I just saw that KBB trade-in value for the MS6 Sport is just over 21K. I'm guessing it's mostly b/c of the rebates and price reductions offered to get one new. If you got a new MS6 anywhere around 23k your doing good but for the ones that jumped on one early can't be to happy. I got mine for 26k and there is no way to trade it in and take a little loss for me it would be a big loss.
I don't plan on getting rid of mine but it would be nice to know if it happened I wouldn't have to take such a loss. I do have issues with my car that makes me want to think about trading it in though.
I see Edmunds lists the Mazda 6/ Speed6 as a editors pick for most wanted car for a sedan under 30K for 2007. Maybe that will help the resale value.
I mentioned in another post month or so ago. I was having a vibration in 6th gear around 2500RPM. The dealer felt it and to make a long story short. They brought in 3 mazda engineers to look at the problem. After replacing about everything under the car the vibration was gone in 6th. Now I experience one in 3rd gear around the same RPM range. Not as noticable as the other but still it is there. I'm going to take it in and let the shop foreman look at it. It's not annoying but I didn't pay 26k for a vibration problem.
As for the clutch. The only complaint I have is that starting off in 1st from a stop, the clutch can be tricky at times. Sometimes I can get going with no problems and sometimes it doesn't seem to catch and I have to add more power than normal so I don't stall. Starting from a hill I like to say increases the difficulty rating.
It's not cheap to replace a clutch either. Try about $700-$800. It's something about a double clutch design and far as replacing it the mechanic has to drop a subframe and other not so easy things to get to it... causing a all day job.
You always loose a huge chunk of change the first year on a new car. Then it tapers off from there.
You mention trade in because of vibration, maybe you should look at your state lemmon laws. :lemon:
I played the "tweaking" game with a brand new 2000 LIncoln LS from the start and the car had problems the entire time I had it..(7 years) It was falling apart at 40,000 miles. I wont go there again. especially sense your vibration problem is unique. Haven't heard of anyone else with the same complaint. :confuse: :confuse:
I just have to mention, I took my car out to the west desert last weekend. (Bonniville Salt Flat area) Took her to 130....5ish. Talk about an adrenalin rush. While driving 80 you can feel the peaks and valleys in the desert floor, once I hit 100 the car sucked itself to the road, and drove smooth as if on glass. We may as well have been sitting in the drive way. Unbelievable. Made me fall in love with the car for all new reasons. Not a noise, whistle,rattle or vibration. I would never suggest breaking the law, but if a mazda S6 owner gets the chance to legally, (or not) open her up, WOW. I was so tempted to push a little more, but the thoughts of spending the holiday season in Jail wasnt a pretty thought... After that........ trying to keep it under 80 for the drive home was impossible without setting the cruise control. (or shackling my ankles)
Who posted these last two posts? We're trying to get a handle on why some posts show up with no author and I'd like to report this to the tech guy - but I need to know who made the posts!
I owned a Taurus SHO when we lived in Germany, and the autobahn was always close at hand. That car's top speed was listed at 140 mph but the fastest I ever drove it was 135; at that speed you are scanning the horizon because anything you see will very rapidly be right in front of you. Have to start reacting immediately. Funny thing, the SHO was listed at 220 hp-- at that time considered a very fast powerful car; now people complain that the regular Mazda6S has "only" 221 hp. If it is anything like the SHO, that is plenty of hp.
To hook it up, all you will see is an antenna on your trunk. The wires are hidden in your vehicle, and there is nothing mounted on your dash. It is integrated through your factory sound system. So, how it looks now is how it will look when it is hooked up. Just press the "SAT" button, and you will see the Sirius radio working.
My first winter with my MS6. Looking forward to it. I'm in VA. and was told my summer stock tires will be fine in the snow. We don't get bad snows. Will let you know when we have the first snow.
I live between Colorado Springs and Denver. We received over two feet of snow this Wednesday. I drove to work at 6 am in the beginnings of the storm, then drove home at 10 am when the snow started to pile up. My Bridgestone AS 225/45-R18 tires did well, and my MS6 did well. At times the car was plowing through snow but, with all four wheels pushing, it felt very much under control. I passed a Lexus SUV that had slid off the road (probably just a poor driver). Not only did the AWD function well, but the climate control system was flawless. It kept me confortable and kept the windshield clear without using the wipers. Just tonight I helped push out a high-centered Audi A4 quattro, but we are almost dug out.
