RIP: MazdaSpeed6 and Mazda6 Sport Wagon killed off for '08

[stillflat4]

I didn't like the SportCombi. The interior was a little weird looking and it just didn't feel right. That and it was much more money than a 6 wagon iirc.

I've found that Saabs are traditionally discounted quite a bit against their MSRP. There are often excellent incentives on them. The SC I looked at was in the same price range as the MS6. The 6 is an extraordinary deal even at MSRP I think. Probably one of the reasons Mazda sells so many of them. It's not often you find this kind of quality at this price.

As for the Saab, I had my money all on the table. Told my dealer as soon as he could get one in black, I wanted it. Probably not the smartest thing to do. He said he found one in NJ and they could have it shipped. I went down to sign the papers and he said, "don't you want to test drive one first?" I said, "Um, OK!" I've driven lots of Saabs, but only one since probably 2000 or so.

Got the keys, sat in the car. Interior materials weren't anything special. In fact, they seemed kind of cheap. Not what I expected for a supposed "luxury" car. I think my MS6 has nicer interior materials than the SportCombi did.

Driving it, I noticed the throttle response was just weird. It was like the throttle had no "weight" and the turbo had noticeable lag. No worse than any other Saab I've driven, but it was pretty bad coming from a normally-aspirated car (my 9-2X) to a laggy turbo.

There was a lot of road construction in the area, lots of rough roads, and the car just didn't take the uneven pavement very well. Each crack in the pavement sent shudders through the car and I knew within 10K miles I'd be dealing with rattles.

In short, it felt a lot like just any other GM vehicle. I thanked the salesman very much, and then I got really depressed, cursed GM repeatedly for killing Saab.

I am told that they have made significant changes to the 08 model (XWD being a key one), and it certainly does look very very very very sweet...

I'll probably buy my MS6 when the lease is up in 2009 (I put a lot down, so might as well take advantage of the low purchase price), but I definitely will test drive the new SportCombi... And then most likely, I will have to head out to the Mazda dealer to check out their latest offerings when the Saab once again disappoints.

 

[Lord_Zath]

yeah after reading reviews of the SC, I was also excited to look into one. Until I sat in it and drove it.

Glad to hear you love the ms6. I drove one at ZoomZoomLive, and it was a real treat!

 

[stillflat4]

yeah after reading reviews of the SC, I was also excited to look into one. Until I sat in it and drove it.

General Motors really did kill this car... Killed any sense of identity or individuality it had. Very upsetting for a former Saab fanatic.

Glad to hear you love the ms6. I drove one at ZoomZoomLive, and it was a real treat!

Every day I get in this car, I love it more. Probably the best car I have ever owned. It feels like a solid European sedan, but with better reliability.

Honestly, I never thought it would be possible for me to fall in love with a Japanese automobile, but here it is...

 

[Maxx Mazda]

Hmmmmmmmmm... Better get my white MS6 while I still can!

 

[Lord_Zath]

General Motors really did kill this car... Killed any sense of identity or individuality it had. Very upsetting for a former Saab fanatic.

Yeah after test driving it and seeing it, I couldn't understand why so many people said they were in love with the SC. Must be an older version(s).