My thoughts on the MS6

[B1GHAM]

OK so I just started working for a Mazdaspeed dealership. (sales) And I had the chance to drive the MS6.

Clutch - a little different getting used to it but otherwise it was great.

power - definately more than I was expecting.. It absolutely RIPPED for a 3500lbs. car. The fact that half throttle in 4th gear at only 2500rpm cause a quick jump was good enough for me. The one thing I didnt like was how the power curve ends a little after 6k rpm.... wish it had that same upper-end peak like the MSP. Although for most having the power curve stop a littlebit before redline is probably a good thing.

Ammenities - I drove a fully loaded GT (leather, sunroof, tech. package, advanced keyless entry & start etc.) And it had everything Id use but DIDNT NEED... The advanced start is SUCH a good Idea. I loved it. Really comfy, nice radio, loved the transmission (except for the longer throw), heated seats are amazing, and it would be nice to have a sunroof again.

I loved the car. Im seriously thinking about buying one for a daily driver and keeping the MSP for a project car (so then if its down for a week because of an install I wont be freakin out). Its one of those cars that I probably wouldnt touch at all (maybe a cold air intake and a BOV if its feasible and a MBC if itll hold the boost nothing major). Just use it to drive around normal. I drove it already liking it and now I want to go back and drive it again...lol

Just my thoughts especially for anyone looking forward to purchasing one.

Sean

 

[MP3Architect]

i drove one fr the first time at zoom zoom live yesterday and wasn't really that impressed actually. of course it was a much different situation considering we never took it on a straiaway or a freeway. but the rx8 and miata took the curves 1000 times better and i really just felt so heavy trying to corner that thing (of course this is comparing it to my msp). i was however EXTREMELY surprised at the power. even on that short course when that turbo spooled it literally scared me for the first time. the only other car i have ever driven with that much power or more is a 2005 corvette and this ms6 really impressed me with its power. but i just couldn't get a grip on the size or weight of the thing. im going to wait for the ms3 and then try to decide between the rx8 and the ms3.

 

[B1GHAM]

i drove one fr the first time at zoom zoom live yesterday and wasn't really that impressed actually. of course it was a much different situation considering we never took it on a straiaway or a freeway. but the rx8 and miata took the curves 1000 times better and i really just felt so heavy trying to corner that thing (of course this is comparing it to my msp). i was however EXTREMELY surprised at the power. even on that short course when that turbo spooled it literally scared me for the first time. the only other car i have ever driven with that much power or more is a 2005 corvette and this ms6 really impressed me with its power. but i just couldn't get a grip on the size or weight of the thing. im going to wait for the ms3 and then try to decide between the rx8 and the ms3.

You are right about the handling but it IS a grand tourer... kinda unfair to pit it against the MX5 and the RX8, which have almost 50/50 weight distribution on a RWD platform... I just was looking at it as a daily driver that could (if need be) drive through SOME snow and be luxurious yet fun to drive at a decent price.... I think it, for me, hit all of those requirements.

Im still between the CX-7 or the MS6. What gets me is that I can get the MS6 fully loaded for less than the price of a near base/fully base model CX-7.

Like I said just my opinions though (peep)

Sean

 

[Newf]

I bought my car out of province. So when I got it, it was really my first test drive as I was driving it home. I was a little worried at first because the steering was so heavy. It really makes the car seems much heavier then it is. The MSP was agile, and so easy to toss around it was effortless. The MS6 does take a bit more effort, but once you get pass the adjustment phase, trust me, she'll grip like a SOB on corners.

Matter of fact there are quite a few roads around here that my MSP did nothing but skip/jump over the bumps on, which meant I had to slow down. The MS6 just coasts over them with ease and never starts to slide. She can handle the twisties just fine, it's just a different feeling then the MSP.

