Your thoughts on the MSP6 clutch

[kwbdc]

Hello,

I'm thinking of getting the Mazdaspeed6 GT next month and I went and test drove one last week. The clutch seems to be kinda touch to catch, you either give it a lot of gas or it will die. Does this just take time to get used to or will this be a beast on hills, parallel parking etc. I don't think this is a deal breaker because this car is beautiful and one heck of a monster with the AWD and horses!

 

[PerfectXtreme]

Clutch

Clutch in the speed6 is a lot like the clutch I put in my civic.. stage3.. something... It grabs HARD... and is very "short"

Basically the first 3-4 inches are where the clutch catches... and the rest is just... fluff....

If you can drive a clutch... you can learn to drive this... Its just a little different than what most people are probably used too...

 

[seanw]

Hello,

I'm thinking of getting the Mazdaspeed6 GT next month and I went and test drove one last week. The clutch seems to be kinda touch to catch, you either give it a lot of gas or it will die. Does this just take time to get used to or will this be a beast on hills, parallel parking etc. I don't think this is a deal breaker because this car is beautiful and one heck of a monster with the AWD and horses!

I have now driven 4K plus miles and it's still hard to get a smooth shift every time. By this time it's mostly just into/out of 1st/2nd, which takes zen-like concentration. But, yeah, it ain't the end of the world, just sometimes makes you look like you're not the highly polished driver that you know you are! Warning: passengers may complain about your lousy driving when their heads are jerked back and forth at every shift point.

 

[warrier04]

my dad and i test drove an ms6 a couple weekends ago.

as was mentioned, the clutch is way short.

*nothing* ... *nothing* ... *nothing* ... *GO*

i never stalled the car, but i also had a hard time getting the car to shift smootly.

i don't think it should deter you from buying the car. it's just something different, not bad. some consistent practice and you'll be a pro.

 

[stillflat4]

The clutch on my MS6 is VERY similar to the clutch in my Saab 9-2X Linear... It's a heavy clutch that requires more pressure than a lot of the normal manual transmissions out there. The problem (well, it's not really a problem, it's just different) is that the area of "engagement" is VERY small...

I've been driving manual cars now for 20 years, and It took me a good month or two to get used to the clutch in the 9-2X because it was the same style... I just had to get used to exactly where that "point" was. Until then, it was a lot of abrupt starts, and I always felt a little bad for my passengers. For the first week or two I honestly thought I was never going to get used to it and be able to launch and change lower gears smoothly, but it eventually happened.

The MS6 is very similar, and I have stalled it twice in two days so far. Once was when I first got in it and I was distracted at a light looking for the heat. Light turned green and I didn't notice it (stupid) and I looked up, put it in gear and CLUNK... Talk about embarrasing. The other time I had the music up and couldn't hear the engine, which is actually remarkably quiet in low revs. CLUNK... ugh...

It's just a matter of time until you get used to it. I think I'll be listening to the engine a lot more from now on until I get used to everything by feel instead of listening to where the engine is when I pull the clutch.

 

[kwbdc]

Thanks to all of your thoughts. I think I'll pull the trigger next month and get the Titanium Grey II GT edition. My work has a Ford Partnership discount so it should be a sweet deal. This is a great forum. (first)

 

[stillflat4]

Thanks to all of your thoughts. I think I'll pull the trigger next month and get the Titanium Grey II GT edition. My work has a Ford Partnership discount so it should be a sweet deal. This is a great forum.

Great choice! (it's exactly what my car is)

I LOVE the car so far, and I agree that this is an excellent forum. People have been super helpful so far to me as well...

 

[seanw]

Thanks to all of your thoughts. I think I'll pull the trigger next month and get the Titanium Grey II GT edition. My work has a Ford Partnership discount so it should be a sweet deal. This is a great forum. (first)

Yeah, go for it. S-Plans get any and all rebates, too. So, with a willing dealer you should get a fantastic price. If your local dealer won't do S-Plan the Mazda website makes it easy to find and send inquiries to out-of-town dealers. In my case, even the out-of-town dealers said no initially, but after a few days almost all were sending messages saying they would honor S-Plan.

 

[aznkukuboi]

I test drove my friend's Mazdaspeed6 yesterday.
First thing I complained about was the clutch. The catch point is impossible to find and I think 1st gear and 3rd are put to close to each other. I stalled at least 5 times in 10 minutes because I entered 3rd instead of 1st. It was quite embarassing because I've never driven a car that had it's shift gates this close. The RSX-S is close, but isn't that close. The seating position was weird, but endurable. When I did get a successful 3rd gear start (totally by accident) there was no torque whatsoever.

THAT CLUTCH. It felt as if it were my first time driving a manual since the car was so hard to drive. My friend is now very discouraged because he thinks he cannot drive manual. My shifting left the passengers backlashed.

How do you get a smooth shift? It feels like it shifts like a 5 year old car instead of a brand new one.

If anyone has ever driven a 3rd gen Mitsubishi Eclipse, you would know that the clutch is even shorter than this one; however, it's not as stiff. It feels like a real Grand Tourer.
All Honda clutches feel the same. The RSX, Integra, and s2000 all feel similar.

