sharp. Supposedly the ride isn't too harsh because they didn't up the spring rate too much. Supposedly the management reasons for it running late are due to

I wish I had more details, but I was only reading the mag in the store... they had LOTS of great stuff to check out... details on the GTR... like drivetrain (S/C V6, elec assist TT V6, and others tested), Evo X... there will be a sedan.. at least for JDM, the Folia... looks like a replacement for the Silvia, Honda's sport sedan concept... sportier than a 3 series and more "adult" than a Rx-8 (to quote the mag). It had seating like the 8... 4 seater with the long column down the middle (no rear bench... two bucket seats)... not a bad looking car... and I hate Honda in general. I think it might have/get the SH -AWD system. Damn... I might have to buy that mag. Oh well... at least there is the Tokyo Motorshow this year starting next week.

 

I had my car in for the front lower arm ball joint recall and while I was waiting, I decided to test drive a Mazda 6s. The salesman told me that he expected to have the MS6 by mid November. FWIW, the salesman was very informed on the mazda 6.

 

Original arrival date was slated for Jan/Feb 2005. So its about 3/4 of a year late. I haven't seen any actual production previews of the car yet.

All the magazines in the past 6 months have been reviewing hand built pre-production mules. The final car has some "changes" which don't reflect these early models.