NEED info on Mazdaspeed6's!!!

[pennstatescollo]

I want to become a part of the mazda family, although im in college. Im not a drug dealer or very rich but I have enough to buy an 06 mazdaspeed 6. I've done some research and why does it look to me that the 07's are crappier? I'm not trying to put anyone down but it just seems that way. And do 06's blow up easily? I haven't purchased one yet, but I am really considering it. I need info!

(bowdown)

 

[pennstatescollo]

Durable? Good price? How well do you like yours?

 

[Igve2shtz]

Basically, I bought my car 2 months before I graduated college. It was the only thing that made me survive senior year.

Durable? I can't answer that. Its not like I took it rock climbing or anything. But, 15,000 miles, 8 months, and nothing has fallen off of it. It is an 06, and in stock form, nothing has blown up on it.

Price? I bought it brand new for a good price. My buddy at work bought an 07 in October for 22,000, fully loaded minus nav. So, even brand new, they are cheap. The resale value sucks on them, so if you buy one, make sure you want to keep it. Used ones look like they are going for around 20000. Haggle them down, and see if they budge. As slow as these sold, they should lower the price.

I LOVE mine. To put it in perspective, I put 12,000 miles on the car in 6 months. While that might not seem like alot, I only live 4 miles from work. I love to drive this thing. Its big and comfy for all my friends, so its the natural weekend cruiser. Ive done road trips, and its the best for 300+ miles trips. Its heavy, so the wind doesnt blow it around, its got power all over the 'usable' rpm range, and passing people has never been so much fun. Fuel economy is still pretty good, even though it weighs 3800 lbs, has AWD and 270 hp. I know its better than my Mom's new Sonata on gas and performance, and still hauls as much crap, so that to me equals a winner.

The Bad News? If you want to seriously mod it, your SOL. Engines like to go boom, and with AWD and weight, you are at a severe disadvantage. Go MS3 if thats the case.

If you want a sports car, buy a 350Z, Mustang or MS3. If you want a family car, buy a Camry. If you want to compromise between the two, get the MS6. Its a Grand Touring car. Plain and Simple.

 

[gte024h]

why does it look to me that the 07's are crappier?

As far as I know the 07's are identical to the 06's except they have all the recalls done on them.

 

[bova80]

how do you figure 07s are crapier? they are the same thing minus many of the issues the 06s have. sure there are some 07s that have problems the 06s had but not as many. you better read up more.

 

[pennstatescollo]

Thanks a lot, I didn't mean to offend you bova80. I'm really considering buying a ms6. When I was searching locally I found that the 06's were sellin for about 18k with 10k on it and the 07's were sellin at the same price/mileage. I am really not all about modding, I wanna keep this car as stock as possible with just the usual mods.

I was looking AWD for about the last year and nothing sparked my interest and price range besides this car. And from the looks of it, how it drives, the price, and the size I can't complain. Gas mileage was a really big concern but i'll take the est. 19/25.

What are the most common problems with these cars?

 

[1sty]

oil burn/smoking from turbo seals...that may have been fixed though

 

[pennstatescollo]

The knowledge that I retained from viewing other posts, was that the ms6 06 had several recalls. Now, I did a quick search on automotive.com, motortrend.com, etc. and could not find any recalls or the information on the websites simply stated there weren't any recalls.

What were the recalls that you all are refering to, that the 07 ms6 has already equipped that the 06 ms6 needs to go back for?

Are they major? And because of these recalls is that why Mazda is coming out with a new body style, etc. for the 08 models?

Thanks.

 

[bova80]

i wasn't offended, just didn't see your logic.

the 07 was the last year for the speed6 so the new models have nothing to do with any problems that were with the speed6. my 07 speed6 simply needed a reflash for the recall, it was nothing major, just a problem that a cel light would come on in cold temperatures that really cause no problems.

i still don't understand why you said the 07's were crappier. your point that an 06 is selling for 18k with 10k miles doesn't make any sense in comparing an 07 with the same stats. yeah they probably will sell for a similiar price seeing as how they have the same mileage.

 

[Alexander37]

There really isn't much of a difference from '06 to '07. Most recalls are the same. Differences are the 4 HP dcrease on '07 (not noticeable of course) and the warranty. '06 was the last year for the 50k full, '07 dropped to 36k. The issues that I have had with my '06Speed was the re-flash, a new swirl valve, but I also had the coil packs go. Everything was under warranty and replaced and the car has been great! I absolutely love the handling, acceleration and responsiveness. I had owned an '05 6i, but was wanting more out of the experience, and this has surpassed my expectations. As a few have previously stated, if you want performance, and do not need AWD or extra storage space, go with the Speed3. If you want or need the AWD, go with the Speed6. Hope this helps and hope you join the club!!!

 

[bova80]

that 4hp decrease could be from how manufacturers are told to rate power.

 

[Igve2shtz]

^--- Your right, that 4 hp could be from the new SAE standard to measure power.

Or, due to the 06's being originally tuned for 93 octane, which netted 274 horse, when they retuned for the 91 octane (06 Reflash and all 07's), the power could have dropped.

Either way, jsut round it to 270.

 

[pennstatescollo]

Thanks a lot guys!

 

[Alexander37]

On the HP difference, very true guys. I forgot about the octane tuning difference. Anyway, it doesn't matter either way, this car kicks ass!

 

[Shagate]

I don't think there is really much of a difference between the two vehicles. There has been a lot of computer reflashing to massage out the power band and make the car (for the most part) a better driver and deliver more equal power throughout the rev band. The swirl valve is the only real hardware recall (voluntary) I can remember having performed.

I think the biggest issue to watch for on the 06 Speed6 is the clutch, which stock was more of an on/off feel. For the enthusiast this probably won't be a problem, and you will learned how to cope with it. However, it's not as friendly to drive in traffic and haul people around with (not to mention have someone else drive). Mazda kindly offered 06 Speed6 owners an upgrade to the same clutch as the 07 units to compensate. Many of us in the forums are really happy with the free upgrade and how much easier the car is to drive overall.

As for the engines "blowing up"... I think you have to remember that 06 was the first year and there were few aftermarket parts, so many people were the guinea pigs for mods. From what most of us can tell, Mazda has already put a lot of pressure on the internal components and has optimized the car's setup for the sports sedan enthusiasts. By upgrading a component, you change the balance and risk pushing the others beyond their capability (engine goes BOOM). This holds true for both 06 and 07 vehicles, so just watch your mods and you should have no problems.

Many of us are really happy with our cars stock or how we have them setup, and have had no issues. But that doesn't really make for exciting banter in the forums...