MS6 or Legacy GT specB

[psi365]

So right now I am between two cars. MS6 and the Subaru Legacy Gt specB.

I've driven the MS6 and liked it. I like the interior layout, and the fact that you can just get a simple black interior instead of some wierd color. Some of my biggest reservations are DISI( I work on cars with very similiartype of fuel injection) , the awd system being a haldex type system(to me means psuedo awd), and the fact the rear seats don't fold down unless you do the mod. Right now I had an offer for a new Whitewater GT with nav, sunroof, autodimming mirror, and winter mats (all the exact otpions I would do) for $31,700.

However the Legacy stickers for $35,500 and is being advertised for $31,000. Has very similiar options (nav, sunroof, short throw shifter). It is old school bread and butter fuel injection, full time awd. My problem is that the backseat also doesn't fold down unless I wait for the 07 version to come out, has red seats and door inserts (07 it will have alacantra blue seats with blue door inserts), and less hp.

I know since I am on a Mazda site this is going to be biased, but if you could tell my why you bought your MS6 over brand x's it would help.

Thanks

 

[vcinsanity1523]

well both cars are excellent cars and its a very tough decision between the two for me it would ultimately have to come down to driving characteristics and i would personally choose the ms6 because it handles extremely extremely well for such a big car.

 

[VermZ06]

So right now I am between two cars. MS6 and the Subaru Legacy Gt specB.

Go MS6...it handles better, plus it's just as quick. I think Scooby Doo's are hideous looking, especailly the legacy. The MS6 is much stealthier looking, and the pearlwater white MS6 = sex...You should be able to do better than $31,xxx on the MS6. The dealers around my area are trying to get these things off their lot at invoice and below. I wouldn't go anything more than $28,500 for the GT, even for a loaded version.

Don't expect any subie dealers to budge on the sticker of the Spec. B (well at least around this area) I rarely see subies discounted that much...it's an overrated car if you ask me for the price. I guess the MS6 it is loaded though and still cheaper than the Scooby Dooby Doo! Plus it's not as exclusive as everyone says it is. I heard they're making more spec b's even after their so-called "exclusive" first batch. You could get a 400 horse monster GTO for thousands less than the subie, but that's not what you're in the market for. MS6 all the way(headbang)

 

[ghetto waggon]

I am somewhat partial to mazda, but I personally don't think theres any need for debate. I wouldn't hesitate to get the subaru.

I was stuck in Puerto Rico for the summer on detail, left with the Road and Track magazine that did the shootout on the AWD sports sedans. The spec.B cleaned up to say the least.

If you read legacygt.com you will find you can get an 06 gt for well under $25k out the door. Forget the spec.B option. It's simply cosmetics.

Do a search for mods on the legacy gt. Road and track purchased aftermarket parts for the base gt and compared it to a spec.B.

I want the legacygt myself, but have far too much invested in my 5 at this point.

Get the baseline gt!

 

[ghetto waggon]

As for those of you claiming the handling is better on the mazda6, I am not sure of the validity of your claim.

In R&T testing, the 6 got *****. I believe it placed 2nd to last out of 7 cars.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

worked at dealer that sold Subaru and Mazda, driven both cars. I prefer the mazdaspeed6 honestly, and the cashback on them right now is insane. That and I think Subarus are overrated vehicles in terms of overall quality.

 

[jmv]

Forget the spec.B option. It's simply cosmetics.

i do believe the specB option includes bilstien shocks. Could be wrong on that though.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

As for those of you claiming the handling is better on the mazda6, I am not sure of the validity of your claim.

In R&T testing, the 6 got *****. I believe it placed 2nd to last out of 7 cars.

car and driver's test put the mazdaspeed6 performance aspects well above all the competitors in their test despite finishing not-so-hot overall. the complaint that the car was not as luxurious or gentlemanly compared to the other 30k sports sedans

 

[VermZ06]

As for those of you claiming the handling is better on the mazda6, I am not sure of the validity of your claim.

In R&T testing, the 6 got *****. I believe it placed 2nd to last out of 7 cars.

