CCPro

iTrader: (1)

I'be been checking out thenew Mazdaspeed 6. seems like a sweet deal. I'll have to go for a test drive of course but damn the specs look nice

goods
AWD
2.3ltr direct Injection aluminum block
15.6psi max boost
9.5:1 compression ratio :-0 :-0
275hp/280tq
6sped gear box
$27.5 msrp (means good invoice price)
big brakes
rear LSD
full up/down auto 4 windows
keyless remote start
top mount IC (possibly with hood scoop or vent could get better cooling)

bads
dry,wet,snow traction control, not manually switchable
50% max torque to rear
soft suspension(fixable)
60/40 wieght
no front LSD

definitely a car for those who have grown up from the sti or evo. prob more leg room them either car.
I hoping to get a test drive this weekend at the dealer.

Nick Koan

iTrader: (3)

The Specs make it look like a damn decent car, and very comparable (even besting in some situtations) to my car - an 05 Legacy GT.

What made me stick with the Subaru (besides being a Subaru fanatic) was the support of the aftermarket. With this new car with a new motor, it might take a while to get parts to market. Also, a lot of Mazdaspeed Protege owners I've talked to complained about the lack of aftermarket interest.

So, stock for stock I think the Mazdaspeed 6 barely edges out the LGT at least on paper. The size and support of the Subaru aftermarket, though, is what I really like about the LGT. I just wish it came with a 6spd.

CCPro

iTrader: (1)

ya i was shopping for the legacy GT limited but ended up buying the STI. the legacy front just turned me off. but the front on the MS6 looks really nice.

Silky

iTrader: (1)

I'd be more excited about the MS3.

A hatch with AWD and a 2.3 litre turbo'd engine.... that's beyond tempting. That's a must have!

CCPro

iTrader: (1)

i'm not too big a fan of hatch. plus MS3 is tiny. more leg room is better. I prefer riding over driving anyways. i'll ride unless i have people to carry

meilers

I think the reason the aftermarket hasn't embraced Mazda (with the exception of the Miyata, of course) is that the cars are pretty tweaked out to their tolerance limits from the factory, and aren't robust enough to handle more HP. Miyatas themselves are extremely difficult to modify well, and are prone to all sorts of failures if you increase the HP a substantial amount. I've driven (and I mean DRIVEN) the Mazda 3, and it felt decent, but the power curve was so flat; the car was always low on torque and sounded/felt like it was going to explode when I stepped on it. It didn't feel like the Legacy GT or a VR6-powered VW, where you had the sense that the car had ample headroom and was well within tolerances.

A friend of mine who races (auto-x and some other SCCA asphalt) built up a Miyata a while back, and he did huge amounts of work to add 20 reliable HP (only to get slapped with an intake restrictor and some ballast weight!)

In comparison, I was able to add 70hp and 1.6 psi of boost to my 02 WRX and the injectors are still running 80% duty cycle, my EGTs have *dropped* and I gained 2 MPG. The Subaru boxer engine is just built with greater tolerances and more redundancy/safety.

VIBEELEVEN

iTrader: (2)

-1 for fwd.

DetailAddict

iTrader: (52)

he is talking about mazdaspeed6 not mazda6

VIBEELEVEN

iTrader: (2)

My bad, I didn't realize it was awd.