CD Article: 2006 Mazdaspeed6

[ghost]

The RX8 is more stylish. Too bad, it's all show and no go. Well it does handle really well. So is the MSP6 the top dog in Mazda's kennel?

[Snowman]

Top dog in the straight line modern muscle car department perhaps. It falls apart one you hit the twisties. The RX-8 handles like the best sport cars out there.

[Benhaze]

The RX-8 handles like the best sport cars out there.

Yes, when you're busy removing the engine cover to add yet another quart of oil, as you did only 2000 Km ago...

MSP6 falls apart in the twisties??? Then you must think 95% of all cars falls apart too. That's a little bit much, Snowman. Yes RX-8 is top notch for handling but it drinks oil and gas enough to make it #1 on Bush and Cheny wish list!!! 

The rotary engine had and apparently still have reliability issues. Even the car magazines who seem to close their eyes on these type of concerns have cooled off quite a bit and would recommend the RX-8 with extreme caution. I wouldn't idealize this car personally.

[Benhaze]

Watch for a 2006 comparison test in C&D in Feb edition. Some interesting results and troubling conclusions from the author...

selection criterias: 4 door, manual, under $30K US ($35K Cdn), reasonably luxurious/sporty (no stripper WRX)
selected ones: Pontiac GTP, MSP6, TSX, Accord V6 (yup!), GLI

MSP6 Good news:
 0-60 mph 5.4s (finally some good numbers!)
 1/4 mile 14s!
 .87g
 70-0 mph in 154 feet
 no torque steer (cool! I was wondering)
 back roads are the car's prime venue, "back-road bandito" (Snowman?)

MSP6 bad news:
 harsh ride (I'm not surprised as my 6 GT has already a pretty harsh ride)
 very noisy (I am surprised the only noticeable noise I have experienced is some tire roar)
 raspy turbo sound
 hard trim

Questionable article conclusions:
 less equipment than other cars (criticized because no leather/sunroof, but what about AWD? HID?
 ranked 4/5 !!!???!!! because of equipment, ride and noise.   

The GLI finished top. Okay Shnak, let us have it...
GLI was 6.4s 0-60 mph, 15.1s 1/4 mile and 154 ft for 70-0 mph.

[84im]

If reliability could be gauged and factored in, VW would be in last place.

[Snowman]

“Then you must think 95% of all cars falls apart too. That's a little bit much, Snowman”

I’m sorry, I rate everything relative to my 350 hp WRX. The MPS6 is a fine car, but the imitation awd system is a nice way to overcome torque steer. When the ECU in the MPS6 changes the front/rear bias from understeer to oversteer in the middle of a corner it can be unsettling.

[Benhaze]

“Then you must think 95% of all cars falls apart too. That's a little bit much, Snowman”

I’m sorry, I rate everything relative to my 350 hp WRX. The MPS6 is a fine car, but the imitation awd system is a nice way to overcome torque steer. When the ECU in the MPS6 changes the front/rear bias from understeer to oversteer in the middle of a corner it can be unsettling.

350 HP? Yikes. That's in another league. Impressive.

If you are correct about the MSP6 strategy for the AWD while cornering, that is concerning and show the limitation of using electronics as a cheaper mean to provide AWD...

[ghost]

Hey R&T has an article on Audi A4 S-Line vs. MSP6 vs. LGT.

results: MSP6 edged out the LGT by 1.7 out of 200 points! A4 a distant 3rd.

Motortrend (Feb?) has a comparo on the MSP6 against the Legacy Spec. B

results: Spec. B over the MSP6.

IMHO, the Spec. B is a better comparison against the MSP6 in terms of intended focus. Heck, they share the same tires - RE050! 

[Benhaze]

Agree with you about the Legacy GT being a direct competitor. Thanks for the information about the other reviews.

[Giant Dwarf]

Watch for a 2006 comparison test in C&D in Feb edition. Some interesting results and troubling conclusions from the author...

selection criterias: 4 door, manual, under $30K US ($35K Cdn), reasonably luxurious/sporty (no stripper WRX)
selected ones: Pontiac GTP, MSP6, TSX, Accord V6 (yup!), GLI

MSP6 Good news:
 0-60 mph 5.4s (finally some good numbers!)
 1/4 mile 14s!
 .87g
 70-0 mph in 154 feet
 no torque steer (cool! I was wondering)
 back roads are the car's prime venue, "back-road bandito" (Snowman?)

