I did a stupid thing today...

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Gil

Gil

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old-guy64
So, we took my son's car to the Mazda dealer for some work.
I had been looking at the website, and noted that the dealer had not one, but several Mazdaspeed Mazda6's on the lot.
I knew better, but I drove the damn thing anyway.

HOLY CRAP! I goosed it once I got it on the street, and it pinned us back in the seats.
The one that I drove was an '07 with 21,000 miles on it. didn't have the power seats, or the remote trunk.
It DID have the 274 HP/280 lb/ft turbo 4. The only gear this thing didn't pull hard in was 6th at 45 MPH.
AWD completely transparent on dry roads. Price just lowered to $17,988.
Taking any and all donations.
 
You know, it's a hobby and a form of self-flagellation, isn't it? I always test drive interesting cars and then immediately want to buy them.

Wait 3 weeks, offer them $16k, and see if they bite.
 
I've always liked those Mazdaspeeds. I'd like to take one of the MS3s out for a spin to see how it does against the GTI.
 
Those MS6's are awesome cars with a lot of pep. Buddy had one before it was taken from him. I remember he had big plans to keep that car; he loved it that much.
 
I'm getting to like Mazdaspeed cars as well. I prefer the bigger 6 over the three. The AWD of the 6 eliminates the torque steer of the FWD 3. And I'm a big guy. Though I'm getting smaller daily, due to some lifestyle changes. I'm not comfortable in a 3. (my second son has one)

I only had it out for 5 -10 minutes.
IMHO, it would be perfect if it:
Had the cold air intake
Short shifter
High performance rear engine mount

The rear engine mount probably being the most important.
I think this would give the shifter a better feel. As I said, I only had the car out for a few minutes. I might get used to the shifter in time, but my gut tells me it would be better with the rear engine mount.
The car has an "interesting" clutch take-up. It felt like it engaged at a different point with each shift. And I'm one of those guys that pushes the clutch in just past the friction point to shift. It only goes all the way in at stops, and to engage the relay that allows the car to start.
I'm thinking all that torque is too much for the standard engine mount.

I figure the cold air intake would add a couple more HP, but it would let the car pull harder in the upper gears.

Downsides, I could never let my wife drive it. She would find out it was a fire-breathing monster, and want me to get rid of it. Or worse, she'd want to drive it all the time.
My youngest son would want to drive it. I've seen what he's capable of in a Geo Metro, He'd get killed in the MS6. Quickly!
Also, the two MS6's on the lot are both black. (one is an '07 with LOW miles--21k, the other is an '06 with 41k miles, but has the nav, power seats, and sunroof both the same price) I really have no love for black cars. Pain in ass to keep clean, hot inside in summer and winter. So, I'd have to get a 10-15% tint on the windows to alleviate some of that.
Of course, of the three that they did have the other one was red. I'm not much on red either. Too highly visible. I kinda like to blend in to the scenery.

On the upside, my oldest son is finally beginning to understand my wanton desires for a "hot" car.
We took an '03 G35 coupe out a week ago. It was about the same price. It was also equipped with a manual trans, but it was a two-dr, and RWD. It would be a COMPLETE no sell with the wife due to it's "impractical" nature.
It was also, a bit "pokey" compared to the MS6....
 
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I wonder if the MS6 ecu limits the boost on different gears like MS3's do.. perhaps that would explain the different feel?
 
I know how you feel about other people driving the car who probably shouldn't. I'm scared to death at the thought of my sister driving the GTI (she did wreck it one time she drove it this year, and took it out one time there was something seriously wrong with it, and leaves a GIANT mess in there every other time) and mom is the daydreamer type who I just don't trust to not run into something.

Those Mazdaspeeds really are impressive cars though.
 
I was seriously looking at the Mazdaspeed6 when I opted out for the Subaru Legacy, it was only because of the lack of rear folding seats to get to the truck. A guys gotta have space for the bass you know.:D

Fun cars!
 
Do they have the turning radius of a large boat like the regular ones?
 
My wife's TSX has a much larger turning radius than my 3er, but it really doesn't interfere with the daily driving.
 
Ah yes the test drives...

I took a 335i with a 6 speed manual out the other day. Can you say torque? Made me want to buy one on the spot...

As for the MS6, wait for one that comes along in the color you want. That is what I did with my M3...

Speaking of which, just get an E36 M3 Sedan on the cheap :sly:
 
Philly
I've always liked those Mazdaspeeds. I'd like to take one of the MS3s out for a spin to see how it does against the GTI.
Click to expand...

A MS3 will DESTROY a Golf GTi, in both straight line AND cornering. Inside Line had the MS3 destroy the WRX & Lancer Ralliart in a head to head test (it won in straight line, skidpan, braking & slalom!) so the GTi isn't going to get close.

