[attunezero]

I am considering trading my boring SUV for a black 06 ms6 gt with 37,475 miles on it, one owner. I would use the car as a daily driver, commuting to ~23 miles each way from work in highway/stop and go traffic. After test driving the car, I absolutely love it, but I am having doubts about the possible headaches of using a ms6 as a daily driver.

After reading on this forum about throwing rods, breaking axles, shearing diff bolts, cracking diff mounts, leaking transfer cases, smoking turbos, carbon buildup in the intake, excessively worn tires, hesitation at WOT, clunky steering, poor support from mazda, and probably some other things I forgot to mention... my questions are as follows --

What is the chance that I might buy this car and have a relatively trouble free experience up to ~100k miles?

Are there a lot of ms6 owners who have NOT experienced major problems with their cars?

Would it be worth it for me to buy an extended warranty? If so, from who? (don't think I can get the mazda one since the car is out of factory warranty already...)

Thanks for your input!

 

[RayDog26]

i wouldn't suggest aftermarket warranties unless you used them already. i had one when i bought my ms6 used and actually had to take legal action against them for not properly holding up to their agreement.

they are a good car even as a daily driver if you follow proper maintenance and the person before you did also. there are things that can go wrong especially what u just described. we call those worst case scenarios... mine has been fine since i bought it with 57k miles except i need a new turbo due to the factory flaw (smoking turbo at idle)

 

[sunshineFC3S]

Keep in mind, the people on this forum are serious enthusaists. So, your getting only a fraction of the total perspective. There are a lot of Ms6s out there that are running around stock and are perfectly happy. Yes, this platform requires a bit more preventative maintanance than your average commuter, but for us on the forums, its worth it.

I used to commute about 15mi each way in stop and go for my old job. It sucks. So, unless you are a real car guy, and will have the opportunity to flog this car a little more on the weekends, I would say that this is not the right car for you. The thing that makes the Ms6 special is that its two cars in one....its a very comfortable, civilized vehicle, while having the ability to really kick some ass (at an affordable price). So, if your not going to get the chance to see its performance side due to your commute, and are only going to have it to be comfortable in, then there are other cars that can do that (like a 2nd gen mz6), and that will not require the extra attention that this car requires.

does that help?
-a

 

[attunezero]

I am certain that the ms6 is right for me. When the weather is warm I have been driving an old miata and that is a blast to fling around. Now that it is snowing I like the comfort, quiet and utility of my SUV but can't stand the mushy performance and the automatic transmission... I need a stick! So to me the ms6 is the best of both worlds -- quiet, comfortable, capable in all weather, but also tons of fun to fling around. Like you said, two cars in one!

I am just concerned after reading this forum that even with proper preventative maintenance I will still end up with repair bills that are half the cost of the car from doing innocent things like spurts of WOT on the highway and some spirited back road driving... But I guess that I am just worrying too much haha

 

[RayDog26]

the way i look at it any car can have issues some are just more prone to them. i haven't had any major issues besides bad turbo *knock on wood* and most people wont especially if stock. if you can get a nice warranty go for it. if not i would suggest making a little "just is case" fund because anything can happen.

 

[sunshineFC3S]

It may seem that Im trying to talk you out of it, but I am not. Im just raising the issues as a current Ms6 owner, and previous SUV owner. I love the Ms6, but I do miss the "utility" of my Tribute. You just cant haul nearly as much in this car. For me, I didnt think it would be an issue, but it has been a problem occasionally.

As for the problems....it just takes some extra care on your part...dont boost (lug the engine) in the low rpm range, if you need to get going fast, downshift. Change your oil frequently and religiously, dont skimp on quaility oil and filter, etc... Just basic things like this should keep your car running well for a while. At your milage, you should do a full fluid swap. Use good fluids like Amsoil or Redline/Royal Purple and you should be set for a while. Do a coolant flush, new plugs (many use ITV-22), brakes and pads (OE rotors are not that good and like to warp). The tire wear issue is due to poor camber at stock ride height. Lowering springs are cheap, make the car look better, and will mostly correct your tire wear problem. These are the things that need to be done once, done right, and not worried about again for a long time.
-a

 

[petoria]

I have a 06 GT, and it drives like a dream, granted that I've followed all of the enthusiasts suggestions and precautions (All mentioned above). I've yet to get lowering springs to correct the tire wear problem, but I do get custom alignments to help alleviate it temporarily. So far, my car has held up quite nicely, but there is definitely a lack of space when you're going from a SUV to this car, but it is a sedan so I'm sure you know what to expect. Good luck!

 

[attunezero]

Thanks for pointing all of this stuff out! I plan to sell the miata (no real need for it if I get the ms6) and buy a cheap truck so that I don't lose the utility of the SUV.

I am thinking that the best course of action would probably be to buy the car but keep some money set away for potential repairs instead of buying an extended warranty.

 

[RayDog26]

if your good at fixing car related issues it certainly is the better option...

 

[Dephect]

Unless you beat her like she stole something, your chances of axles breaking, shearing your diff bolts, throwing a rod, etc. are the same as with any other car. People may not even think about how they drive the MS6 when they are in fact driving it much harder than you would say, a commuter civic. The power is there, and people use it. It's impossible not to. So with that said, when you are flinging any car around, you are looking at repairs. Some just take beatings better than others. As for reliability, for "DD" ONLY, there's a few here that have crested the 100k mark with little issue.

 

[TiGraySpeed6]

Safe to say the vocal minority, all 20-30 of us, are here & mostly doing well.
There are thousands out there just minding their own business & presumable doing fine as daily drivers.
Mine is a daily, and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

as for utility, lookee over here:
http://forum.mazda6club.com/mazdaspeed6/221632-whaddya-know-fit.html

 

[Bigzo04]

Thinking about buying ms6. Whitewater pearl 2006 sport with 62000 miles for 13500 is that a good deal

 

[MS6 In OK]

Well, I don't beat on my car at all really. I take good care of it and have had my share of issues. The warranty handled most of them (smoking turbo, clutch, front diff seals three times and it still isn't right, pcm reflash door buttons replaced intake manifold replaced), but I still got nabbed for about 1800 out of pocket (VVT actuator failure, shifter seal leak) and I still have a leaking transfer case that won't be covered by Mazda either (900 bucks through the dealer).

I've got close to 73K on it and I find myself worrying all the time about it. I don't think its a bad car per se, but a lot can go wrong. Get a warranty and keep the mods to an easily removable minimum unless you like working on cars or spending lots of money on them.

 

[wildacex187]

the clutch sux btw

 

[Speedingaddict]

I agree that the people on this forum are into modifying the car and pushing her to the limits. People who leave her stock as a dialy driver really dont come on here because they may not know this underworld exists!! HAHAHA

 

[RayDog26]

mines a stock daily driver lol.... although it wouldn't be if i had the money to fix it up right...

 

[dougefresh_]

Do it!!!

 

[Speedingaddict]

The Mazdaspeed 6 is an addiction and I love her!!!! She is also my daily driver and let me tell you she makes going to work almost fun....I said almost!!!

 

[edkwok99]

Are you still shopping for one?
I need to sell mine.
07 Speed6 28k miles

 

[dougefresh_]

Are you still shopping for one?
I need to sell mine.
07 Speed6 28k miles

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