Hey gang, newbie here...I was just looking at my local mazda dealers website and he has an 06 speed6 for $22,940 with $1,000 mazda cash back...Just drove up to look at it and it's nice...sitting outside, dealership closed, car unlocked

We currently have an 05 acura rsx s type and an 05 impreza 2.5i sport. We are very happy with our current cars but this looks like a good deal on the speed6, considering the window sticker's on the 3 06's they have are in the $33k ballpark..

I guess I just need to hear from some speed6 owners that these are good cars. We almost bought a wrx when we got the Impreza but got scared off after reading about the supposed "glass trany's". Anyway, any advice would be appreciated.

Steve

 

That's a great price.

 

Sure seems like a good price...I have to research a little closer first..hopefully it's a good, reliable car.

Steve

 

how many miles are on the speed6? If it has less then 20k then its a good deal

 

I'd compare the reliability to other turbo AWD vehicles. The increased complexity of the systems involved make these types of vehicles inherently less reliable than say a naturally aspirated front wheel drive or rear wheel drive vehicle.

I currently have a 3, but I've been eyeing the Speed3......but the Speed6 is very enticing due to the AWD (I drive in the snow a lot), and if I can get one at the price of a Speed3, the decision will be even easier.....

 

Well, we would be trading our subaru in on it...we have a year left on the lease but I think we can still trade it in..I have to check with the dealership..My main concern is reliability as this will be my wife's car..it seems that on the other message boards I've checked out (Acura, subaru), they slam the mazda's reliability mostly due to it's relationship with Ford.

I find this strange as my dad had a ford pickup that was beaten hard by me and my brother and the thing just kept on starting..finally, he had to get rid of it cause it rusted apart..I can't imagine ford having a bad reputation for reliability?

Oh well, we'll see what transpires..thanks for the replies.

 

People still have this 1980's view of Ford (you see it on this board as well, I'm a quality engineer for Ford and I have also worked on Mazda programs...check the post about the obviously defective piece of $hit Ford oil dipstick.....ended up just as I had stated, when the oil change was done, it wasn't done properly, but the owner was more than willing to blast Ford for no reason......) It's funny (sad really) to me.....

For those that think Honda/Toyota are the greatest thing ever, they haven't looked at any of the recent quality reports that shownot only the US mfg catching up, but passing them in some instances from a quality/customer satisfaction standpoint. Toyota recalled more vehicles than they built last year....when that happened to Ford, every news source in the country covered it....When it happened to Toyota, it was dismissed as an anomoly. I've also seen plenty of people complaining about their new Honda Civic (some guy even started a website about trying to turn in his new Civic under lemon law due to the numerous problems he had.) It can happen to any car of any manufacturer.....

My wife had a Subaru at one point, and while it was a reliable car, the interior and overall feel of the vehicle was very cheap (loaded Outback Legacy 30th anniversary edition), which was disappointing given the price of the vehicle.

For the price, you can't beat the Speed6. (FYI....The Speed6 is designed and manufactured in Japan, assembled by non-UAW labor....in case that makes any difference....i.e., you'd have a hard time finding another car in the Ford product line that has less in common with Ford.)

 

Hey gang, thanks for the replies..Just got back from the dealer..I hate dealing with dealerships, they always come up with the lame line's:

"so, whats it going to take to put you into this car today?"; and "if I can get your payment at so and so, will you buy today?"

I'm like, "umm...we haven't even driven it yet" LOL..

At any rate..these are brand spanking new cars..they have 3 06's..Not sure what we are going to do..I guess we'll see what they offer us...

Do you guys/gals think that this would be a good everyday driver for my wife?? I'm not really concerned if it will be a wrx or legacy gt as much as I am it's overall reliability..

I'll keep everyone posted..thanks again for the responses.

Steve

 

What was the first year for the speed6?

Steve

 

2006was the first production year for the Speed6....those cars have been sitting awhile. Check real close for any signs of corrosion on the underbody as well as noisy brakes. Sitting is hell on a car.

We in the industry have a term for the issues caused by a car sitting on the lot too long

....we call it "lot rot"