'06 STi or '06 Mazdaspeed6?

poplifedc · 08-24-2005, 11:45 AM

Well, I sat in the '06 STi. Still didn't get a chance to drive it. Donno, like the looks, but..... the '06 Mazdaspeed6 AWD looks so much more grown-up. Mazda says they are not going head to head with the STi or Evo which is fine. But it is going against the Legacy GT. Bang for the buck, the Mazda is the better buy.

The first impression I got sitting in the STi was, with all the scoops and wings, I feel like I'm trying to regain my youth more so in the STi than I did in the Corvettes. And I'm only 34! My bikes give me that racer boy/devilish smile when I get on it. My car...well, I want something that I can go out to dinner to an upscale resturant, or out on the town dressed up in a nice suit. I don't see myself doing that in the STi.

Also, as a second (or Third) car, its not that special for the price. Looking around, I can get a 95-97 Porsche 911 for as much as the STi.

Damn, I'm getting old.

***Pkskull77*** · 08-24-2005, 12:10 PM

I haven’t had a chance to drive the new MS6 but from what I’ve seen it’s a really nice car. Quite frankly this is going to come down to personal taste.

If you want the performance get the Sti, if you want something that doesn’t carry the flash go with the 6. Just keep in mind it's a little easier to remove some of the STi's bling that it is to make the 6 perform better.

Also the MS6 has no track record, and since this set up is relatively new you may deal with some reliability issues. On the other hand the Sti has been around for a bit, and it’s proven to be a solid ride. Perhaps take a closer look at the Legacy GT!

poplifedc · 08-24-2005, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pkskull77

I haven’t had a chance to drive the new MS6 but from what I’ve seen it’s a really nice car. Quite frankly this is going to come down to personal taste.

If you want the performance get the Sti, if you want something that doesn’t carry the flash go with the 6.

Also keep in mind that the MS6 has no track record, and since this set up is relatively new you may deal with some reliability issues. On the other hand the Sti has been around for a bit, and it’s proven to be a solid ride. Perhaps take a closer look at the Legacy GT!

Good point, the MS6 doesn't have a good track record. In one review, the intercooler was on top of the engine, but it did not have a scoop. The air came in under the raised hood. But it won't be cool air because it has to pass the engine first.

I know I'm getting older becaues the Legacy GT doesn't come with a Nav system like the MS6 does. I've been in a few cars that have them and its a must have on my next car. I was thinking of going with an aftermarket Nav system but why spend $1,500 more when I can get it with the car.

justbcuz · 08-24-2005, 12:46 PM

See how much the optional nav is for the car before you rule out aftermarket options

White05sti · 08-24-2005, 01:10 PM

im not a big mazda fan, and i always try to stay away from first year model makes. but i can say that the sti is a noisy car, a lot of sqeaks, vibrations and so forth.....At times it makes me want to get rid of it, until i turn up the music a bit and get on it. I read an article on the mazdaspeed6 and they did mention their target audience was an older, more mature crowd and that they were not competing with the sti/evo, although magazines will compare im sure. I guess your best bet is test driving them both and weigh out which is more important to you right now........speed or comfort.........good luck with the purchase

poplifedc · 08-24-2005, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by White05sti

im not a big mazda fan, and i always try to stay away from first year model makes. but i can say that the sti is a noisy car, a lot of sqeaks, vibrations and so forth.....At times it makes me want to get rid of it, until i turn up the music a bit and get on it. I read an article on the mazdaspeed6 and they did mention their target audience was an older, more mature crowd and that they were not competing with the sti/evo, although magazines will compare im sure. I guess your best bet is test driving them both and weigh out which is more important to you right now........speed or comfort.........good luck with the purchase

The problem I'm running into is the Subaru dealerships won't let me test drive a new one. There are a few used '04 and '05's out that I can test drive.

