Test Drove A Mazda Mps - Turbo Awd

[benl1981]

Just drove one yesterday. It was very punchy low in the rev range.

I was talking to sales rep that came with me and he was saying he was sure all the power outputs mazda quoted were at the wheels rather than at engine.

I'm sure he is wrong..That means the Mazda MPS with 190kw would have about 250kw at the flywheel..didn't feel like that much.

I reckon my R33 has much better power from 5000rpm on (Im running 175rwkw) but if you missed the jump you'd have to watch out as it gets going quick.

Compared to the liberty GT the low end power is much much better.

Lot of money though 58k when my less than 15k car is probably quicker.

Adv over R33: leather, everything is tigher (i.e no rattles), engine a bit more tractable at low revs, good grip

Disadv: Not as good top end, no tail slides, costs a lot.

Silly to compare old to new but thought I'd add it in for shits and giggles..

[nemz]

dis advantages. looks heavy. 4 doors, ugly, looks like crap!

[bigtim11]

Advantages: You own a 2006 car, No Defects, Less Cop Attention (basically none), Give it some 18's and it will look PIMP, buy it and if you dont like it i will happily take it off your hands...

[benl1981]

Its got 18s to start with.

I havent hand any cop attention in my skyline- 4 doors, looks all stock except for big xhaust.

How much you take it off my hands for? 55k after 2 years...heheeh

Edited March 8, 2006 by benl1981

[funkymonkey]

I was watching a TV show about it where they had some reporters test drive it. Basically the prototype (5 door liftback model) had this function where when you pull the handbrake up it cuts power to the rear wheels, and then when you let it off it put power to the rears with a torque bias to the rear. Essentially making it "out of the box driftable". Apparently Mazda wanted to make it appeal more to the younger generation and see it used in extreme sports like drifting and stuff.

[ross80]

can somebody post up a picture?

ive never seen one before

[LO_R33]

They are awsome looking cars, probably one of the best 'new' cars out there in the range. I've liked mazda 6's for ages, and i thought it was really good how mazda have gone awd, and turbo-charged this time around! I dont see why you'd compare it to your r33 skyline... totally different class. I couldnt justify $58000 though for it, but in saying that i would never buy a new car. If it was my choice, i'd pick the new STi over that anyday!

Dayne

[Mr. Oizo]

can somebody post up a picture?

ive never seen one before

[R33TOM]

that interior sure looks comfy,

benl1981, could you hear the turbo spooling up? or is it like dead quiet and you cant hear crap from the cabin?

[dangerous_daveo]

1st thing. That picture is NOT what they look like. They have an extra bonnet bulge. So the bonnet looks like arse. The turbo is TINY, like I think it would be smaller than my std RB20 one. But I guess its all set up differently with the direct injection etc.

I think one of the MAJOR advantages would be, the thing has a factory warrenty...

I would also go the 3l 6cyl Blitzen (sp?) liberty, its the new funky one, and its about the same price. Its got the same power, looks better, def a way better stereo, and its ment to be an awd car from day 1, unlike the 6.

[predator]

talking to the sales rep ... he was sure all the power outputs mazda quoted

hmm, enough said there I think...

Advantages: You own a 2006 car,

Advantage? You mean its an advantage you're going to get raped 1/3 the value in the next 12-18 months...

[Oblivion]

I would like to see how it goes in the next few years, to see if it is a popular buy. But i cant see people buying one over a subaru atm. I does not look any different really to a untrained eye from a 6. my opinion really.

[benl1981]

Hey R33TOM - you couldn't hear the turbo spooling- very quiet.

It was picking up pretty quick but lacked a bit of feeling I think. Didn't get to put it throught the paces too much though. It seemed pretty competent.

Much beter torque than the Subaru. You'd have to really think about which one you'd take. Subaru is more proven with AWD etc but was dead down low.

I'm comparing it to the R33 because I am sort of thinking of upgrading but can't justify price of new car and R33 does pretty much all I want. It's a 4 door so practical for peoplee to get in and out of etc..boot is pretty small though.

[KamikazeR33]

shan u saw how i drove my mums n/a one it aint slow for a stock car if it can beat a 195rwkw r33 on the skidpan

turbo awd, with some semi slicks would kick ass

[kralster]

If you read on of the latest wheels or motor mags (i forget which one) they say the mps has it all over the liberty turbo mabob, espically in the handling department. But that probably wouldn't tickle you straight line hero's. (only some of you not all)

[INASNT]

talking to the sales rep ... he was sure all the power outputs mazda quoted

hmm, enough said there I think...

Advantage? You mean its an advantage you're going to get raped 1/3 the value in the next 12-18 months...

Exactly, sales reps dont know shit.

When I went new car shopping with the gfriend for her mazda 3 and we were looking at the engine, he tells me that the only things to touch in the engine bay were the thing marked in yellow. They were the dip stick, engine oil cover and radiator cap. I pointed to the powersteering and ac compressor and asked himwhat they were and he said that he didnt know and that we should not touch anything else that the yellow things.

[scathing]

I pointed to the powersteering and ac compressor and asked himwhat they were and he said that he didnt know and that we should not touch anything else that the yellow things.

The thing is, for your average Joe that's great advice. The last thing you need is some moron arse about unplugging shit, and then breaking the car. It heads off potential warranty claims.

Still, its better than those Audi A1's where you can't even pop the bonnet without a key that only the service centres have. So no checking your own fluids, no roadside assistance......

But yes, most sales guys are f**king idiots. They wouldn't know their asshole from their earhole, and they'd sell you both of them if there was a fat commission in it.

Edited March 8, 2006 by scathing

[scathing]

can somebody post up a picture?

ive never seen one before

http://www.mazda.com.au/mazda6mps/

I hope you appreicate me posting the link for you. Do you have any idea how hard it was to visit the Mazda Australia web site, click the link for their current models, and then choose the Mazda6 MPS?!?!?!?!?

I may need a lie down.

[scathing]

I would like to see how it goes in the next few years, to see if it is a popular buy. But i cant see people buying one over a subaru atm. I does not look any different really to a untrained eye from a 6. my opinion really.

......and how is the Liberty GT any different?

Aside from that ultra-small bonnet vent, the GT is pretty much indistinguishable from a regular Liberty. The exhaust tips are the same, there's no bespoke GT badging, no bodykit, and the GT's rims are nondescript even if they're specific to the model.

[scathing]

And now that Subaru has dropped the Liberty GT, if you want a new car with a factory turbo the Mazda6 MPS has become the only choice.

If I had to buy a cruiser / family type car for that price, and I wanted something new and with warranty etc....I'd be hard pressed to choose between the MPS and the 300C. Depends on if I want show or go, I suppose