CD Article: 2006 Mazdaspeed6

[Burningman]

Do the rear seats fold?  It looks like it from the pictures

No....and no pass-though.

I don't know if this has been posted already, but the REAR SEAT DOES FOLD DOWN (yay). It folds
down in a 60/40 fashion. The plastic cover in the trunk has to be removed (it's easy)
to uncover a pair of latches.

Unfortunately, even with the seat down, it's basically a pass-though since the X frame blocks
the opening.

Check out the images in this forum:

http://forum.mazda6club.com/index.php?showtopic=43583

[Snowman]

That’s great , even a pass-though is better than nothing.

[Benhaze]

I quickly test drove a MSP6 yesterday and only cow talk about neck snapping acceleration!!!

I can't believe how different this car feels when compared to our Mazda6 GT V6. Not only the MSP6, as expected, completely smoke the GT but the steering feel is so improved. On the down side, the clutch is very peculiar and hard to modulate, and starting in first gear is a tricky exercise. I thought the sales rep didn't know how to drive standard when he nearly stalled 3 times when just trying to move the car from its parking spot. Well I fully realized why when I took it out for a spin. Driving this car in the morning traffic must be a real pain in the b...

A real positive characteristic of this car: no torque steer. Such a welcome fact as the GT V6 can be annoying at times even if it doesn't have that much torque. The funky AWD really works on that aspect.

While doing a walk around while the car was idling, I noticed a very annoying ticking sound from the engine (that thankfully you can't hear from inside the car) and a subtle rumble from the exhaust. Now that I'm thinking about it, I don't recall any turbo whistle though I may have been too distracted by the adrenaline rush... Modulating the turbo boost can be challenging in the lower gears as it builds up quickly.

I couldn't verify handling that much since I had pity for the white knuckles sales rep that was holding on what ever he could grab.   

In conclusion, I was really impressed by this car. But it is really not for every one, certainly not for someone looking for occasional fun driving or just wanting better performance than the base powertrain.

[84im]

A while back I was sitting at at red light and a Mazdaspeed6 six pulled up beside me.  About 50 metres after the intersection the two lanes merge into one.  My lane goes through, while the MS6's lane has to merge.  I guess He thought my little old Miata was easy pickings.
When the light changed he got a big surprise.  I could see him in my rear view mirror...not a happy camper.     I guess he could blame it on heat sink.

[Benhaze]

I would guess he didn't master that tricky clutch and the launch in first gear. 

[amorak]

A while back I was sitting at at red light and a Mazdaspeed6 six pulled up beside me.  About 50 metres after the intersection the two lanes merge into one.  My lane goes through, while the MS6's lane has to merge.  I guess He thought my little old Miata was easy pickings.
When the light changed he got a big surprise.  I could see him in my rear view mirror...not a happy camper.     I guess he could blame it on heat sink.

He was probably suffering from heat soak as well 

[amorak]

A while back I was sitting at at red light and a Mazdaspeed6 six pulled up beside me.  About 50 metres after the intersection the two lanes merge into one.  My lane goes through, while the MS6's lane has to merge.  I guess He thought my little old Miata was easy pickings.
When the light changed he got a big surprise.  I could see him in my rear view mirror...not a happy camper.     I guess he could blame it on heat sink.

He was probably suffering from heat soak as well  

[mdxtasy]

A while back I was sitting at at red light and a Mazdaspeed6 six pulled up beside me.  About 50 metres after the intersection the two lanes merge into one.  My lane goes through, while the MS6's lane has to merge.  I guess He thought my little old Miata was easy pickings.
When the light changed he got a big surprise.  I could see him in my rear view mirror...not a happy camper.     I guess he could blame it on heat sink.

He should thank you for keeping him regular....vegetables are very important in the daily diet. 

[Iso Octane]

On the down side, the clutch is very peculiar and hard to modulate, and starting in first gear is a tricky exercise.

I keep hearing about this, and at my last service, I poked around the showroom and found a MS6 to sit it.   What the heck is up with that funny spot?  It's feels like a bump in the road or something. 

[Benhaze]

It is definitely awkward. I really wonder -and hope- it's something an owner can get used to.

[Matt]

“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.

Just test drove the MSP6 today and found the exact same thing not one minute from the dealership. I was blasting around a corner, expecting to curve out just past the middle of the road, when the system kicked in noticeably and tucked me back onto my side. Not problematic, but a bit of an invasive feel.

My general impressions:
great power in any gear, very nice interior, great space, amenities, large trunk. Downside was the heavy feel, not much passion in the drive, difficult clutch (have to admit I stalled it immediately... probably took 5 starts to get comfortable with the feel). Driving spirit is not remarkable. As a highway cruiser, it would be hard to beat, esp. with factory/dealer incentives.