I agree with you on the first year models. I do like the new MX-5 and it has proven to be reliable. But the test of the cars from Mazda were just ok. I don't think I'd keep it past the warranty tho.

eatV8 · 08-24-2005, 01:22 PM

Mazdaspeed 6 is a heavy sucker. Get the Legacy GT. It doesnt have that boyracer look and there is already a big aftermarket for it.

poplifedc · 08-24-2005, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justbcuz

See how much the optional nav is for the car before you rule out aftermarket options

Didn't know the '06 Legacy GT came with Nav until I looked on Edmunds. Hmmmm.

matadorCE · 08-24-2005, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poplifedc

Good point, the MS6 doesn't have a good track record. In one review, the intercooler was on top of the engine, but it did not have a scoop. The air came in under the raised hood. But it won't be cool air because it has to pass the engine first.

I know I'm getting older becaues the Legacy GT doesn't come with a Nav system like the MS6 does. I've been in a few cars that have them and its a must have on my next car. I was thinking of going with an aftermarket Nav system but why spend $1,500 more when I can get it with the car.

The MS6 has it's work cut out for it if it's going for the Legacy GT. The Legacy GT is as much fun(if not more) to drive as a 3-Series, and that's saying something.

Why would you want to pay more than twice the market price for OEM navigation just because it already comes with the car?

***Warharan*** · 08-24-2005, 01:56 PM

I say get the Legacy GT. It looks very classy, it's comfortable, has good performance, and great quality. As mentioned before, there are a lot of after market performance parts so you can get them to move quick yet still keep the comfort and luxury. I wouldn't base my whole idea of buying one car over another just because of NAV. That's an easy aftermarket upgrade, and there are a lot of options and NAV models that are less than $1000 out there these days. Not to mention, I'm pretty sure the 06 Legacy GT has a factory NAV option.

I can tell you that the STi is not an easy car to live with. It does get on my nerves sometimes and I get ideas of selling it. Luckily they are just ideas and in reality I won't sell it. In fact it's getting so unbearble, I am going to buy a 2nd car as my daily driver and have the STi for weekends and such.

Also, I don't know what it is about the STi or even Evo, but there is some little voice that you hear telling you to mod it. So if you think you'll just buy the car and keep it stock, I can assure you a month after you buy it that idea will be out the door, haha. With modding, comes $$, and the STi aftermarket scene tends to be one of the more expensive.

Comfortable: no way
Easy to live with: Not at all
Cheap to maintain and mod: Not exactly
Fast as all hell and fun to drive: oh yeah ;-)

***Nachos Libres*** · 08-24-2005, 02:02 PM

Get the Legacy GT. It seems like the STi just isn't for you. I was scared when I first got my STi (in WR Blue as well) that I would not end up liking it in the long run because it is just too ricer, young kid looking and not very sophisticated. After driving it I decided that I loved the performance, and didn't really care what anybody else thought about it, and I have since grown to love it (and almost am vowing that I will be buying only Subarus for a long time).

I was also waiting for the Speed6 but the long delays (it was suppose to be out this past spring, but we now see it is coming to the end of summer and there still is speculation whether it will make it out in the next few months) kept me from getting it and I went with the STi instead. I would have gotten the Legacy GT myself but when I buy something, I always want the fastest, and I wouldn't have been content with the Legacy knowing that brother STi was faster. The Speed6 is heavy, and like someone said before, there doesn't seem to be much airflow over the intercooler, and it's a small intercooler at that. Reliability is another thing I would consider, as the Mazda6 is a great bang for the buck (I should know, I own one), but I have read that there have been several issues dealing with 6's, and I would say that Subaru has a much better track record.

As much as I love my wife's Mazda6, if I knew what I know now I would have gotten her the Legacy GT instead. But, I would still take my STi over a Speed6 or Legacy GT anyday.

BoricuaSTi · 08-24-2005, 02:14 PM

Get a Legacy GT... block is the same as the STi... mod the motor a little and have the best of both worlds... Sti power, with Legacy comfort.

