MazdaSpeed 6

[The AD]

I can't say I'm in love with the looks, but the specs are impressive for the price. The AWD makes it sort of a sleeper ski car (although you'd probably want to replace the P215/45R18 tires!).

6 speed manual, 2.3L turbo inline-4, AWD and limited-slip rear differential, 274 hp, 280 ft-lb torque. I don't know, for some reason it just seems more practical to me than a WRX.

[cj001f]

I've had a couple of Mazda 6 rentals (2wd). No problems in snow (no chains), 100+mph, surprisingly reasonable clearance. Fun car. 4wd would be sweet.

[BakerBoy]

Bitches, where's the wagon?

[Blatant]

how new is this shit. haven't seen it. is there actually a wagon, how's it compare to the subaru...i'm too lazy to research it any further than this post.

[300hp]

it doesn't have "real" awd. Its front wheel drive and the rear wheels kick in when the computer deems it necessary. Early tests said that it was somewhat unpredictable on the track. I prefer my awd all the time. The plus side to the mazda setup would be gas milage because the parasitic loss is less on a fwd setup.

BB....no wagon slated that I know of. Its all about the Forester XT or the Leg GT waggy.....thats a hot setup for sure.

[BakerBoy]

it doesn't have "real" awd. Its front wheel drive and the rear wheels kick in when the computer deems it necessary. Early tests said that it was somewhat unpredictable on the track. I prefer my awd all the time. The plus side to the mazda setup would be gas milage because the parasitic loss is less on a fwd setup.

BB....no wagon slated that I know of. Its all about the Forester XT or the Leg GT waggy.....thats a hot setup for sure.

Yah, I know, I did a search... Not even on the radar yet, if ever.

You probably wouldn't see more than a couple MPG difference from that kind of drivetrain set-up. It's the foot buried into the pedal, always on the turbo that will really fuck up your gas mileage...

You do know that auto-tranny Subaru's are essentially FWD cars as well? 90/10 front/rear torque split until slippage, whereas the manuals are 50/50, until slippage. I've owned an auto 97 Legacy GT, and currently own a manual 98 Legacy L wagon, and I can easily feel the difference -- the auto understeers, whereas the manual powerslides controllably. The rear end is much more responsive with the manual. The auto shifting at stupid times never helps, either.

[Cirquerider]

I think you are looking at a competitor to the Infinity G35x AWD sedan. This one with standard 6 speed manual, but comparable horsepower and a sticker price nearly 8k cheaper. The Subarus are all coming with a 2.5 liter turbocharged engine or 3 liter 6 cyl, and none except for the much more expensive WRX STi series, put up the 274 HP rating of the Mazda. I think you will like the insurance quotes on this better.

[The AD]

it doesn't have "real" awd. Its front wheel drive and the rear wheels kick in when the computer deems it necessary.

My understanding is there's a "snow mode" which equally distributes power to the four wheels. What I don't know for sure is if this is selectable by the driver or if the car's computer thinks it's smart enough to know which mode you want.

I'm wondering if they are holding off on a wagon version because they are introducing a Mazdaspeed version of the 3 hatchback which is somewhat wagon-like.

[Jumper Bones]

no more Legacy GT wagons in a stick, it's true...now auto-only

[Blatant]

Yah, I know, I did a search... Not even on the radar yet, if ever.

You probably wouldn't see more than a couple MPG difference from that kind of drivetrain set-up. It's the foot buried into the pedal, always on the turbo that will really fuck up your gas mileage...

You do know that auto-tranny Subaru's are essentially FWD cars as well? 90/10 front/rear torque split until slippage, whereas the manuals are 50/50, until slippage. I've owned an auto 97 Legacy GT, and currently own a manual 98 Legacy L wagon, and I can easily feel the difference -- the auto understeers, whereas the manual powerslides controllably. The rear end is much more responsive with the manual. The auto shifting at stupid times never helps, either.

