Talk me into, or out of and MS6

[WW-V]

Hello. My name is wildwhl, and I'm an idiot.

Currently driving an '04 CTSV magnacharged to around 550 hp and multiple other mods, but I'm ready for something else.

The MS6 has crossed my radar because I can afford it cash and have some money left over once the V leaves my garage.

I now have a *fun* car, Lotus Exige S, so don't need the serious performance my daily driver V has to offer - but still need something fun.

Prior to the V I owned a pair of RX8's (initial release) and they were both bought back by the mothership after about 30 days ownership (one broke, the other, well, I figured the batting average wasn't so good so take the HP buyback and run).

My needs are a car with decent performance, able to handle a 25 mile stop and go commute to my shop each way, each day, and haul a 3 and 6 year old boy over the next 2 years or so.

This is in fact a search for an interim car that has to be reasonably economical, modable to some extent, and reliable. I've just started searching this site and will read up on the more known issues. I have test driven the MS6 and found the clutch to be a PIA and the power dropoff well before redline disappointing - any fixes for either?

Finally - I tend to say it like it is, and hope I've done so above. I might offend from time to time - but flamesuits come bulk on ebay for next to nothing - so I have no worries. Otherwise, I contribute as much as many, and more than most.

Thanks for your time.

WW-V aka wildwhl

 

[I_Vtec]

Those are some nice cars! Can I be your friend?

 

[BLACKMS3]

Have you test driven an MS3 or is that out of the question?

It's cheaper, has all the benefits of the MS6 and is just as fun, if not more to drive..

Just throwing out an option... especially since not one single owner of an MS3 has ever said anything but awsome things about them, including me...

 

[WW-V]

Black -

I have not driven the MS3 and should. Other cars on the list are A3 and GTi.

How is the clutch and powerband? Same engine - but is it tuned differently?

WW

 

[MS6mike]

there is a tsb for the clucth the new models orready have the chutch issue resolved. also i have the CPE ems and i get full power to red line, and i am not even tuned. the speed 3 has the same power looss to redline issue but with a bunch of wheel hop etc.... the MS6 sounds is the way for you to go !

 

[Karma_hunden]

Have you test driven an MS3 or is that out of the question?

It's cheaper, has all the benefits of the MS6 and is just as fun, if not more to drive..

Just throwing out an option... especially since not one single owner of an MS3 has ever said anything but awsome things about them, including me...

THIS IS BLASPHEMY!

kill him! (doughpoke

 

[WW-V]

THIS IS BLASPHEMY!

kill him! (doughpoke

Personally, I'd suggest a ban - but I'm a noob so what do I know (stfu)

 

[MS6mike]

yea what do you know!

 

[BLACKMS3]

LOL, I thought you guys might like that!!!

MS3POWAH4LIFE!!!!! (peep)

 

[WW-V]

Well, for starters, EFILive and the LS6 quite well - not that it counts here

 

[MS6mike]

ms6 FTW!!!

 

[Killer]

Pics of all cars or (getout)

 

[UK_Ben]

Hello. My name is wildwhl, and I'm an idiot.

Currently driving an '04 CTSV magnacharged to around 550 hp and multiple other mods, but I'm ready for something else.

The MS6 has crossed my radar because I can afford it cash and have some money left over once the V leaves my garage.

I now have a *fun* car, Lotus Exige S, so don't need the serious performance my daily driver V has to offer - but still need something fun.

Prior to the V I owned a pair of RX8's (initial release) and they were both bought back by the mothership after about 30 days ownership (one broke, the other, well, I figured the batting average wasn't so good so take the HP buyback and run).

My needs are a car with decent performance, able to handle a 25 mile stop and go commute to my shop each way, each day, and haul a 3 and 6 year old boy over the next 2 years or so.

This is in fact a search for an interim car that has to be reasonably economical, modable to some extent, and reliable. I've just started searching this site and will read up on the more known issues. I have test driven the MS6 and found the clutch to be a PIA and the power dropoff well before redline disappointing - any fixes for either?

Finally - I tend to say it like it is, and hope I've done so above. I might offend from time to time - but flamesuits come bulk on ebay for next to nothing - so I have no worries. Otherwise, I contribute as much as many, and more than most.

Thanks for your time.

WW-V aka wildwhl

Nice cars. I agree with Killer, pictures please! Now on to the topic at hand.

What else have you test driven? I absolutely love my MS6, but I know there are better cars out there. It sounds like you've got some serious funds, so I would suggest looking at the other options out there in your price range.

Other than that, there is no reason that the MS6 wouldn't suit you well. It has 4 doors, it's quick but not fast, it handles great (not compared to your Exige), it stops great and it's very comfortable. But, on that note, the suspension is a little stiffer, so long drives can be kidney shakers.

I just wanted to throw some things out there in case you hadn't considered them already.

Oh, and did you test drive an '06 or '07 MS6?

 

[LBV]

Welcome aboard WW-V. The '07's had the upgraded clutch so the on-off the '06's had won't be a problem - in fact I kinda wish it grabbed a little better than it does sometimes.

You won't find the TQ in part-throttle day-to-day driving that the CTS-V has I'm sure. I too have a couple of kids just a little older than your 2.

I'm happy with the car and am just waiting for a good tuning solution that improves part-throttle driving as well as full-throttle. I average about 22 mpg too if that helps your decision.

Overall, I don't think you can find a better value right now in a sedan.

