The Mazdaspeed6 Is An Adult's STi/Evo

"DailyTurismo" (thedailyturismo)
08/13/2013 at 13:22 • Filed to: Daily Turismo

The Subaru STi and Mitsubishi Evo are all-wheel-drive rally machines for the street that combine tenacious all-wheel-drive grip, 6-speed gearboxes, turbocharged engines and sedan convenience...but...huge wings, vortex spikes, hood scoops, & pink emblems make them less than desirable to the discerning gentleman driver.

Enter the Mazdaspeed6, the grown-up version of the STi/Evo offering 9/10ths of the performance in a plain brown wrapper, same turbocharged mania without the boy-racer looks. Find this !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! for sale in Fredericksburg, VA currently bidding on ebay for $3,150 reserve-not-met or $10,000 buy-it-now.

The Mazdaspeed6 is more than just a tarted up version of the Mazda6, if offers a significantly more performance focused package, starting with a turbocharged and direct injected MZR 2.3 liter 4-cylinder engine that puts out 274 horsepower and 280 ft-lbs of torque. Mazda didn't stop with engine and also provided all-wheel-drive (standard Mazda6 was front drive only) a 6-speed gearbox and stiffer suspension.

This particular example looks to be in great shape inside/out and has a number of performance upgrades that should make it bridge the performance gap to the STi/Evo twins, but still look like it is driven by someone who doesn't own a collection of flat-brimmed hats and has no idea what in the world illest means.

Originally published as !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Photo credits ebay.com

DISCUSSION (100)

Victorious Secret > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 13:23

No, the CLA45 is the grown ups STI

Kinja'd!!!

BeaterGT > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 13:24

Would love to see a comparison test with this car and a Subaru Legacy GT

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > Victorious Secret
08/13/2013 at 13:25

Hardly. Way too obnoxious looking.

Victorious Secret > Goshen, formerly Darkcode
08/13/2013 at 13:26

Oh, and the STI is a bastion of restrained design?

In terms of both performance this is the grown ups STI.

Actually if I want to get more accurate as to what people actually buy, the B8 S4 is the grown ups STI.

Kinja'd!!!

jsinger1085 > BeaterGT
08/13/2013 at 13:26

Agreed, and add in the s60R for good measure. Had an LGT and my only gripe was 5 speed vs. 6...

AzzyM5 > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 13:27

From the listing:

PERFORMANCE:
-Cobb Stage 1+ tune
-Cobb AccessPORT V3 (newest version, it's awesome!)
-StreetUnit top mount intercooler upgrade
-Fujita Cold Air Intake (brand new SURE filter installed w/ new SURE pre-filter)
-Turbosmart dual port blow off valve
-Aluminum turbo inlet pipe
-H&R springs
-Race pipe
-SURE rear motor mount (I also have a James Barone racing mount that I can swap out if you don't want the SURE mount. The mount was inspected though and the bushings are in excellent condition)

-Corksport front license plate holder

I could be wrong, but this person definitely thinks their Mazdaspeed6 is the illest.

jsinger1085 > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 13:28

This vs. Subaru Legacy GT vs. Volvo S60R in a grocery getter shootout. After owning my LGT for 3 years and selling it, the only thing it was really missing was that slick 6 speed. 5 speed is so...90s. Which is why I cant understand for the life of me my 13' Evo GSR is only a 5 speed as well. Needs a highway gear for that 30mpg #.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 13:29

Do us a solid, Mazda. Bring back the MS6 on the new chassis!

dcamp2 > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 13:30

I knew I'd seen something before: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/seda…

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > Victorious Secret
08/13/2013 at 13:30

Depending on colour and bodystyle, the current STI may be more discrete than the CLA45.
And yes, I do agree that the S4 fills that role better than either the CLA45 or the Mazdaspeed6.

E30DreaM3r > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 13:30

I will take an M5 please..

Der Sportwagoner > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 13:31

Subaru already made the grown-up speedy sedan, god rest it's soul. Legacy GT:

Kinja'd!!!

Want even more practicality, and even better looks? Have a look at the GT wagon, not unlike my own:

Kinja'd!!!

Victorious Secret > Goshen, formerly Darkcode
08/13/2013 at 13:31

Hatchback for discreteness. The imported from Japan, 7 story tall spoiler on the sedan STI is obnoxious beyond belief.

Its funny on the audi forums just how many people ditched their STIs for the S4. Its probably the largest pool of customers overall.

LJ909 > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 13:31

I always wanted one of these. They are kind of hard to used. I dont know if its because owners keep them so long or they didn't sell many of them. Did they sell many of them?

