Author Topic: Modern Classics: Mazda Mazdaspeed6, 2006-2007 (Read 1577 times)

Autos_Editor · « **on:** October 27, 2011, 04:03:08 am »

'A fast and very capable mid-size performance sedan with the traction and stability of an AWD system,' says Jeff Burry.

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2latecrew · « **Reply #1 on:** October 27, 2011, 06:58:39 am »

I'm often tempted by reasonably priced used ones but how could Mazda get the Mazdaspeed 3 so right and this so wrong. Heat soak issues, reports of not making full power on anything but rare 93 octane, tricky clutches, piggish fuel consumption and the list goes on.It sounded like a budget S$ but the execution just fell so very short.

Jaeger · « **Reply #2 on:** October 27, 2011, 08:17:58 am »

I absolutely LOVED this car when I test drove it and came real close to buying one. But there were a bunch of emerging "issues" that put me off. Not sure I would want to take the plunge on a used one.

Jaeger

nlm · « **Reply #3 on:** October 27, 2011, 08:30:48 am »

Ditto ditto above. Shame really.

Snowman · « **Reply #4 on:** October 27, 2011, 09:08:51 am »

Took one out for a test drive

JasonMacKenzie · « **Reply #5 on:** October 27, 2011, 10:50:57 am »

I have had a 2006 for about 1 and half years. I love driving the car and it certainly is fast. The reliability has been horrible though. Blown turbo, motor mounts, PTO seals, wheel bearings and more. I've sunk way too much money into it.

I reflashed the ECU with Cobb's AccessPort and added a cold air intake and turbo inlet hose along with an aftermarket clutch when mine went at 100k. I should note that these problems happened prior to me doing any mods.

I would imagine its putting out somewhere around 310 bhp and is certainly a fast car. The ECU reflash noticably improved the fuel economy despite substantially increasing the power. I can get 600km per tank highway driving.

I'd definitely stay away from purchasing this vehicle.

Fobroader · « **Reply #6 on:** October 27, 2011, 10:51:41 am »

This seemed like a proffesionals WRX/EVO, like you could be over 30 and drive a turbo AWD car and not look like a 20 year old college kid. I think they would be a very cool project car to own, but very rare to find. Id love to take one out for a rip.....without the salesman though

Vmango · « **Reply #7 on:** October 27, 2011, 11:06:46 am »

Thankfully not many 20 year old college kids can afford a WRX/STi/EVO.

The AWD system on the MS6 isn't all the great from what I recall. I had always hoped this car would have carried over with the new 6 but never did. So much potential!

Fobroader · « **Reply #8 on:** October 27, 2011, 11:34:22 am »

Apperantly you dont have enough drug dealers in you town, but around here, theres lots of 20 year olds with WRXs. I dont know if daddy is running a smuggling operation in Hong Kong or daddy is an oil sheik of some sort, but theres lots of young punks in STis/Evos.

heleu · « **Reply #9 on:** October 27, 2011, 12:00:35 pm »

I almost bought one as well, but I was put off by reliability issues after reading consumer reports and various forums. I don't think that 2.3L turbo motor was well designed from what I heard.

I ended buying it's most direct competitor - 2007 Subaru Legacy GT Spec. B. 6 speed, AWD, Turbo. It was cheaper, better equipped and has been very reliable so far.

Fobroader · « **Reply #10 on:** October 27, 2011, 12:09:21 pm »

Quote from: heleu on October 27, 2011, 12:00:35 pm

I almost bought one as well, but I was put off by reliability issues after reading consumer reports and various forums. I don't think that 2.3L turbo motor was well designed from what I heard.

I ended buying it's most direct competitor - 2007 Subaru Legacy GT Spec. B. 6 speed, AWD, Turbo. It was cheaper, better equipped and has been very reliable so far.