Leonidae
I wonder if the MS6 ecu limits the boost on different gears like MS3's do.. perhaps that would explain the different feel?
Click to expand...
It does but it's not as bad as the MS3. The MS3 does it to reduce FWD wheelspin. The MS6 is technically AWD, but it's FWD primarily and only sends power to the backs when wheelspin is about to occur.


Giancarlo
It's so dull-looking though..
Click to expand...
There's a white one in my area with 19" multi-spoke chrome rims on it and BOV....it looks and sounds quite impressive, understated but cool at the same time. 👍
 
Giancarlo
It's so dull-looking though..
Click to expand...
See, and I would find a wrecked '6 so I could put the standard wheels on it and pull the Mazdaspeed badges off, so it was more of a sleeper...
I'm old enough that I want the power, but I want to be as invisible as possible.

As far as the turning circle, my wife and son both have standard 6's.
I've never had any trouble driving them.
I actually find them to have better than average handling, and (until I drove the Mazdaspeed version) thought they had adequate power.
 
The engine mounts? Very perceptive... that's an issue on the Mazdaspeed3, too... well... an issue on almost all fast Mazdas with transverse engines.

The 6 is a wonderful car... I'd get a Mazdaspeed in a heartbeat if it was available here... :(
 
Thats a pretty decent bargain, I wouldnt mind one due to the sleeper looks, and the interior looks pretty nice, did a basic service on a standard one today they look sweet as a wagon with tinted windows
 
Gil
See, and I would find a wrecked '6 so I could put the standard wheels on it and pull the Mazdaspeed badges off, so it was more of a sleeper...
I'm old enough that I want the power, but I want to be as invisible as possible.
Click to expand...

I can see where you're coming from, and obviously i respect it more than just buying a Porsche like most middle-aged men.

But i dunno, i've always thought sleepers had to have a little coolness to them. Just off the top of my head, stuff like the Taurus SHO or the Grand National perhaps.

It's like dropping a Supra engine in a Camry, if that's possible. Sure you have a sleeper in the strict sense, but i mean, meh.
 
But those cars really aren't sleepers in the truest sense of the word. They're the hot versions and you can easily tell. The NEW SHO would be more of a Sleeper, as there's not a whole lot to differentiate it.
 
Ya... I just got a MS3... loving it.

Don't feel a lot of torque steer - however I didn't nail it yet since it's still brand new.

I like the MS6 more but had to go for a new car and got the MS3 for a bargain... About 1800 under invoice! :D


If the MS6 is anything like the MS3 (should be...) the CAI would add about 15whp... which is a crazy amount for an intake alone. Supposely the stock intake system is very very restrictive.
 
Well, I have a tendency to research things to death.
One of the owners on Edmunds.com said that he spent $1000 dollars to make the car what it should have been out of the gate.
The items he added were a CAI, Short Shifter, and the rear motor mount.

After driving the car, I could live quite happily with just the motor mount.
I figure that it would alleviate the "motor shift" under power that makes shifting not as pleasant as it could be.
In point of fact, I really don't drive "fast" anymore. I haven't since my oldest son was old enough to pay attention to what I do. I'm drawn to this car by it's good looks, AWD (We get snow and ice in the winter), and it's practicality. The power is not way down the list for me, it's just not the main draw.
Plus, with the exception of the manual trans, it meets all the criteria my wife would have for a car.

I've also read about this in Project Car magazine when they did up a MK3 VW Golf. It seems a strong rear motor mount counts for a lot in powerful cars with transverse mounted motors.

As far as the sleeper thing, the Mazda6 is pretty much the best looking of the medium size sedans in it's class.
The Accord has gotten fat and ugly. Great car for the "point A to point B in comfort-looks be damned" crowd.
The Camry has the image of being a "mom-mobile"--even the "hot rod" Camry is usually seen with a middle aged woman behind the wheel.
The Chevy Malibu may be a great car, but it's still a Camry wannabe and it has no "soul" stirring qualities.
The Mercury Milan/Ford Fusion is ok, but it is the Mazda6's "sister". It's just not as pretty.

That said, the MS6 looks enough like a standard 6, that it really doesn't stand out unless you know what you're looking at. Even sitting side by side on the dealer lot it's hard to tell the difference from more than 50 feet away. The only standout features on the MS6 are the tiny trunk mounted spoiler, and those ugly wheels.
Swap out the wheels for the 5-spokers on a Standard 6, and you can pretty much fly under the radar.
And I, like being under the radar, especially that of the Highway Patrol.
 
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Let the salivation begin.
That car is sweet!!
I'd love one to rock as a daily driver.
I've gone as far to see how many are for sale in a 250 mile radius.

A G35 would be easier to get my grubby paws on....
But there are just over a dozen...
 

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