I'm all over the MS6 for a 4-door AWD turbo daily driver. He's all over the WRX STi. We're both kinda, eh, about the EVO. Has anyone driven or have good experience with all 3 and can give a good insight on them and compare the pros and cons of each?
I'm all over the MS6 for a 4-door AWD turbo daily driver. He's all over the WRX STi. We're both kinda, eh, about the EVO. Has anyone driven or have good experience with all 3 and can give a good insight on them and compare the pros and cons of each?
If you want a track car, Evo. If you want a rally/dirt car, Subaru. If you want a wicked DD that's more comfortable and refined than the rest- ms6. The Evo and the STi interiors are kind of junk, but the Ms6 will be a little slower and less "rowdy" than its competition.
In reply to mndsm:
I thank you. The MS6 is a tough sombitch from what I've read. Engine can produce tons of power.
mndsm wrote: If you want a track car, Evo. If you want a rally/dirt car, Subaru. If you want a wicked DD that's more comfortable and refined than the rest- ms6. The Evo and the STi interiors are kind of junk, but the Ms6 will be a little slower and less "rowdy" than its competition.
+1
Next question. Aftermarket support. I know the WRX and EVO have everyone and their grandmama making parts for them. MS6 only has a few I know of. Is this the case or am I mistaken?
No idea about the MS, my friend that had one wasn't too insterested in modding it. She just liked driving it. Quick googling sees parts from Racing Beat, Good Win Racing, Corksport and COBB tuning. Might have to look harder but it seems to be there.
No idea is suspension parts are proprietary versus the base or v6 Mazada6 though.
Isn't the MS6 the same engine as the MS3?
aircooled wrote: Isn't the MS6 the same engine as the MS3?
As I understand it, yes.
Basically the MS6 was for people who wanted a sti/evo but grew out of the "Wings Galore, Boy Racer, and Brotato" phase......essentially it was meant for grownups, and also part of the reason they never advertised its existance. 
And yes, its the same engine as the MS3 with a few extra ponies IIRC.....
What is the difference between the Sport and Grand Touring MS6?
Conquest351 wrote: What is the difference between the Sport and Grand Touring MS6?
Grand touring definitely all had the stupid "Credit Card Key" which sucks ass.....I'm sure there are a couple other things though, as I actively avoided grand tourings when I was shopping for them years ago.
Conquest351 wrote:aircooled wrote: Isn't the MS6 the same engine as the MS3?As I understand it, yes.
http://youtu.be/-GSEuCiXhvA
For the record, this is my 3rd thread asking about the MS6. I want one badly. Waiting to pay off the wife's Armada and then it's my turn to replace the 2000 P71 with the 5.4L.
I wouldn't even consider an STI or EVO as a daily driver over the MS6. Just a more comfortable car. The Legacy GT however, is its match. Unfortunately, it's still a turbo Subaru so it's a ticking time bomb.
DaveEstey wrote: I wouldn't even consider an STI or EVO as a daily driver over the MS6. Just a more comfortable car. The Legacy GT however, is its match. Unfortunately, it's still a turbo Subaru so it's a ticking time bomb.
This is what I was looking for. Thanks!
I liked mine a lot. It spent its entire existence breaking my heart and draining my wallet. I'll never own another Subaru because of it.
Conquest351 wrote: What is the difference between the Sport and Grand Touring MS6?
Leather, HIDs, the fancy key, Bose. It is the same engine as the ms3. Advertised at 271, pretty accurate on the dyno from what I've seen. Moddable as hell, decent support. Rear ends are junk.
mndsm wrote:Conquest351 wrote: What is the difference between the Sport and Grand Touring MS6?Leather, HIDs, the fancy key, Bose. It is the same engine as the ms3. Advertised at 271, pretty accurate on the dyno from what I've seen. Moddable as hell, decent support. Rear ends are junk.
This is fixable/upgradable right?
Are the rear ends "junk"? Or are the "junk" in the sense that they won't tolerate 24-year old, flat bill wearing kids doing clutch drops with 400whp "junk"?
I know I'm a little late to this party but I wouldn't consider an Evo for much of anything. A friend of mine has a X with the DSG and I'm not sure what it's actually good at save for throwing mud with all four wheels. Harsh ride, cheap interior, not cheap to buy, hard on gas, funhouse gearbox. I'd seriously pay Swank Force to resto-mod me a turbo 626 first. Let it be known that I do not race anything so grain of salt / get off my yard / etc.
If Mazda had done an MS6 wagon I'd have scoured the USA for a test drive, but they didn't.
In reply to z31maniac:
No serious problems with the rear diff itself. Mounts usually need an upgrade. If the gasket on the rear diff hasn't been replaced with some permatex then that will need to be done.
The ms6 is front biased so the rear diff isn't really stressed hard.
Typical (for mazdas of this era) soft half mounts were used in the rear causing breaks and undue stress to the case as a result.
The motor mounts (mostly MZ3&MS3) suffered the same issue's as well, it would behoove you to look in to replacements if they were not already done.
Streetunit is another site, just don't mind their bro'ish cliental and you can get good products.
z31maniac wrote: Are the rear ends "junk"? Or are the "junk" in the sense that they won't tolerate 24-year old, flat bill wearing kids doing clutch drops with 400whp "junk"?
Volvo rear ends. Lots of leaking diff seals and crap. Tend to grenade when driven in anger. Easily fixable. Street unit makes good parts, as do CPE and Cobb. Those are most of what is on my ms3.,
pres589 wrote: I know I'm a little late to this party but I wouldn't consider an Evo for much of anything. A friend of mine has a X with the DSG and I'm not sure what it's actually good at save for throwing mud with all four wheels. Harsh ride, cheap interior, not cheap to buy, hard on gas, funhouse gearbox. I'd seriously pay Swank Force to resto-mod me a turbo 626 first. Let it be known that I do not race anything so grain of salt / get off my yard / etc. If Mazda had done an MS6 wagon I'd have scoured the USA for a test drive, but they didn't.
The EVO 8 and 9 only came with manuals. Either a 5 standard or 6 speed on the MR. The flappy paddle nonsense didn't come into play until the 10. But in its defense, I rode along with an instructor in his EVO X MR at a track day, the grip in those things with good tires is just savage.
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