MSP6 bad news:
 harsh ride (I'm not surprised as my 6 GT has already a pretty harsh ride)
 very noisy (I am surprised the only noticeable noise I have experienced is some tire roar)
 raspy turbo sound
 hard trim

Questionable article conclusions:
 less equipment than other cars (criticized because no leather/sunroof, but what about AWD? HID?
 ranked 4/5 !!!???!!! because of equipment, ride and noise.   

The GLI finished top. Okay Shnak, let us have it...
GLI was 6.4s 0-60 mph, 15.1s 1/4 mile and 154 ft for 70-0 mph.

Yeah, that article had me scratchin' my head too.     I certainly didn't find the MS6 to be overly noisy or ride poorly.  In fact, the soft ride is part of what made it feel boring to drive to me  Compared to a WRX it's certainly quiet.  With lots of room, fun to drive and great styling, I think the MS6 should have cleaned up that comparison.  The absence of the Legacy GT was also quite suspect.

Snowman, I wonder how much more you'd like the handling of the MS6 if you invested as much money in handling goodies on the Mazda as you did go-fast goodies on the Subie. 

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Even to me it sounds suspect. A Legacy should be in the article, and clearly the MS6 should finish respectably. I'll have to head to Chapter's soon 

[ghost]

DOn't you know? The winner of said branded cars are often associated to the amount of advertising money is transacted to the publisher by the said branded car mfg. 

[Shnak]

DOn't you know? The winner of said branded cars are often associated to the amount of advertising money is transacted to the publisher by the said branded car mfg. 

I don't have official numbers, but I wouldn't be surprised if Mazda spent more money on advertising than VW does in North America...

[sirAQUAMAN64]

DOn't you know? The winner of said branded cars are often associated to the amount of advertising money is transacted to the publisher by the said branded car mfg. 

I don't have official numbers, but I wouldn't be surprised if Mazda spent more money on advertising than VW does in North America...

I think VW spends a lot more on media spending, but a lot of that has traditionally been geared towards TV advertisements and promotional materials versus print.

VW spent $345 million on U.S. ads last year ('04)and $175 million through the first seven months of 2005, per Nielsen Monitor-Plus. (Annual Canadian ad spending is likely another $50 million, sources said.
http://www.vnuemedia.com/pdn/features/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001055447

Tried as I might, I could not find a comparable quote for Mazda, but I would bet the farm it's less.

In 2004, GM spent $2.6 billion in U.S. measured media and $2.4 billion through the first 10 months of last year. GM's marketing budget will remain flat in 2006.
____
Also mentions Mazda's target demographic is 2nd youngest to Scion. Mazda's average buyer was a low 42 in 2004.
http://www.marketingvox.com/archives/2006/01/10/gm_mazda_discuss_ad_strategies/
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2005/01/09/000118.html

Actually, here is comprehensive detail of all media spenders in the US for 2003 and 2004 listed from 1-100. VW is #65 on the list, Mazda #85. HOWEVER, Mazda spends more on magazine advertising. It breaks down just about anything you'd like to know. Definitely worth a look. I'm going to post this elsewhere as it's interesting.
http://www.adage.com/images/random/lna2005.pdf

[Benhaze]

I did notice a lot of magazine advertisement from Mazda for the PSD6 this past few months.

[Snowman]

“Snowman, I wonder how much more you'd like the handling of the MS6 if you invested as much money in handling goodies on the Mazda as you did go-fast goodies on the Subie.” 

Real awd would help, other than that I like it. A 26 year old new hire has one and we talk more about cars than the content of the 2 week training session we are on. He wants to trade for a few hours….silly boy.

[ghost]

whoa, a new  26 yo hire can buy an MSP6? You guys must be over paying him. 

[wing]

VW PR is horrible, they provide no press cars and not much advertising either.

[Giant Dwarf]

VW PR is horrible, they provide no press cars and not much advertising either.

The upcoming new Canadian office should help that.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Typically, US mags really tear into VW products and don't have correct info on them - I'm sure VWoA doesn't communicate well either.

I usually notice that enthusiats mags write generally negatively about VWs when reviewed on their own, but once in a group of competetive vehicles in comparos the VWs tend to win more favour.