http://youtu.be/V9Um0bAcRNE
I want to like this but I'm suspicious. I don't think the AWD system is very good which means there's extra weight that doesn't need to be there. And that's an older DI system which needs extra care and feeding. I need to find a car rag article for this car.
Not sure why he compares it to the WRX. This is a step larger than the WRX or Evo. This could be a family car, though it's not REALLY that great of a choice. The rear seats don't even fold down.
RCR: 2006 Mazdaspeed 6 GT
Re: RCR: 2006 Mazdaspeed 6 GT
Even better, a 5-way comparo to see how it compared with its contemporaries:
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons ... d-6-page-3
The good news is it beat the Pontiac G6 GTP. The bad news is that's all it beat.
Interestingly, it had the best performance of all entrants here. The engine also has an annoying feature: it stops making power abruptly after 5500rpm. This despite a redline of 6750. But the power, torque (well, 40 lb-ft short), rpms and overall performance closely resembles an LT1 F-body. 14.0 @ 99. Actually, that's worth pointing out. This was AS fast as what was (at the time) a 13 year old F-body. And it was the fastest car of the group.
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons ... d-6-page-3
The good news is it beat the Pontiac G6 GTP. The bad news is that's all it beat.
Interestingly, it had the best performance of all entrants here. The engine also has an annoying feature: it stops making power abruptly after 5500rpm. This despite a redline of 6750. But the power, torque (well, 40 lb-ft short), rpms and overall performance closely resembles an LT1 F-body. 14.0 @ 99. Actually, that's worth pointing out. This was AS fast as what was (at the time) a 13 year old F-body. And it was the fastest car of the group.
Re: RCR: 2006 Mazdaspeed 6 GT
Small shoutout to the G6: it out performed the TSX and Accord in lane change, slalom and braking on lame T-rated Goodyears.
Re: RCR: 2006 Mazdaspeed 6 GT
The only two of the comparison test cars I would be willing to own as a 10 year old used car are the TSX and the Accord (no surprise).
Re: RCR: 2006 Mazdaspeed 6 GT
Here is the Top Gear Review, it takes a little to get to, past the Ford.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1OBqrfIQOM
Clarkson didn't seem to think it was bad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1OBqrfIQOM
Clarkson didn't seem to think it was bad.
Re: RCR: 2006 Mazdaspeed 6 GT
Pretty good Motor Week Review.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3srrc-ZsCP8
It will be interesting to see what they will do with the new Speed6.
The new version will come out in a different climate. There is no RX-8 this time. Mazda's only sports car is the Miata currently. There are plans for a Speed 3 also.
Mazda is in a bad spot right now. They don't have funding to have a lot of platforms since the break up with Ford, so they are going to make sport versions of the 3 and 6 to try to fill the gap. They don't have a 6 cylinder engine in their car lineup at all right now. They have the 3.7 in the CX-9, which is a rebadged Ford Edge, so I am not sure if they even have the rights to that in the future. Literally everything else in their linup is getting one of 2 SkyActiv 4 cylinders with a max of 184 HP 2.5.
Non of these SkyActiv 4 cylinders will be adequate for a respectable Speed6. They will probably turbo one of these for the Speed3, but are they really going to both get the same engine again? Maybe the Speed3 will be AWD this time? I can't really see the future of Mazda at this point from the Zoom-Zoom sense.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3srrc-ZsCP8
It will be interesting to see what they will do with the new Speed6.
The new version will come out in a different climate. There is no RX-8 this time. Mazda's only sports car is the Miata currently. There are plans for a Speed 3 also.
Mazda is in a bad spot right now. They don't have funding to have a lot of platforms since the break up with Ford, so they are going to make sport versions of the 3 and 6 to try to fill the gap. They don't have a 6 cylinder engine in their car lineup at all right now. They have the 3.7 in the CX-9, which is a rebadged Ford Edge, so I am not sure if they even have the rights to that in the future. Literally everything else in their linup is getting one of 2 SkyActiv 4 cylinders with a max of 184 HP 2.5.
Non of these SkyActiv 4 cylinders will be adequate for a respectable Speed6. They will probably turbo one of these for the Speed3, but are they really going to both get the same engine again? Maybe the Speed3 will be AWD this time? I can't really see the future of Mazda at this point from the Zoom-Zoom sense.
Last edited by bill25 on Wed Jan 21, 2015 6:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: RCR: 2006 Mazdaspeed 6 GT
Every morning, Mazda can get out of bed, look in the mirror, take a breath and say "Well, at least we're not Mitsubishi."
Re: RCR: 2006 Mazdaspeed 6 GT
I can't figure out what is holding Mazda back. I think they make the best small econo car on the market period - The 3. Car and Driver has continually had the 3 and Miata in the top 10 Best, along with the 6 on occasion. I don't understand why they are continuously overlooked as a real competitor.
The 3 looks better than the focus, and also looks more refined. I have driven both and the Mazda definitely seemed to have a better driving feel.