Every magazine rates them differently, however, subies are not known for their handling, mazda typically makes well rounded cars (handling, speed, comfort...etc) I remember when the MSP came out, stock for stock it was quicker around the track than the WRX...not straight line obviously. Take a look at this edmunds vid...they rank the MS6 above the Suuuuubie...

http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcont...delIndex/make=Mazda/model=MAZDASPEED MAZDA6#1

 

[Newf]

wasn't the road and track review a Mazdaspeed 6 sport, without leather, and they s*** on it because it didn't have leather and other luxury crap?

Anyways, don't let the seat in the ms6 bother you. You don't "need" to do the mod. If you want to order the parts...fine, but you don't NEED to. Just pop the little plastic clips off with your finger nails, takes about 1 minute to take them all out. Throw them in the glovebox or out all together. This leaves the liner on the back seats free to take out whenever you want. It doesn't move or slip around without the clips, and just shove it aside when you need to pass something through. The latches aren't hard to reach and I'm only 5'11". I'm doing repairs on the house and have put down the seats ooodles of times for 8 foot baseboards and mouldings and they fir with room to spare. Actually the car is fairly long so you can stick some long s*** through it.

I was thinking about the Legacy as well, but the overall quality of the car, especially inside reminded me of a GM. Fast, nice looking, and if you need full time awd it has the better AWD no doubt. I'm not sure how the full time awd on the legacy effects the fuel economy compared to the MS6 which is really only FWD until something slips.

either way....you can't lose.

 

[psi365]

Thanks for everyone's input so far!

The spec B does have Bilstein shocks all around, plus their "special" interior color of brick red for 06(which only 500 were made) and for 07 (now becomes an option package with a lot of spec B goodies only) basically gets the Wrx Sti boy racer blue interior treatment which is exactly what I don't want.

I did read several articles on the spec B including the one were they took a long time tester and put aftermarket suspension on it. I could swear that one of the articles also said that instead of paying the premium for the spec B buy a MS6 and save some money.

I'd opt for the spec B over a regular Gt cause I want navigation and stick and only way to get that in a Legacy is to get a spec B.

I also have a question. When I test drove a MS6 sport it was about 100 degrees out and to me the a/c didn't seem real cold. I test drove the car for a good 20mins and it never really seemed to get cool in the car with the a/c on low and recirc. I even started with the windows down for the first 5mins to get some of the hot air out. So I guess my question is do all of your cars do the same, or was there something wrong with the one I drove?

Thanks

BTW both cars are rated about the exact same for gas mileage.

 

[mountjonas]

i'd probably go with the mazdaspeed. it seems like they're going for such a good deal right now. but i love the way the legacy looks.

 

[VermZ06]

i do believe the specB option includes bilstien shocks. Could be wrong on that though.

The b in spec. b refers to the bilstien shocks that every spec. b car comes standard with...

 

[VermZ06]

Thanks for everyone's input so far!


I did read several articles on the spec B including the one were they took a long time tester and put aftermarket suspension on it. I could swear that one of the articles also said that instead of paying the premium for the spec B buy a MS6 and save some money.

I'd opt for the spec B over a regular Gt cause I want navigation and stick and only way to get that in a Legacy is to get a spec B.

I also have a question. When I test drove a MS6 sport it was about 100 degrees out and to me the a/c didn't seem real cold. I test drove the car for a good 20mins and it never really seemed to get cool in the car with the a/c on low and recirc. I even started with the windows down for the first 5mins to get some of the hot air out. So I guess my question is do all of your cars do the same, or was there something wrong with the one I drove?

This might have been one of the articles you read on the subie http://www.caranddriver.com/longroa...m-test-review-subaru-legacy-25gt-limited.html
It seemed like the long-term tester they had indeed had a lot of problems, however, this car wasn't the spec. b. I've also read that many tester Legacy's have climate control issues of either not producing the correct heat/AC or not turning off...I would ignore the skid pad rating in this article because it doesn't have the upgraded suspension.

