What is the speed6?

[ajv915]

I was having a discussion the other night with my friend about the speed6. And the question that neither of us had a good answer is, what is the speed6? He drives a WRX, a very obvious rally car, the speed6 is similar in engine and has AWD, but its not a rally car.

It also isn't really a sports car...its sporty, but its not a sports car. It is a very nice saloon car, but its not as nice as an Audi or BWM.

That pretty much leaves imports, but what import even is in the same class with similar power?
It seems like there was no place that the MS6 really fit in. Anyone have an idea or is it just a redheaded step child?

 

[SMOKEYS36SHOP]

well from what i read its a sedan that is in comparison to the Subaru legacy in terms of the awd turbo. back when it came out that was the only car it was compared to in motor trend - http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0602_midsize_awd_sedan_comparison/index.html ...here is another link http://www.subaruredline.co.uk/legacy/subaru_legacy_gt_specb_vs_mazd.php


hope this helps

 

[Blendercloud]

This car is a very unique car. So unique in fact that it doesn't really fit into a particular market. That is a big reason why Mazda only made this car two years.

It could be described as an entry-level AWD sports sedan. It leaves me asking the question "will this car be sought after for its innovation and its rarity several decades from now?"

 

[markspd6]

you tube the review from that english show top gear.. the reviewer raves about this car!! its a very much.. nicer, heavier version of an evo.. so its slower etc.. but, still very nice..

 

[ajv915]

yeah, I have seen most of the reviews and read most of the articles about the MS6, but driving one around every day still leaves me thinking that it is a most unique car.

and yes, I enjoy the fact that at the end of the top gear review Clarkson asks why anyone would drive a BWM over this

 

[Newf]

it's a cheap mans audi. Really it is. Understated sport sedan...audi, AWD...audi, nice interior...audi. Same formula, just cheaper.

Would I "buy" a 3 series over it. No, the bimmer while obviously better at certain things, isn't worth the premium for an everyday driver. same goes for Audi.

But if someone were to "give" me a bimmer or Audi...different story.

To me the MS6 is the best sedan Mazda ever made. I'd even go so far to say it's the best Mazda ever. Power AWD comfort looks - it's a grand tour'r not no STI/EVO. Legacy is it's closest competitor if you were to pick one. And now the legacy is also the ony one you can actually buy new still.

sadly, two months....and shes gone

 

[sanblaster]

Best mazda ever? Not sure about that. Im pretty sure if it sold better, it still would be made. Dealerships were giving these cars away because they weren't selling.

 

[OJ Bartley]

It's a more grown up STi sort of, a little heavier and slower, but more comfort and amenities. A sporty sedan that could be considered entry level to the luxury ones (Audi/BMW/etc) but doesn't give up too much to them.

 

[Newf]

Best mazda ever? Not sure about that. Im pretty sure if it sold better, it still would be made. Dealerships were giving these cars away because they weren't selling.

BEST ONE EVAR. Seriously, Kanye says so

It's the best one for someone who doesn't like miata's or Rx-7...or 8's.

as for poor sales, blame Mazda.. No Advertising, not even an indication on the car itself that it was a AWD which was it's number one selling point to many here.

 

[sanblaster]

Lmao.

 

[mysleeper6]

I was having a discussion the other night with my friend about the speed6. And the question that neither of us had a good answer is, what is the speed6? He drives a WRX, a very obvious rally car, the speed6 is similar in engine and has AWD, but its not a rally car.

So, how often does your friend rally his WRX? The WRX is "rally-inspired", which in advert-speak means its got a nice little turbo, some suspension tweaks, and a couple of other bells and whistles that set it apart from what it really is, a Subaru Impreza, aka an econobox.

Do they make nice tuner cars? Yes. But they are not rally cars.

 

[ajv915]

So, how often does your friend rally his WRX? The WRX is "rally-inspired", which in advert-speak means its got a nice little turbo, some suspension tweaks, and a couple of other bells and whistles that set it apart from what it really is, a Subaru Impreza, aka an econobox.