You can get the B spec Legacy in Canada....cool.

safristi · « **Reply #11 on:** October 27, 2011, 01:42:42 pm »

sounds like a case of MOOZ MOOZ on the speed 6....Buy the 3 and go WHEE WHEE all the way home................

lebowski · « **Reply #12 on:** October 27, 2011, 02:56:06 pm »

Very interesting article and discussion - count me in amongst those who were always curious about this car. FWIW I've always found it better-looking than the equivalent Legacy GT, but I guess its beauty was only skin-deep.

simboo · « **Reply #13 on:** October 27, 2011, 09:06:13 pm »

Quote from: JasonMacKenzie on October 27, 2011, 10:50:57 am

I have had a 2006 for about 1 and half years. I love driving the car and it certainly is fast. The reliability has been horrible though. Blown turbo, motor mounts, PTO seals, wheel bearings and more. I've sunk way too much money into it.

[...]

I'd definitely stay away from purchasing this vehicle.

Like Jason, I too had this car for 3 years. Had the same problems in addition of the transmission going bye bye at 43k. It was my first "new" car at the time. I was 25.

While I had fun with it before it started to cost me a lot, I think Mazda wanted to make a car that looked better than it really was. All the numbers were great on paper but everything was of cheap quality IMO. I liked AWD but I couldn't compare with other cars, engine was ok but not reliable (stuttering), sound system by bose ok for young crowds, cheap HID lens/bulbs just to name a few.

I was by no mean crazy on the road. I needed that car for passing power and snow driving. I was lucky enough to get even when I sold it back to the dealer after 100k.

This car is not cheap to maintain, at all. I would have been better off with a used Lexus IS250 AWD or audi A4 Quattro minus the passing power...

D70 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 27, 2011, 10:39:33 pm »

Quote from: JasonMacKenzie on October 27, 2011, 10:50:57 am

I have had a 2006 for about 1 and half years. I love driving the car and it certainly is fast. The reliability has been horrible though. Blown turbo, motor mounts, PTO seals, wheel bearings and more. I've sunk way too much money into it.

Buying a used performance car is always a risk but the enjoyment of driving a good car always has its price. You could have ended up with a plain Jane

http://www.flickr.com/photos/d70w7/6287883890/

Deep Freeze · « **Reply #15 on:** October 27, 2011, 11:22:22 pm »

I've only had my 07 for six months. So far no problems (knock on wood). I bought winter wheels/tires last week am looking forward to seeing how the AWD performs in a Winnipeg winter.

sacrat · « **Reply #16 on:** October 28, 2011, 11:44:05 am »

Quote from: lebowski on October 27, 2011, 02:56:06 pm

Very interesting article and discussion - count me in amongst those who were always curious about this car. FWIW I've always found it better-looking than the equivalent Legacy GT, but I guess its beauty was only skin-deep.

I would say very uninformative article since it didn't touch on the horrible and well documented reliability issues. This would tempt people to make a very unfortunate purchase decision

Arthur Dent · « **Reply #17 on:** October 28, 2011, 11:53:24 am »

What a shame about the issues this car has. I always thought it was rather appealing at least on paper.

quadzilla · « **Reply #18 on:** October 28, 2011, 01:08:13 pm »

Quote from: sacrat on October 28, 2011, 11:44:05 am

I would say very uninformative article since it didn't touch on the horrible and well documented reliability issues. This would tempt people to make a very unfortunate purchase decision

If people buy a car based on one article they read on the internet, they got exactly what they deserved.

Jaeger · « **Reply #19 on:** October 28, 2011, 01:19:48 pm »

Quote from: quadzilla on October 28, 2011, 01:08:13 pm

Quote from: sacrat on October 28, 2011, 11:44:05 am
I would say very uninformative article since it didn't touch on the horrible and well documented reliability issues. This would tempt people to make a very unfortunate purchase decision

If people buy a car based on one article they read on the internet, they got exactly what they deserved.

True - but it's also a valid criticism of the article. The issues with this car are no secret. If the author didn't include them, then he either didn't know about them or chose to ignore them. Both of which are questionable in the context of restrospective piece on an out-of-production car. And especially since he recommends the car as a used purchase.

Anyone remember the Panda interior available on the black Speed6? I thought it was pretty cool:

Jaeger