The problem with the summer tires isnt necessarily, just snow, its the low temp. They get hard as a rock in the freezing tempurature and can have a mind of there own when you hit any kind of dibbit in the road. My MS6's 1st birthday is today. She has 6,700 miles on her. I got through last winter, with white knuckles!! I got the Blizzak's for this Winter. $250 ea. installed. Hubby about dropped, :mad: but it feels so good to be able to drive so confidant. I thought about the all- season tires, but decided to go with what would get me out of the neighborhood with 5 inches of snow. (SLC, UT)
If there a SLIGHT possibility of snow in the area you live, and you plan on driving the MS6 through it, get all-seasons or snow tires. Do NOT think about trying the summer tires in the cold and snow. As stated before, the summer compound turns into hockey pucks below 40 degrees, with no traction and control to speak of. You may think the AWD will help, but trust me, it doesn't.
Spend the extra cash and get snow tires, whether they're on their own wheels, or on the stock wheels, or get a set of all-seasons if the snow isn't TOO bad, but it still gets cold in your area. The money spent now will be much less than the thousands you'll drop at a collision shop or insurance company. I've even heard of an insurance company denying someones claim because they were driving in a snowstorm on summer tires, and caused a chain-reaction.
Besides, I can only imagine just how much fun driving a MS6 in deep snow with snow tires on. I have enough fun with snow tires on my Mazda6!
I recall a pretty big difference in acceleration numbers in published tests. Did I see 5.4 seconds 0-60 in Car & Driver but 6.5 seconds in Road & Track? And the 1/4 mile in Car & Driver showed 14.0 seconds but showed not trap speed. I wonder what speed was achieved in that 14 second quarter mile run. That same C & D test showed .87 lateral acceleration. Anyone see other published performance figures? The Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT has even faster times than the Mazdaspeed 6, and with less horsepower (250 HP). If anyone can post links to other performance statistics, please do. Thanks.
LGT (5speed) will run faster to 60 because it can get there in 2nd whereas the MS6 will be there in 3rd. You should also consider braking, another facet where MS6 shines! LGT is a couple hundred pounds lighter too.
IMHO: MS6 has better stats and feels a lot better. If all you plan to do is drag the car, you should get LGT because it is also easier to mod...
The Inside Line road test comparison of the Speed 6 and the Legacy GT spec B got it wrong.
Here is what it said about the Mazdaspeed 6: Even if you aren't a pro in the bends, the Mazdaspeed 6 has an active torque-splitting all-wheel-drive system to help sort out any sloppiness. It usually pushes 50 percent of the engine's power to the front wheels, but can send as much as 100 percent to the front or rear wheels when necessary.
We may wish it was true, but Mazda only sends up to 50% of the power to the rear wheels if slippage is detected up front. Otherwise, about 100% of the power stays up front.
Why do I keep reading about the Speed 6 having a narrow power band? When you have 90% of the maximum 280 lb/ft of torque available beginning at 1800 rpm and 90% of that 280 lb/ft for another 500 rpm past the 5500 rpm horsepower peak, that is hardly a narrow powerband. Nor is it a lack of low-end torque. Man! Some people just can't be satisfied!
We may wish it was true, but Mazda only sends up to 50% of the power to the rear wheels if slippage is detected up front. Otherwise, about 100% of the power stays up front.
This is true, however, numerous tests have shown that even though the AWD system is not as technical as Subaru's, it still handles much better. Remember, it is the total package combo of engine performance, handling, top end, and braking. That is where the MS6 shines
Just curious, which car is quicker to 55 mph? Or 75? Or 85? 0 to 60 is not really a magic number to me. On the street it doesn't really matter if you hit exactly 60 mph quicker than the guy next to you, does it? Seems to me a time from 5 to 85 mph would be just as good a comparison as 0 to 60. Actually, I think my favorite statistic is trap speed at the end of a quarter mile run. That is a pretty good indicator or real world power and acceleration on the street. What do you all think?
Both get to 50 in 4 seconds according to Motor Trend. LGT Spec B has a slight edge by 75. However, braking and skid pad are better on the MS6 at least according to this comparison.
However, do not forget that this is a Spec B that sells for over 30k and MS6 sell in the low 20s! Regular LGT is even weaker on braking and cornering.
