Mazda MAZDASPEED6 Review
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| Overall: |
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| Performance: |
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| Appearance: |
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| Comments |
Favorite feature: |
The performance. |
Least favorite feature: |
The rim pattern. |
Advice to buyer: |
Test drive the other vehicles listed before driving |
Detailed review: |
This is my second Mazdaspeed vehicle, the first being the 2003.5 Mazdaspeed Protege. I had considered several other vehicles before settling on this choice, including the Subaru Legacy GT, the Subaru WRX STi, the Volvo S40 T5 AWD, the Volvo V50 T5 AWD wagon, and the Lexus IS 300 Sport sedan. I am glad that I waited for this car to arrive rather than going with one of the other vehicles tested. It was well worth the wait.
The car is stunning in appearance, and defintely draws your attention. However, it is not overly gaudy or without class. It is aggressive, but in a subtle and understated manner. People know that it is not quite your regular Mazda 6. The lines of the car flow together well despite the extra-tall hood needed to clear the top-mounted intercooler. The rear deck-lid spoiler hints to an air of performance, without screaming 'boy-racer' to all who watch the car drive by. The rims are huge at 18', but are modeled somewhat after wheels found on near-luxury marques such as Audis, and BMWs.
The performance is just amazing. It is hard to believe that this car is only 4 cylinders, since it drives more like an 8 cylinder vehicle. Turbo lag is almost non-existent and torque is available at nearly any point on the curve. Although the 1st through 3rd gears are geared for better acceleration, the car is a beast on the highway pulling hard in any gear, including 6th. Passing is not a problem at all...any time. Consider the final overdrive and the 6 forward speeds, and it is easy to see why this car cruises easily at 130 kmh with less than 3000 RPM on the tachometer. Stomp the pedal from a standstill and 4 tires spin for a brief moment before rocketing the car forward at a very alarming rate. This is a Mazdaspeed for sure, but much more so than the Mazdaspeed Protege.
The quality of the car overall is exceptional. It is every bit as nice, if not more so, than the quality of the other cars previously listed. The interior would easily fit well into a Mercedes or BMW vehicle.
While I have less than 500 km on the vehicle to-date, I am liking it more and more with each passing km of travel.
When I was presented with the vehicle, the car was described as an 'Audi-killer.' High-performance marques should neally take notice of this vehicle, because if not an 'Audi-killer,' it is certainly a volf in sheeps clothing! |
Also considered: |
2006 Subaru Legacy
2006 Volvo V50
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Vehicle purchased: |
2006 Mazda MAZDASPEED6
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| About This Reviewer... |
Name: |
C Raynor |
Location: |
Schenectady, New York |
Other vehicles owned: |
2003 Mazda MAZDASPEED Protegé (2003.5)
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Review submitted: |
November 06, 2005 |
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