"V6 or Bust" (j-turn)
04/11/2016 at 22:20 • Filed to: None
0
17|
"V6 or Bust" (j-turn)
04/11/2016 at 22:20 • Filed to: None | 0
| 17 |
I was looking on AutoTrader for Mazdaspeed 6s, and I cam across this one:
http://www.vadirectauto.com/2006_Mazda_MAZ…
Here’s its CarFax:
http://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory…
The CarFax shows that it had front-end damage. Ordinarily, that would be a dealbreaker, but this car has been dealer serviced, often, over its entire life. Also, it’s a one owner car, and the accident was 9 years ago. Am I right in believing that this probably means the damage was minor?
Also, can anyone familiar with these cars tell me about any reliability problems beyond one common on Mazda6s of this vintage? I know about the rust, bad interior, and A/C issues, because my own 6 currently has all of these problems and more.
Santiago of Escuderia Boricua
> V6 or Bust
04/11/2016 at 22:37 |
|
Do it! Race it!
|
V6 or Bust
> Santiago of Escuderia Boricua
04/11/2016 at 22:51 |
|
I’ll be honest, I’ve been looking at IS300s, but I want this more. To me, it says, “autocross,” but to a cop, it says, “family.” Perfect combination.
shift monkey
> V6 or Bust
04/11/2016 at 23:00 |
|
I’d say do the usual check for turned bolts to the front end on fenders and hood. like you said, it might be minor damage where a scuff might've happened or the entire front end was destroyed.
RacinBob
> V6 or Bust
04/11/2016 at 23:11 |
|
Oh come on. A car is just a machine. Sure, a bad acident and a worse repair could be a problem but after how many years are you still looking for problems?
I once had the entire rear clip replaced on a race car, it was just as fast after. I also center punched a ford F150 wheel at 70mph in a ‘93 Si and should of totaled the car. Instead repaired and drove it for 8 years with nary a creak or any other evidence of anything had ever happened.
So, if it drives like new, has no evidence of a problem 5 years later, it’s a good car. These are just machines. If it drives good, take the savings and drive it!
|
Santiago of Escuderia Boricua
> V6 or Bust
04/11/2016 at 23:14 |
|
To me, it says rallycross
|
Santiago of Escuderia Boricua
> V6 or Bust
04/11/2016 at 23:15 |
|
But yeah I think if you pop the hood and make sure the frame rails/crash structure are straight, then it’s OK
Shour, Aloof and Obnoxious
> V6 or Bust
04/11/2016 at 23:17 |
|
I love that colour. Do it!
Textured Soy Protein
> V6 or Bust
04/11/2016 at 23:50 |
|
I had one, and the rust and interior rattles are why I got rid of it.
Jarrett - [BRZ Boi]
> V6 or Bust
04/12/2016 at 04:17 |
|
I would talk them down off of 8 grand with that mileage/history, and the speed6's...mixed reputation for quality/reliability. I’d totally pick it up at the right price though.
It’s too bad they don’t tell you the dollar amount of the accident. Anything under 3 grand in negligible. Personally, I had a “claim quote” on my Miata for $6000 or some crazy amount 13 years ago, but it was never officially claimed, and the title is squeaky clean. Don’t even know what it was for - just be sure to test drive it :)
|
Ryanator122
> V6 or Bust
04/12/2016 at 04:34 |
|
My insurance company was... Unhappy with my selection of a 6s and adjusted my rates accordingly.
I can't imagine a MS6 is any better.
That's gonna leave a mark!
> V6 or Bust
04/12/2016 at 06:51 |
|
Good advice already given on checking it out before purchse but just remember it will be a little harder to sell in the future. If you want a discount because of the crash,your buyer will expect the same.
|
V6 or Bust
> RacinBob
04/12/2016 at 07:20 |
|
You’re right, I hadn’t thought like that.
|
V6 or Bust
> Textured Soy Protein
04/12/2016 at 07:22 |
|
Did you like it otherwise? Was it mechanically reliable?
|
RacinBob
> RacinBob
04/12/2016 at 08:11 |
|
This is the greatest era ever for cheap used cars because of insurance records. Anymore, a light front end hit almost totals a car, yet causes no long term damage if properly repaired. A hit that takes out two headlights, radiator, condenser, skin, radiator support and two airbags will total a car.
Yet the weird thing is, the car next to it could look great, but had a loser owner that never changed the oil. That’s the car clean, great carfax car, that everybody wants.
If you play around in the used car game, always look for the car that the car who’s owner could afford to maintain, and did. The one that got proper oil changes, manufacturer parts, etc. A accident, especially where the owner kept the car should not be scary.
Obviously, listen for any creak, and make sure it drives straight and doesn’t have a shake. If it checks out, chances are it’s fine. Mechanical problems due to lack of maintenance are your biggest worry, not old accidents. have fun, looks like a rare and neat car!
|
Textured Soy Protein
> V6 or Bust
04/12/2016 at 08:56 |
|
I had a few issues here and there but it wasn’t overly bad mechanically speaking. I just had a real hard time keeping a car that was way too new to be as rusty as it had gotten. It was a 2006 and with no accidents had started rusting in 2010. I got rid of it in 2013. To me, that’s a total dealbreaker especially now that the cars are a few years older.
Jazzy
> V6 or Bust
04/12/2016 at 11:22 |
|
I bought an Speed6 last June. Same boat. One accident, one owner. The major difference is the mileage on yours vs. the one I bought (It was around 72K when I bought it.) So far mine has been reliable.
If you can take it to a mazda dealer for diagnostics before thinking about buying it, that would be a really good idea. If not, then look for some tell-tale stuff:
- Start the car with the hood open. Listen for that tell-tale sign of the VVT chain slapping the valve cover. That is no bueno... If you know/have records of the VVT being replaced recently, then you are good.
- Let the engine idle and warm up for 10-15 minutes, and then check if any white smoke begins exiting the exhaust. That would mean your ko4 is on its way out. There are many temporary fixes, but they are all temporary, and the turbo would need to be replaced.
- On the test drive, check for the shift feel between 1 and 2. Mine was really rough, but that is because the rear motor mount was so soft from the factory. That is easily fixed with a stiffer mount. Listen for any whining or grinding from the diff’s/transfer case. Those costs are rough....
From the Mazdaspeed Forums, the reliability on these cars starts to go when mods and power are added. As long as the proper maintenance is done and it is kept stock, they are generally pretty good
|
V6 or Bust
> Jazzy
04/12/2016 at 22:24 |
|
Thanks for your response! I would absolutely keep it stock and maintain it, I’m just mostly worried about rust. The VVT chain service is very good information, thank you.