08 WRX or 07 Mazda Speed 6

[Lil_vicious559]

Looks are subjective, if you really want to know what both car's are like. Then go test drive them "that's your best bet" rather than asking people from a Mazda or Subaru forum. It's a biased opinion......

But in my opinion, if you really go test drive both car's i know U will probably end up choosing and overall getting the Speed6, it's a more refined superior car.


Now go test drive both cars

 

[Saucy7]

Well, as the owner of both an '04 wrx, and an '06 MS6, as well as someone who has driven an '08 wrx, I'm in a pretty good position to comment on this.

I did not like the '08 wrx when I drove it. Although it feels a tiny bit faster in a straight line than a stock '04 wrx, it is suspiciously less fun to drive. You can't toss it into turns as you can with an earlier model imprezas, and the steering feels imprecise and squishy.

Although the interior is a minor improvement over the '04 WRX, it still pales in comparison to the mazda. Everything in the MS6 feels more refined. The shifts are solid and reassuring, and the suspension tight yet smooth. The WRX feels significantly more raw, but not in a good way.

Although moding the WRX is inexpensive, and the engine remains reliable to over 300 whp, you will actually get bigger gains from basic bolt-ons on the Mazda than on the subaru. For instance, whereas the power gains from an intake on the WRX will be practically imperceptible, you can easily feel the extra power from an intake on a MS6. (Yes, I have driven a MS6 with only an intake ).

The MS6 pulls harder and handles better than the WRX when stock. And you would need a bigger turbo to get the WRX to pull anywhere close to a MS6 with basic bolt ons.

In addition, the MS6 in the more practical car. It is bigger, and more ergonomic than the WRX. And it looks better too.

However, if you are willing to put $2200 into the engine (18g turbo and supporting mods) $800 into the suspension (springs, sways, end links, strut bars), and $600 into the brakes (rotors, pads, lines, H6 brackets). The WRX will outperform the mazda in nearly every measure of performance.

So, I hope this helps you with your decision.

PS. You could always get just a new S60R for nearly 20k off sticker like I did, and have a better car than either of them.

-Saucy

 

[leakslikasieve]

it depends on how badly you want a blown tranny. thats the only reason i wont get a wrx. the trannies suck. im talking the 5 spd not the 6 spd.

 

[Saucy7]

it depends on how badly you want a blown tranny. thats the only reason i wont get a wrx. the trannies suck. im talking the 5 spd not the 6 spd.

While the old wrx 5-speeds were practically made of glass, the new ones seem to have a significantly lower rate of failure. I bought my WRX with a straight-cut gearbox capable of holding 550+ at the wheels already installed, so I'm pretty much set, but don't expect to keep a stock gearbox if you want loads of power.

 

[Koenig]

Well, as the owner of both an '04 wrx, and an '06 MS6, as well as someone who has driven an '08 wrx, I'm in a pretty good position to comment on this.

I did not like the '08 wrx when I drove it. Although it feels a tiny bit faster in a straight line than a stock '04 wrx, it is suspiciously less fun to drive. You can't toss it into turns as you can with an earlier model imprezas, and the steering feels imprecise and squishy.

Although the interior is a minor improvement over the '04 WRX, it still pales in comparison to the mazda. Everything in the MS6 feels more refined. The shifts are solid and reassuring, and the suspension tight yet smooth. The WRX feels significantly more raw, but not in a good way.

Although moding the WRX is inexpensive, and the engine remains reliable to over 300 whp, you will actually get bigger gains from basic bolt-ons on the Mazda than on the subaru. For instance, whereas the power gains from an intake on the WRX will be practically imperceptible, you can easily feel the extra power from an intake on a MS6. (Yes, I have driven a MS6 with only an intake ).

The MS6 pulls harder and handles better than the WRX when stock. And you would need a bigger turbo to get the WRX to pull anywhere close to a MS6 with basic bolt ons.

In addition, the MS6 in the more practical car. It is bigger, and more ergonomic than the WRX. And it looks better too.

However, if you are willing to put $2200 into the engine (18g turbo and supporting mods) $800 into the suspension (springs, sways, end links, strut bars), and $600 into the brakes (rotors, pads, lines, H6 brackets). The WRX will outperform the mazda in nearly every measure of performance.

So, I hope this helps you with your decision.

PS. You could always get just a new S60R for nearly 20k off sticker like I did, and have a better car than either of them.

-Saucy

Well said, I agree with the speed6 over the WRX, the only WRX I like is the 04-05 models, I've driven my friends and then another friend's 07. Although the 07 was faster I enjoyed the 04 better *shrug*

and +1 on the s60r those things are damn sexy and I've been eyeballing them lately.

