I was browsing the auto show sections of Fridays Chicago Tribune and came across a overview of the 6. They mostly talked about the MS6 and how it has eclipsed the RX-8 for power, handling, etc. They then mentioned it's because the 8 is slated for more power this year.

Perhaps that's the delay in the 06?

 

I believe the delay was due to manufacturing limitations. The '06 automatic is getting more power this year in that it's upgrading to the "high power" engine (like the MT) and getting a 6-speed transmission. I don't think there's anything else slated for 2006 seeing as how they're already selling 2006 models to people. Maybe late in the year something could happen, but my guess is that it'd be for the 2007 model year.

 

not even close, I test drove the MS6, and the RX-8 trounces the MS6 in the handling department, no contest

 

Yeah, the MS6 is faster in a straight line but not on the curves.

With that said, I'd love to see my wife driving a MS6.

 

Who says it's faster in a straight line? I think it would be a drivers race. I looked at the Ms6. Very nice lines. Everything looks more tight then the base 6. The body is slightly different and more race oriented. I really like the backend. It's more atheletic. The Sube legacy is ugly in comparison.

 

Even if late 06 or an 07 model gets more power it doesn't help me any. I have an 04. Pssh it would have to be amazing for me to finance another 5 year car loan. Otherwise I'll take the difference and work on mine.
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Good call. I was thinking of trading mine in in 07 or 08 for a new one after they do the first cosmetic refresh and maybe if a DI renesis is released on a 2-3 year note instead of 5 years. I dunno though. As the aftermarket comes up to speed, we'll see more and more available to take that 5-6k and spend it on. As of right now, you can get to 350hp for 5-6k.

 

I hope the MS6 does well. It really has almost created its own market. Better looking than the Legacy GT and WRX. More mainstream than the Evo and WRX STI. Cheaper than the BMW 3-series. I think the MS6 deserves to succeed and I hope Mazda irons out the flaws and the market responds so it is able to continue into future iterations. Also, I predict other companies will come up with their own DIRECT competitors.

If you look across Mazda's lineup, what other company exudes leadership in exterior design innovation (RX8, Miata, Mazda 5, CX7), engineering innovation (RX8, Miata, MS6, CX7), redefining market segments (MS6, CX7), and creating new markets (Miata, RX8, Mazda 5)? Maybe Honda but Honda has been more conservative on exterior design (in my opinion, the new Civic exterior is still within Honda's famous formula of "expand the envelope in a conservative way") and there is not so much zoom-zoom across their models.

 

no disrepect but the ms6 is faster on the line if u dont know what the heck your doing behind the wheel of an rx8.

 

Well, either way, I'm looking forward to the 2007/2008 model years. I might have to follow Ajax's lead and trade in.

 

My Lease on my 04 RX8 GT is up in exactly 12 months so we should be in with the 07 model by then. I test drove the MS6 and It fellt nice...the GT model looks really well equiped, I have strong feelings for a WRX STi because I used to own a 2002 WRX b4 I bought the RX8 and I just bought my wife a 06 B9 Tribeca but the reality will come down on the leasing deal! If Mazda can take care of me and put me in a MS6 for a lot less than a STi then I will go for it. I know STi and MS6 dont compare to each other but they are the cars I like right now......also I'm keeping my eyes open for that Volvo C30 hatchback its looking HOT!!!!

Just my 2 cents.

 

Maybe you have lived under a rock but it would only be a drivers race if a retard was driving the MS6.

 

damn you.. damn you all.... everytime I see one of these threads about a "Mazdaspeed RX-8 in 07!! OMG!!1!" or "more power!" I get my hopes up .... only to be dissapointed again..

 

Well like the guy at the Philly AutoShow in the Mazda Booth told me, usually Mazdaspped cars are 1 year run only...so if thats true then for MY07 we should see another Mazdaspeed Product right? but guess which one it is! the Mazdaspeed 3 ....with the same MS6 engine but NO AWD...so that leaves us still waiting for a Mazdaspeed RX8......bummer.

 

my opinion aside, Road and Track, hardly idiots clocked them both at 5.9 to 60

my opinion however, is that the 6 would be easier to get its time than the 8, but in "theory" it could be a drivers race to some degree...

 

 

Some reviews have clocked the MS6 at 5.4 seconds 0-60. Nobody, anywhere, has ever done that in a (stock) RX-8. Plus, it's easier to get a good start off the line in the MS6 without doing a 5K clutch drop.

 

really!? 5.4!? well i retract my previous statement.. that is quite a bit faster than us.... but I would still win!

 

http://www.canadiandriver.com/testdr...azdaspeed6.htm

0-100 kph (62 mph) of 5.5 seconds.

 

http://www.caranddriver.com/article....ticle_id=10517

0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds.

 

I was on the track with the Mazda team, and belive me the M6 274 Hp is one quick puppy.

Handles great and can pass you down the straight.

 

So you strongly recomend the MS6???

 

about the ms8 in 07 i dont thinik it will come out, i dont think there be a ms 8 at all, but i do belive is that a more power rx8 will come out in 07 but not as a ms model but as a normal model.

 

I seriously doubt Mazda is going to do much of anything to the 8 other than stop making it in a couple of years because it is underpowered and they aren't selling many of them.

The MS6 with tweaked maps & a little more boost should make it into the mid-13s.

 

Yes, but they aren't selling many because it's underpowered. I doubt Mazda would just throw away years of R&D on what is otherwise an excellent platform. A HP increase is more logical than starting from scratch. Do you bulldoze your house when the kitchen needs a renovation?