What should I go test drive?

[SlimKlim]

I just looked at all 7 V6 6-speeds on Autotrader. Can't do it. I like the interior but the exterior is just depressing.

I am very open to the TL though, and they go for basically the same price. I think the TL would be an automatic, I'd love a stickshift but they suffer from the "enthusiast tax" and seem to go for a solid $3-4k MORE than an auto, not worth the premium when you can get an auto in really nice shape for $9k.

[Evan]

But it will turn into a pile of rust at 60k miles. Stereotypes right? :wink:

mazdas rust? its not a stereotype if nobodys ever heard of it.

[SlimKlim]

But it will turn into a pile of rust at 60k miles. Stereotypes right? :wink:

mazdas rust? its not a stereotype if nobodys ever heard of it.

It was a significant issue with the Protege and some other models, especially ones in anything that could be considered a "northern climate," like anywhere they ever salted the roads ever.

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2009/07...d-we-rust/

http://www.mazda3forums.com/showthread.php?t=361502 <-- I don't think the issue is very prevalent on the Mazda3 but apparently it affected some

http://www.themazdaforum.com/showthread....heel-wells

http://www.mazdaforum.com/forum/mazda6-2...all-15793/ Apparently they did a huge recall on the Mazda6 for it.

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/mazda-...23490.html Apparently they recalled 200k Mazda3s for PS pump issues too...

But again. Like the VW, if I got one from an affected model year I'd just make sure the repair was done and give the wheel wells an extra thorough inspection just to be safe.

[V1GiLaNtE]

The woman has a 2007 Mazda3 with 62k on it and it's NEVER had a problem. And it spent 3 years at JMU and I've not seen a lick of rust on it. I've been helping her look at Mazda3 hatches and almost all the specimens I've looked at have been pretty spotless for VA cars.

[Ken]

Actually, funny you should mention, Toni's 06 Mazda 3 has rust on the door jams, noticed it the other day. Otherwise okay.

[SlimKlim]

Yeah I'm sure I could find one in good shape. Ken, sounds like its time for some good ole POR-15 if its not that bad yet.

Hey Rexy, just for fun how did your Speed3 treat you as far as reliability? I haven't really seen them listed for much less than $14k, so its probably out of the question, but maybe not if I could find a good deal one one and the turbah doesn't add a whole bunch of reliability issues.

[CaptainHenreh]

Yeah I'm sure I could find one in good shape. Ken, sounds like its time for some good ole POR-15 if its not that bad yet.

Hey Rexy, just for fun how did your Speed3 treat you as far as reliability? I haven't really seen them listed for much less than $14k, so its probably out of the question, but maybe not if I could find a good deal one one and the turbah doesn't add a whole bunch of reliability issues.

I quite literally never had a single issue with it. Sold it for 16K to fucking *carmax* with less than 35k on the clock because my idiot neighbor wouldn't stop opening his door into it.

However, Casey's CX-?5? with the same 2.3DISI Turbo had some turbo oil seal problems. I don't hear much about it from the Speed3's but...

Have you considered also a Speed6? I know for a while the Speed6 was priced out (new) after incentives for lower than the Speed3... it's not as much fun to drive, but it's AWD, and not a wagon.

[SlimKlim]

Yeah I'm sure I could find one in good shape. Ken, sounds like its time for some good ole POR-15 if its not that bad yet.

Hey Rexy, just for fun how did your Speed3 treat you as far as reliability? I haven't really seen them listed for much less than $14k, so its probably out of the question, but maybe not if I could find a good deal one one and the turbah doesn't add a whole bunch of reliability issues.

I quite literally never had a single issue with it. Sold it for 16K to fucking *carmax* with less than 35k on the clock because my idiot neighbor wouldn't stop opening his door into it.

However, Casey's CX-?5? with the same 2.3DISI Turbo had some turbo oil seal problems. I don't hear much about it from the Speed3's but...

