i've been wanting the rx8 for a pretty long time now, but then someone told me to consider the mazdaspeed 6. ive done some research and the specs are pretty good, maybe even better, but my heart is still set on the rx8. even though the mazdaspeed 6 may have better with specs, i still want to believe that the rx8 is better. i don't know how to convince myself that its better other than its looks and i dont want to get a car based on looks alone.

so why exactly should i get the rx8 over the mazdaspeed 6?

 

I was considering buying the MS6 as well...

Just test drive them and you'll know which one is better. :D

 

I really see no reason to get a Mazdaspeed 6 unless you're repulsed by the Legacy GT. The Legacy GT has a better AWD system, is more tuneable, and will have a much larger aftermarket. But it's really hard to say for sure since the MS6 has been repeatedly delayed.

The RX-8 will probably be a little slower, won't be as practical, and is a little higher maintenance (though I would expect some first year bugs with the MS6), but it will in all likelyhood handle much better. If speed and numbers on paper are something high up on your list you probably shouldn't be considering either car unless you're just a diehard Mazda fan.

 

not sure how you even compare the two cars.... ones a fwd sedan.. one.. rwd coupe...

how you're gonna drive them.. if you ever go to a track or autocross.. will be completely different... completely different interior styling.. and feel.. rx8 much lower and cockpit feeling.. while 6 is roomier and ... well a sedan... just cuz numbers are similar doesnt mean a thing...

the 6 has been winning a lot of awards in the sedan class though... well rx8 been winning stuff too...

test drive both... see what you want...see what you need... see what you can afford.. and then pick...

both good cars.. both good choices

 

Ummm, the MS6 is AWD

 

While I agree about acceleration times, I just wanted to add that Mazda North America is using gearing that is lower than the Euro spec (a long story), combined with higher engine output and firmer suspension tuning than the one casually tested a while back. Anyways- not everybody spends $30k on a new vehicle because of what they can do to with even more money make it marginally quicker while voiding their warranty. So I wouldn't discount the MS6 as an automatic worse buy than a Legacy GT just yet.


Oh, and while I don't care for all wheel drive from a performance/price/feeling standpoint, I can understand the attraction for drivers in the white north wanting something fun and also tractable on bad days.

 

That's probably the #1 reason right there. The Legacy GT is such an ordinary looking car compared to that of the Mazdaspeed 6.

 

It's not a true AWD like the subys.. I recall reading that the AWD only kicks in when need....
Then again.. I recall talking outta my a$$ a number of times as well

 

What the heck is a legacy GT ?

 

google is your friend:
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...3Doff%26sa%3DG

 

It's still awd, it's just... different. Most likely in a bad way since it's usually FWD based, but Mazda has a knack for building cars that handle well so we'll see. But again I say if you're looking for handling there are better AWD turbo cars on the market. The MS6 seems to fall in somewhere between the STi and the Legacy GT, we'll see what the market is like for such a car.

Mugatu, I find both the Legacy GT and the MS6/M6 quite ordinary looking.

 

it's AWD but most of the tourq goes up front unless when need it'll transfer to the rear... it's like 80/20 soomthing like that on day to day driving... and when ur in need of traction it changes the ratio into 60/40 or something close to that or maybe more to the back....

and if ur gonna say 80/20 is a bad example of power/tourq splitting for a AWD machine, look into the Evo which is 100/0 day to day and 50/50 when needed... or 100/0 left-right or 0/100 left -right...

 

I like the new Subaru GT and the MS6! The GT looks much better than the past years! Dont know which I would take. I would have to drive both first.

 

The MS6 has more features than the Legacy GT--I like both of those cars--but the Mazda has more power--the Legacy is more tunable, the MS6 has nav option/the Legacy doesn't, looks are subjective--the MS6 looks more aggressive--the Legacy is classier. I'd probably get the MS6 over the Legacy. As far as MS6 over the RX8--well if you need a quick practical car then go MS6--but the RX8 looks better, handles better, probably more fun to drive, turns more heads, insurance is probably lower, nearly as quick to 60mph. Reliablity remains to be seen--I haven't had any problems out of my RX8 and its been my most reliable car ever--so I don't put any stock into what Ike was talkin about reliability :p . That 4 cylinder in the MS6 is pretty high strung and tightly packaged so I can forsee high labor cost associated with routine maintenance. MS6 will be a fun car--but I'd go with RX8. If they market it right they could take some sales from the Legacy--cause the American buying public are morons--they only go after magazine specs. Put out some ads saying the MS6 has 274HP! and the Legacy only has 250!

