new Speed6 owner

[hektor]

I just arrived in the Washington (state) area after a couple years overseas and my second day in town I was able to pick up an 06 Speed6 sport (8300 miles, power moonroof/sunroof) for $20495. I felt like it was a decent deal until I had to pay that 9.2% sales tax. I bought it anyway. Couldn't resist. A couple weeks prior to buying the speed6, I test drove a 2007 of the same model and the difference in the clutch surprised me.

I am putting together a list of things to get done and any help would be appreciated.

1. winter tires
2. clutch engagement TSB (my vin# falls into the Type-A category)
3. chip reflash to get rid of intermittent power loss (even though i haven't noticed this happen very often)
4. CPE-EMS (This one is iffy. I don't want to start cutting wires and soldiering [WARRANTY!!!!], but I really want to get more bang up to the redline).

 

[Igve2shtz]

I just arrived in the Washington (state) area after a couple years overseas and my second day in town I was able to pick up an 06 Speed6 sport (8300 miles, power moonroof/sunroof) for $20495. I felt like it was a decent deal until I had to pay that 9.2% sales tax. I bought it anyway. Couldn't resist. A couple weeks prior to buying the speed6, I test drove a 2007 of the same model and the difference in the clutch surprised me.

I am putting together a list of things to get done and any help would be appreciated.

1. winter tires
2. clutch engagement TSB (my vin# falls into the Type-A category)
3. chip reflash to get rid of intermittent power loss (even though i haven't noticed this happen very often)
4. CPE-EMS (This one is iffy. I don't want to start cutting wires and soldiering [WARRANTY!!!!], but I really want to get more bang up to the redline).

Congrats on the car. You will love it. Wait a few months. The EMS will be plug and play.

How did you get a moonroof with a Sport? Was it an aftermarket one?

 

[freekwonder]

Congrats on the purchase and welcome to the board. Post up some pics when you get some.

 

[mazdaspeedfreek]

dealer may have installed one

 

[d2brsin]

Thinking of buy a Mazdspeed6

I got an offer from a dealer for $27,400 (including the $1750 rebate) for a new 2007 Mazdspeed6 GT with a sunroof and digital compass. The white-stitched black leather looks nice. It seems to be a pretty good price. They have a black and titanium grey one in the exact same configuration, and I'm leaning towards the black one. I know they always look dirty, but I think the car looks better in black.

I also test drove a 2008 Subaru Legacy GT Limited (5-speed manual) today (they had a Spec.B as well, but out of my price range). I loved the Legacy - the interior is top notch and the 2008 looks better than the 2005-2007 models. It has also received some stiffening of the A-pillar and better bushings to address the "soft ride" complaints from the past years models. The dealbreaker with me was the rear leg room in the Legacy. It simply isn't practical if you have a baby seat or older kids. It also has less hip and shoulder room than the Mazdaspeed.

It's kind of confusing why the Legacy hasn't been made a little larger to compete with the Accord and Camry when they already have the Impreza in the compact segment. The Legacy is classified as a compact as well by the EPA and they have no larger sedans (other than the rare Outback sedan).

So despite reports of poor customer service by Mazda USA, turbo seal leaks, broken drive axles, noisy rear differentials, and excessive tire wear, I've decided to take a chance on the Mazdaspeed6. I read a lot of advice on this forum that if I want this to be a reliable commuter car I should avoid making too many mods.

I was thinking about getting the Mazdaspeed6 sports mufflers sold at the dealership. I've heard reports about large mufflers contributing to turbo seal leaks. Do you think the Mazdaspeed6 sports mufflers would be a problem?