Test Drive: MS6 vs. STi

[murph1379]

So, I did some test driving last night, and here's my review. I'd like to preface with a note that these are my opinions only, and I like a particular kind of car. I've driven a lot of very light wind-up-toy type cars, and I like them. I have a Mazdaspeed Protege that for the most part I love.

This morning I got an email from the dealer notifying me they finally have a MS6, and telling me to call for a test drive. It's been a long couple weeks at work, and this sounded like a great opportunity to blow off some steam. =] So I made an appt at Morrie's and got in the car.

Overall, I give it a B+. It didn't inspire me quite the way I was expecting. It is certainly fast. It's very fast. I can't believe mazda built this motor. BUT, there is some turbo lag, and when you're not on turbo you really do feel like you're driving the 4cyl version of the 6, which really putts. The 4wd is great, had no traction issues on the wet roads, and felt very solid in turns, and relatively neutral. 6 speeds is great, but honestly I was expecting to be at lower rpm cruising at highway speed than in my MSP. Not the case. When I'm commuting 70 miles a day I want 6th gear to be LOW. I can change gears if I want to pass, thankyouverymuch. Also the clutch was very ON or OFF. kinda weird. The biggest thing for me was that while it was very solid, and the fit & finish certainly better than my MSP, it just wasn't twitchy enough for me. The steering response left something to be desired, and the suspension had more give than I was expecting from the MSP and MSM. It just felt heavy. I like my cars twitchy and "tossable", and I just didn't feel this. You could turn it quite well, but it didn't want to be "tossed".

Sooo... as long as I was in the neighborhood, I decided I'd pay a visit to Morrie's Subaru to get a little back to back. Took out an 05 STi with 36k on it. Overall, I'd give it an A-. At first I thought it was just a matter of the engine warming up, but even when warm the engine felt much less smooth than even my rickety MSP. Certainly no honda or toyota feel. I'm not sure if this car had been abused, or if that is a common STi trait, anyone care to comment? Anyway, it was a bit faster overall than the MS6, and definitely had more low-end grunt. I never worried about turbo lag or being off-turbo. It was a bit stiffer, and had a bit more responsive turning than the MS6, but honestly I was expecting more. It was definitely rock solid on the ground, and the transmission felt very direct, but again the steering response wasn't as immediate as I was looking for. Again, it felt a bit "heavy". I was expecting to be blown away driving the STi, and I was not.

My MSP definitely has a more responsive, twitchy steering feel than either of these cars, even with all three using winter tires. (mine being on 16" steelies instead of the stock 17") Of course they both blew the MSP away in terms of raw power, but I'd like to think I could get that while also getting handling I like better than my MSP if I'm dropping $30k+. I think, even if I had the funds, that I would not buy a MS6 or STi. From what I hear I'd like to test drive an EVO, but I don't know if I trust Mitsubishi will be around much longer. (though the new eclipse looks like a winner)

Hope you found this interesting, I await your flames. =]

 

[spacemonkey]

I don think its a good match up comparing the MS6 to a eVO or STi. EVOs and STi are more performance based.

A way better comparision is a MS6 vs Subaru Legacy vs Audi A6 quattro vs TSX AWD

you know that "sporty" luxury sedan...all those cars target the same customer and priced competatively...audi being more expensive of course.

its the difference between a "sports compact" and "sport mid size sedan"

 

[MSP #167]

yea....can't compare a sti to a ms6. The 6 is in a whole different class. The ms6 is a much more refined car than the sti/evo.

The ms6 may handle good but its not the type of light tossable car the msp is. The ms6 weights about 3600 pounds. that's like 900 more than a msp.


Also, why is this in the MSP section?

 

[murph1379]

They're about the same price, actually the STi is quite a bit more expensive than the MS6. I agree about the refinement, but they weren't as far off performance-wise as something like a TSX.

 

[Puckpimp71]

He could compare the MS6 to an R350 for all I care. People are going to cross shop the cars. Mainly some newly married guy that's just gotten a promotion and is torn between a lot of fun in a car and fun with some practicality. It was nice to hear the write-up. From the cusotmers I've dealt with, there's going to be 3 main groups of buyers: People shopping it with the EVO and STI and maybe a sports car or two in there, previous Mazda owners/ brand loyalists, and people that are looking the BMW 3xi-series, Acura TL/TSX, Infiniti G35x, and the Audi A4 with Quattro, and the a few that couldn't care less about the AWD.

 

[livelyjay]

STI = a lot of power, sloppy handling
EVO = a little less power, best handling
R32 = some power, some handling, and comfort
MS6 = some power, some handling, comfort, and more room than R32.

You can make comparisons, but each car was made to suit different wants and needs. To me, the G35x is the best all around car for the money if you want AWD.

 

[Newf]

You think the MSP is twitchy, drive a MP3. With it's Euro Spec steering, that thing was as direct as any high end sports car I've driven. If you weren't paying attention at the wheel, the slightest move of the hand and you were in the wrong lane. Excellent road feel too. That's the only thing I miss about the MP3, but only sometimes because it had a habit of following the ruts a bit more and transferring every bump to the wheel more noticeably.

 

[BOOSTR]

Are the MP3 and MSP basically the same car with the main differences being the turbo and some improved suspension components perhaps? They both have good handling characteristics, which are more than the average driver will ever need.

I would think that the MS6 is a whole different type of car. Handling would not be as sharpe and its very refined. Basically a sedate, older persons car. But a nice car if thats your style.

To me, the EVO and STI are so well engineered, that all of their power just feels so smooth. At least that's the impression I had after driving a friends 05 EVO for a good bit.

 

[jeffmsp]

the evo and sti are purpose built vehicles. the MS6 is not, it must accomodate many purposes so obviously it cannot be expected to reach the same performance levels. from what blkzoomzoom says it can definately take a beating though(awd launches all day long and it was fine) nice review