A decent performer for sure, if not really a direct competitor for such cars as the STi or EVO! Definitely felt quicker than the Legacy GT though I also tested. With that said, it has some NICE power with boost coming on strong at about 3000rpm and with very little lag. It does die off in the upper rpm range, but that nice fat midrange is where 90% of driving is done and makes downshifting to pass entirely optional, pulling strongly even in 6th gear.

The car handles nice and flat with very little body roll, but even so doesn't beat you to death with a harsh ride. In fact, it rides very smooth and comfortable and would make an excellent long distance cruiser. The car is on the heavy side though and you can feel it thru quick transitions, as in sudden lane changes. It seems like it takes an instant for the car to take a set, but then it does follows thru nicely with again, very little body roll.

One thing I wasn't too impressed with was what felt like an artificially heavy clutch that provides little feel of the the actual clutch engagement point. That coupled with a notchy shifter left the whole gear rowing experience less than what it should be for a car like this IMO. Quick downshifts in particular take a bit of concentration to pull of smoothly.

Inside, the car is loaded with all the goodies - leather, BOSE stereo, power everything, heated seats, etc etc. Plus a new keyless entry/start "smart card" that you just keep in your pocket. As you approach the car, it unlocks automatically and once inside you just turn a start button to fire it up. Kinda gimmicky, but would make a cool conversation piece *L*.

Overall, a very nice luxury-performance car, and with it's AWD and 4 doors, very practical for anywhere it snows 7 months of the year *L*.

 

definately interested. is the stereo any good? I prefer clean highs, solid mids, and tight lows. I don't like boomy bass-heavy systems.
Would this satisfy?

 

I didn't really give the stereo much of a test - not really into stereos that much myself. But it sounded decent enough for a factory system, for what that's worth .

That's does remind me of one other point about the car though - it is very quiet inside, even at highway speeds or under heavy throttle. You can barely hear the exhaust at all as a matter of fact.

 

I would like to get time to check one of these out, sounds nice

 

interesting

 

I want to test drive one

 

im gonna try to test drive one this weekend... it looks great on paper...

 

Like I said, it's a decent performer...just remember though that performance is not it's primary focus. Keep that in mind and what looks good on paper also adds up to being in real life .

 

man i wish my job was a mazda speed dealership

 

My wife drives a regular 6 she loves it. There very nice cars. I would recmend one for anyone looking for a family or not so race car with some power.

 

Where did you drive the car? Even the dealerships hasn't gotten the chance to drive the cars. I am going next week to Atlanta where they are having a "ride and drive" for the dealerships.

 

Eastern Canada - maybe they released 'em earlier up here? Odd, because where I live we're usually the last place to get anything *L*.

 

There is one at the dealership here in Saskatchwan and we're in the middle of no where?

 

Wow, we're getting our first Mazdaspeed 6 in 2 weeks and I have a hold on it. Employees get first dibs...

 

Def. post reviews after you drive it, how it compare with your evo as far as driving dynamics goes.