New speed6 owner

[buttons252]

I just traded in my 02 Passat GLS for a white speed 6 with 15k miles. Dealer had to put in a new swirl valve and two recalls already. I think this is a car ill leave stock and purchase extended warranty on...

I had my heart set on another audi S4 but the twin turbos are hard to find expensive to maintain.. the v8's cant pass a gas station. I felt the speed6 should be a good compromise.

 

[Killer]

welcome aboard.

 

[buttons252]

I finally got my car back after the swirl valve and two recalls and more time behind the wheel. I love the car, but it really needs 40-50 more hp. It bothers me that STi's, Evo's, and mustangs can probably pull me from a roll. I dont want to mod it because im afraid of the warranty wont be honored and this is a daily driver that I share with my g/f... so probably means modding the exhaust is a no-no.

 

[Pololo_MS3]

I finally got my car back after the swirl valve and two recalls and more time behind the wheel. I love the car, but it really needs 40-50 more hp. It bothers me that STi's, Evo's, and mustangs can probably pull me from a roll. I dont want to mod it because im afraid of the warranty wont be honored and this is a daily driver that I share with my g/f... so probably means modding the exhaust is a no-no.

Then, why did you buy the MS6 if you are comparing it against the EVO/STI?? I don't get it... You should have done your homework first and no way, regardless of the mods, you will be at the same level of the cars mentioned above.

The MS6 is a good "sporty sedan" but that's about it... It needs more power but it's unique car...

My 2 cents,
Carlos

 

[Igve2shtz]

The MS6 is a great car, but, you seem to be like me: Every car can use more power. If the MS6 did have 320hp, then you would be wishing it had 350 so it could race Corvettes. The MS6 has PLENTY of power for everyday driving. You just have to keep telling yourself it is a family car.

 

[buttons252]

Oh, ive done my homework. Coming from an Audi S4 I wanted more luxury and a better ride then STi or Evo. The biggest factor was actually the price. used Evo's and STi's are still 24k while a newer mazdaspeed 6 is cheaper and a better daily.

Once warranty is up ill do full exhaust, fmic, intake, tuning and will be happy with low 13's at 106-108ish. I just want to be faster then stock cars in our league...

 

[TX Speed 6]

Well... maybe its just me, but I don't consider the STI and Evo "our league." in fact... I don't think Mazda does either. I don't think it was ever this cars intention to compete with them, just provide a fun fairly quick sedan with some comfort imho.

But... if you read my sig, never leave em stock!!! (which I actually stole from Tim Allen) So I say mod what you think you can get away with and lets blow those doors off anyone we can ON THE TRACK (drive)

Either way, welcome to the club and I hope you have fun with the car

 

[ugadogs_11]

Yeah I was also in the delima of seeing sti and evos beating us, but I realized that the speed 6 is a more mature car, can look good without a big a$$ wing, and they still have the all wheel dive capabilities.

The thing that made me really love my car, was when one of my friends with a sti told me that he liked my car mor than his.

Plus when you get the sixth fastest car under 30,000 dollars, that was the desision maker.

 

[buttons252]

My friend has an STi he told me the mazdaspeed 6 was a compromise between an audi a4 and subaru STi and it failed miserably. While I see his point that an STi would destroy us on the track and a audi wins with the luxury side i feel i have a good balance between the two. His theory might explain why there is currently a $4,000 rebate on speed6's?

 

[Killer]

The reason there is a 4k rebate has nothing to do with that. It has everything to do with the fact it is a discontinued car. They want them off the lot.

 

[mysleeper6]

Buttons, you sound like you are having a major case of buyer's remorse. You say you did your research, but are you sure this is really what you wanted---a more mature AWD option to the racerboi wing-toters that still makes you grin when you give it WOT and handles great through the bendys? If you aren't happy with the car, go find something to drive that does make you happy.

And please, for which automotive magazine does your friend get paid to do reviews?

 

[BlackCherry06]

"the mazdaspeed 6 was a compromise between an audi a4 and subaru STi and it failed miserably."