At least I know what to expect next time when I drive his car again.

 

[TheMAN]

What's a MazdaSpeed Protege 6? (confused)

 

[Rainman]

The clutch can be learned. It is very abrupt as has been noted before, but smooth transitions are attainable. After 5K in this baby the only problems that I occasionally have now are large hills or when I am not paying attention and engage first. If you take your time in these situations you will have no problems because first is the worst. The clutch is easily learned for the remaining gear changes.

R

 

[stillflat4]

Since it is an electronic clutch, I have wondered whether it may be possible to install an electronic device to broaden the zone of engagement. Thoughts?

Wha? Electronic clutch? Weird! Clutch by wire, eh? I didn't know that...

No stalls yesterday or today, and starts/shifts seem to be getting easier. This is definitely going to be attainable, yes, and probably quicker than my 9-2X was. I think one thing I didn't mention is that part of the issue here is that the engine has so much torque at low RPMs, it contributes to the problem. If you don't want to give your passengers (or yourself) a major case of whiplash, for everyday driving I think the key is learning just how much throttle is needed, and actually, how much throttle IS NOT needed to get the car going!

 

[M6GR8]

I agree. The most important part of this clutch is the takeup point and throttle level. Once you master this, it is just second nature.

 

[Kansei]

*subs for confirmation of clutch by wire*...

 

[Rainman]

The MS6 is very similar, and I have stalled it twice in two days so far. Once was when I first got in it and I was distracted at a light looking for the heat. Light turned green and I didn't notice it (stupid) and I looked up, put it in gear and CLUNK... Talk about embarrasing. The other time I had the music up and couldn't hear the engine, which is actually remarkably quiet in low revs. CLUNK... ugh...

It's just a matter of time until you get used to it. I think I'll be listening to the engine a lot more from now on until I get used to everything by feel instead of listening to where the engine is when I pull the clutch.

I still stall it sometimes if I don't pay attention at lights...LOL! So don't feel bad about that. I too have been driving manual transmissions for almost 20 years and all that didn't help when I first drove this car.

Last week I was away in Jamaica and driving an automatic all week. When I returned home to drive the MS6 the first thing I did was turn the music down so that I could hear the engine noise so that I could remember exactly what I was doing...LOL!

R

 

[M6GR8]

Actually you are correct in saying so Rainman. Since I have the exhaust done on my car, I found I can operate the clutch with much ease due to being able to hear the engine, also for heel and toe as well. The stock is just so quiet to my taste.

 

[Samdiver74]

I went from an automatic to the speed6 3 weeks ago. Boy do I feel like a dumbass! I LOVE my new car, but man trying to relearn how to drive a stick is hilarious! I only stalled it once. That was on the first night on the way home from the dealer. My problem is giving it too much gas! I'm really thankful for traction control! Otherwise you would hear me coming at every take off! LOL!! I think I could bark it in 1st 2nd and 3rd without trying!

 

[vcinsanity1523]

the clutch is not a very novice friendly clutch thats for sure... When i test drove I never stalled it but it did take me a lil while to just get used to how it engages. With some practice it would be fine.

 

[KiNgDaVe MS6GT]

Look this is my first stick shift car and even i got used to it. to be honest its a thrill to drive the mazdaspeed. i love it!!

 

[CreatureCore]

I test drove my friend's Mazdaspeed6 yesterday.
First thing I complained about was the clutch. The catch point is impossible to find and I think 1st gear and 3rd are put to close to each other. I stalled at least 5 times in 10 minutes because I entered 3rd instead of 1st. It was quite embarassing because I've never driven a car that had it's shift gates this close. The RSX-S is close, but isn't that close. The seating position was weird, but endurable. When I did get a successful 3rd gear start (totally by accident) there was no torque whatsoever.

THAT CLUTCH. It felt as if it were my first time driving a manual since the car was so hard to drive. My friend is now very discouraged because he thinks he cannot drive manual. My shifting left the passengers backlashed.

How do you get a smooth shift? It feels like it shifts like a 5 year old car instead of a brand new one.

If anyone has ever driven a 3rd gen Mitsubishi Eclipse, you would know that the clutch is even shorter than this one; however, it's not as stiff. It feels like a real Grand Tourer.
All Honda clutches feel the same. The RSX, Integra, and s2000 all feel similar.

At least I know what to expect next time when I drive his car again.

Well I'v had my ms6 for a little over a week now. I was coming off a 95 mustang gt before this car and this cars clutch is way lighter compared to that. I stalled it once at a light, again same problem as some other people couldnt hear the engine. But Iv never had a problem going to 3rd gear instead of 1st dont really know how your managing that. And from what iv noticed so far this car has plennty of torque to spare and will plant you into your seat.

The take up is a bit tricky but Iv gotten most of my take offs to be pretty smooth when i really concentrait on it, and other times to just over rev and shoot forward. I think itll be easier when i get a new exhaust for the car. Magnaflow is currently working on a new exhaust for this car, they have a video up for it sounds pretty nice.

My question is to those who already replaced the exhaust did you just get a custome one installed or shape one meant for a diff car to fit the ms6? Also any sound clips?