Mazda got really unlucky at the Washington DC Auto show. Their display was right across the isle from Honda.
First, I was excited to see the new MS6, which promised the holy trinity of midsized sports sedans: power, agility, and refinement. I suppose my main points of dissatisfaction fall into the last category. The interior was plain with piano-black trim where you'd typically see silver painted plastic. Nice in thought, but it didn't work, especially in light of the current performance design directive of dark grey, mat or textured surfaces. I saw what appeared to be un-resined carbon fiber accenting the new Z4M convertibles interior. THAT shouted sporty; performance; racing. Unfortunately, when I see shiny, I think 300C.
Anyway, then next big disappointment struck me as soon as I sat down: the seats. They are (practically) no different then stock 6 seats. In a performance car. By a Japanese manufacturer. With the tag line Zoom Zoom.
The final disappointment came when I matched hand to shift knob...okay it was the greasy thread of the shift lever, as the knob was removed for the show. That didn't stop me from rowing through the gears, however. Not bad, I thought to myself, especially for a FWD car cross dressing as AWD.
I suppose the real disappointment of the last two items REALLY hit home when I moseyed across the isle to poke fun at the Accord GS-X Type-R V-TEC grey wedgey thing sitting in the Honda display. I made a joke about such and laughed until the moment I hit the MSRP: $26K and change. That's pretty low for 246HP, 6 speed manual, rims, suspension, etc. Then I cracked the door and slid into the seat. It felt like slipping on a pair of $400 Mephisto dress shoes after wearing half-laced sh!t kickers my hole life. I thought there was a mistake. The seat was perfect for attacking corners or whatever ricers do in supped-up Accords.
And, double bonus, the shifter felt like the RSX's. Not as short or as direct as the MX-5/RX-8, but definitely better than just about ANYTHING else on a FWD car.
So there you have it, my disappointment with the MS6 has been documented. I will, of course, limit my experiences by restating that I have not driven either car. But, if the love/hate relationship of a car starts with the wow performance numbers, it is forged for all eternity in the daily interactions between man and machine. That is where the MS6 falls short of where it should be.
ANyone with otehr opinions of the MS6?
PS: There is hope; the new 6 should be making its debut in 11 months for the 2008 model year!
First, I was excited to see the new MS6, which promised the holy trinity of midsized sports sedans: power, agility, and refinement. I suppose my main points of dissatisfaction fall into the last category. The interior was plain with piano-black trim where you'd typically see silver painted plastic. Nice in thought, but it didn't work, especially in light of the current performance design directive of dark grey, mat or textured surfaces. I saw what appeared to be un-resined carbon fiber accenting the new Z4M convertibles interior. THAT shouted sporty; performance; racing. Unfortunately, when I see shiny, I think 300C.
Anyway, then next big disappointment struck me as soon as I sat down: the seats. They are (practically) no different then stock 6 seats. In a performance car. By a Japanese manufacturer. With the tag line Zoom Zoom.
The final disappointment came when I matched hand to shift knob...okay it was the greasy thread of the shift lever, as the knob was removed for the show. That didn't stop me from rowing through the gears, however. Not bad, I thought to myself, especially for a FWD car cross dressing as AWD.
I suppose the real disappointment of the last two items REALLY hit home when I moseyed across the isle to poke fun at the Accord GS-X Type-R V-TEC grey wedgey thing sitting in the Honda display. I made a joke about such and laughed until the moment I hit the MSRP: $26K and change. That's pretty low for 246HP, 6 speed manual, rims, suspension, etc. Then I cracked the door and slid into the seat. It felt like slipping on a pair of $400 Mephisto dress shoes after wearing half-laced sh!t kickers my hole life. I thought there was a mistake. The seat was perfect for attacking corners or whatever ricers do in supped-up Accords.
And, double bonus, the shifter felt like the RSX's. Not as short or as direct as the MX-5/RX-8, but definitely better than just about ANYTHING else on a FWD car.
So there you have it, my disappointment with the MS6 has been documented. I will, of course, limit my experiences by restating that I have not driven either car. But, if the love/hate relationship of a car starts with the wow performance numbers, it is forged for all eternity in the daily interactions between man and machine. That is where the MS6 falls short of where it should be.
ANyone with otehr opinions of the MS6?
PS: There is hope; the new 6 should be making its debut in 11 months for the 2008 model year!
