MazdaSpeed 6 - Any owners?

I'm taking my sweet time car shopping, and I've come across what seems like a great deal.

These cars are heavily discounted right now, probably because they only are offered with a manual transmission. A $30k MSRP car is about $25k new. These cars have:

274hp
280 lb-ft
All-wheel drive
Six speed stick
4 yr/48k warranty (more than I'm used to with Hondas)

I drove one today, and the clutch was a real pain to get used to (very sudden engagement), but overall I liked the car. I commute almost 400 miles/wk, so gas mileage/comfort are definitely considerations, and the manual tranny is a must have.

Any forum recommendations?

 

$7K off, and $1K extra for financing with Mazda Credit are the ads that I've been seeing locally here. Also, check out www.zoomzoomlive.com for an event near you, at which they give out coupons for $500 off any new Mazda(at least they did at last year's).

As for the car, I haven't driven it, but I expect to when I attend the shindig in a week and a half.

 

That's a lot of car for the money.

Mazdas in general tend to be reliable, but have quirky things go wrong later on in their life, or ongoing issues that are easily worked around. The KL engine in my old MX-6 had noisy lash adjusters, but they were fine if you used Mobil 1 and the OEM oil filter. Also had known issues with rear brakes freezing up so you had to watch them. Our current MPV has its share of quirks - cracked exhaust manifold, idle air control valve makes mooing noise when it's cold. Also waiting for alternator to fail. These are known issues with this model. They are a bit like the Japanese version of an Italian car, great to drive, reliable if maintained.

 

That sounds like a killer deal. The Mazdaspeed is a great car, the only let downs that I have heard about the car is that the suspension isn't as stiff as it could be when it comes to spirited driving. I would definitely consider this and a Subaru Legacy GT as my main cars.

 

According to the model brochure, it isn't a "true" awd car. Like the VW R32, it is a front wheel drive car until power needs to be sent to the rear wheels. I was pretty excited about the power/performance/price as well, until I read that. I second the Subaru LGT comment, it is a great car. The 2007 Spec B model gets the STI's 6sp transmission, sports suspension, variable engine modes, ipod ready, heated seats...everything for $33k.

- Chris

 

Don't own one but had a couple for "Evaluations"

Solid (A4 Audi Territory for performance etc AWD etc)

Very good choice Have reccomended it to a couple of friends one bought one didn't... The one who did is happy

 

I like the Legacy GT a LOT, but $33k and $25k are two different worlds.

 

Superb car for $25K. $28K CAD is unheard of here.

I've put a lot of kilometres on the Mazdaspeed6s. Great seating position, great seats, great ergonomics, good brakes, decent handling, AWD is fun in low-grip situations, lots of interior room and quick!

 

My brother owns one and I spent some time driving it last weekend. Great car. I was actually surprised. The interior was very nice, the leather was good quality, everything was laid out well and very user friendly. I hated the clutch, it was grabby and difficult to get a smooth start, but after that I couldn't quit grinning. The turbos are small and spool up quickly, and once they kick in, hang on. I was squirting through traffic and thoroughly enjoying myself. I never got it on the highway, but the 20 miles I drove through the city were great fun. My bro stepped down from a 540 to this car, it's a heck of a deal for the money.

 

If anybody is interested, aftermarket performance upgrades are offered here:
http://www.cp-e.com/scan/co=yes/fi=products/sf=category/se=speed6/op=eq.html?open=