Most dissapointing...the MS6! (Long)

[seanw]

Oink-Oink . . . Zoom-ZOOM!

A well appointed Audi A4 starts at $45K here in Ottawa. For the $5K difference in price tag I can add on anything that people think may be lacking.

The reality of the situation is that most cars are being released with increased retail prices. $40K does not get you what it used to get you in previous years. That being said, of all the cars listed in my earlier post (most of which I test drove, exception = TSX and the Evo) I am very satisfied with my purchase. Yes there are a few quirks, but I will live with those knowing that I have a unique ride that I am going to have fun driving. People who know cars will recognize it for what it is, cops and those who don't won't.

For me the ultimate testament comes from the mouthes of drivers of the other marques. A colleague at work who recently totaled his 328 on ice took a ride in the MS6 when we went to lunch a few weeks ago. After one ride, he immediately went out and priced out a MS6 GT the following day. Another colleauge who drives a G35 with the Brembo Sport package is looking for a 2nd ride now that his wife is pregnant. He knew that I had ordered an MS6 a while ago. After talking with him about my new ride, he went out and test drove an MS6. He now has one on order as well.

This thing ain't everything to all people. But, the car is definitely a blast to drive and you certainly are not getting short-changed considering what you get for the money. Could it be better? Probably. But I could probably poke holes in any car in the same price range if I ooked hard enough. For a first salvo across the bow of the European performance marques I think Mazda did a pretty good job and I am sure that Audi or BMW are not just blowing off the MS6.

R

Another amen, Rainman, thanks for doing those HP/weight calculations. Once again you set the stage to let the facts talk and the BS walk. Who cares if the MS6 is heavier than a rally car, it's FAST and still very agile (to me at least). The more I hear people who haven't driven an MS6 put it down, the more I love it. It drives great whether your slicing and dicing SUVs in traffic or blasting through the twisties and praying the cops aren't around the next corner. AND, after two months, I think I've almost mastered the @#$%*! long-throw clutch.

From some of the other posts on this site, I'd say Mazda hit their target: guys who want a car that's faster and more agile than almost everything else on the road, but that can also tote the wife and/or kids around in relative comfort and style. And with the limited production run there's no "Oh, look, another [Audi/BMW/Acura/Lexus]" syndrome. I'm sure they are all great cars, but they're also a dime a dozen around these parts (Austin, TX). Okay, so they're all also just a little out of my price range, but that just makes owning an MS6 all the sweeter for me.

Oink, oink? Maybe, but from 3000 RPM on up, it all ZOOOOM.

 

[NVP5White]

as for the original poster...have you driven one yet? Also after asking around nobody recalls seeing an accord there.

Not haven't driven one yet...I suppose I'll have to make that a priority for the next day with good weather. Brown's on Rt 1, Alexandria, did you say? I might call around to the other stores in western Fairfax county 'cause they're much closer to me and the roads I like to drive.

I'm not really sure how to address the last point in your post....I actually can't imagine Honda showing up to an autoshow without an Accord, so I don't think that fact that they build an Accord Coupe V6 w/ 6-speed manual is in dispute. To be sure though, I went online and used their build & buy page to replicate what I saw. Front chin spoiler, fancy ricer rims, and low rear wing are all options on the site. The only discrepancy lies in the price 'cause when you add all the accessories it pushed the price to just over $30K! Not exactly the performance bargain it appeared to be at the show.

 

[Newf]

My fathers accord 2003 coupe, v-6, leather,auto, all options inside, a-spec ground effects and spoiler, but with 16" wheels was just over 38 grand Canadian. That's a lot of money for an accord. It's a cruiser car. It handles like a boat. Seats kill my back after 30-60 mins of driving and I can never find the "right spot" in the power seating positions. Oh, and the front headlights/hood are ugly.

It's a solid car, accels in a straight line great but the suspension is too soft and car is to0 heavy for decent handling although better then the 1999 accord he had before it.

 

[Da 6]

I had the opportunity to test the accord vs the galant vs the camry in closed course conditions. I'd say accord, camry, and then galant accross the board in all tests. funnny thing is the closed course was a mitsu event! As for the fastest V6 import sedan I'd say altima but thats the only strong point IMHO. The altima felt clumbsy, lifeless, and larger than the current galant did. When you hear me say that, take into consideration I happily drive a 212" long 2 ton land yhat with no problems. When it comes to bigger modern cars (with exception to S7 and other cars of it's stature) it's not that they can't handle, but that they can't handle to say a miatas specs. I can't take turns like the 6 can take "stock for stock" but at the same time are you buying your daily driver off of autox standards. When you say a car should have every option I can think of under the sun for $XYZ you have to take into consideration most companies aren't gearing their cars after 1 type of person. Not everyone who drives a commonly considered "Hi Po" or "Muscle" car want to be reminded they have 275+ horsies violently kicking and screamng under the hood every time they give it gas. Not everyone is into stiff suspention or lowered stance. I'm not saying settle for whats right in front of you now but don't assume bigger=not so much fun and or more gas consuming when shopping for a daily driver.

*My above statements are of my personal view and not something scripted by antione or other mods/admins

 

[Rainman]

Check out this post.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=929826

R

 

[Newf]

Check out this post.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=929826

R

interesting. More interesting are the links mentioned in that forum which point to more ms6's with the powerloss issue. Part of me wants to close my eyes and hope this powerloss situation isn't the hesitation part 2. But more and more things seem to point to it being the case. Very bad news.

I got to say, for 40 grand Canadian, I certainly would not want to have to fight with Mazda to get the 274hp I was supposed to get.

 

[Replica]

Mazdas have me so paranoid that i dont consider them anymore when buying cars unless its an older miata or something

 

[Rainman]

interesting. More interesting are the links mentioned in that forum which point to more ms6's with the powerloss issue. Part of me wants to close my eyes and hope this powerloss situation isn't the hesitation part 2. But more and more things seem to point to it being the case. Very bad news.

I got to say, for 40 grand Canadian, I certainly would not want to have to fight with Mazda to get the 274hp I was supposed to get.

If this is a function of the PCM detuning the car in an effort to avoid detonation when lower octane gas is used, I'm sure that a simple ECU flash will take care of the matter. If this is indeed the case and they reflash the ECU, the question will then become how many cars are likely to blow their engines under heavy load if 91 octane is used. Perhaps this problem speaks to the aggressiveness of the Mazda MS6 tune?

R

 

[Newf]

I wouldn't hold my breath on a ECU flash curing all the problems

Just ask any MSP owner...been there, done that.

anyone know the octane requirements for the CX-7 using the same engine? Or the new Mini Van in Japan?

 

[Da 6]

depends on compression of the motor and if it's safe to use the lower grade. also new mazdas also use the coolant temp to factor in the vehicles performance.

 

[jdm4lyf9]

I personally don't care for the MS6, since it's big and heavier than what I think a sports car should be. But about the interior and fits and finish thing, that shouldn't be the deciding issue for a sports car. When you drive and I mean really "drive" I don't think I'll will be worrying about whether my dash is finish in plastic or gold. Same goes with the other interior trims.

I do understand the seat issue in MS6, because when I sat in the one they had at last year's New York auto show, it wasn't that great and the seating posture was kinda weird. I can't remember the shifter was like so I can't comment on that. But in the end, I think Mazda wanted MS6 to be a Camry/Accord with Zoom Zoom.

are you a model, I thought I saw you with team e-motion, seriously.