That's what Im working for right now. I sold my STi for a Legacy and I had a pretty heftily modded STi.

eatV8 · 08-24-2005, 02:39 PM

To add about Legacy GT performance. A friend of mine here has one. Running Cobb Stage 2 AP and he run a 13.0 down the ¼. So it doesnt take much to make them get going quickly. Which no one knows how easy it is going to be to tune the Mazdaspeed 6 yet.

Those times are for a 5 speed manual of course.

rasetsu · 08-24-2005, 02:46 PM

The 2006 Legacy GT Limited w/navi may only be available with an automatic. Not sure if that's just for the wagon or the sedan too.

91TB78 · 08-24-2005, 02:55 PM

I'll add this..

LEGACY GT..

08-24-2005, 11:45 AM	#1
poplifedc Amateur STI Driver Location: Washington DC Metro area Posts: 30 Join Date: Jun 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	'06 STi or '06 Mazdaspeed6? Well, I sat in the '06 STi. Still didn't get a chance to drive it. Donno, like the looks, but..... the '06 Mazdaspeed6 AWD looks so much more grown-up. Mazda says they are not going head to head with the STi or Evo which is fine. But it is going against the Legacy GT. Bang for the buck, the Mazda is the better buy. The first impression I got sitting in the STi was, with all the scoops and wings, I feel like I'm trying to regain my youth more so in the STi than I did in the Corvettes. And I'm only 34! My bikes give me that racer boy/devilish smile when I get on it. My car...well, I want something that I can go out to dinner to an upscale resturant, or out on the town dressed up in a nice suit. I don't see myself doing that in the STi. Also, as a second (or Third) car, its not that special for the price. Looking around, I can get a 95-97 Porsche 911 for as much as the STi. Damn, I'm getting old. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

08-24-2005, 02:55 PM	#15
91TB78 S204 Racer Car: 06 IX MR Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 3,667 Join Date: Mar 2002 Trader Rating: (12)	I'll add this.. LEGACY GT.. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

08-24-2005, 12:10 PM	#2
*Pkskull77* Platinum Member Car: 08 STi Posts: 355 Join Date: Jul 2005 Trader Rating: (3)	I haven’t had a chance to drive the new MS6 but from what I’ve seen it’s a really nice car. Quite frankly this is going to come down to personal taste. If you want the performance get the Sti, if you want something that doesn’t carry the flash go with the 6. Just keep in mind it's a little easier to remove some of the STi's bling that it is to make the 6 perform better. Also the MS6 has no track record, and since this set up is relatively new you may deal with some reliability issues. On the other hand the Sti has been around for a bit, and it’s proven to be a solid ride. Perhaps take a closer look at the Legacy GT!

08-24-2005, 12:46 PM	#4
justbcuz Junior STI Driver Posts: 99 Join Date: Apr 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	See how much the optional nav is for the car before you rule out aftermarket options

08-24-2005, 01:10 PM	#5
White05sti Grassroots STI Racer Location: Maryland Posts: 533 Join Date: Oct 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	im not a big mazda fan, and i always try to stay away from first year model makes. but i can say that the sti is a noisy car, a lot of sqeaks, vibrations and so forth.....At times it makes me want to get rid of it, until i turn up the music a bit and get on it. I read an article on the mazdaspeed6 and they did mention their target audience was an older, more mature crowd and that they were not competing with the sti/evo, although magazines will compare im sure. I guess your best bet is test driving them both and weigh out which is more important to you right now........speed or comfort.........good luck with the purchase

08-24-2005, 01:22 PM	#7
eatV8 retired mod Car: 99 WRX STi V5 Fav Mod: JDM Air Freshener Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,856 Join Date: Apr 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	Mazdaspeed 6 is a heavy sucker. Get the Legacy GT. It doesnt have that boyracer look and there is already a big aftermarket for it.

