Why does the Fusion have availble AWD.......

[MS6S2K]

I disagree. The 323 GTX is a classic example of a stout motor in an all-wheel-drive car that handled plenty of power, and the car over-all was a solid competitor.

And the Mazdaspeed Miata is another stout motor. Turbo Miatas have handled serious power levels for a long time with zero reliability issues.

I think the collar Mazda wears is semi-self imposed and mostly imposed by the Ford monster on it's back. If the Miata out-powered the new 'Stang, Ford would be mad. If the MSP out-powered the then SVT Focus, we would have a problem. The same thing follows suit with the Mazdaspeed 6. The Fusion is supposed to be the big dog, not the up start Mazda.

Although I agree with some of what you are saying, you have somewhat changed the argument here. The past doesn't mean much right now. I'm talking about the present. What I see is a Mazdaspeed 6 having tuning issues, and needing constant reflashes to try and keep this power consistent. I have owned an STI previously, and the car has a good deal more hp, yet even when it first came out in summer of 2003, it had no reflashes, no tuning issues, loss of power, and runs superbly, even modified in Stage 2. The de-tuned Legacy GT has the power of the Speed 6, but power gains are very easy on that car. The potential is far greater right now, and I believe the reliability is far greater as well. The AWD system itself is more durable. If you wanna disagree that's fine.

Mazda may have some nice performing cars, but if you think this 2.3 turbo engine is advanced enough right now for them to reliably make a 300+HP bone stock Speed 6, capable of adding 50whp reliably, you are kidding yourself. They have to play catchup. Yes, they detuned the MS vehicles in the past, but they had to in order for it to handle modifications reliably. They can't put out a high hp car thats ready to instantly handle 50 more WHP like Subaru and Mitsubishi can do. The Speed 6 is not purposely de-tuned. Perhaps in a few years 260-270hp in that engine will be de-tuned.

I wouldn't trust my Speed 6 if I added 50whp, but I would my former STI in a heartbeat. We shall see if they can compete with Subaru and Mitsubishi. I'd love to see them produce a car to compete with the STi and EVO, but I just don't think they can right now.

 

[70]

MSP did out-power (and out-handle) the SVT Focus by a fairly large margin.

In real life yes it did. On paper they seemed similar to the untrained person.

 

[70]

Although I agree with some of what you are saying, you have somewhat changed the argument here. The past doesn't mean much right now. I'm talking about the present. What I see is a Mazdaspeed 6 having tuning issues, and needing constant reflashes to try and keep this power consistent. I have owned an STI previously, and the car has a good deal more hp, yet even when it first came out in summer of 2003, it had no reflashes, no tuning issues, loss of power, and runs superbly, even modified in Stage 2. The de-tuned Legacy GT has the power of the Speed 6, but power gains are very easy on that car. The potential is far greater right now, and I believe the reliability is far greater as well. The AWD system itself is more durable. If you wanna disagree that's fine.

Mazda may have some nice performing cars, but if you think this 2.3 turbo engine is advanced enough right now for them to reliably make a 300+HP bone stock Speed 6, capable of adding 50whp reliably, you are kidding yourself. They have to play catchup. Yes, they detuned the MS vehicles in the past, but they had to in order for it to handle modifications reliably. They can't put out a high hp car thats ready to instantly handle 50 more WHP like Subaru and Mitsubishi can do. The Speed 6 is not purposely de-tuned. Perhaps in a few years 260-270hp in that engine will be de-tuned.

I wouldn't trust my Speed 6 if I added 50whp, but I would my former STI in a heartbeat. We shall see if they can compete with Subaru and Mitsubishi. I'd love to see them produce a car to compete with the STi and EVO, but I just don't think they can right now.

I see what you are saying. Subaru does make solid motors. However, I think you under estimate the reliability of the Mazda.

 

[MS6S2K]

I see what you are saying. Subaru does make solid motors. However, I think you under estimate the reliability of the Mazda.

I'd love to be wrong about Mazda and turbo/AWD vehicles regarding reliability and durability when modifying or even keeping stock, believe me. I don't doubt Mazda's reliability on regular n/a piston cars. However, I am talking about an unproven, unique, AWD high performanxe, high boost 2.3 turbo engine that's already having hp/tuning issues that are yet to be solved. There are a lot of complicated things in this Speed 6, so the jury is still out, and just because Mazda has made reliable, durable vehicles in the past, doesn't mean this one will be. It's an entirely new ballgame, and a totally different unproven beast with an unproven engine.

I felt this way about my STI in beginning, but then 28k miles later, after I really drove that car hard, and it never even had to see the dealership for anything, and ran perfectly the day I traded it in, and without a doubt that vehicle is capable of lasting a long time, regardless of it's HP. I even had mine modified to stage 1 (extra 20whp and torque) the entire time, and it just felt like it could handle whatever I dished out.

I enjoy this Speed 6 a lot, because of it's friendler character, and better looks, and most importantly no negative attention. For some reason, I just don't feel like I can add 20+whp, and drive it like I drove my STI, and have it last. It feels more fragile to me, especially the clutch and tranny. I could be wrong, but for some reason Subarus feel more solid. Time will tell, and I'd love to be wrong.

If this Speed 6 turns out to be one of the most reliable/durable sports sedans on the market like the STI and Legacy GT already are (according to Consumer Reports and other reviews), then I'll smile from ear to ear when I say I WAS WRONG. I generally don't keep cars past warranty, but I enjoy this Speed 6 so much as a daily commuter/winter beater), I'd actually like to keep it for many years and many many miles. I really do want it to hold up and last a very long time without major headaches. We shall see.

 

[Custommx3]

I think it has to do with where the North American 6's are assembled. Non Ms6's I believe were assembled in the states. MS6's are JDM only.
My 06 5-door 6's VIN shows it as a Ford, yet my MS6 has a Mazda of Japan.

 

[Donas64]

I agree completely. While I am enamored with with te 2.3 DISI turbo, I'm not totally sold on the reliabilty, long term durability of the motor. As such I'm really looking forward to the new Mazda 6. 250+hp N/A and AWD please.