2012 Mazdaspeed vs. 2007 Mazdaspeed 6

[diablo900t]

Hey everyone,

Longtime lurker here on these forums - I used to own an '07 speed6 GT and last year decided to lease a Sonata Turbo Limited. Amenities are nice in the Sonata, and the gas mileage (I thought) was going to be head and shoulders above the speed6. Turns out I was wrong, and I'm getting around 18-20 MPG city, which is about the same as my speed 6. That coupled with not so great handling doesn't make it as fun of a car to drive as the speed 6.

I'm looking into the speed3s and only drove one briefly, and really fell in love with the speed 6 when i test drove it. My question is how the current speed3 models compare to what I was used to in the speed6. Obviously no AWD, but I think the most disappointing aspects of the speed6 were its outdated tech (no bluetooth/phone integration or MPG / miles till empty indicators) and the heavy clutch.

Thanks for the help & suggestions.

 

[El Speed3]

Well, really cant comment a lot given the fact that Ive never seen or driven a MS6 (Mexico only got Mazda recently and they never bothered to bring the speed6, but the 3's have always been around...). However:

Yes, as you mentioned, no AWD, so you get instead a FWD with a beast underneath, which translates in nasty torque-steer. I dont complain a lot, its no big issue for me and you obviously learn to manage it but it's worth mentioning...

You do get new tech so thats a plus, as long as youre willing to pay for it.

Regarding the clutch, well, some say its smoother than the first-gen speed3, I dont remember that clutch feel very well... however, the clutch still is pretty heavy, but its part of its sporty nature and no biggie for me, again, you get used to it... I did with a Mini S (talk about heavy clutches...) I had for 4 and a half years, and now 2 years going with my 2010 MS3...

Its a great car, extremely fun to drive, interior IMO is pretty decent although youll always hear people complaining about cheap plastics, horrible red-dotted pattern in the seats and tiny sat-nav screen. All of those things are not so important to me, I for one love every bit about it, inside and out, given the fact that, since coming out of a go-kart (Mini S), I wanted a fun to drive car with more power, same handling (or close to it) and good looks (I dont mind the 'grin', I actually like the fact that it looks, from above, like Stitch, haha...).

Anyways, long enough post... drive it again... Im confident youll find a more than capable replacemente for the MS6!

 

[msthree]

I own an 08 and had the privilege to test out a new generation over one day. I tell ya it feels like a different car in a few good ways. Same torquey engine, suspension a bit more forgiving, it still is a bumpy ride, but you don't hear every bump absorbing through dash, taller gear ratios and I found the shifter a lot more smoother and livable over the older generation and position just right. I also found better visibility from the driver's seat and all the blue back lighting a nice touch. Mufflers aren't as boomy and I somewhat miss that deep throaty roar lurking from underneath every time you step on it. The car blew my mind every time I was out on road trips hauling junk, I strongly agree the newer model is 100% more refined. Looks are growing on me each day I can't wait for a chance to jump on a newer edition of the speed.

 

[VegasMS3]

The torque steer at first is a bit much but once you get use to it it becomes easy enough to deal with. The clutch is touchie for cruising around, but at least in my experience once you get up on it it is truely amazing. I have yet to hear anyone say anything bad about the interior, its a little wild at first, but much like the outside it is very unique and will grow on you. The only other complaint I have seen on this car is the NAV screen like El Speed3 mentioned, personally I like it, its up in your line of vision, no need to look down, also it is not huge and taking up a large part of your dash. This is a sporty car, no need for large touche screens, keep it simple.

Another note on the screen, I had issues during the summers in Nevada that when it gets really hot out your LCD screen will cut out(heard VWs had the same issue) I was freaking out, the Mazda dealer didn't even know what was going on. Guess it is normal, safety feature so that the screen doesn't get burnt out. More information then you wanted.

Buy it, you wont regret it.