The other thing is noise. There's a lot less of it which for me was a good thing. The MSP was tiring after driving it on the highway after some time. The MS6 is just a joy to drive all day long. But, because there's less noise, you might think at certain points in the rev range she's not pulling as hard as your MSP. People complain about the after 6k rpm pull, but I still think she pulls harder then my MSP did at any rev range. She just does it much quieter and smoother. Instead of watching the RPM guage, just watch the speedo. What I do miss is the turkey.

 

[Rainman]

I bought my car out of province. So when I got it, it was really my first test drive as I was driving it home. I was a little worried at first because the steering was so heavy. It really makes the car seems much heavier then it is. The MSP was agile, and so easy to toss around it was effortless. The MS6 does take a bit more effort, but once you get pass the adjustment phase, trust me, she'll grip like a SOB on corners.

Matter of fact there are quite a few roads around here that my MSP did nothing but skip/jump over the bumps on, which meant I had to slow down. The MS6 just coasts over them with ease and never starts to slide. She can handle the twisties just fine, it's just a different feeling then the MSP.

The other thing is noise. There's a lot less of it which for me was a good thing. The MSP was tiring after driving it on the highway after some time. The MS6 is just a joy to drive all day long. But, because there's less noise, you might think at certain points in the rev range she's not pulling as hard as your MSP. People complain about the after 6k rpm pull, but I still think she pulls harder then my MSP did at any rev range. She just does it much quieter and smoother. Instead of watching the RPM guage, just watch the speedo. What I do miss is the turkey.

Nice points Newf. I agree with your assessment. The MS6 is still a very competent car...just a different TYPE of car than the MSP. I love to drive 'em both! I am hoping that the the MS3 will be like an MSP on 'roids!

R

 

[jersey_emt]

Yup Newf and B1GHAM pretty much nailed it on the spot. The MS6 is a different type of car, it's a grand tourer. So it's absolutely wonderful on the highway, but still competent in the city and on the twisties. If I'd had the money, a MS6 would be sitting in the driveway next to my MSM. A MS6 and a Miata is the perfect combo IMO!

 

[B1GHAM]

After driving the RX-8 and Miata (RX-8 was just amazing... loved the transmission, 50/50 weight is nice...handled like a dream and the Miata was like it was on rails.. drove a 6-speed... It completely changed my mind about miatas its a fun car) I drove the MS6 again just for comparison...

I still love it... and now I am thinking seriously about getting an 07 in like 6-8mos if I can feasibly afford it at the time. Im thinking Black cherry mica (underplayed color IMHO) GT with black/white leather, advanced keyless entry/start, and no navi.

Its one of those cars you can take to a fancy restaurant but then let loose after dinner (evil)

 

[Antoine]

Quality thread guys...I'm interested to know which non-Mazda would you MS6 guys say is the best direct competition for the MS6?

...and Jersey...I totally agree...having an MS6 and a Miata in the garage or driveway would put a smile on my face everyday.

 

[ONRAILS]

My bro-in-law has a nice ass Altima SE-R that I will be running with alot. I haven't raced him yet. I've driven his car and it's pretty quick, but I think the MS6 is about .5 -1 second faster in the quarter. I gotta take some pics, you guys would like his car.

Quality thread guys...I'm interested to know which non-Mazda would you MS6 guys say is the best direct competition for the MS6?

...and Jersey...I totally agree...having an MS6 and a Miata in the garage or driveway would put a smile on my face everyday.

 

[Renesis8]

Also a thing to consider is price, the MS6 can be had for around 23k, its a steal. Wait until the 07s hit the lot and closer to winter, you could get it for even less! The MS6 is a very fast car and very mod friendly, however if you feel its a little heavy for you and you like driving thru twisties, consider the RX-8 too, but you'll be sacaficing straight line performance.

 

[winty87]

I'd love to have a MS6 sometime in the next 5 years when I move out on my own and have a better job. I do love my MP3 and will probably never get rid of it unless I HAVE to. But I would like a bigger car that is more luxurious for dates, Fast from stock, and is quiter on the highway. (That bugs me in my MP3 is the wind noise)

 

[Donas64]

My bro-in-law has a nice ass Altima SE-R that I will be running with alot. I haven't raced him yet. I've driven his car and it's pretty quick, but I think the MS6 is about .5 -1 second faster in the quarter. I gotta take some pics, you guys would like his car.