BB you are right on target with Subaru's system, however having owned both, and routinely beat both (mt and at that is) and being an experienced snow driver, as most of us are, i thought the AT was more dialed in with the snow and shitty conditions..........why would that be then? Anyone...bueller?

[The Dad]

I've also had my eye on the MazdaSpeed6 as a possible replacement for my Saab 9-5 Aero. The specs are impressive, it doesn't look like a boy racer a la the STI or Evo, it's significantly cheaper than the non-boy racer competition (G35x, Legacy GT, Volvo R).

I haven't seriously considered pulling the trigger because (a) I'm reasonably happy with my Saab (we have a Suburban for snow use), (b) it's a little narrow to fit three comfortably in the back seat (three kids), and (c) no wagon (two dogs).

[The AD]

no more Legacy GT wagons in a stick, it's true...now auto-only

Why do people want automatic transmissions so much? Is shifting really that much of an inconvenience? I'm probably biased since I've never owned an automatic, but I just don't get it.

[Blatant]

i ended up with one b/c of a goodass deal. Would rather a manual but....

[Steven S. Dallas]

no more Legacy GT wagons in a stick, it's true...now auto-only

That is so fucking weak.

[cj001f]

Why do people want automatic transmissions so much? Is shifting really that much of an inconvenience? I'm probably biased since I've never owned an automatic, but I just don't get it.

They can't be bothered to shift, and nowadays there isn't as much of a difference in efficency between a manual and an automatic as there used to be so there isn't much of a $ incentive.

[The AD]

They can't be bothered to shift

True. They might have to put down their coffee or cell phone

It's kind of funny, though. When my wife bought her new car the dealer showed her all the cars on the lot matching what she wanted. She looked at them and said "don't you have any manuals?" The dealer was like "oh, I assumed you wanted an automatic."

[cj001f]

True. They might have to put down their coffee or cell phone

One of my companies sales reps somehow manages to drive his 6spd bmw while talking on the phone, drinking coffee, and writing notes on his Treo. It's an impressive and frightening ballet.

[scoober]

Pretty nice ride. The Mazda dealer out in Kirkland has one and I've been meaning to go check it out. I agree, the Mazda6 that I've driven as a rental was fun to drive. Got to take it from Bristol, TN to Cleveland, OH right through the mountains in WV which was pretty fun. That had the base engine, the MazdaSpeed can only be that much better.

I'll have to admit, Seattle is a frustrating city to drive a manual around. Clutch, brake, gas. Gas, gas, brake. Clutch, gas, Clutch. Clutch, brake, honk. Honk, clutch, punch. Punch, honk, finger.

But I still do it and love it for some reason. There's really no other way.

Although, i've read that the new sequential gearboxes (like audi's DSG) feel so good and smooth and fast that they will make a true manual obsolete for city dwelling performance minded drivers.

[Viva]

Although, i've read that the new sequential gearboxes (like audi's DSG) feel so good and smooth and fast that they will make a true manual obsolete for city dwelling performance minded drivers.

My new car has DSG...very nice....

[BakerBoy]

it's significantly cheaper than the non-boy racer competition (G35x, Legacy GT, Volvo R).

According to all the reports, the Mazdaspeed 6 will be right abour $30k, which is pretty darn close to a loaded Legacy GT and Volvo V50 T5R (which is a wagon, whatever)

[Godwin-Austin]

(which is a wagon, whatever)

Holy crap, wagons rule!

[Camilo]

No love for the A3? Just wondering. I just saw a 2-door on some euro site. I want one.

[BakerBoy]

No love for the A3? Just wondering. I just saw a 2-door on some euro site. I want one.

A3 is much smaller than what we're talking about though.

[Camilo]

Ahhhhhh. Carry on then.

[funkendrenchman]

Why do people want automatic transmissions so much? Is shifting really that much of an inconvenience? I'm probably biased since I've never owned an automatic, but I just don't get it.

A lot of people spend most of their driving time in traffic on the way to work. Sticks suck in traffic. Sticks are more fun to drive and are great in the mountains, but most people can get by easily without a stick and there really isn't a reason for them to get a stick.