Here in the Front Range of Colorado we have had plenty of snow to test the AWD capabilities of the MS6 recently. Just wanted to report that the car does well in such conditions. Nice to have all four wheels pulling in marginal conditions. I think that having proper tires is most important, but, when the conditions are tough, having AWD can make the difference. We drove on one county road yesterday which was "open" with a single unplowed lane. Although the snow was deep, by keeping speed up we plowed through. Certainly the added ground clearance of an SUV would have helped, but I like the improved highway handling and superior gas mileage (25 mpg last fill-up) of the MS6. AWD was the deciding factor in buying the MS6. I have removed the cosmetic-only trunk front liner so that I can fold down the rear seats when needed to provide a pass-through for hauling our snow skis.
I cannot comment directly on the rebates in January but I bought my Mazdaspeed 6 in Arizona about 4 weeks ago and the dealers were hungry at the time. I went for a 2006 Sport and paid $1K under invoice before factoring in $3,500 in various rebates. Total cost was $24K and change and that included nav and a few minor options. One heck of a car for the money.
SLC got hit with a huge snow storm yesterday and I had a great day! Drove through unplowed streets, and parking lots with a good 5 inches of fresh snow. The all wheel drive only kicked in once, when I had to pull out of a parking lot, on to the street real fast to beat traffic.
what a differance! Now no storm will hold me back!
Has anyone had their oil/filter changed at a quick lube type of place(i.e. Jiffy, E.Z. Lube etc) I ask because I was told that it would cost me more because the filter is not common and cost more than a normal 6 filter.
I took my Speed6 to local MazdaSpeed Dealer and they charge $24.95 and wash my Speed6!
Road & Track magazine published a 1/4 mile time of 14.8 seconds at 86 mph. Seems like a low speed for that time. Car & Driver I think got a 14.0 second time at 99 mph. Big difference. Why? And which is more representative of the car?
The R&T test was completed on an early-model '06 example that was suffering the now-infamous dreaded powerloss issue. IIRC, the issue was an oversensitive knock sensor that cut out the turbo over 4200 RPM, making it drive like a regular 4-cyl AWD sedan above those revs (ie. a slug). Between that and the 91 octane gas they used, it was a poor performer. The issue has since been addressed and fixed by Mazda.
Conversely, the number C&D achieved is with them revving the car up to 4-5K RPM and suddenly dropping the clutch, not exactly an easy (or healthy) way to achieve the number. And yes, you will kill the driveline VERY easily after repeated attempts.
I'd get as many performance numbers that you could find on the MS6, and take an average. Each source has their own methods of testing, which leads to a ton of variables.
Oh BTW, I've been watching your discussion on the ELLPS forum, and yes, despite the fact that Mazda isn't a luxury nameplate (and souldn't be on the list in that forum, IMO), the MS6 is indeed a performer, and with the outstanding deals you can negotiate over a Grand Touring model, it's easy to see why they call Mazda a "BMW on a budget". IMO, If price was the final determinant, it'd be the MS6 over the 3-series, G35, and IS350 any day of the week!
If you put in 91 octane without having a reflash you will NOT get the full zoom-zoom. If you put in 93 or better octane, you should be able to get into low 14s to high 13s stock if it is cool enough outside... YMMV
There are a few things: crappy NAV, no memory seats, hard plastics inside, second rate leather, cheaper paint, NO Xenon high beams, etc. Mazda cut a few too many corners if it wants to compete with Acura, Lexus, Infiniti, Audi, BMW, etc.
Mazda isnt competing with Acura, Lexus, infiniti etc....Last time I checked they compete with mid range brands like Honda, Toyota, subaru, hyundai, vw, etc.
Of course many folks like to compare their cars with brands that are a little higher on the food chain....When BMW make a car that offers the feature and performance of the speed6 for the same price as they are being sold for then I would be impressed. Anyone can make a nice car that sells for $40K plus.
I agree... the lux and near-lux makers are not competitors. However, before I bought my MS6, I did cross-shop with the G35 and BMW. I'll tell you why: if you want a rear-or-all-wheel drive, mid-sized 4-door car with a stick, you don't have too many choices. G35, BMW 3 and 5 series, and the Subarus. I didn't like the Subies for my own subjective reasons, so for me it was between the Mazda, Infiniti and BMW.
I drove the G35 sedan, and it was OK, but not so much greater inside than the MS6. As for BMW, I just couldn't bring myself to spend 40K on a 3-series or 50K+ on a 5-series - what a waste!
Plus the G35 sedan and BMW's are very hard to find in stick. I would have had to order a BMW to get one locally. The G35 I test drove was an automatic, and the dealer would have had to do a trade to get a 6-speed... there were only 2 stick sedans in my entire state!
So taking into account availability and performance vs. price, the choice for me was clear. My only "gripe" about the Mazdaspeed is that the carpet inside is cheap. I previously had only seen carpet like that lining trunks.