 

[lil_red_wagon]

i am going through the same debate in my head right now. to throw some things in the mix, i am also looking at a Saab x series, Audi A4 quattro, Dodge charger srt-8, and a couple of others. it will be a hard decision considering that the insurance on all of them at this point in my life is about the same. i am personally leaning towards the 08 WRX STI, though the Audi is a beautiful car also. the MS6 appeals to the fact that i am a tightwad from hell and you can find these cheap. i could get 2 06 ms6's for the price of the one STI new.

 

[Koenig]

i am going through the same debate in my head right now. to throw some things in the mix, i am also looking at a Saab x series, Audi A4 quattro, Dodge charger srt-8, and a couple of others. it will be a hard decision considering that the insurance on all of them at this point in my life is about the same. i am personally leaning towards the 08 WRX STI, though the Audi is a beautiful car also. the MS6 appeals to the fact that i am a tightwad from hell and you can find these cheap. i could get 2 06 ms6's for the price of the one STI new.

charger srt-8 albeit being quick as hell is gonna eat through your wallet with these days current gas prices.

I mean it's a 6.1 liter hemi engine, and of course since it's a "performance" car you're gonna wanna treat it right with premium gas, not icky regular... that being said you're gonna burn through a tank quick

It would be a toss up from the ms6 a4 or the Saab for me. Saabs are FWD though, so I'm not too fond about that.

 

[lil_red_wagon]

Saab X-series is AWD. this car will stay pretty low mileage all things considered. this will be the third car for the family, so i will have my p5 as my daily, my rx as my sunday, and the next one as a soccer mom car (about 7-8k miles a year max) so gas isn't a big deal for me. i am leaning to the STI mostly, but like i said, a quattro A4 would be a beautiful car.

 

[tunersteve]

charger srt-8 albeit being quick as hell is gonna eat through your wallet with these days current gas prices.

I mean it's a 6.1 liter hemi engine, and of course since it's a "performance" car you're gonna wanna treat it right with premium gas, not icky regular... that being said you're gonna burn through a tank quick

It would be a toss up from the ms6 a4 or the Saab for me. Saabs are FWD though, so I'm not too fond about that.

If you've ever taken a Saab around an autocross course it makes the decision all the simpler: take whatever the other choice is. I took a 9-3 out last year and that plowed worse than my car in the wintertime. I'm not sure how the XWD system is in the new ones though.

 

[Koenig]

If you've ever taken a Saab around an autocross course it makes the decision all the simpler: take whatever the other choice is. I took a 9-3 out last year and that plowed worse than my car in the wintertime. I'm not sure how the XWD system is in the new ones though.

LOL nah I've never even test driven a Saab, I just like how the 9-3 Aero looks though, with that factory sport package body kit... as soon as I found out they were FWD, it didn't matter if they were turbo, I really don't like FWD cars for the most part If I'm shopping for a daily driver with good mileage, sure I won't mind a FWD, but if I want a car to be performance oriented I'm only going to focus on cars that are either AWD or RWD.

 

[ahhh! Squirrel]

Well, as the owner of both an '04 wrx, and an '06 MS6, as well as someone who has driven an '08 wrx, I'm in a pretty good position to comment on this.

I did not like the '08 wrx when I drove it. Although it feels a tiny bit faster in a straight line than a stock '04 wrx, it is suspiciously less fun to drive. You can't toss it into turns as you can with an earlier model imprezas, and the steering feels imprecise and squishy.

Although the interior is a minor improvement over the '04 WRX, it still pales in comparison to the mazda. Everything in the MS6 feels more refined. The shifts are solid and reassuring, and the suspension tight yet smooth. The WRX feels significantly more raw, but not in a good way.

Although moding the WRX is inexpensive, and the engine remains reliable to over 300 whp, you will actually get bigger gains from basic bolt-ons on the Mazda than on the subaru. For instance, whereas the power gains from an intake on the WRX will be practically imperceptible, you can easily feel the extra power from an intake on a MS6. (Yes, I have driven a MS6 with only an intake ).

The MS6 pulls harder and handles better than the WRX when stock. And you would need a bigger turbo to get the WRX to pull anywhere close to a MS6 with basic bolt ons.

In addition, the MS6 in the more practical car. It is bigger, and more ergonomic than the WRX. And it looks better too.

However, if you are willing to put $2200 into the engine (18g turbo and supporting mods) $800 into the suspension (springs, sways, end links, strut bars), and $600 into the brakes (rotors, pads, lines, H6 brackets). The WRX will outperform the mazda in nearly every measure of performance.

So, I hope this helps you with your decision.

PS. You could always get just a new S60R for nearly 20k off sticker like I did, and have a better car than either of them.

-Saucy

i love your garage(drinks)

 

[Saucy7]

i love your garage(drinks)

Thanks!