The only reason it wasn't what's considered to be a runaway sales success is mainly due to the segment it falls in. There aren't a lot of buyers that wanted a turbocharged, awd car of this size and people-carrying capability. Had it been FWD w/ an enhanced V6 and slightly stiffer suspension, it would have taken sales away from the Accord V6 / Camry SE / Altima SE-R because it would have been more traditional, which is, unfortunately what most buyers look for when they're shopping for an Accord-sized sedan. Mazda wanted more out of this car, so they gave it more and rolled the dice. Its failure lies in what it COULD do, not what it COULDN'T do.

I wouldn't exactly call it an alternative to an S4 due to its size and base price, and it shouldn't ever be compared to an STi or Evo due to its size and more subdued, non-rally-racing setup. It's a niche car, not to be confused with a failure.

 

[tunersteve]

The MS6 is a niche car with a cult following, but a well built car for enthusiasts IMO. It's more along the lines of a Legacy than a WRX/STi, but with the extra get-up-and-go that some other cars in the segment don't have. When the MS3 came out in 2007, it just further pushed buyers away from the MS6.

Welcome aboard. It's definitely a fun car to own.

 

[buttons252]

Please dont put words in my mouth. I love the car... I just want more power I had a 395whp LS1 00 Trans Am (bolt ons, cam, and a tune) It ran low 12's at 113 and i still wanted more power.

I guess im just natually competitive and dont like the competitors being faster. I think you guys are right the closet competitor being a legacy GT. I didnt realize how big the speed6 initially

 

[aimetti]

I guess I would be a great person to post on this thread considering I previously owned an 06 wrx and As of January I have an 07 speed6 sport.

First off I have a real hard time comparing the speed6 to the sti especially because of the price. A new sti will run you about 31k to 33k. That was for an 06/07 model. The 08s are a bit more. Around 34k to 36k w/ all the options. I just picked up my speed6 for 23.5k out the door. So im sorry to say but based on price alone a 10 grand difference is way to big to judge the two. The Wrx would fall into a better comparison based on price. Back in late 05 I picked up my 06 wrx for 25k out the door. Granted it only has about 250hp (was very underestimated by subaru at 230hp) but driving both I can definitely say they are very similar.

Overall I would have to say I like my speed6 more than my old wrx. However I did enjoy the raw feel and modability of the wrx. It felt more like a race car especially with the mods I did (wheels , tbe , cai , sport springs etc). It also seemed that it did get much more attraction compared to the speed6 which in some cases definitely isnt a good thing, ie police but most of the time I did enjoy that. The speed6 is just as fast if not alittle bit faster than the wrx however the handling overpowers it with ease stock for stock. With my modded suspension on the wrx it definitely out handled a stock speed6 but that holds true with any car thats modded. The interior of the wrx is outdone in every way compared to the speed6. There is no comparison between the two. Stock for stock , the bose sound system destroys the 6 speaker 120 watt system in the wrx.

As I stated before there really is no reason to compare the speed6 to the sti. Even the wrx doesnt come close to the sti. Its a total different beast. Id say for the money there really isnt a better car right now that has a good blend of sporty driving / daily driver / practicality.

 

[CalgaryMS6]

The MS6 is a great car, but, you seem to be like me: Every car can use more power. If the MS6 did have 320hp, then you would be wishing it had 350 so it could race Corvettes.

Bingo, quoted for truth.

 

[Speed6'r]

I guess I'm confused. The mazdaspped6 is a great car for the money. By far it's the best car in it's class.

Why would you need more than a 272 HP engine?

Isn't the speed limit on most US highways 55 or 65 MPH?

Unless your buying it to race, why does it matter?

Gas mileage is better with the speed6. I'm getting 26 miles to the gallon on mine.

That's what matters. A good quality sports sedan in my opinion.

 

[TX Speed 6]

I guess I'm confused. The mazdaspped6 is a great car for the money. By far it's the best car in it's class.

Why would you need more than a 272 HP engine?

Isn't the speed limit on most US highways 55 or 65 MPH?

Unless your buying it to race, why does it matter?

Gas mileage is better with the speed6. I'm getting 26 miles to the gallon on mine.

That's what matters. A good quality sports sedan in my opinion.

I think you might be talking to the wrong guys here!!! I think most of us want more power than stock. The difference I think is where most of us feel like "ok I can stop now" Theres alot of guys here that want 400 whp or more! Those are the ones testing when this engine will pop.

Oh... and the speed limit around here in TX is 70

 

[wannabe]

(scratch) thats not just a suggested speed???