Altima SE-R's are no joke. I drove them all the time when I worked at the Nissan Stealership. Very fast, I love how they look. Shame about that FWD though. While evenly matched power wise I think the MS6 would have the edge in a drag race due to it's AWD.

 

[Donas64]

Quality thread guys...I'm interested to know which non-Mazda would you MS6 guys say is the best direct competition for the MS6?

...and Jersey...I totally agree...having an MS6 and a Miata in the garage or driveway would put a smile on my face everyday.

MS6 competition right here. I would just about take a Spec B over an MS6

 

[Newf]

yup, the legacy GT and Spec B are it's main competition. No doubt about it.

A lot of people call the LGT plain and boring looking. I tend to disagree. while it's no Super Exotic sports car ( neither is the MS6) it has some nice clean lines on it. It came down to $$$ for me, and the fact that we don't really have a Subie dealership close enough by. There's a few other reasons too like interior and handling but they've been re-hashed here so many timres already.

 

[Donas64]

yup, the legacy GT and Spec B are it's main competition. No doubt about it.

A lot of people call the LGT plain and boring looking. I tend to disagree. while it's no Super Exotic sports car ( neither is the MS6) it has some nice clean lines on it. It came down to $$$ for me, and the fact that we don't really have a Subie dealership close enough by. There's a few other reasons too like interior and handling but they've been re-hashed here so many timres already.

Excellent post. I like the sublte stealth looks of the Spec B also. The MS6 is a bit more aggressive but still quite undercover to those not in the know. 2 things that would make the MS6 much more appealing to me are:

1. Get rid of the steroid injected hood and bulging nose and give a simple low profile hood scoop like the spec B or just give it an FMIC

2. For the love of all thats sacred put a decent exhaust system on you flagship sedan and get rid of those peashooters.

If those 2 things were changed I think that it would look 10x better. But thats just me

 

[Newf]

yeah the exhuast issue really irks me as well. After having a nice Racing beat exaust on my last two mazda's, well, it just ain't the same.

But the bulge ... it can stay. nothing wrong with having a big bulge

 

[Donas64]

yeah the exhuast issue really irks me as well. After having a nice Racing beat exaust on my last two mazda's, well, it just ain't the same.

But the bulge ... it can stay. nothing wrong with having a big bulge

The MS6 gives other cars Bulge envy.(first)

 

[Newf]

my woman loves the bulge

anyways.....back on topic...lol

 

[MS6S2K]

I actually wanted to trade my 04 STI in for a Legacy GT, but I could not pass up the insane deals on the MS6. I test drove a regular Legacy GT, and let me tell you, one of two things is true. A), the MS6 is overrated at 274hp, or B) the Legacy GT is underrated at 250hp. I took both for extensive test drives, and pushed them nicely. I'm convinced that the Legacy GT is a bit faster, and definitely felt more nimble to me. I'd imagine the Spec B really outhandles the MS6. However, I do prefer the looks of the MS6 more, and saving a few grand and getting just as nice of a car makes me glad I got this MS6. It's just a great daily driver.

I admit though, I miss the STI, because I severly downgraded on performance, and now own more of a luxury car, but the quiet ride, tame (under radar) looks, and comfort make me not care so much about the performance downgrade. It's a super value with all the incentives that have going on this car.

 

[ms64meplease]

i just did ssscc and got 1st out of 14 in the class im not complaining just learn to drift it and its a great ride...lol i was in the novice class but there was a acr srt, mr2 spyder, wrx non sti and more others that should of beat me i wouldnt say this car cant be driven right i drifted it around 2 corners mainly because they were 180* and i lost too much time if i slowed it down. so i would rev it to about 5k dump the clutch right at the corner and that thing will go around the corner need proof just ask

mind you this has only been about a month of owning it and not racing it till last weekend it how you drive it me i stole the thing