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WRX vs Mazdaspeed6

38 messages,  Last post on Apr 05, 2007 at 9:58 PM

You are in the Subaru Impreza Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDASPEED MAZDA6, Subaru Impreza WRX STi, Car Buying, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 3 of 4

#19 of 38 Re: WRX vs. Mazdaspeed6 [guy1974] by volkov

Sep 29, 2006 (2:06 pm)

Replying to: guy1974 (Sep 28, 2006 1:54 pm)
I find the ride very comfortable and not at all harsh. BUT there's two things you should know about me. First, I am the kind of person who hates the feel of Big 3 cars when I rent them and second, the opportunity to drive 20 miles on a dirt road gets my blood pumping so YMMV.
FWIW my wife never complains about driving my car when she has to borrow it. Her Bug won't hold our three sons in the back.

#20 of 38 Re: WRX vs. Mazdaspeed6 [volkov] by guy1974

Sep 29, 2006 (6:24 pm)

Replying to: volkov (Sep 29, 2006 2:06 pm)
Thanks to you all for your replies - certainly reassuring to know the WRX rides comfortably whilst still being a capable car.

#21 of 38 Test drove both today! by gto2xturbo

Mar 27, 2007 (9:05 pm)

I just test drove a 2007 WRX TR and a 2007 Mazdaspeed6 Sport today. They are miles apart (with the Mazda being way out front). The power bands were smoother, the power seemed more on tap, and the body didnt have as much roll as the WRX despite the larger size (which both cars suprised me equally in opposite directions). I'm replacing my 3000GT VR4 (AWD/TwinTurbo), and unfortunately I cannot afford to look at the EVO or the STI, but I have to say the MS6 comes pretty close. It may not pull the same numbers as the STI or EVO, but its definately in the same league, abd kleaves little to be desired compared to my VR4. Being over $10k less after the great incentives offered compared to the STI/EVO - That 10k can go a long way towards a stage 3 turbo!

#22 of 38 Re: Test drove both today! [gto2xturbo] by paisan

Mar 28, 2007 (4:37 am)

Replying to: gto2xturbo (Mar 27, 2007 9:05 pm)
Only difference is the AWD system is light years behind, that not even 10k can help....Also on the track the TR will out-drive the MS6.
 
-mike

#23 of 38 Re: Test drove both today! [paisan] by ateixeira

Mar 28, 2007 (9:12 am)

Replying to: paisan (Mar 28, 2007 4:37 am)
The Haldex is FWD based, and purely reactive, but it's one of the quicker part-time FWD based systems, at least.
 
I drove one and found the Speed6 a bit nose heavy for me. It was at Zoom Zoom Live.
 
I left there wanting an RX8 and a Miata, but the Speed6 didn't do much for me.
 
Discounts do make them a bargain, if you can find one left over.

#24 of 38 Re: Test drove both today! [ateixeira] by paisan

Mar 28, 2007 (9:22 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Mar 28, 2007 9:12 am)
What are they running with discounts these days? 6MT or 5MT?
 
-mike

#25 of 38 Re: Test drove both today! [paisan] by ateixeira

Mar 28, 2007 (9:42 am)

Replying to: paisan (Mar 28, 2007 9:22 am)
Around here they sold the last few a while ago, but if you search hard enough you can still find a few. One of the former Subaru Crew guys picked one up cheap.
 
I heard stories of base models going for as little as $22k (!) though I wonder what the terms were. Still, mid $20s was easy to obtain, a great value.
 
The equipment level varies a lot. Base models compare to a non-Limited Legacy GT, and loaded ones go all the up to spec.B territory.

#26 of 38 Bought it by gto2xturbo

Mar 30, 2007 (10:52 pm)

I picked up the '07 MS6 Sport afterall. It was around $23k and I got the floor mats, wheel locks, alarm sensor, and compass mirror, thrown in. Its a 6MT.
 
I agree the haldex lacks compared to the WRX AWD system (for manual tranny), but it does have a setting wheere if it feels you launch it immediatly does a 50/50 split. Whats cool is you can pull the ebrake which automatically disengages all power to the rear for rear biased drifting if you are so inclined. If you are skilled to do this, I would modify the ebrake to an english brake setup so it doesnt button lock on you. An for the price I got it for, I think the Split AWD is better than the Mazdaspeed3 FWD setup anyday. (and Mazda was running such horrible incentives on the MS3 that it would have cost me more to get the 3 than the 6!)
 
It is boosting at 2000RPM which is better than I expected. little lag compared to newer turbo cars like the audi and VW's, but definately better than some of the setups I've seen (like the Evo from a dead stop really dogs until it hits 3000RPMs...then the 20psi pushes it into warp speed).
 
Going to put a cold air intake on it though as the engine is being choked by the little box it has. Too bad the factory covered Mazdaspeed cold air intake is $325 + $225 install, whereas I could pick up an aftermarket one for $175 and put it on in about 10 minutes. Dont want to kill the warranty should the intake take out the MAF or something but on the other hand $550 for an intake is extreme!
 
Love the car though, a great daily driver for a boy racer that is growing up!
 
PS - dealer sticker on my was over $30k with an MSRP around $28k. I compared to the Spec-B up the steet that was $33K and the last EVO MR in the area that was $37k and nieth of them had anything more than loyalty credit (cause I own a mitsu) or a couple hundred here or there. The subie had a good lease offer though, but was still way more than I wanted to spend!
 
Lastly, C&D rated this at 5.4 0-60 and 14.1 (?) in the 1/4mi. not too shabby for the price, and can probably be better!
 
Sorry, one more note - only thing that really surprises me is how close the gear ratios are. My 3000GT is pretty close in the lower 3, but geez almighty, the power band falls out about 500-1k below redline (which I'm sure an intake would help remedy), and to run the 1/4 mi, I expect you would be all the way through 4th gear! Cant complain though, its the best bang for the buck with the way Mazda is pushing them right now, and for a mid sized sedan under $30k (and probably under 25k if you wheel and deal), its hard to beat!

#27 of 38 Re: Bought it [gto2xturbo] by ateixeira

Apr 02, 2007 (8:29 am)

Replying to: gto2xturbo (Mar 30, 2007 10:52 pm)
Holy cow, for $23k there is nothing that comes close. That is quite a deal...

#28 of 38 Re: Bought it [gto2xturbo] by aviboy97

Apr 02, 2007 (9:42 am)

Replying to: gto2xturbo (Mar 30, 2007 10:52 pm)
I picked up the '07 MS6 Sport afterall. It was around $23k and I got the floor mats, wheel locks, alarm sensor, and compass mirror, thrown in. Its a 6MT.
 
 
Are you sure it was not a 06? There is only a $1000 rebate on the 07's. Dealer invoice on that vehicle is $26,428. You mean to tell me the dealer took a near $2,500 hit (far exceeds any incentive money the dealer gets from Mazda), and threw in a compass mirror and shock alarm sensor? I highly doubt that. I bet you have an '06.

Messages Page 3 of 4

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