05STi > AzzyM5
08/13/2013 at 13:31

Blow off valve equals boy racer 100% of the time.

Brutal Calves > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 13:32

An adult's STi/Evo sounds exactly right. This car is up there with the Galant VR-4 and the Legacy GT.

Always loved the Mazda6 and the MPS (as it is known in Europe) is overall an amazing car. Understated without ridiculous wings and bulges (won't alert the cops much either), not ridiculously expensive. If only it had adjustable diffs like the STi to make it a bit more tail happy on occasion...

TheTick247 > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 13:33

I'd looked into (read: daydreamed) a MazdaSpeed6, but a lot of the information seemed to indicate they're not especially reliable, particularly the transmission. IIRC, Mazda's solution was a software update, that didn't seem to resolve the problem, but de-tuned the engine to a certain degree, where people felt it was significantly less responsive after the "fix".

Garrett Davis > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 13:33

Argh! I want one so bad!

boxjohn > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 13:34

These cars do such a great job of being VERY visibly different to the enthusiast, while not looking like a hooligan-container to grandmothers, fathers of girlfriends, police officers, etc.

It's not necessarily pretty, but it reeks of having the bare minimum done visually to allow it's performance, and that's really, really cool.

Just wear your damn mask... > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 13:34

Alas, MS6s had their share of reliability problems. In this particular application the MZR was rather fragile.

ColoradoTaco > Victorious Secret
08/13/2013 at 13:34

Was gonna post the same thing. S4s are what STI guys that care about interiors buy

Zepp > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 13:35

The STI is an adult's STI. Come on now.

dropthatclutch > BeaterGT
08/13/2013 at 13:35

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/seda…

Boom

kyoo > Victorious Secret
08/13/2013 at 13:36

agreed on the s4

BLOZUP > Victorious Secret
08/13/2013 at 13:36

Ugh, neither of those are for the grown-up who doesn't want to spend a large percentage of their income on maintenance.

red014 > BeaterGT
08/13/2013 at 13:36

Done!

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/seda…

Hooneriphic > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 13:37

Full disclosure: I'm an MS3 owner with a built DISI motor. I go out of my way to defend the Mazdaspeed brand. However, the MS6 is more appropriately compared to a standard WRX sedan. Not an STI. And even though there's a guy in Chicago getting nearly 1000 HP out of his MS6, to keep things correct we gotta talk stock. The MS6 is a great car and I would have loved to see it evolve with the 6 platform but I think demand just wasn't there for this car when it was introduced. Now that the hothatch market is growing, maybe it's time for Mazda to take another stab at an AWD Mazdaspeed.

dropthatclutch > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 13:37

I HATED mine. No where near 9/10th of the performance. It was a sled compared to my WRX. Trading in the WRX for the MS6 was the second worst automotive decision I've made.

Term Derd > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 13:38

I've owned a speed6 for 3 years now, I love it. I've had no major issues, even though it's pretty heavily modded. I'm swapping turbos this week! Besides that, it can drift like a pro :

Victorious Secret > BLOZUP
08/13/2013 at 13:39

The irony here is that the Mazdaspeed 6 with its notoriously crappy MZR engine had more issues than the B8/B8.5 S4 has had in its lifetime.

Do try again though.

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > Victorious Secret
08/13/2013 at 13:39

Nothing against turbo-4s, but I'd also wish to upgrade to a higher number of cylinders.

Jeb_Hoge > LJ909
08/13/2013 at 13:39

No, not really.

BeaterGT > jsinger1085
08/13/2013 at 13:40

I prefer 5 speed cars :)

SgtHop > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/13/2013 at 13:40

This.

BeaterGT > dropthatclutch
08/13/2013 at 13:40

Thanks!

BeaterGT > Der Sportwagoner
08/13/2013 at 13:42

Love my LGT!

xtrappedunderricex > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 13:44

i don't see many speed6's on the road too often. but when i do, i make sure to ogle it a bit.

SHO & BRZ > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 13:44

I would absolutely have to agree. I love my 2004 STI, It's a great car to drive every day but sometimes I do wish I was in something a little more...no, scratch that...something with ANY kind of refinement at all. In 2004 Subaru thought it would be hilarious to limit the amount of sound deadening in the STI (BECAUSE RACECAR!). The noise from the inside is comparable to that of a lifted Confederate mobile on super swampers. The car rattles, there are some squeaks, the transmission is loud and the stock springs are really a pretty poor match for the stock struts. When I jump in to my wife's 2012 Mazdaspeed3 after a drive in the STI, I feel like I am going from a Jeep Wrangler to a Bentley (in terms of refinement). I can imagine the Speed6 is even quieter.