08-24-2005, 01:56 PM	#10
*Warharan* Traitor to the STi Car: 06 Lancer Evolution 9 MR Fav Mod: Anything that makes me faster than you Location: Under Crewchief's bed with my video camera Posts: 599 Join Date: Dec 2004 Trader Rating: (1)	I say get the Legacy GT. It looks very classy, it's comfortable, has good performance, and great quality. As mentioned before, there are a lot of after market performance parts so you can get them to move quick yet still keep the comfort and luxury. I wouldn't base my whole idea of buying one car over another just because of NAV. That's an easy aftermarket upgrade, and there are a lot of options and NAV models that are less than $1000 out there these days. Not to mention, I'm pretty sure the 06 Legacy GT has a factory NAV option. I can tell you that the STi is not an easy car to live with. It does get on my nerves sometimes and I get ideas of selling it. Luckily they are just ideas and in reality I won't sell it. In fact it's getting so unbearble, I am going to buy a 2nd car as my daily driver and have the STi for weekends and such. Also, I don't know what it is about the STi or even Evo, but there is some little voice that you hear telling you to mod it. So if you think you'll just buy the car and keep it stock, I can assure you a month after you buy it that idea will be out the door, haha. With modding, comes $$, and the STi aftermarket scene tends to be one of the more expensive. Comfortable: no way Easy to live with: Not at all Cheap to maintain and mod: Not exactly Fast as all hell and fun to drive: oh yeah ;-)

08-24-2005, 02:02 PM	#11
*Nachos Libres* Beneath the clothes, we find a man... and beneath the man, we find his... nucleus. Car: 2005 Subaru WRX STi Fav Mod: Underglows Location: Tyler, Texas Posts: 8,594 Join Date: Jul 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Get the Legacy GT. It seems like the STi just isn't for you. I was scared when I first got my STi (in WR Blue as well) that I would not end up liking it in the long run because it is just too ricer, young kid looking and not very sophisticated. After driving it I decided that I loved the performance, and didn't really care what anybody else thought about it, and I have since grown to love it (and almost am vowing that I will be buying only Subarus for a long time). I was also waiting for the Speed6 but the long delays (it was suppose to be out this past spring, but we now see it is coming to the end of summer and there still is speculation whether it will make it out in the next few months) kept me from getting it and I went with the STi instead. I would have gotten the Legacy GT myself but when I buy something, I always want the fastest, and I wouldn't have been content with the Legacy knowing that brother STi was faster. The Speed6 is heavy, and like someone said before, there doesn't seem to be much airflow over the intercooler, and it's a small intercooler at that. Reliability is another thing I would consider, as the Mazda6 is a great bang for the buck (I should know, I own one), but I have read that there have been several issues dealing with 6's, and I would say that Subaru has a much better track record. As much as I love my wife's Mazda6, if I knew what I know now I would have gotten her the Legacy GT instead. But, I would still take my STi over a Speed6 or Legacy GT anyday.

08-24-2005, 02:14 PM	#12
BoricuaSTi Spec C Club Car: Cars... Location: Murrieta, CA Posts: 1,042 Join Date: Jun 2004 Trader Rating: (1)	Get a Legacy GT... block is the same as the STi... mod the motor a little and have the best of both worlds... Sti power, with Legacy comfort. That's what Im working for right now. I sold my STi for a Legacy and I had a pretty heftily modded STi.

08-24-2005, 02:39 PM	#13
eatV8 retired mod Car: 99 WRX STi V5 Fav Mod: JDM Air Freshener Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,856 Join Date: Apr 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	To add about Legacy GT performance. A friend of mine here has one. Running Cobb Stage 2 AP and he run a 13.0 down the ¼. So it doesnt take much to make them get going quickly. Which no one knows how easy it is going to be to tune the Mazdaspeed 6 yet. Those times are for a 5 speed manual of course.

08-24-2005, 02:46 PM	#14
rasetsu Spec C Club Car: 05 Subaru WRX STi Location: Frisco, TX Posts: 2,270 Join Date: Nov 2004 Trader Rating: (1)	The 2006 Legacy GT Limited w/navi may only be available with an automatic. Not sure if that's just for the wagon or the sedan too.