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Sedans Mazda6 MAZDASPEED Mazda6
1675 messages, Last post on Sep 01, 2009 at 3:40 PM
You are in the Mazda6 Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
The sales agent let me bring home a Mazdaspeed6 today to try out. So far I've put about 100 miles on it. Comments: The engine is very quiet; can hardly hear it; need to check the tach to see where the rpms are. Suspension is a bit firmer than ideal; on rough roads too many small bumps are felt. I had read about a tricky clutch, but seems to work just fine for me. Transmission is good too; you do have to go easy on the gas pedal if you want to accelerate in a smooth stream of power. I am disappointed that there is no pass-through from the trunk; where am I going to put my snow skis? The car has anti-lock brakes, limited slip differential, traction control, and dynamic stability control... all good gear for winter traction.... but it comes with summer tires. The final important link, proper tires, is missing for winter driving... and it is snowing here tonight. The controls seem well positioned. Climate control and audio systems function okay for me. I'll probably buy it but need to talk about a ski rack and tire choices. I wonder if taller tires on 17" rims may make the ride more compliant also?
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Replying to: waygrabow (Sep 22, 2006 7:49 pm)
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Replying to: fasterthanyou (Sep 22, 2006 2:01 pm) 1) The MS6 has AWD -- after owning a 200HP VR6 GTI, I would never, ever drive another high powered FWD car. Torque steer is an awful thing. The Haldex, while not full-time AWD, solves that problem and provides better traction in wet weather. 2) The MS6 has 18" wheels -- you can characterize them as "super cheap" (which sounds like a statement of fact when it's really just an opinion) but I like them for being understated. 3) The MS6 is a sub 6-sec car. You say Mazda's official figure is 6.2 sec? Did you also know that Mazda's official sales price for an MS6 starts at $28,555? Mazda, like VW has done for years, is publishing conservative performance numbers for this car. Several notable auto publications have tested the car in the 5.x sec range. Ignoring reality by picking and choosing your sources is futile. Do you really not believe that the car can pull 0-60 in less than 6 sec? 4) I repeat: great build quality. This is my first Japanese car and only my 2nd non-German car (BMW, Mercedes, Audi and VW) and I find the solidity to be very impressive. It has far fewer squeaks and rattles as my last two VWs or the Audi before them and the chassis is less crashy over bumps/ruts/potholes. 5) I repeat: sport suspension. The handling is almost as good as my old R32 but the suspension is far more compliant and balanced. The chassis on this car is the stiffest I've ever owned -- the car always feels in control, even under quick dierctional changes and heavy braking. I recently let a good friend (a VW sales manager who sold me my R32) drive this car in some twisties. He scared the pants off of me the way he drove it (he's been a weekend track enthusiast for 10+ years) and he was very, very impressed with the car. If he didn't work for VW, he would be buying this car -- his words (3x stated), not mine. He wants to drive the MS6 some more and take it to the track (no way). 5) Horrible gearbox? Says who? Non-reactive steering? I disagree -- I think it's well weighted and offers good feedback without feeling artificial. Grooved rotors on *ALL* the speed6? Not mine. 6) Clutch -- I was not enamored with it when I bought the car, but it has changed substantially as the car has worn in. The take up is more gradual but still trickier than most. I've had one far trickier: 1988 M3. Listen, I'll say it: the car is not perfect and I doubt I'll buy another Mazda if they kill this car (which they probably well), but if you think the MS6 is overpriced at $22K, you're missing the plot. I'm a VW/Audi zealout in my heart, but the GTI and the MS6 are very different cars. Look at it this way: for $22K, you can't even get close to a 205HP FWD Acura TSX, but you can get a FWD 166HP Honda Accord 4-Door EX. Would you rather have the Honda Accord or the MS6? This car is a smoking deal, especially on a lease! -monkeymobile
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Hi all, I bougth a new MS6 less than a month back and within a day the engine check light came on. Taking it to the mazda dealer, he conducted a WDS test and found a code P2006. and he reprogrammed the PCM. Two days later, the check light is on and this time, The dealer changes a some intlet actuator valve or something. I don't remember exactly which part. Two days later, again, the same engine check light. Its been in the shop for the past two weeks now. They ordered a new intake manifold (said it came in from Japan) and now are working on getting it into the car hopefully I should have the car next week. I was wondering if anybody had any problems.. what could the Code P2006 mean and when would you need to change a whole new intake manifold on a Brand new car. A disapointed new MS6 owner who has not had a chane to drive his car  
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Replying to: zoom_zoom (Sep 23, 2006 6:50 am) P2006 Variable tumble control system (VTCS) shutter valve stuck closed ON 2 CCM Good luck on getting your car back soon!
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Replying to: evaddave (Sep 23, 2006 7:37 am) Any idea what exactly it means in lay man's terms. Driving with the light on did not feel anything different but considering its in the shop for nearly 2 weeks I assume its something important. Oh By the way the light turns off automatically also. thanks
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Replying to: fasterthanyou (Sep 22, 2006 2:01 pm) Clearly MS6 is not worth anywhere close to $30k or its MSRP. '06 LGTs were selling for about 25k for the last few months and that is closest competitor for the MS6. LGT might be a better for some purposes (with straight forward folding seat and even a pass-though for '07) but I personally want DSC and that caused me to take '06 LGT off my list. LGT does get DSC for '07 but I will have to fork over an additional 2k for a very crappy NAV that is bundled with DSC now. I am still considering an MS6 but at $30k+ I took it off my list because at those prices S60 R is way more attractive (sleeper) and has better value at only $2-3k more. '06 G35x is also a good choice as it currently sells close to 28k but only comes in auto. MS6 may have higher driver involvement but it is really hurting in some facets: brand name, looks that are not for everyone, not enough lux features for some... In its niche (that might be too small) it has no real competition! Fasterthanyou: please move on and buy/drive something else but do not complain if anything you buy for $22k is fasterthanyou in the twisties or even in a straight line... Can you tell me any 4-door that has AWD, DSC, all air bags and can do 0-60 close to 6 seconds and runs under $25k?
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Replying to: monkeymobile (Sep 23, 2006 12:29 am) I start to understand why you think is a great car...it is probably the fact that you never owned a Mazda before and your expectations were not so big. I'm telling you, the difference between a regular Mazda6 and the speed6 is very small. A little turbo rush is not everything. Many cars look good on paper and they don't really deliver ...Infinity G35 , Lexus IS350 to give some examples. They are often compared with a BMW and sometimes on paper they look even better ...until you drive them and you understand there is nothing to compare. You said you had German cars before so I am guessing you understand what I mean. Believe me I really tried to like the Mazdaspeed6 (I knew about this car since they released it in Europe about 2 years ago)...I took about 5 test drives trying to convince myself that I should not miss the opportunity of owning one at this price but every time I got at the wheel there was nothing that could make me like this car. I'm very surprised that you don't find the transmission of the speed6 miserable after owning Audi's. P.S. You can get a 2006 Accord v6 for 22000 without too much effort but the Accord is not by any means a performance car.
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Replying to: fasterthanyou (Sep 23, 2006 8:55 am) |
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Replying to: abraindrainer (Sep 23, 2006 8:51 am)
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