I wouldn't give up my STI to drive every day. I just can't resist it's World Rally Blue paint and Subaru Gold wheels (Wingless none the less!). Minor upgrades have kept the drive interesting every day and for all of it's faults, it is a car with a lot of character that I can't wait to drive everyday. That and the A/C fucking rocks. I strongly considered a Mazdaspeed6 before the STI but the one off AWD system kind of steered me away. That and I still believe that direct injection is witchcraft. The wifes MS3 stays in the other garage because of it.

HardwareWars > Der Sportwagoner
08/13/2013 at 13:46

they were beautiful.

80CobraKid > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 13:46

My mother has an '07 with the Mazdaspeed Cold air intake and a Hypertech tune. On it's summer tires, it's a fucking ROCKET. Pushing 360hp, and on a set of Nitto Invo tires, 0-60 is most likely in the 4.5 second area.

In the winter, it's never gotten stuck, whether it be 2 feet of snow in Houghton, Michigan, or an icy day here in Minneapolis, on snow tires it does better than anything I've seen.

Being the sleeper that it is in black, my mom has never gotten a ticket, and i'm sure she confuses a few drivers who see some Mazda6 disappear. Zero turbo lag, even while cruising in 6th. Three problems do reside with it:

The clutch engages right off the floor, and if you aren't used to it, you'll stall.

The car has less sound deadening to save weight, which can get annoying on long trips

The engine makes a lack-luster sound, kind of a drone, but the turbo "whoosh" makes up for it when the windows are rolled down

DailyTurismo > AzzyM5
08/13/2013 at 13:49

True story, I've removed illest stickers from a used car purchase on my way home.

oz4 > Der Sportwagoner
08/13/2013 at 13:51

MS6 pretty much played second fiddle to the Legacy GT/spec. B. Subaru's are like legos and most of the WRX/STI parts could be slapped or engineered to fit on the BL/BP Legacy's with little to no effort. LGT was faster, nicer interior and way more reliable then the MS6 with way more aftermarket support and cheaper aftermarket support. It's surprising that MS6 production run was lasted even as long as it did.

confuzdbycloudz > Brutal Calves
08/13/2013 at 13:51

Tail happy you say...

DailyTurismo > xtrappedunderricex
08/13/2013 at 13:52

the speed6 is enough of a sleeper that while you are ogleing, most other folks are googleing it...

HellPhish89 > Victorious Secret
08/13/2013 at 13:52

because most adults can afford an amg or an S4..

360ad > Victorious Secret
08/13/2013 at 13:53

You are all wrong. Grown ups these days don't have any money to buy cars like these.

Takuro Spirit > Just wear your damn mask...
08/13/2013 at 13:54

Yes the early early '06 had a problem that resulted in connecting rod failure, but was corrected.

Other than "tuners" getting a hold of them, or straight up abuse (seen a few broken rear diff mounts), they are quite reliable. Some did develop VVT actuator issues, and blown turbo seals, but mainly those issues reared their heads on the Speed3 and CX7. It might be because of the low production numbers comparatively, but we did and continue to not see them in the shop as often.

Of course, just like any turbocharged car, proper maintenance is a must, as is properly cooling down the turbo after a long or spirited drive.

Pat > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 13:56

The only reason to write an article as ridiculous as this, would be that you are selling this car. I cannot think of another reason...

oz4 > BeaterGT
08/13/2013 at 13:57

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-reviews/ca…

Union of Smog Techs of CA > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 13:57

Unfortunately over the next two years Mazda realized not enough adults actually bought AWD Turbo Sedans, a turbo Miata was still slow, and that the Mazdaspeed Protege would sell if it was a wagon and not called a Protege.

DailyTurismo > SHO & BRZ
08/13/2013 at 13:57

Sam - for full disclosure, I daily drive an 04 STi. It is a bit like being cooked alive in a pot of chicken broth. It is really uncomfortable until you get it up to a boil and then you smile ear to ear.

oz4 > jsinger1085
08/13/2013 at 13:57

2007+ spec. B's had slightly modified STI 6MT

5sgteN54 > 80CobraKid
08/13/2013 at 13:58

Zero turbo lag on a 2.3L 4cyl? Even my twin turbo 335i has turbo lag...

oz4 > dcamp2
08/13/2013 at 13:58

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-reviews/ca…

PardonMyFlemish16 > BeaterGT
08/13/2013 at 13:58

Legacy GT is the better car.