 

[Igve2shtz]

To answer your question:

I absolutely love my MS6, and cannot envision driving anything else. However, I find the ride stiff, road noise is excessive (I am also bone-stock), engine is unrefined (compared to V6's from Toyota, Honda or Nissan). The power drop-off sucks, but shift early, and take advantage of the torque at anything above 3000.

Now that the bashing is over, I love the weighted steering (to me feels like quality), the power is there when you need it, the 4 doors, the stealth factor, styling, and the exclusivity.

Obviously you are a man who knows his cars, so I'll try not to undermine your intelligence.

If you are just looking for commuter, why not just go Mazda6 V6? The ride is better, gas mileage is the same, cheaper, and only takes regular gas.

My other considerations when buying this car that you might want to look into include the A4, IS250/IS350 or G35.

 

[MS6S2K]

To answer your question:

I absolutely love my MS6, and cannot envision driving anything else. However, I find the ride stiff, road noise is excessive (I am also bone-stock), engine is unrefined (compared to V6's from Toyota, Honda or Nissan). The power drop-off sucks, but shift early, and take advantage of the torque at anything above 3000.

Now that the bashing is over, I love the weighted steering (to me feels like quality), the power is there when you need it, the 4 doors, the stealth factor, styling, and the exclusivity.

Obviously you are a man who knows his cars, so I'll try not to undermine your intelligence.

If you are just looking for commuter, why not just go Mazda6 V6? The ride is better, gas mileage is the same, cheaper, and only takes regular gas.

My other considerations when buying this car that you might want to look into include the A4, IS250/IS350 or G35.

What car did you come from to find the ride stiff and the road noise excessive? I came from an STI to this Speed 6, so I have the 100% opposite opinion. I got a much softer ride, and a much quieter, smoother powered car, so to me the Speed 6 is a total luxury car compared to my previous daily commuter. But yes, compared to other luxury sports sedans it is definitely bumpier and louder. Enthusiasts aren't suppposed to complain about this, but I can see regular consumers complaining. I've been driving enthusiast cars for years, so I guess it's just hard for me to believe. Forgive me.


To the OP, going from your CTS-V to this, you already know you are downgrading. I think the Speed 6 is the right choice for you. With the available funds you seem to have at your disposal, if you get sick of the Speed 6 just unload it after a year or two, and get something else. Good luck, and have fun spending money.

 

[chriscecc914]

the speed 6 is very quiet in my opinion. There are a few flaws that need to be worked out with the ms6 and ms3 like the shtty turbo but other then that ms6 ftw. ms3 is nice but the ms6 has much better looks imo

 

[Igve2shtz]

Well of course going from the STI to a 6 will be a step up in terms of suspension. The STI and EVO are built for race, with stiff springs, stiff shocks, and stiff bushings all around. Thats what gives them the go-kart inspired handling. They are absent of anything that will make the car heavier, IE sound deadening, good stereos, even unpainted mirrors, door handles, and lesser amounts of paint (EVO only, but same principles apply).

I stepped up from a 93 Protege, so this is definetly a luxury car to me. However, I belive that rode better. Maybe it was the worn suspension, or 13 inch tires, but it rode better. And as far as quiet, my mom has a new Hyundai Sonata, and that is quieter inside than the 6, and both of those cars are no where near the Camry and Accord, which compete in the same class (midsize sedan class).

I am absolutely in love with my car, and do consider myself an enthusiast. Unfortunately, the two things that I think Mazda could ahve done better are purely subjective, but it gives areas for people to pay attention to when they make the test drive.

 

[Karma_hunden]

If you have more money, then go for a B7 Audi S4....pure sex. Thats the MS6's big bro.

Maybe a BMW 335i or a Infiniti G37?

You have to be more specific on what you want....more luxury than sportiness? equally balanced?

 

[MS6S2K]

Well of course going from the STI to a 6 will be a step up in terms of suspension. The STI and EVO are built for race, with stiff springs, stiff shocks, and stiff bushings all around. Thats what gives them the go-kart inspired handling. They are absent of anything that will make the car heavier, IE sound deadening, good stereos, even unpainted mirrors, door handles, and lesser amounts of paint (EVO only, but same principles apply).

I stepped up from a 93 Protege, so this is definetly a luxury car to me. However, I belive that rode better. Maybe it was the worn suspension, or 13 inch tires, but it rode better. And as far as quiet, my mom has a new Hyundai Sonata, and that is quieter inside than the 6, and both of those cars are no where near the Camry and Accord, which compete in the same class (midsize sedan class).

I am absolutely in love with my car, and do consider myself an enthusiast. Unfortunately, the two things that I think Mazda could ahve done better are purely subjective, but it gives areas for people to pay attention to when they make the test drive.

Apparently Mazda just hasn't gotten the 6 to be as good in terms of noise compared to cars in it's sedan class, however, this was supposed to be an enthusiast car, and it turned out to be both a car every day people buy and diehard enthusiasts buy, as well as people such as yourself who are in between.

As far as ride comfort, what do you expect? Have you ever driven a regular 6? The speed 6 is supposed to be stiffer, because it's the enthusiast version. This would be like an STI owner complaining about the ride, saying his former regular WRX was smoother. It sounds to me like you want it to be more like the regular 6, and you want Mazda to build a more comfortable and luxurious car, which is understandable.

You found the reason why this car simply did not succeed in the market. It's stuck in between being an enthusiast car, and a luxury car. It lacks things both diehard enthusiasts and everyday consumers want in a car., but I couldn't me more happy that people didn't respond to this car, because I'd have never gotten the killer deal I got if it had succeeded.