A Japanese car with true character to it. An interesting car but it will not suit every one.
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Introduction
Reviewed: 2007 Mazda MazdaSpeed6
4dr Sedan turbocharged 270hp 2.3L I4 6-speed manual AWDWhy the 2007 Mazda MazdaSpeed6?
Handling of the Speed6 is very good. In 37 years of driving probably the best handling car I have driven and certainly owned. The whole car really comes alive when you start to give it some stick. Pottering around and commuting, while totally doable is a bit of a pain with lots of noise and fairly ridged ride. When pushed the handling is very neutral and you can feel the divan front wheels working to stop understeer.
24 MPg in the winter and 27 in the summer is not bad for a sedan that can do 140 mph (as fast as I have gone in the thing. Compared to SkyActive not great but then the newer Mazda’s are about flue economy more than performance.
One rear shock started leaking at about 85k, which necessitated replacing both of course. The engine stumbles sometimes when accelerating from a steady criuse - can hear what I presum is the waste gate banging like a machine gun. No error codes and the Mazda dealership I go to has no clue as far as I can tell. I have been impressed with Mazda reliability but with many computers, differentials and complexity galore I may not own this one into late middle age.
Not a quite car and a bit draining on a long trip but to me at least mot intolerable at all.
Bose which my car was fitted with is rather over rated to me for a relitively expensive option. Speakers do not have enough base for me and generally they lack fidelity. So far the Cd changer head unit has been reliable.
Why Not the 2007 Mazda MazdaSpeed6?
Despite the good performance I rate the engine a bit of a mixed bag. Very toruey in the mid range it runs out of puff fairly early on which does not exactly sceam sporty to me. Also very flaccid low down in the rev range which mean around town you can be out accelerated by very prosaic machinery unless you work at it. I would sooner have a straight 6 any day of the week myself.
The car seems to be aging well to m eyes and the front has a hint of agression with out making you look like a boy-racer. Stance on 1" wheels which fill the wheel wells) is good to my eye.
Conclusion
I wanted something with some performance after 6 years of Protege ownership. This felt rocket ship fast after 130hp. Looked good but not in your face at all. Tolerable insurance and you only liev once, right?
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