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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 2 of 4

#9 of 38 Re: WRX vs. Mazdaspeed6 [scottl] by ateixeira

Sep 21, 2006 (8:06 am)

Replying to: scottl (Sep 20, 2006 2:26 pm)
Speed6 is better than the WRX in every way
 
Dunno about that. It's overweight, too nose heavy, and the Haldex is a part-time system that operates in FWD most of the time.
 
I find it strange that they even compared it to the WRX. R&T compared it to the Legacy and picked the Subie, while C&D picked the Speed6. Reviews were pretty even for those more comparable cars.
 
I drove one at Zoom Zoom Live. It's nice enough but didn't stand out like the RX8 and Miata did. It's a solid, competent sedan, and a bargain at the $22.8k price that a few have reported paying.
 
-juice

#10 of 38 Re: WRX vs. Mazdaspeed6 [ateixeira] by scottl

Sep 21, 2006 (9:17 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 21, 2006 8:06 am)
R&T got incredibly poor acceleration numbers on their Speed6. Conjecture is that the since-corrected ECU issues bit them. There is a recall on the Speed6 to fix a a bug that dropped boost down to almost nothing under certain conditions.
 
I honestly don't see the issue with the Haldex system. No one with a Speed6 complains about it not working when it should. No one complains about the Volvos that use the same system, either.
 
Speed6 is 189lb heavier than the Spec.b, but has more interior room, and is slightly wider and longer.
 
I thought the Edmunds comparison of the Speed6 vs. Spec.b was very balanced, and they preferred the handling of the Speed6.
 
For the money, especially the way Subarus are worshipped(and priced) in Colorado, the Speed6 is a no brainer. Spec.b size and performance for less than a WRX price.
 
Remember, at one time, AMC Eagles were worshipped in CO, also. I honestly think Subaru is coasting on past glory in some ways. I know a lot of Subaru owners, and a lot of them are fishing around to see what else is out there, just like I did.

#11 of 38 Re: WRX vs. Mazdaspeed6 [scottl] by ateixeira

Sep 21, 2006 (10:07 am)

Replying to: scottl (Sep 21, 2006 9:17 am)
Colorado is tougher, so is Alaska. Demand is comparatively higher.
 
DC is a great area for buying Subies. We get about the lowest prices in the country. And we don't get the higher freight charges that New Englanders get.
 
The cheapest Speed6 at a dealer in the DC area is almost $26k, so we're not quite getting the under $23k prices some have reported.
 
The same dealer also sells Subies, and the Legacy GT starts at $27k, but that's an automatic. So we don't get the big differences you're talking about.
 
-juice

#12 of 38 Re: WRX vs. Mazdaspeed6 [scottl] by nightvzn

Sep 21, 2006 (12:12 pm)

Replying to: scottl (Sep 18, 2006 2:50 pm)
Looking over some of the other people's comments...
 
This post was interesting to me because I've done something this summer I hope I never do again, unless I become insanely rich first: I bought two cars in the space of two months.
 
First I bought my long-time dream car, the STI. Almost from the beginning, I was torn between its awesome capabilities and the sense of "I spent HOW much for what's essentially a toy??" After an agonizing period of wondering, I decided to part with it while the miles were still low.
 
My first instinct was to replace it with the WRX Limited, which is what I ultimately did. But along the way, I briefly thought about the Legacy GT and Mazdaspeed6.
 
  • I couldn't find any indication of the low Mazdaspeed6 prices I'm seeing mentioned here. All my research indicated the price to be on-par with the spec.B, especially once loaded with all the option packages I would want.

  • I wanted a small car in the first place. I have no family and hence no need for a roomy interior, so to me, a bigger car translates to poorer maneuverability, handling, gas mileage, etc.

  • I love the looks of the current WRX, especially in crystal grey metallic and with the spoiler. (I don't think the Mazda is ugly; it just hasn't quite won me over in the same manner.)

    •  
    That, and I had a really good rapport with the salesperson at my Subaru dealer, and he gave me a very fair price on the WRX without discussion.
     
    I've had the WRX for a few weeks, and I can see its weaknesses. The interior is deceptive: at first glance, it looks very good for a compact econo car; but after a while, you notice it is way, way, way below, say, the Legacy, or probably even the Mazda 3, much less the 6.
     
    Sitting in my WRX Limited, I'm reminded that yes, it's essentially an economy car with performance upgrades and a few premium features tacked-on (heated leather seats, sunroof/moonroof, pretty good speakers and sound system). And there are some rattles on certain road surfaces, although I haven't been able to isolate the root of any like on the STI.
     