Yes, I compared the same cars plus the Acura TL type S with a 6 speed stick. The Mazda is the real bargain and does not give up much at all performance-wise (actually outperforms in the wet or snow) and it has plenty of luxury touches too. Thats the main reason it should be in the entry level luxury performance sedans group- because it competes with them. And for my $ wins.
my comment is that you should bring it to the dealer to be serviced. gives you a complete 'paper trail', in case you need it. based on my experiences, i would never bring any car to Jiffy Lube.
2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
I would not say the Mazdaspeed6 GT has a ton of hard plastics. Where it does, Acura, Lexus, and Infiniti also have hard plastics (center console, under dash, surrounding gauge bezels) Other then that, the MS6 has leather trimmed upholdstry, or other good materials. For what you pay vs what you get, one should not argue. Besides, Mazda is not luxury, nor are they trying to be.
Xenon HID's are on both MS6 models. Cheap paint? Please explain what you mean by that.
One can also argue that Audi has a far inferior performance for the luxury market. A mear 200hp for $40K..gimme a break.
Interior is subjective: personally, I think that there is too much fake metal. Futhermore, not all leather is created equal and Mazda leather is only so-so and even the heated seats have only one setting... Mazda is trying to go after LGT, Audi, and some compare it to the 3-series; however, MS6 fell short of all 3 in some depatments. AWD without a ski pass though? What were they thinking?
Yes, paint is very thin. Xenon lights are only offered for the low beams: half assed offering!
MS6 has real value as far performance goes but the whole package is not adequately refined if we consider an MSRP over $30k. However, given the current street pricing, it is actually pretty decent value... IMHO.
Comments
I don't plan on getting rid of mine but it would be nice to know if it happened I wouldn't have to take such a loss.
I do have issues with my car that makes me want to think about trading it in though.
I see Edmunds lists the Mazda 6/ Speed6 as a editors pick for most wanted car for a sedan under 30K for 2007. Maybe that will help the resale value.
As for the clutch. The only complaint I have is that starting off in 1st from a stop, the clutch can be tricky at times. Sometimes I can get going with no problems and sometimes it doesn't seem to catch and I have to add more power than normal so I don't stall. Starting from a hill I like to say increases the difficulty rating.
It's not cheap to replace a clutch either. Try about $700-$800. It's something about a double clutch design and far as replacing it the mechanic has to drop a subframe and other not so easy things to get to it... causing a all day job.
You mention trade in because of vibration, maybe you should look at your state lemmon laws. :lemon:
I played the "tweaking" game with a brand new 2000 LIncoln LS from the start and the car had problems the entire time I had it..(7 years) It was falling apart at 40,000 miles. I wont go there again. especially sense your vibration problem is unique. Haven't heard of anyone else with the same complaint. :confuse: :confuse:
I just have to mention, I took my car out to the west desert last weekend. (Bonniville Salt Flat area) Took her to 130....5ish. Talk about an adrenalin rush. While driving 80 you can feel the peaks and valleys in the desert floor, once I hit 100 the car sucked itself to the road, and drove smooth as if on glass. We may as well have been sitting in the drive way. Unbelievable. Made me fall in love with the car for all new reasons. Not a noise, whistle,rattle or vibration. I would never suggest breaking the law, but if a mazda S6 owner gets the chance to legally, (or not) open her up, WOW. I was so tempted to push a little more, but the thoughts of spending the holiday season in Jail wasnt a pretty thought...
They get left on and the driver has no indicator in sight.
dumb dumb dumb... should be on the console in clear view :surprise:
No, seriously - thanks very much. Info passed on.
cosmetically?
To hook it up, all you will see is an antenna on your trunk. The wires are hidden in your vehicle, and there is nothing mounted on your dash. It is integrated through your factory sound system. So, how it looks now is how it will look when it is hooked up. Just press the "SAT" button, and you will see the Sirius radio working.
Now, on to snow tires. .................and I so dont like the cold and snow..
Spend the extra cash and get snow tires, whether they're on their own wheels, or on the stock wheels, or get a set of all-seasons if the snow isn't TOO bad, but it still gets cold in your area. The money spent now will be much less than the thousands you'll drop at a collision shop or insurance company. I've even heard of an insurance company denying someones claim because they were driving in a snowstorm on summer tires, and caused a chain-reaction.
Besides, I can only imagine just how much fun driving a MS6 in deep snow with snow tires on. I have enough fun with snow tires on my Mazda6!