DailyTurismo > Pat
08/13/2013 at 13:58

Kinja'd!!!

5sgteN54 > Der Sportwagoner
08/13/2013 at 13:59

This.

Just wear your damn mask... > Takuro Spirit
08/13/2013 at 13:59

Through a friend I know a guy who went through two MS6s due to connecting rod failures. Not sure why he didn't replace motors, but he didn't. He's loyal if nothing else, as he is now driving an MS3.

PardonMyFlemish16 > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 13:59

Anyone thinking about this car... look up "MZR carbon buildup"

Legacy GT is the better car overall, but especially for that reason.

spyderman4g63 > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 14:00

How is the aftermarket support for Mazdaspeed models? That's one of the big advantages to owning most of the turbo4 models. They make everything for WRX/STI/EVO/DSM/etc

DailyTurismo > boxjohn
08/13/2013 at 14:00

Exactly, sometimes you just want your Dom Pérignon in a Corona bottle.

DailyTurismo > dropthatclutch
08/13/2013 at 14:01

What was the worst?

DannyO > Der Sportwagoner
08/13/2013 at 14:02

Did Mazda make a wagon version of the MazdaSpeed 6?

Takuro Spirit > Just wear your damn mask...
08/13/2013 at 14:02

We had one lunch itself and the turbo, put a new motor and turbo in it, and on the test drive after the repair, the NEW engine lunched itself.

Ah, the good ol' days. Makes me miss turbocharged Mazdas.... the new Speed3 is too damn bulletproof.

EivlEvo Blockchain > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 14:03

I agree with you... to a point.

The thing with the Evo/Sti is, it wasn't always about being a boy racer. It was about homologation. The car was plain and simply developed for that reason, and sold for that reason. That doesn't make it better or worse... but saying that a Mazda 6, or BMW 335, or any of the other million cars that yobbos drive while fist pumping to the latest house music when they "grow up" is kind of misplaced.

Evo's and STi's are boy racer cars because of how the market has evolved. When the Evo/STi's started to become more affordable, more people were able to move into them from the Honda crowd. Not a problem... I love the Honda crowd, but my point is, that now it's affordable to the masses. The masses, sadly, aren't all going to drive/own/maintain these vehicles the way they need to be. So you see silly things getting done to the cars, or people doing silly things in the cars. It will happen. An Evo isn't an RS200 Ford, but I don't think saying car x is an adult version of car y is any more accurate than saying an Evo is a grown up version of an RS200 because it spits LESS flame.

Besides. The grownup version of any car ever is a miata. There are plenty of us older guys out there driving our Evo's and STi's that are perfectly happy using the car as directed with tasteful "adult" mods. You probably just don't notice us, because we aren't daily driving them... because we don't need to.

Sorry... all that makes me sound kind of like an elitist prick, not trying to. Maybe I should've bought an Audi?

ReX13 > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 14:03

DIRTY TRICK putting Mazdaspeed6 in your headline without being followed by "Is This It?"

BeaterGT > PardonMyFlemish16
08/13/2013 at 14:05

I'm with you, cool looking at them side by side on paper though.

fritzo > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 14:05

That wasn't bad...

DriventoInsanity > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 14:05

Need MOAR WAGON!

PaulCahill-Go2Fast > Pat
08/13/2013 at 14:06

completely agree. spam.

Lets Just Drive > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 14:06

Incorrect. The "grown up" versions of the STi and Evo are the STi and Evo. Just because they have a reputation as "boy racer" cars does not by any means they're not adult cars... particularly not the price tag. You grow into an STi or an EVo from a sporty box like the Mazdaspeed6, not the other way around. And just so we're clear, the people who do it the other way around are doing it wrong.

Casper > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 14:06

The speed6s weren't exactly a great example of engineering. They have a lot of short comings and design flaws. They were better than the 3s, but no where near the durability of the STIs and Evos.

A better description of the MS6 is "a car for people who don't want to drive fast but know they could." If you want a car you can actually push, a speed 3 or 6 is not a good choice without upgrades.

PaulCahill-Go2Fast > xtrappedunderricex
08/13/2013 at 14:07

My wife drives one and she works as a counselor at an alternative school. The kids think its so cool that she drives *that*. They used to be impressed by my mk4 Jetta GLI when she drove that...but not anymore. I was trumped.

