New to the Forums and need advice!!!

[apawk]

Ok .. I need some help!!

I am looking at getting either a ms3 or ms6. I like both cars a lot. I can't decide on which to get.... I drive 48 miles round trip to work mon-fri. When I have some "man time" away from the wife and kids i like to go on some weekend rides. Just sold my 2011 Sonata Turbo SE which was for my wife and my first experience with a Turbo'd 4cyl and now i have the Turbo bug....

I am going to get one or the other this week or next but I need to decide on which to get. Im rather torn on which one.

Questions i am pondering over:
Do I need the AWD?
Will the MS3 give me the power on take off that i really want?
Being 34 now, is the 6 a better fit for my family being that the 3 is a small hatch?
The 6 was only made for 2 years ... the 3 is still in production... does that mean anything?

I want to get the most out of this ride because i have switched cars several times in the past 3 years and i really want to find something i like and that I will keep for at least the next 4-5 years. I have already driven a 07' ms3and I am going to drive a Silver 06' ms6 on wed to see which i like the best. Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am really torn between which one to get.

Thanks for reading and an advanced thank you to any input given!!

Chip

 

[apawk]

I would hope once i get a ms6 or 3 that these forums will have a little better response/input on newcomers than this experience :/

 

[weakdog85]

Awd = awesome!!!!

 

[wannabe]

I would hope once i get a ms6 or 3 that these forums will have a little better response/input on newcomers than this experience :/

Less than 24 hours is not unusual for a "lounge" post.

I personally bought the MS6 over the MS3 because it is more "grown-up" feeling. It has a little more power, but a lot more weight with the AWD. I love the AWD, its very fun. The MS6 is just so much more refined than the MS3.

The reason the MS3 is still being made and the MS6 isn't is simply that the MS6 didn't sell very well, whereas the MS3 flew off the lots. Most people blame the fact that Mazda made it more high-end, which competes with more luxury cars, and doesn't hit Mazda's typical demographic. It wasn't as fast as its percieved competion - STi/EVO -and not quite a BMW/Lexus/Audi. It was somewhere in between....which is why I love it...

The MS3 is right in line with the boy-racers its going after.

 

[6oost3d]

Both cars are sweet. I have an MS6 thats been a lot of fun. I can drive when it snows out, but you probably don't have that problem in Georgia.

In response to your questions:

Do I need the AWD? -It comes in handy for turns/when its slippery out. It helps a lot if your puttin down a lot of power, you wont spin the tires if you've got a lot.
Will the MS3 give me the power on take off that i really want?Yes, MS3's are torque monsters
Being 34 now, is the 6 a better fit for my family being that the 3 is a small hatch? The 6 has more space imo, and is a bit more comfortable
The 6 was only made for 2 years ... the 3 is still in production... does that mean anything?Yes it means the 3's value will depreciate faster haha, 6's are alot more rare if that means anything to you.
I might sell my 6 soon.

 

[Spooler]

I am 33 and have a kid. I bought the MS6 since (used to own a MS Protege) I think it's a good compromise between family car and performance car. The car has plenty of power and handles quite well for a sedan. I do enjoy the AWD a lot, mainly in winter but also in rainy days where conditions are not ideal. MS3 seems to be a great hatch for the price, but it is probably too raw and too small to be a comfortable family car. It depends what you want and what you need.

 

[oaklandopen]

There is sooooooo much to argue over when dealing with awd vs fwd vs rwd. For your sake id ask myself if it snows in your part of Georgia (i know some parts do), and if your main point of speeding will come from a standstill. If its "no" to both then go for the fwd

considering the ms6's category its actually not much more roomy inside than the Ms3.

Im not trying to seem biased here but i wouldnt trade the hatchback for the awd if all other things were equal. And since youre already a family man you would probably appreciate the extra storage as well

 

[Spooler]

I disagree in terms of space. The MS3 backseat is pretty tight, MS6 is more spacious and you appreciate the extra room when stitting your kid baby seat. I seriously looked a the MS3 before getting the MS6 and although the hatch is great for loading stuff, the MS3 trunk is pretty narrow due to rear wheel wells. Now, the MS6 rear seats don't fold, that is inconvenient sometimes.