Do they make nice tuner cars? Yes. But they are not rally cars.

He does rally it often in the winter. Not to the extent that Ken or Travis do, but he does take it off road and get it sideways in the forrest. He nav's a lot more, but still it's in a WRX.

 

[mysleeper6]

Well, in your friend's case, I stand corrected. However, I would imagine he has modified his car to that purpose beyond whatever tweaks Subi put on it to distinguish it from a regular Impreza. I stand by my assertion that I don't look at a WRX and say "rally car".

 

[sephiroth]

It's called a "grand tourer"

big car, big engine (well, lots of HP) very comfortable, but can still take on the twistes, not as well as some other dedicated track inspired cars, but better than your average joe. Although not nearly as potent, it's along the lines of the S4, and Taurus Sho(the 335i rides very hard, but otherwise it's in the same league) It's made for those long distance trips, but is still exciting enough to not put you to sleep.


the Term GT is thrown around a lot via badges these days, but most are just fakes, with just 1 or 2 ingredients that make a real GT car. The MS6 hits all the right traditional buttons.

 

[OJ Bartley]

It is definitely a car that you can have an enjoyable long haul in. On Sunday we took a 2 1/2 hour drive out of the city to visit family, stayed for lunch and some chatting, and headed back home. No fatigue on me from being in the driver's seat that long, no uncomfortable squirming, no dead leg, aches, or pins and needles. And to boot, I could still have fun on a few on-ramps and twisty roads.

I've driven cars that I absolutely hated being in after an hour, even if they were fun for short trips. This car is good at both.

 

[Blendercloud]

It is definitely a car that you can have an enjoyable long haul in. On Sunday we took a 2 1/2 hour drive out of the city to visit family, stayed for lunch and some chatting, and headed back home. No fatigue on me from being in the driver's seat that long, no uncomfortable squirming, no dead leg, aches, or pins and needles. And to boot, I could still have fun on a few on-ramps and twisty roads.

I've driven cars that I absolutely hated being in after an hour, even if they were fun for short trips. This car is good at both.

I'm right there with you on this. I have a pretty severe back injury from my time in the USMC and I have no real issue driving 5 or so hours in this car. It really is a great highway car.

 

[keymaster]

I did LA-Salt Lake over Christmas, the car is really stable and comfortable on the highway, and it handled the blizzard I went through on the way home with no problems whatsoever. Add in a run through the Virgin River gorge and it was a good time.

 

[Reyan]

BEST ONE EVAR. Seriously, Kanye says so

It's the best one for someone who doesn't like miata's or Rx-7...or 8's.

as for poor sales, blame Mazda.. No Advertising, not even an indication on the car itself that it was a AWD which was it's number one selling point to many here.

Agreed. Mazda over promised and underdeliver on this car. The car was supposed to be in the showroom by the end of July and did not reach until mid November.

Most of my customers by then bought BMW's,Evo's and Subaru's. By the end of the 07 model year the rebates were up to 4,500.00.

 

[mglavina]

The MS6 is truely just different, I almost feel like only those who drive it understand. 95% of the people who I talk to about my car haven't heard of it, and when I tell them turbo AWD there jaws drop. It definetly has a sleeper status, without the evo wing or sti hood scoop... and yet it still pushes a decent amount of power stock. With a few bolt ons and after opening it up a bit... I can definetly say I've seen peoples head turns with "WTF was that a mazda?", as I drive by. That, is something that always makes me smile haha.

Of cource the evo and sti are quicker, those cars can be built for rally and what not... but I think the interiors kick ass on our cars. I almost feel like instead of putting all the money towards performance like the STI and EVO they did more of a balance with performance/luxury. I'm very young, I don't have kids or anything like that, but if I did fitting them in my car would be no problem. Longer trips to wherever we go isn't an issue either with plenty of room in the back.

I'm not going to rant on anymore because I'm probably repeating what others said haha... the Mazdaspeed 6: Truely something different.