Have you considered also a Speed6? I know for a while the Speed6 was priced out (new) after incentives for lower than the Speed3... it's not as much fun to drive, but it's AWD, and not a wagon.

Actually no, I hadn't really thought about it. They are cheaper than I expected them to be: http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/...ex=1&Log=0

Jake just asked his friend who's been driving one for a few years what problems he'd had, and he said its been fine aside from the rear motor mount that's a know weak point, it can cause other problems but its NBD if it gets fixed in time. That's a really good suggestion, it has all the appeals of an Audi with none of the bullshit, and its a more livable interior than a WRX, and would ride better than a speed3. :thumbup:

I'm not in love with the looks on them but I don't particularly dislike them either, I've always liked the hood bulge and those wheels. I'll definitely have to add that to the test drive list. This one isn't optioned as well but has fewer miles, and could definitely be negotiated down to around what I'm looking to spend.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/...ex=4&Log=0

Only downside is I'd constantly be praying for snow. :lol:

[JPolen01]

A friend of mine had a 6 and the turbo went out fairly early iirc. I think it was replaced under warranty though.

[JustinG]

Casey's CX7 was nice, most of its problems were caused by the dealer. Blown turbo seals due to too much oil. After that was fixed it came back to us with a broken camshaft due to the idiot mechanic.

But that engine is known for blown turbo seals, unless they have made a revision of the seals.

The MS6 is ok....fake AWD and no balls above 4500rpm. I test drove a few when I was looking for a new car post RSONPSI, so pre GSX, and I went with the GSX. The salesman I talked with when test driving one said it was an STI/EVO killer.....yea, uhhhhh NO. It could make for a fun DD.

[SlimKlim]

I bet an accesport helps a lot with the falling on its face at 4500rpms part. I'll do some research on the turbo seals. Definitely not an EVO killer but it could be that sweet spot of cheap, comfy and fast for a DD.

How does the AWD work? Is it the kind that only sends power to the back if it detects slip?

[JustinG]

How does the AWD work? Is it the kind that only sends power to the back if it detects slip?

Si

[ScottyB]

yeah its a clutch pack like the haldex in the R32/TT. basically FWD biased.

[HAULN-SS]

If you're going to consider a MS6, im not sure why a Legacy GT wouldnt be there too.

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[Mike]

because they look like a camry.

[HAULN-SS]

Maybe the current ones do, but there was a sweet spot from like 2005-2007 that looked pretty good.

[SlimKlim]

Fake-AWD isn't that big of a deal. I was reading some new car reviews for them last night and it says something like "It's a computer-automated system, delivering up to 50 percent of the engine's power to the rear wheels contingent on variables such as wheelspin, yaw, and steering angle, with a limited-slip diff up front and an electric clutch at the rear."

I'm not sure if that's a whole lot of marketing speak, or if it gets the rear wheels more involved than the Haldex in the VW or Volvo. Either way its going to understeer like a pig but I don't really care that much. I'm sure a stiffer rear sway bar would help and no matter what it'd be more fun than sex in the snow.

If you're going to consider a MS6, im not sure why a Legacy GT wouldnt be there too.

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I had no idea they could be had that cheap, I thought they were still a solid $15k car. I'll definitely cross shop them, not sure which I like more. I assume the subie would have a better AWD system but it has a little less power than the MS6 and I think the MS6 GT has more features. But the subbie would sound cooler, I like the looks of them about equally.

[V1GiLaNtE]

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Mileage a little high..

[SlimKlim]

Sweet, I think that's the first stickshift TL I've seen for less than $10k, most of them have 80k and they want like $15k for them, umm no.

The TL is definitely still on the test drive list, I think I'm finally at a point where I really can't get any further in deciding what I want without going and test driving stuff to see what makes it move when I'm in the driver's seat.

[Mike]

Maybe the current ones do, but there was a sweet spot from like 2005-2007 that looked pretty good.

disagree.