Author Topic: Mazdaspeed 6 (Read 18541 times)

Benhaze · « **on:** October 16, 2006, 08:37:18 pm »

After my Grand Cherokee had its 5th birthday, I felt it was time to let it go. It had the 4.7L HO which I absolutely loved, but the constant head toss and so-so handling finally got to me. The only other SUV that really interested me was the FX; I liked its look and loved the handling but couldn't accept its shortcomings on the utility side. I concluded why not get a sports car if the attributes that are now important to me are handling and performance. A trip to Europe helped me re-connect with the intense satisfaction I have driving a stick shift.

So after driving SUVs for over 8 years, I decided it was time to return to my roots and get a car. It had to have a manual transmission and good performance. I absolutely didn't want torque steer so two of my prime candidates had to drop: the Nissan Altima and Maxima. Time will tell if the new Altima fares better on that subject. No manny tranny for the new Maxima meant

to me.

I really wanted an AWD but could leave with a RWD considering the winters aren't so bad in southwestern Ontario. Unfortunately, the closest Subaru dealer is more than 2 hours away so buying a Sube was not an option. That left me with:

1. Mazdaspeed6
2. Infiniti G35
3. BMW 3 series

I don't like the current G35 interior and was waiting for the new model. However, the single Infiniti dealer was screwing me around with my trade-in, low balling it way worse than any other dealer in the Region. And the new G35 will command high Finance rates for a while so I decided to pass on the new G35... I'm starting to warm up the new 3-series design but the high admission price and maintenance costs steered me away (OK, I guess I'm still too cheap to buy a BMW or to chicken to stomach the required $$$).

Meanwhile, I test drove the Mazdaspeed 6 and fell in love with it. I like innovations and technology. The Mazda AWD system surprised me -it really works well (not the reactive type)-. I also liked the Xenon headlamps, smart key, and stability control of the MSP6. And I fell for it!

So here it is, my brand spanking new MSP6... And I love it!!! Our driveway is all about zoom-zoom now, since my wife drives a Mazda6 Sport V6...

Benhaze · « **Reply #1 on:** October 16, 2006, 08:55:44 pm »

more pics

Benhaze · « **Reply #2 on:** October 16, 2006, 08:57:59 pm »

Giant Dwarf · « **Reply #3 on:** October 16, 2006, 09:04:01 pm »

Thanks for FINALLY posting the low-down and the pics. Awesome machine. That's just like the one I took for a test drive last December. If the deals they have now on the MSP6 had been available a year ago... well, I'm not sure which car I'd be driving now.

The power of that machine is addictive.

Benhaze · « **Reply #4 on:** October 16, 2006, 09:07:48 pm »

Interior pics. Notice the piano black appearance varies with the light characteristics...

Benhaze · « **Reply #5 on:** October 16, 2006, 09:11:51 pm »

more pics...

Bullet Blue · « **Reply #6 on:** October 16, 2006, 09:14:26 pm »

Very cool, thanks for posting pics. The other 6 looks great too!

Benhaze · « **Reply #7 on:** October 16, 2006, 09:32:10 pm »

I read all the reviews I could find about the MSP6. There is usually a picture of the charged air cooler sitting on top on the engine that is not telling the whole story. Mazda went further to insure cold air would circulate through the cooler. I wish the authors would be more thorough when they write their reviews. See by yourself.

Benhaze · « **Reply #8 on:** October 16, 2006, 09:40:46 pm »

At last, a nice pic showing the detail of the silver metalli paint. Glad Mazda doesn't charge more as European auto companies do...

Julie · « **Reply #9 on:** October 16, 2006, 09:50:09 pm »

Benhaze, I looove the looks of your MS6. It exudes "aggressive" and "performance".

Thanks for taking and posting all those pics!

airbalancer · « **Reply #10 on:** October 16, 2006, 09:53:52 pm »

nice

Wolfe · « **Reply #11 on:** October 16, 2006, 10:02:24 pm »

Thanks for the pics Benhaze, especially the air funnel on the underside of the hood. I was reading something about the configuration of the 2.3L turbo recently and was curious about what it looked like.

BJB · « **Reply #12 on:** October 16, 2006, 10:14:16 pm »

2,4,6,8

The car looks great, especially the rims. Enjoy the beast and congrats.

ovr50 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 16, 2006, 10:25:56 pm »

Thank you, Benhaze, for the numerous shots of your new silver beauty!! It looks very sharp and the pix show it off well. Good job. Dueling Mazdas, sort of..

Enjoy it............as if you won't..........

Benhaze · « **Reply #14 on:** October 16, 2006, 10:29:55 pm »

Quote from: Giant Dwarf on October 16, 2006, 09:04:01 pm

Thanks for FINALLY posting the low-down and the pics. Awesome machine. That's just like the one I took for a test drive last December. If the deals they have now on the MSP6 had been available a year ago... well, I'm not sure which car I'd be driving now. The power of that machine is addictive.

Indeed. Good choice of words. It is very addictive!

Bullet Blue · « **Reply #15 on:** October 16, 2006, 10:32:42 pm »

So... when does the modding begin?

Benhaze · « **Reply #16 on:** October 16, 2006, 10:46:38 pm »

Quote from: BJB on October 16, 2006, 10:14:16 pm

2,4,6,8

The car looks great, especially the rims. Enjoy the beast and congrats.

Good sense of observation BJB. Thanks!

Benhaze · « **Reply #17 on:** October 16, 2006, 11:06:14 pm »

Quote from: Wolfe on October 16, 2006, 10:02:24 pm

Thanks for the pics Benhaze, especially the air funnel on the underside of the hood. I was reading something about the configuration of the 2.3L turbo recently and was curious about what it looked like.

Glad you enjoyed it. Clever yet simple Engineering.

Loudpedal · « **Reply #18 on:** October 16, 2006, 11:08:30 pm »

That is a sweet MS6. Until now I only have seen it in red. The silver is sweet.

Any plans for winter tires?

Benhaze · « **Reply #19 on:** October 16, 2006, 11:08:59 pm »

Quote from: Bullet Blue on October 16, 2006, 10:32:42 pm

So... when does the modding begin?

Mazdaspeed has a nice exhaust system for the MSP6... But I'm trying to be reasonable!... for now anyway