I'd still go with the mazda. Lower cost, better styling, better factory warranty, more hp, etc... Air conditioning in autos aint what it used to be now that the epa has cracked down on pollutants going in and out of autos...how many sweltering days are you going to be driving the car anyway? I've only used the A/C in my car 4 or 5 times so far this summer. Keep that A/C off and use all those horses for the pavement!

 

[psi365]

Honestly I am planning on using the a/c a lot. I live north of Chicago so we tend to get the extremes of weather. For over a week now we've had over 90 degree days with 70% or higher humidity. I work in a dealer as a tech and the shop isn't a/ced so needless to say its been fun all week and next week is supposed to be worse. The the winter we get sub zero temps and hit with with a good amount of snow at least 2 or 3 times.

I do know that the car that they had modded was a stock GT cause they were comparing what they did to the spec B and how much money they saved. In one article about the spec B they did say that they'd opt for a MS6 instead of paying top dollar for the spec B. My biggest thing right now is that a dealer is advertising a new 06 Spec B which stickers for $35,5-- for $31,000 and so far all I can get the Mazda dealer down to is $31,700 on the MS6 that stickers for $33,620.

Again thanks to everyone for their help

 

[VermZ06]

My biggest thing right now is that a dealer is advertising a new 06 Spec B which stickers for $35,5-- for $31,000 and so far all I can get the Mazda dealer down to is $31,700 on the MS6 that stickers for $33,620.

It's the end of the car year cycle, so most of these dealers should be willing to budge even more. If I were you I'd find a dealership who's willing to sell the car to you at invoice.

I know the invoice price for a sport model MS6 is about $25,800 with an MSRP of $28,500. I'm not exactly sure what it would be for the GT model, but I'm guessing the invoice would be around $29,500 - $30,300. Next time you go in ask them to show you the invoice price. It will probably be "fudged" a bit, but still should be better than the price they're quoting you now. Don't go above invoice because most of these dealers still have plenty of these cars on the lot. I would go on the last day of the month, and if they're not at their sales target by the end of the month, they'll really be willing to work with you on the price.

If the subaru place is going to work with you a little more on the price, then i'd say go with the subaru. The buying experience means a lot, and if one place is going to give you the better price, they should know that you'll be a repeat customer...maybe the salesman you're dealing with at mazda doesn't understand that aspect of the customer/dealer relationship. Most of these places should think about the long term relationship with their customers, but unfrotunately many do not understand that concept. Anyway go with the dealer that treats you the best, it's your time and your money...

 

[psi365]

With the options on that particular car I know Edmunds.com says it shoulld invoice for $30,600ish. PLus I am going to get the Mazda extended warranty with nav coverage which is about $2000.

 

[Newf]

my a/c in this car is far better then my last two proteges and my last Honda. The Auto climate control takes a bit of getting used to. Perhaps you had the auto set wrong, and the temp was up? Little things that you don't always pay attention during the thrill of a quick test drive. The woman does this and thinks the a/c is warm as well until I correct it for her. Another thing she does is think the ambient temp is actually the inside temp and vice versa and doesn't bother adjusting the temperature down before hitting the ac.

I'd check with another dealer for that price on the ms6. I had issues where the first couple of dealers were stubborn and wouldn't move, and some others weren't even aware of the many incentives Mazda had on the car even after I showed them on their web site. Assholes. Funny how those cars are still on the lots too with big reduced signs on them now.

It is amazing how far a few simple emails can go. Even just one email with a simple question of how much CC'd to several dealers so they know you are asking many dealerships, and just sit back and wait for the replies.

Good luck, and whatever you get post pics so we can drool over your nice purchase! You are not going to go wrong either way. I'd start looking at insurance costs, gas costs, finance rates, warranty and cost of extended warranty, then decide

 

[stdntDrvr]

i'd get the scooby-doo...but that's just me.

 

[psi365]

i'd get the scooby-doo...but that's just me.

Just wondering why you would opt for the subie?

I did have the auto temp set on low, with recirculation going. It could have just been a fluke type thing?