    So basically the car feels a little cheap, and I'm sure the Mazdaspeed 6 is leagues ahead in that category. But the current generation of the Impreza is also coming to the end of its run, so I'm expecting serious interior improvements for 2008 to keep it on par with the Mazda 3. How about performance? Well, I'm in the unenviable position of coming directly from the STI, so the poor little WRX has some massive shoes to fill, and I'm ridiculously speed-spoiled. But if I take a moment to think about most other cars I've driven, the WRX shines. I haven't driven a Mazdaspeed6 so I really don't know what it's like.
     
    But as others have mentioned, if I was considering the Mazdaspeed6, I'd be comparing it to the Legacy GT, not the WRX, in terms of size/features/refinement alone, if not price. The WRX enjoys a tiny niche. Really, I can't think of any other car that could be placed as a direct competitor. The STI has the Evo, but only the Mazdaspeed3 and Neon SRT4 play in a similar league to the WRX, yet without AWD (or even a sedan, in the Mazda's case).

    #13 of 38 Re: WRX vs. Mazdaspeed6 [nightvzn] by aaykay

    Sep 21, 2006 (4:08 pm)

    Replying to: nightvzn (Sep 21, 2006 12:12 pm)
    I personally feel that you should have kept the STi, unless there are other factors that prevented you from keeping it, especially since you are single and not in need of additional space. There is a huge difference between the STi and the WRX, unlike what appears on the surface. The difference between the 2.5i and the WRX sedans are minor in comparison (both sticks). Since you bought the LtD version of the WRX sedan, the price differential between it and the STi are also not that huge, I presume ? Any specific reason why you swapped it with the WRX Ltd ?

    #14 of 38 Re: WRX vs. Mazdaspeed6 [aaykay] by ateixeira

    Sep 22, 2006 (6:51 am)

    Replying to: aaykay (Sep 21, 2006 4:08 pm)
    Personally, I would have tried some milder tires. The summer tires are grippy but they're noisy with very hard sidewalls.
     
    Speed6 also comes with summer tires.
     
    On the spec.B you can choose, summer or all-season, and of course the regular Legacy GT just gets all-seasons.
     
    -juice

    #15 of 38 Re: WRX vs. Mazdaspeed6 [nightvzn] by guy1974

    Sep 28, 2006 (1:54 pm)

    Replying to: nightvzn (Sep 21, 2006 12:12 pm)
    I am looking at getting an Impreza WRX sedan and was interested in your comments. I know the ride will be softer than the STi, but is it livable with on a day to day basis with normal driving style and roads? I ask as this is my biggest worry about a WRX - the ride being too harsh. Sporty is good but there is a fine line before the ride becomes to hard for everyday use.
     
    I would be interested to hear your experiences with the WRX and reliability of the Impreza in general

    #16 of 38 Re: WRX vs. Mazdaspeed6 [guy1974] by 2006rex

    Sep 28, 2006 (2:50 pm)

    Replying to: guy1974 (Sep 28, 2006 1:54 pm)
    The ride is just right IMHO. I have an '06 WRX Sedan Ltd w/ 4000 miles. I am loving every minute of it. I had some issues with the manual shift, but I am learning everyday about how to shift it more smoothly (its a challenge coming from a Honda background!).
     
    There is some road noise while on the freeway but nothing intolerable. The seats are sporty and comfortable. No complaints so far....

    #17 of 38 Re: WRX vs. Mazdaspeed6 [guy1974] by dino001

    Sep 28, 2006 (4:57 pm)

    Replying to: guy1974 (Sep 28, 2006 1:54 pm)
    Have '03 WRX w/52K miles. I commute 20 miles, mostly freeway, some city. Have gone for several 500+ mile trips. I love it, even that turbo lag that's now gone w/'06 model. When I bought it, there was no leather, no sunroof, just the car (which I would probably get).
     
    I find the suspension settings just right - hard enough to get a good responsive handling, but soft enough so your spine is not smashed. I know '06 has a bit different suspension settings - reportedly a bit softer, but can't say for sure.
     
    I think it was the best car in '03 in its price range. There was nothing like that, not even close. Today the competition is a bit stronger, as some guys came around. It's all about the priorities. Still strong player, for sure.

    #18 of 38 Re: WRX vs. Mazdaspeed6 [guy1974] by aaykay

    Sep 29, 2006 (8:59 am)

    Replying to: guy1974 (Sep 28, 2006 1:54 pm)
    I know a couple of friends with families and kids, whose only means of transportation is their WRX wagon. I have ridden in them several times and also took a long 600+ mile trip in it once. Absolutely no comfort issue on a day-to-day basis. I found the WRX to be way more comfortable than the Impreza Outback that I had earlier.

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