I am thinking of picking one up. Test drove one at CarMax.

Liked:
-quirky styling
-heated seats
-good visibility
-predictable & neutral handling (4WD)
-incredible acceleration

Disliked:
-power falls off after 5500rpm
-weird nav system
-unusual integrated exhaust tips
-cheesy center console
-expensive 18" tires/wheels


Any owners here? Care to comment on it? Seems like a good bang for the buck in terms of performance, utility, and reliability. The insurance rate is a tad lower, and it will be awesome to have 4WD in the winter here.

 

There should be some good info here

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=138

I'd opt for a Legacy GT instead especially if it will be a winter vehicle. MS6 look is quite unique though.

 

Already asked around on there. Everyone likes the car obviously, haha.

I'm still looking for a Legacy GT manual, but they're impossible to find. There are none within 200 miles of Chicago right now.

 

I've heard of issues with engines going on these. May want to do some research on reliability at truedelta and some of the other places.

 

i know the one i drove was fun as hell

1st gear though.. i dunno what they were thinking. you're done with it so fast it might as well not be there.

 

Where did you see that?

There were very small problems with leaking turbo seals, but that was covered under warranty. Only affected a tiny group of people (early build dates).

 

It looses HP in the winter /fail

 

Loses hp in the winter? How so? Colder air should mean more power (if you don't get into crappy winter fuel)...

 

I used to own a Mazdaspeed3. Same motor.

It was not slower in the winter.

 

Apparently the motor tends to overboost in colder days so the ECU compensates by killing off power. My friend has one and he can confirm it is slower during the winter.