by "Jetstreamer" (jetstreamer)
Published 06/17/2017 at 08:40
by "Jetstreamer" (jetstreamer)
Published 06/17/2017 at 08:40
Tags: mazda
; mps
; mazdaspeed
; ms6
STARS: 9
And it was glorious. For reference, here are some of the kind of cars I have driven before;
Mitsubishi Spacestar 1.6
Citroën C1 (first gen non facelift, facelift and second gen)
Honda Jazz Hybrid
Kia c’eed 1.6
Renault Clio IV
Opel Corsa
Volkswagen Jetta
Suzuki SX4
Suzuki Swift
Suzuki Alto
Volvo V40 D3
That should be plenty to make the point... Basically none with much more than a 100 hp (Volvo excepted). And all have been kind of forgiving economy cars. So, jumping into a turbocharged 2.3L 4-cylinder AWD sedan packing about 260 hp is a bit of a change.
Transmission / Shifting
I’m ashamed to admit it’s been the first time in ages that I’ve stalled a car trying to pull away from a full stop. Those clutch engagement spots take some getting used to, and so does the fact that I need to add a bit more throttle. Modern economy cars are so forgiving you can basically pull away without putting your foot down on the throttle, just by lifting the clutch slowly.
Anyway, it got better during the drive but it will take some time before I properly shift and match the revs a bit better for the downshifts.
Powerrrrr
God, that turbo is so much fun. You just keep on having that push in your back way, waaaaay past the legal speed limits. Going from 90 km/h (55 mph) up to 160 km/h (100 mph), in sixth gear with that push in your back and taking just a handful of seconds.... Just puts a great big smile on my face.
Meanwhile, below 2500rpm it’s a perfectly normal driving car. Just cruising along behind a bus at that 55 mph in sixth, is no problem or extra effort or uncomfortable. You are just a light push on the throttle away from having all the power you need to overtake when the gap is there.
Sound
OK, it’s fairly loud inside. Right now I blame it on studded snow tires. The custom exhaust by the previous owner doesn’t help but it’s not really droning and it sounds pretty pleasant in fact. Here’s a quick video. Didn’t get the GoPro positioned quite right so the sound is a bit muted, but if you turn your volume up a bit you’ll get a decent idea. Also don’t mind the less than ideal shifting;
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Issues
So, there are a few issues. Inside are some cosmetic issues;
- Driver side sunvisor ‘leg’ is broken and held in place with tape. Don’t care, never use it
- Some scratches on the plastic in the center console, shit happens, it’s a 12 year old car
- Rear windows have been tinted with plastic foil stuff or something, got to get rid of that.
- Some damage on the driver side interior door panel
I also noticed a few electrical issues. Right side turn indicator blinks twice as fast as the left side for example. The electric windows weren’t controllable from the driver door panel, turned out that was due to the battery change. And the one that is the most pressing for next inspection in six months... the airbag symbol comes on every now and then. Will need to have that checked out for sure.
Other issues are a leaky 2nd catalytic converter, some bushings that will need to be replaced (not urgently), two minor fluid leaks due to worn seals/gaskets though upon inspection of where the dealer described them, all areas were dry. Still have to check it out again though. Air conditioning does not seem to work, the translation from the inspection report says something about leak in A/C radiator, but I assume they mean the condensator. Not a hugely expensive fix and it’s only nice weather for like 2 weeks out of the year here so I don’t need it fixed urgently anyway.
Written down it seems like a fair bit of issues but none really impact the driving or safety right now, or it’s ability to pass inspection, except for the airbag light and those seals that need to be replaced.
Plans
So, next step is to start planning out the fixes, but first I will need summer tires. It’s legally required here to have snow/winter tires from the 1st of December until the 31st of May, so the studded snow tires that are on now are a bit of an issue. Since I won’t be able to escape swapping rubber anyway, I will get some new summer tires instead of all-season or three-season or something. Looking at either Falken FK453 in the original 215/45R18 size or put 225/45R18 on for more choice and in that case looking at Michelin Pilot Sport 4... Both seem to be good performing tires but on the expensive side. Anyone got some more suggestions? Local choice is fairly limited but I might consider ordering online from somewhere. Luckily, 225 will fit the OEM wheel as the studded tires are also 225.
After the tires are sorted, drive the car, enjoy it, start making the fixes. If and when it passes the next inspection I will start thinking about whether to mod it with suspension bits or other fun stuff. Don’t want to sink too much money in though, it’s still a 12-year old car.
"beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard" (beardsbynelly-Rikerbeard)
06/17/2017 at 09:22, STARS: 1
sounds nice man, the Michelin PS4's are good, I have Bridgestone Re003's and they’re pretty equal in performance (and price)
I’ve always had a soft spot for the 6mps. If I ever need more than two seats it’s high on my list.
"Khalbali" (khalbali2)
06/17/2017 at 09:25, STARS: 1
If it blinks faster one of the bulbs is usually just burnt out. And don’t feel bad those are tricky clutches, they definitely take some getting used to. I’m mazda tech though if you have any questions, don’t see too many of these but pretty similar to the cx7 and ms3 that we see a lot more of.
"for Michigan" (formichigan)
06/17/2017 at 09:25, STARS: 2
How did I manage to miss the fact that these are AWD?
Excuse while I go hunt for a MS6...
"Jetstreamer" (jetstreamer)
06/17/2017 at 09:27, STARS: 0
FWD biased AWD though. So FWD until you push the go pedal thoroughly or the system senses loss of grip etc.
"Jetstreamer" (jetstreamer)
06/17/2017 at 09:28, STARS: 1
Get them while they are still around
"Jetstreamer" (jetstreamer)
06/17/2017 at 09:32, STARS: 0
Oh duh... I actually checked out the lights after I got home and only now does it occur to me that the right side front blinker did not work (should be one in the headlight cluster, right?).
Thanks! I will probably have to get most of the work done for now. I just don’t have the tools, technical experience and generally no time to start working on it myself.
Tomorrow it’s time for a wash though!
"for Michigan" (formichigan)
06/17/2017 at 09:32, STARS: 1
Even so, how awesome is 270 hp, AWD, and a 6-speed stick?
"Jetstreamer" (jetstreamer)
06/17/2017 at 09:33, STARS: 0
Pretty damn awesome so far, haha
"DasWauto" (DasWauto)
06/17/2017 at 09:58, STARS: 1
The blinker being fast on one side is a burnt out bulb.
The airbag light will likely be related to a sensor in the seat that detects whether there is someone in the seat on not. I had that in my Mazda3. Fiddle with the wires under the seat, maybe unplug the connectors and clean off any corrosion. That sorted the light for me.
"Jetstreamer" (jetstreamer)
06/17/2017 at 10:07, STARS: 0
Thanks for the tips! Going to look in to it while cleaning the car. Perhaps I voukd fix that one myself.
"MarquetteLa" (marquettela)
06/17/2017 at 10:09, STARS: 2
Glad you’re enjoying it! I’m actually in the process of buying a Mazdaspeed6 out in California.
"Jetstreamer" (jetstreamer)
06/17/2017 at 10:31, STARS: 0
Nice! I hope it goes through all right for you as well. Would love to see a post about it if you get it.
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
06/17/2017 at 10:45, STARS: 1
I recently bought a Megane RS, and still I’m jealous
"MarquetteLa" (marquettela)
06/17/2017 at 10:52, STARS: 1
Absolutely! I think I have a buyer lined up for my 323 GTX, so as long as that goes through it’ll happen!
"gmctavish needs more space" (gmctavish)
06/17/2017 at 10:53, STARS: 1
That thing is cool. I hardly ever see them, but I like them a lot.
I remember hearing, I believe from the RCR review of one of these, that it’s not good to floor it in 6th,something about the stock fuel pump sometimes not being able to keep up and leaning out too much. He also said that because of that, a higher flow pump was a common upgrade.
"Jetstreamer" (jetstreamer)
06/17/2017 at 10:57, STARS: 0
Haha, grass is always greener on the other side, right? If you ever happen to find yourself in Estonia, by for a drive.
"Jetstreamer" (jetstreamer)
06/17/2017 at 11:04, STARS: 1
Yeah, I watched that video as well in the run up to going to view this car the first time. They mentioned prolonged flooring though, I believe. Right now it’s not necessary yet but it does seem like one of the first things people do. I’m not sure if I will drive it THAT aggressively... Around here it’s more twisting and turning back roads with no other traffic around.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
06/17/2017 at 12:07, STARS: 1
The windows have to be registered to the driver’s door switch. If you fully lower and raise each window with its own switch that should do the trick.
Definitely do the 225 tires.
Turn signal fast blink is probably because you have a burned out bulb on that side.
"Jetstreamer" (jetstreamer)
06/17/2017 at 12:21, STARS: 1
Yep, did the windows while I hit the back roads for that short video. I remembered it might be something to do with the battery being changed, read it somewhere on here in fact.