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Comments
You are right... the steering cannot compare. Rx8 has the handling of a real sports car. I suggest you to drive them again.
You didn't get the lion share when you shopped for cars with your wife. She did.
Luckily, my wife has owned more manual transmission cars than automatics. She has an automatic now, so we have one of each tranmission depending on our "mission du jour" -- one for cruising, one for driving!
I think the MS6 would be a really weird car with an automatic given the narrow power band and lack of low-end torque -- maybe a 7-speed auto would help if it had complimentary ratios. The MS6 would probably kick [non-permissible content removed] with a CVT, though I wouldn't buy one!
I'm guessing that's one of the reasons Mazda retuned the engine for the CX7. Its torque peak is 258 lb-ft at 2,500 RPM whereas the MS6 has 280 lb-ft at 3,000 RPM. The HP peak also occurs 500 RPM sooner.
Anyone drive a CX7 and an MS6 for comparison?
-monkeymobile
Frankly, I think it is an unfortunate oversight on the part of Mazda not to have an armrest pass through (which is pretty cheap) like those available on the LGT and the G35x. I guess this AWD sport sedan is not targetting skiers? In addition, many have already acknowledged that a set of winters is likely need for any real winter drives.
For those who cannot handle the 6 speed manual, G35x is probably the only decent choice. LGT auto is not comparable in IMHO. I recently test drove the '06 G35x and it is comparable to MS6 performance: it has a tad less go but it has a slightly nicer balance that results from the weight distribution being much closer to 50/50. The auto in the G is a decent one and it might work for a few folks as it can shifted manually. There is more driver involvment with the MS6 but the G is a tad more upscale. The G should be more comfy in everyday driving too but it does not feel as sharp as the MS6 when pushed... it needs a bit more torque!
Obviously, there is $4-5k in price difference at the current street price levels (comparing MS6 GT with msrp ~30.5k to bare G35x msrp ~$34k).
http://forum.mazda6club.com/index.php?s=c6584409802091508542e7517cfb3498&showtop- ic=43583
Very strange. I didnt like it at all.
And yes...I always think at Ford as being the lion.(????)
Mazda has in general very reliable cars and I would think you cannot go wrong with any of this two cars. What I know for sure is that your choice should not be influenced by any reliability study.
P.S. The rotary engine in the RX8 requires a little more "maintenance". You will need to add oil between the regular oil changes. If that sounds okay I don't see any reason in choosing based on anything else than the performances of the two cars.
Of course, its rotary engine means that you may not be able to take it anywhere for work but the Turbo in MS6 is not exactly a simple Chevy small block either.
My $0.02: it is a choice in lifestyle and function that may altimately dictate your decision.
1. Will there still be any new '06 models around in December and January? Will the discounts/incentives continue to decrease the price (it seems now they're going for around $22K)?
2. How long will it take before the new '07 models get discounted to the $22K-$23K range? I'm just wondering if, having learned about their value from the '06s, if dealers will bring prices down sooner?
For those interested in a real world example: in '05 Saaburu 9-2x Aero had $7k in incentives and even with the lower production numbers in '06, the same units with slightly better 2.5L Turbos are now carrying $5k in rebates. The same WRXs get $1k extra in '06 over '05 models because of the bigger engine. Basically, the discounts are very similar in spite of lower production numbers for a very similar vehicle.
My guesstimate: similar prices will be available next year but the discounts may still not come until summer... just as they arrived this summer. Frankly, MS6 GT cannot be justified at over $30k, not this year, not next year. Does anyone think that even 2000 MS6s were sold prior to the current discounts?
Remember the current reality: prices typically fall until the model change.
You guys in the States are fairly fortunate on prices. In Canada, there just really is no negotiation on this vehicle. Specifically, I am looking at what is called the GT version. In Canada, the moment you go to leather, you get the moonroof, etc. (No nav or other options for 06 in Canada) The retail vs. dealer is as follows:
Wholesale Price**
Base: $33227
Freight: $1,195.00
Optional equipment selected
- FEDERAL AIR CONDITIONING EXCISE TAX (-EXTAX) $100.00
- LEATHER PKG -inc: pwr moonroof w/tilt-up, ventilation feature & sunshade, door & trunk intelligent keyless entry system w/(2) transmitters, intelligent start system, heated front seats, unique leather trimmed seats, front/rear synthetic leather door panel trim (BL00) $2,584.00
Total: $37,106.00
This is COST :mad:
Mazda Canada is now offering $4000 off. My dealer will give me $2000 more, and this all comes off of MSRP which is $40,090.00. Incidentally, this is without PDI, block heater, service charges etc. I can get the GT, moonroof for $34000 at home here, and my cousin is business manager at a Mazda dealership elsewhere, and when I gave him this price, he asked the owner, and the owner said buy it, because at that price he is making $100. It's crazy. I could go through alot of hassle and fly to the states, pick one up, and I save $2000 and take a few days out of my routine. Keep bargaining.
Do you run 93 octane in your car? Its no where to be found around here.
Anyone know the reason behind this? Think we could get another official recall to make it better if we got enough people commenting about it? Don't get me wrong, I can shift in it, but any car I jump in afterwards makes me wish it was different in the speed6 (everything from an EVO to my manual Saturn).
My Z was and my accord is very "resistant" to shifting when cold, but towards the end of my half-hour commute, they'd losen up nicely.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
Ever sense i told him to drive, and he did, ... he doesnt mention it any more..
Also what are the probabilities of a new Flash improving the speed6?? Thanks..
The Mazda Club Chat is on tonight. The chat room opens at 8:45PM ET Hope to see YOU there! Check out the schedule
Is it the clutch they changed for the newer revisions or the tranny? Can you give any reference to where you saw it stated that Mazda changed the clutch?
Thanks!
BTW, 1->2 is smoother if you pause between these two gears but none of the others need it. well, 2->3 does a little too I guess.
if you email your full vin number I'll tell you what day your car was born...
Very interesting clutch and drive train!!! Still braking in, but she really jumps when in that POWER-band (4000-5700)!!
Still would like to learn more about the "PCM Flashes"..
More later
Thanks for your help,
Simon
The PCM/ECU reflash is basically conducting an electronic vasectomy on your car. You will not feel the boost kicking in anymore. Better yet, make sure you buy a vehicle that was manufactured AFTER April 2006 or wait until the 2007 model comes out. Since Mazda is doing $4k worth of rebates/incentives on he 06's, getting a post April-2006 car would be your best bet.
I want it UNDONE! Wish I had read your post monday, before it went in on tues.........
The new models in the next 2yrs and rising V6 power levels might put the hurt on.
There will be tough competition - Sport models: Sube WRX is due for a major update in fall 07. Their Legacy GT is being updated in the next 2 years. And Grandma's Camry now sports 270hp with the V6. I understand it's not a driver's car and not a direct comparison.
When I went to the dealer this summer, I drove an earlier, unflashed model and a factory flashed model and I bought the latter. The boost isn't as severe, but neither is it as peaky. The unflashed car felt fast from 3,500-5,500 RPM, but the factory flashed car felt faster all over and was *much* easier to drive.
-monkeymobile