 

I too considered the Mazdaspeed 6, and the Legacy GT and even an STi, but the MS6 was delayed and delayed more and I needed to get something to replace my WRX that was coming off lease and after driving the RX8, and Legacy there really was no comparison, sure the Legacy was a touch quicker in acceleration, but it pushed real hard around turns, just like my WRX did and I wanted something that handled better and was easier to drive in Orlando traffic and I really did not want to settle for an automatic. I also didn't really need a true 4 door sedan and the Legacy is just another car, very plain, very generic. Sure, maybe I could have justified the STi but I did not even test drive it (they were going to let me by the way) after looking at it and the specs I felt that I would end up in more trouble with a car that does 0-60 faster than most Corvettes, as I already racked up 3 speeding tickets in my WRX in 3 years and the car is very peaky with the turbo and not smooth at low speeds.

Test drive everything that you are considering and get something that you feel the most confident with and feel the best driving. Sure speed is nice, but I love the look of the 8 and how easy it is to drive, that is what sold me.

 

its the same system as the Evo has... even the switch for tarmac/gravel/snow

 

what do you want to use the car for?

The MS Mazda6 weighs almost 600 lbs more than the RX-8. It might not be as much fun on a roadcourse.

The RX-8 is more unique. I see Mazda6s all the time and while the MS version will be much nicer it will still look like one of the hoi polloi to a non-enthusiast.

 

The MS6 should have good handling, and lots of power. More power thatn the RX8. Initial published tests show a 0.5s quicker 0-60 time.

The RX8 will have better handling. It will have stiffer chassis. it will have a better drivetrain setup (rwd with a great limited slip). Most importantly all that stuff about the low polar moment of intertia really does affect the nimbleness of the car.

Then again, none of us have driven the MS6 yet.
--R.

 

The magazines that have driven the MS6 have said the handling isn't as great as expected on the MS6--its pretty heavy.

 

No it isn't, it's the same system as the Ford Five Hundred and various Volvos.

 

The biggest difference between the MPS 6 and the Legacy GT is going to be aftermarket support.

Right now the MPS 6 is slated for a 5k production, with possibility of 10-15k cars.

Thats it. A minimum of 5k and a maximum of 15k. Its pretty hard to get aftermarket support when your running a drivetrain/engine layout that only applies to a possible 5,000 owners.

The legacy GT on the other hand has thousands of already available mods, including a few that bump it to Sti power ranges with minimal cost.

I do agree with test driving both, but keep in mind if you are a modder, go with the GT...its been 3 years and the 6 is just now seeing 1 or 2 turbo kit options, and more then 1 header option. (Still no ecu stuff avail) If you want to mod an MPS 6...you'll be waiting quite a long time for parts. The legacy also has the advantage of a few hundred lbs less curb weight...

I'm curious to see where the SCCA puts it. I'm guessing Dstock for the MPS 6. (6i/6s in G stock).

 

I think aftermarket support for the MS6 will be decent. As I remember that engine (I'm assuming the NA version) has been in Mazdas and Fords for a few years now. I think you have to be realistic when you throw out the term "aftermarket" too. For 95% of people modifications will be mild and include exhaust, intake and maybe some software. I don't see any reason MS6 owners would have a tough time finding those kind of things. Now if you're part of the 5% who loves to mod the **** out of your whip, and for some strange reason the MS6 in on your list of possible cars, it will inevitably be tough to find things like larger intercoolers, bigger cams, aftermarket turbos, aftermarket transmissions, beefier differentials, forged pistons, new heads, etc. For those looking for streetable gains in power the MS6 should be fine I would think.

 

somebody sahow me the test with MS6 0-60 better thant eh rx-8? last ones i saw still had the 8 faster

 

Show me a test with new revised gear ratios as well. I haven't kept up on the car but all the reviews I have seen were from a test mule and not actual production car tests.

 

that too ^^ btw there was one at sevenstock this past weekend i liked the appearance overall. it was static so no chance to hear it or drive it etc