Anyone see other published performance figures?
The Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT has even faster times than the Mazdaspeed 6, and with less horsepower (250 HP).
If anyone can post links to other performance statistics, please do. Thanks.
IMHO: MS6 has better stats and feels a lot better. If all you plan to do is drag the car, you should get LGT because it is also easier to mod...
Here is what it said about the Mazdaspeed 6:
Even if you aren't a pro in the bends, the Mazdaspeed 6 has an active torque-splitting all-wheel-drive system to help sort out any sloppiness. It usually pushes 50 percent of the engine's power to the front wheels, but can send as much as 100 percent to the front or rear wheels when necessary.
We may wish it was true, but Mazda only sends up to 50% of the power to the rear wheels if slippage is detected up front. Otherwise, about 100% of the power stays up front.
When you have 90% of the maximum 280 lb/ft of torque available beginning at 1800 rpm and 90% of that 280 lb/ft for another 500 rpm past the 5500 rpm horsepower peak, that is hardly a narrow powerband. Nor is it a lack of low-end torque.
Man! Some people just can't be satisfied!
This is true, however, numerous tests have shown that even though the AWD system is not as technical as Subaru's, it still handles much better. Remember, it is the total package combo of engine performance, handling, top end, and braking. That is where the MS6 shines
0 to 60 is not really a magic number to me. On the street it doesn't really matter if you hit exactly 60 mph quicker than the guy next to you, does it?
Seems to me a time from 5 to 85 mph would be just as good a comparison as 0 to 60.
Actually, I think my favorite statistic is trap speed at the end of a quarter mile run. That is a pretty good indicator or real world power and acceleration on the street.
What do you all think?
However, do not forget that this is a Spec B that sells for over 30k and MS6 sell in the low 20s! Regular LGT is even weaker on braking and cornering.
what a differance! Now no storm will hold me back!
I took my Speed6 to local MazdaSpeed Dealer and they charge $24.95 and wash my Speed6!
Any comments...
Love my White Speed6
Why? And which is more representative of the car?
Conversely, the number C&D achieved is with them revving the car up to 4-5K RPM and suddenly dropping the clutch, not exactly an easy (or healthy) way to achieve the number. And yes, you will kill the driveline VERY easily after repeated attempts.
I'd get as many performance numbers that you could find on the MS6, and take an average. Each source has their own methods of testing, which leads to a ton of variables.
Oh BTW, I've been watching your discussion on the ELLPS forum, and yes, despite the fact that Mazda isn't a luxury nameplate (and souldn't be on the list in that forum, IMO), the MS6 is indeed a performer, and with the outstanding deals you can negotiate over a Grand Touring model, it's easy to see why they call Mazda a "BMW on a budget". IMO, If price was the final determinant, it'd be the MS6 over the 3-series, G35, and IS350 any day of the week!
But what luxury and performance deficits keep the MazdaSpeed 6 from being an entry level luxury performance sedan?
YMMV: you milage may vary
Of course many folks like to compare their cars with brands that are a little higher on the food chain....When BMW make a car that offers the feature and performance of the speed6 for the same price as they are being sold for then I would be impressed. Anyone can make a nice car that sells for $40K plus.
I drove the G35 sedan, and it was OK, but not so much greater inside than the MS6. As for BMW, I just couldn't bring myself to spend 40K on a 3-series or 50K+ on a 5-series - what a waste!
Plus the G35 sedan and BMW's are very hard to find in stick. I would have had to order a BMW to get one locally. The G35 I test drove was an automatic, and the dealer would have had to do a trade to get a 6-speed... there were only 2 stick sedans in my entire state!
So taking into account availability and performance vs. price, the choice for me was clear. My only "gripe" about the Mazdaspeed is that the carpet inside is cheap. I previously had only seen carpet like that lining trunks.
Thats the main reason it should be in the entry level luxury performance sedans group- because it competes with them. And for my $ wins.
Even with turbo charged car?
Krzys
based on my experiences, i would never bring any car to Jiffy Lube.
If I Recall Correctly
Xenon HID's are on both MS6 models. Cheap paint? Please explain what you mean by that.
One can also argue that Audi has a far inferior performance for the luxury market. A mear 200hp for $40K..gimme a break.
Yes, paint is very thin. Xenon lights are only offered for the low beams: half assed offering!
MS6 has real value as far performance goes but the whole package is not adequately refined if we consider an MSRP over $30k. However, given the current street pricing, it is actually pretty decent value... IMHO.