So I test drove one of these.

[Diomedes]

Well, after driving my new m3 for about 3 weeks, had to go back to dealer to get some touch up done on the breaks. While waiting (eternally, of course), i decided to try any of their ms6. That was FUN. Now i want one.....lol

Anyway, you're talking about me, who's been driving automatic toyotas for some 10 years, but i found it pretty thrilling to get behind so much power. That thing blew through rpms, 3rd gear is great.....weeeeee

So, while fumbling about to find the reverse gear instructions online on my iphone while parked (I didn't know it had to be pushed down), i found this:

http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/dealership-experience/168765-test-drove-mazda-speed-6-a.html

While, i wasn't born yesterday, these guys are mazda bashing just to make themselves feel better, they had some facts on high rpms and I'm wondering how true that is, and are there glaring performance negatives\problems if compared to other paralell makes? I thought mazda speed was the way to go for affordable fun. I'm still new to mazda & driving manual too, so i'm pretty impressionable.

Care to give me some perspective?

Regardless of what they say, I think that was one hell of a ride.

 

[nate0123]

The guy drove an abused car, clutch was probably slipping

This is pretty much a dead giveaway: "after 5k rpm the tach just flew up to 7.5 but the car just stopped pulling"

 

[chiefmg]

It is one hell of a ride. Personally I don't take anyone seriously who doesn't know that it is rpm, not rpms. I don't understand people who rip on other cars. We are all different and different things appeal to us. If you are an enthusiast you should be able to appreciate any good vehicle even if it isn't your particular cup of tea.

There was some truth in the link you posted. Stock the car does fall on its face at around 5500 rpm, due to how the ECU is programmed. As the one poster noted, that can be taken care of with an AccessPort or any engine management system. I have an AP and the car will now pull readily up to redline (although it is best to shift earlier, around 6000 or so).

I did have to laugh at the comments about the SI handling better. Well duh, all things being equal it's a much lighter car!!

 

[zinger002]

that was all good for a lol.

the si was my second choice for a car after the speed 6, and by god was it ever gutless untill you wound it up till the point of it ******* blowing up!

 

[m4tic]

i like SI's they try to hang for a second... then chill in my rearview

 

[Diomedes]

Until now i wasn't too sure what a honda SI looked like. Checked it out....dunno, maybe i'm biased, but I really prefer the styling that Mazda does. Interior, exterior.....
Wondering if I should test drive one of those at some point.

 

[element1290]

si's arent bad looking cars, performance wise couldnt touch the ms6. Their only advantage would be the dramatic difference in weight. Also like state the performance drop off at 5500 rpm is bc of the ecu, easy fix and once you add that mod the car will be hella better.

 

[Bulgsta]

gotta love the si forums... they hate so much on the other cars. like little dogs, they bark alot but run away. and the interior is... nothing compared to the speed 6.

 

[Diomedes]

Nice to know I'm not the only one. Glad I had a chance to drive the ms6, nothing like all that torque to do the talking.

Not that I'm really interested, but is si *really* the most comparable performance car? I don't know this stuff at all, how's a Subaru compare or even those Mitsubishi? I guess if you slap turbo on of those and they'll be the same? See, a ms6 really seems the most affordable bang for your buck and just plain looks nice too.
What's the difference between a ms3 and a ms6 other than he hatch option? I have a m3 hatch, and don't reall like the of a sedan, which would be the only choice for a ms6, which I really liked.

 

[zinger002]

i would have to say the legacy is the only really compairable car.

the evo and sti's are not in the same comfort class, they are more rally bred race cars.

 

[m4tic]

MS6 was made to compete with the Subaru Legacy GT, BMW 330xi, Infinity G35x, and other AWD sport sedans , not the WRX/STi or Evolution

 

[Mr. 4500 RPM]

P.S. you drive a mazda 3 not an m3 get it right.

 

[Bulgsta]

P.S. you drive a mazda 3 not an m3 get it right.

what he said...

 

[zinger002]

P.S. you drive a mazda 3 not an m3 get it right.

(deadhorse

 

[Diomedes]

Wow, sorry guys, looks like I hit a sensitive spot.... I'll, um, make sure I don't do it again. (ughdance)

 

[StealthWyvern]

Wow, sorry guys, looks like I hit a sensitive spot.... I'll, um, make sure I don't do it again. (ughdance)

lol When you say M3 most people thing BMW M3 not mada3

 

[nate0123]

If you want to abbreviate it, stick a Z in the middle

MZ3

 

[Mr. 4500 RPM]

I mean it is a simple mistake really but people get it wrong 3/4 of the time. The BMW M3 has been around since late 80's early 90's so the Mazda 3 has a different abbreviation. It just irks me is all because there is a lot of racing heritage with the M3 and symbol.

 

[MPS-DMN]

Yea! The MS6 is a mid-size performance sedan that doubles as a daily driver. That's the reason it can't compete with STI/EVO ONLY BECAUSE OF ITS WEIGHT ie... LEATHER, HEATED-SEATS, BACKSEAT ROOM, FRONT SEAT ROOM, MAZDA was thinking about a comfortable ride in style and Mitsubishi/Subaru were thinking cheap quick money... I agree with m4tic 100%

 

[Diomedes]

Well, i don't know, maybe i'm missing something, but I'm sure the mazdaspeed 6 can compete with BMW 330xi, Infinity G35x, etc, but where it leaves those behind in the negotiations is in affordability. As far as i can tell for the amount of fun for the value mazdaspeed 6 has something going. Tell me if there's something i'm not aware of. And if you go and talk about Wrx, than the coast just continues to go up.

I mean, in a couple years I'd be able to afford a mazdaspeed6, but not the others. Makes me wonder if really should compile a list of testdrive comparables, they're so much more expensive. I was looking forward to heading over to Honda or Subaru dealerships just to try things out so i could develop a sense of perspective on mazda. Not so sure anymore!

Don't worry I'm still happy with my "MZ3" ((naughty) don't worry i won't do it again), i mean, i need to learn manual on something that isn't *too* expensive, right?