CptCarnage > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 14:07

The only black mark that I know about against the earlier Mazdaspeed6's is the fact that you throw a checkengine light if you put anything other then 94 octane in them. This is a problem in Canada where you can only get 94 octane from specific gas stations that are mainly found in major metropolitan areas.

icehawks11 > Der Sportwagoner
08/13/2013 at 14:07

The rumormill says that the LGT is making a comeback for 2015 in 2.0T guize. I had an 06 and I've always wondered why more people never owned one. There's a great community for it on legacygt.com, too

thisusernameforsale > Victorious Secret
08/13/2013 at 14:07

I'll take either, I'm not greedy. The Audi RS4 is my dream car, so I'll go the S4 first, but the CLA 45 seems like it would be good as well. Imagine being in the position to make such a choice. Everyone wins.

oz4 > dcamp2
08/13/2013 at 14:09

double post

PaulCahill-Go2Fast > Pat
08/13/2013 at 14:09

completely agree. this is spam.

Dolemite > 80CobraKid
08/13/2013 at 14:09

Ummm, your mom sounds kinda badass.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 14:11

I used to like these, but they are so ordinary-looking now, and I knew someone that had one....thing was always, always broken. And I've heard that's generally how they are. On top of that, I remember back in the day when Motor Trend tested it against that special model of the old Legacy GT, Legacy was better in every way, although more expensive. These are still cool though.

ChrisFu > Der Sportwagoner
08/13/2013 at 14:12

I think you meant the Spec B they offered for two whole years (sniffle). Always said I would get one when I sold my WRX....and then they RUINED the legacy in 2010.

Kinja'd!!!

Crackerjacktype0 > SHO & BRZ
08/13/2013 at 14:12

I really can't remember if I ever drove the GC STI, or just the WRX. Anyway, I thought the WRX wasn't bad at all. Is the GC STI that much worse when it comes to NVH?

80CobraKid > Dolemite
08/13/2013 at 14:15

Yeah, it's nice to have the mom with the fast as hell daily driver. She wants to get an NSX sometime, but we don't have any room for it, lol.

icehawks11 > Hooneriphic
08/13/2013 at 14:15

Isn't the MS6's AWD system significantly biased toward the front wheels?

Denseflea > Just wear your damn mask...
08/13/2013 at 14:15

Completely agree. The early-early models in late '05 early '06 had issues with the connectors rods in the #3 piston, which caused a lot of engine failures.

Personally I own one of the first models from '06 and that happened to me. Luckily my extended warranty covered a brand new engine replacement from Mazda which was set to the newer specs.

Either way, I would have replaced the engine if the warranty didn't cover it because the car is beautiful, fun to drive and rare as hell.

tracertloopback > Hooneriphic
08/13/2013 at 14:15

I would LOVE to see the gen3 include AWD. That is the only thing that I wish was different about my gen2.... well that and the unprotected AC Condenser that I am currently having replaced because some road debris pierced it and it vented the coolant everywhere.

Been thinking about some upgrades lately, all I have currently is a Cobb Short Ram intake. Maybe Exhaust.... hmm

qqwweerrttyy > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 14:16

I would argue that either the STI or the EVO are the grown-up versions... they're so fucking expensive, you had better not be able to afford one as a young adult.

You want them to look more adult? Remove the wings, skip the loud exhausts, and just build them 'sleeper' style.

dropthatclutch > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 14:17

Buying a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS.

Denseflea > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 14:18

Okay, okay... I just had to share mine..... again. :)

Kinja'd!!!

Hooneriphic > Victorious Secret
08/13/2013 at 14:18

A lot of MZR issues are the result of either trying to get more HP out of the motor or improper maintenance. The MZR suffers terribly from oil fuel dilution. Many of the zoom zoom boom stories revolve around two common themes, shit oil or breaking rods due to overboosting at low RPM's. The motor itself is fine so long as it's left alone and properly maintained.

ComradeSlow > 80CobraKid
08/13/2013 at 14:18

post a picture!

April_N_ > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 14:19

I was considering this when I was going to purchase my last car, but wound up getting an RX8 because it was actually a bit cheaper (used) and the MS6 just looks a little ordinary inside and out.... but that power train was REALLY tempting.

April_N_ > DailyTurismo
08/13/2013 at 14:21

Or just ignoring it. I saw a B7 S4 on my way to work today, I'm pretty sure I was the only one who gave it a second look.

VivaLaManual > Victorious Secret
08/13/2013 at 14:22

For the 10%, at most, of the population that can afford it... The rest of us poor peons need to look elsewhere.

April_N_ > Zepp
08/13/2013 at 14:22

Kinja'd!!!