New Mazdaspeed 6 owner.

[Gronthor]

Good day all,

I am really happy i found this board. I have recently purchased a 2006 Mazdaspeed 6 GT. It is Metallic Pearl with Black/White Leather interior. I bought it used and it has only 9000 on the clock. I carfaxed it before and it only had one owner and no reported accidents, so i am pretty sure i have done my homework on it. So far i love this car.

I owned a 2004 Mazda 6s before this but it was totaled after someone rear ended me at 45 mph when i was at a stop turning left. Anyway, loved the car so much i checked into and test drove a MS6 and loved it.

I have read up on all the issues that modder's are running into with the turbo. So far i think i will avoid doing anything to the car, and just leave it stock.

I have a couple questions if you all have time to help me out.

1. I read here that a lot of you have rims and snow tires that you use in the winter. Any specs of the wheels i need to look for or suggestions that you all might have?

2. What would be the best oil to use to maximize life and performance?

3. The only thing i am concerned about with the car is that i am hearing a creaking like noise anytime the car accelerates or decelerates at lower MPH (around 5-25 mph is when i really notice it) I am going to take it to the dealer later in the week to see if it has any recalls and to see if they can identify the problem.

4. Any other general information or tips are much appreciated.

Thank you all for any help and comments you might have!

 

[Donas64]

congrats on the MS6. Such an underrated and unappreciated car. Post up some pics of that bad boy!

 

[wannabe]

welcome to the board!

1) i have Hankook Icebears mounted to 17s from my old Protege. 215/50-17 is the recommended size, but my 225/45-17s work just fine. if you can, go with 17s, since you can't fit 16s, and 18s are much more expensive.

2) 5w30. brand isn't THAT important, just use something that isn't complete crap. i actually use Motorcraft because thats the original fill, its a semi-syn, and its cheap.

3) wheres the creak coming from? probably suspension related.

4) have fun, enjoy the car, and you might want to make sure the 3 recalls have been done. there should be stickers somewhere. i have one in the door jamb, and 2 on the bottom of the hood.

 

[Gronthor]

Thanks guys!

The creak is coming from the driver side almost by the front seat. It is not in the cab but outside towards the bottom of the car. The best thing i can relate it to is walking on an old hardwood floor but more metal sounding.

Thanks for the tips and recall notice. I will try to get some pictures up here soon!

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

Might be your seat belt mount. A lot of Mazdas have that problem.

 

[Alhamdulillah]

congrats!!enjoy be safe

 

[_MSprotegy]

recalls, what recalls?

 

[wannabe]

recalls, what recalls?

"the loss of power" for the 2006 model
then the two emissions recalls that came out earlier this year. i think theres still a sticky on it around here somewhere...

edit: yup, right here

 

[GT-Mazdaspeed 6]

Hey, welcome!
You are going to love this car.

 

[Gronthor]

Thanks GT i see you are in Kansas City, nice to see a local poster around.

/wave

Any good leads on a great dealership around that i can trust to take my baby? I am really close to Northtown Mazda so that is my default dealer at the moment.

 

[GT-Mazdaspeed 6]

Thanks GT i see you are in Kansas City, nice to see a local poster around.

/wave

Any good leads on a great dealership around that i can trust to take my baby? I am really close to Northtown Mazda so that is my default dealer at the moment.

Ya, we bought our Mazda3 from Northtown.

Click on the link in my signature and it'll take you to our local "6" forum. A lot of the guys take their cars to Steve Oliver Mazda on 150 and State Line and haven't had a problem (even with mods on them).

But I haven't had any warranty work done, so I haven't gone to a Mazda dealership for service.

 

[_MSprotegy]

so for those who had the recalls, how do you identify that you have gotten the recalls taken care of? cause i just got my ms6 a few days ago also.

 

[wannabe]

4) have fun, enjoy the car, and you might want to make sure the 3 recalls have been done. there should be stickers somewhere. i have one in the door jamb, and 2 on the bottom of the hood.

so for those who had the recalls, how do you identify that you have gotten the recalls taken care of? cause i just got my ms6 a few days ago also.

see my post above. you should have blue "Campaign" stickers somewhere. either on your firewall, under the hood, or in the door jamb.

 

[chuyler1]

How much does it actually snow in Kansas City? The reason you see talk of snow tires is because many of us live above the snow belt (making AWD a must in winter time). I would think you should be fine with a set of all-seasons for the winter mounted on the stock rims. Then you can spend your cash on some nice looking summer rims with high performance summer rubber. Anyway, if you need info on rim and tire sizes, check my sticky thread...
README: Mazda6/MS6 Wheel/Tire Options

 

[GT-Mazdaspeed 6]

How much does it actually snow in Kansas City? The reason you see talk of snow tires is because many of us live above the snow belt (making AWD a must in winter time). I would think you should be fine with a set of all-seasons for the winter mounted on the stock rims. Then you can spend your cash on some nice looking summer rims with high performance summer rubber. Anyway, if you need info on rim and tire sizes, check my sticky thread...
README: Mazda6/MS6 Wheel/Tire Options

Well, snow is really hit or miss. We'll get anything from just a dusting to like 10 or 11 inches.
Plus we have to deal with the "wonderful" ice storms sometimes.

 

[chuyler1]

But if you get a freak foot of snow, do you have to drive far in it, and how long does the snow stay on the ground? My job allows me to stay home if weather is really bad but I still need the snows for ski trips.

 

[GT-Mazdaspeed 6]

The street crews usually get the main streets and highways cleared with the quickness. But sometimes the side streets won't get touched for a day or so.
Most Midwest businesses expect their employees to know how to drive in the snow and to get to work asap. My work is about 25 miles from my home, but I have a company vehicle. I just leave sandbags in the back all winter for extra weight. I have called in sometimes and said that I didn't want to wreck their vehicle, so I wouldn't be trying to drive to work (only if the weather is Very bad).

 

[Gronthor]

Yeah snow is not the main danger. It is not cold enough here for the snow to stay long on the ground. However since it melts it almost always freezes during the night and the real danger in the Midwest is the ice. That is the primary reason our roads end up getting bad fast. That and crappy fund allocation.

 

[freekwonder]

Welcome aboard man. yeah make sure to check out the kc6club (but don't stray away from this awesome forum). Where in KC are you located?

As for winter/wheels Go to Revline and talk to Chuong, he tested some 17s on my car once so he should still have a good idea what would fit on the MS6. Just get a cheap set of 17s with some good all season tires and you will be fine. I made it through one winter with brand new stock tires no problems.

 

[1quickturbosix]

So if I just bought my MS6 from a mazda dealership..... I would imagine that the recalls have been performed? I hope....(nailbyt)