In the end, the only way you will know is test driving both cars.

 

[oaklandopen]

Ms3

Internal dimensions: front headroom (inches): 39.1, rear headroom (inches): 38.4, front hip room (inches): 53.8, rear hip room (inches): 52.5, front leg room (inches): 41.1, rear leg room (inches): 36.3, front shoulder room (inches): 54.9 and rear shoulder room (inches): 54



Ms6

Internal dimensions: front headroom (inches): 38.7, rear headroom (inches): 37.1, front hip room (inches): 54.7, rear hip room (inches): 54.1, front leg room (inches): 42.3, rear leg room (inches): 36.5, front shoulder room (inches): 55.9, rear shoulder room (inches): 55.2 and interior volume (cu ft): 96.1

 

[Spooler]

Ms3

Internal dimensions: front headroom (inches): 39.1, rear headroom (inches): 38.4, front hip room (inches): 53.8, rear hip room (inches): 52.5, front leg room (inches): 41.1, rear leg room (inches): 36.3, front shoulder room (inches): 54.9 and rear shoulder room (inches): 54



Ms6

Internal dimensions: front headroom (inches): 38.7, rear headroom (inches): 37.1, front hip room (inches): 54.7, rear hip room (inches): 54.1, front leg room (inches): 42.3, rear leg room (inches): 36.5, front shoulder room (inches): 55.9, rear shoulder room (inches): 55.2 and interior volume (cu ft): 96.1

Cool, I like when people answer with numbers!!! That's the type of stuff we need in this forum to have people informed. I ran more simplistic tests when I was shopping. I pushed the MS3 front seat all the way to the back and I sat behind it. I couldn't fit in the MS3, I can no problem in my MS6. I brought my stroller to the dealership, it didn't fit across the MS3 the trunk. Trunk volume is a deceiving measure since you can pile things up in a hatch, the problem is that some objects don't fit. This was a disappointment for me, I was considering the MS3 particularly for the hatch. I must say the MS6 trunk is not great either since the cross members added for frame stiffness took some space away. The rear doors open a bit more, so more room to install the kid. Although the numbers don't show it, the MS6 feels more spacious in the front. I think it's the way the dashboard is designed that gives that impression. Now, I would definitely say the MS3 is more of a sports car. Suspension in tighter, front seats are more supportive, the car handling is better. MS6 takes it from the gate due to AWD, but once you are moving the MS3 feels faster. MS6 feels heavy sometimes, especially at low revs. MS6 is not cheap on gas, AWD ain't free. If you are looking for toy car, get the MS3. By no means I bash on the MS3, it was in my shortlist, for me it felt too much like my MSP for a family car.

Again, the only way to know is to test drive and make your own mind.

 

[oaklandopen]

All i was really trying to say was the interior space was negligible between the two. What cannot be argued is the difference between awd and fwd, and cargo space

 

[OJ Bartley]

My main reasons for wanting the Speed6 were:
- AWD for winter
- decent power
- more "grown up" car than a WRX/Evo
- great interior
- 4 doors, usable back seat and trunk

 

[Rhyno]

My main reasons for wanting the Speed6 were:
- AWD for winter
- decent power
- more "grown up" car than a WRX/Evo
- great interior
- 4 doors, usable back seat and trunk

These were pretty much the exact reasons I picked the MS6 over a WRX. I don't regret my purchase in the slightest, every time I mash the gas I get a huge grin on my face.

 

[apawk]

Went with the Speed6!! Glad i did too!!! Its an absolutely amazing car!!! I love it!!!


Now for MODS!!!!

 

[wannabe]

(thumb)

 

[Spooler]

Congrats! It's a great compormise between family car and toy for yourself. Enjoy!