The 6doesn't have the high powered option to compete with the Accord Coupe, but I would take a 6 over a Camry or Accord 4 cylinder any day. If they made a "performance" 6 that would be a great everyday driver.
I look at Mazda and when they were partnered with Ford, they seemed to take the ford car, and refine it to a point that made it better than the Ford. Ford didn't even have a Ford counterpart for the MazdaSpeed3 until they left Mazda and started making the Focus ST. Their cars have been praised for having superior handling and driving feel (RX-7, RX-8, Miata). I just don't get why they can't put it together.
From what I have read, the CAFE restrictions are going to really hurt them because they don't have a lot of models to spread the average MPG over, so if all of their cars have the same engine and that barely meets CAFE, they have no room to sell a performance car. They have also stated that another rotary platform is out because they don't have the money to create a new platform. I really could care less if they never make another rotary, but not having funds to develop a true sports car for the brand is sad because it seems like they really know what they are doing when they get the chance.
The 3 looks better than the focus, and also looks more refined. I have driven both and the Mazda definitely seemed to have a better driving feel.
The 6doesn't have the high powered option to compete with the Accord Coupe, but I would take a 6 over a Camry or Accord 4 cylinder any day. If they made a "performance" 6 that would be a great everyday driver.
I look at Mazda and when they were partnered with Ford, they seemed to take the ford car, and refine it to a point that made it better than the Ford. Ford didn't even have a Ford counterpart for the MazdaSpeed3 until they left Mazda and started making the Focus ST. Their cars have been praised for having superior handling and driving feel (RX-7, RX-8, Miata). I just don't get why they can't put it together.
From what I have read, the CAFE restrictions are going to really hurt them because they don't have a lot of models to spread the average MPG over, so if all of their cars have the same engine and that barely meets CAFE, they have no room to sell a performance car. They have also stated that another rotary platform is out because they don't have the money to create a new platform. I really could care less if they never make another rotary, but not having funds to develop a true sports car for the brand is sad because it seems like they really know what they are doing when they get the chance.
Re: RCR: 2006 Mazdaspeed 6 GT
Neither of us has driven an SS, but one of the reasons I like it is because it combines driving feel with V8 performance in a large car that also puts up good numbers. It has everything (except the muscle car look). And the current LS3 version doesn't get terribly good gas mileage...but I guess I find it interesting that you like muscle but you also like Mazdas for driving feel (in terms of daily driving). Lately, you can get muscle AND driving feel from GM, and I don't know where else. And not just the SS, that's just my pick.
I don't really see myself buying a FWD car for myself, ever, as good as Mazda may do FWD cars. And I can't imagine buying a used Speed6 over a bunch of other stuff. But that's just, like, my opinion, man. And I do appreciate it for what it is. But remember what I said about it being equivalent to a 93 Z28 in acceleration and it kind of deflates the balloon a bit. None of this explains why the Speed6 wasn't more popular I guess.
I don't really see myself buying a FWD car for myself, ever, as good as Mazda may do FWD cars. And I can't imagine buying a used Speed6 over a bunch of other stuff. But that's just, like, my opinion, man. And I do appreciate it for what it is. But remember what I said about it being equivalent to a 93 Z28 in acceleration and it kind of deflates the balloon a bit. None of this explains why the Speed6 wasn't more popular I guess.
Re: RCR: 2006 Mazdaspeed 6 GT
So, Mazda is an example of the Asian influence when I was a teenager. I have always liked muscle cars, but I also like cars in general. So I don't really just look to have one type.
I look at Mazda (Specifically the RX-7 ) as a very similar feel to the Lotus/Alfa C4 type of car. That is why I always want Mazda to make a comeback.
I wouldn't be interested in the Speed6 unless it was AWD. I won't get another FWD again either.
I kind of look at a variety of cars.
I would want a Camaro for drag like reasons, big, loud, burnouts etc., I would want something small, light and agile to throw around (Elise, RX-7, Cayman S), and maybe a AWD everyday driver that would be more than capable in winter (this is where the AWD Speed6, maybe an old STI/EVO would come in). I Like the Speed6 for this because I won't look like a teenager looking for a ticket to cops.
I would need to win the lottery for this to happen but that doesn't stop me from looking.
I look at Mazda (Specifically the RX-7 ) as a very similar feel to the Lotus/Alfa C4 type of car. That is why I always want Mazda to make a comeback.
I wouldn't be interested in the Speed6 unless it was AWD. I won't get another FWD again either.
I kind of look at a variety of cars.
I would want a Camaro for drag like reasons, big, loud, burnouts etc., I would want something small, light and agile to throw around (Elise, RX-7, Cayman S), and maybe a AWD everyday driver that would be more than capable in winter (this is where the AWD Speed6, maybe an old STI/EVO would come in). I Like the Speed6 for this because I won't look like a teenager looking for a ticket to cops.
I would need to win the lottery for this to happen but that doesn't stop me from looking.