Continued from my Memory Lane Post...
I weighed my options. I could get an WRX or STI, but those were stick and I was nervous about boxer motors. The Evo seemed a more sutible canidate, however, they were way too pricey and any modifications I would want to do would be very limited due to a higher car payment. Of course, there was the Lancer Ralliart, but everyone I talked to who own one said they wished they sprang the extra cash and got an Evo. So, back to the Speed3. As I mentioned earlier, I did not know how to drive manual, but figure what better time than now to learn. Fortunately, I had a friend with a manual Protege5 that let me borrow his car while he was overseas on business for two weeks. I got fairly decent at driving, not good, but passable. Also, the dealership was nice enough to let me test drive the Speed3 and learn on that car and its odd clutch a couple of times. I still needed a bit more confidence before I can make the trade, but what did not help things was the fact my wife had concerns about me buying a manual car. She was worried in the event she needed to drive the car, she would not know how (and I have little patience to teach her to be honest). While I was at a car show, a friend informed my on the new 3's coming out. How they will have the new Skyactiv automatic and the 2.5 engine that is in the 6 will be in the 3. I was intrigued, but they were not out yet.
Let me be clear on one thing: Until the morning after I talked to my friend, the 6 never was on my radar. Sure, it looked nice, but it only came with a 2.5 four and I did not think that was powerful enough. Since the 2014 3's were not available, I decided to take the 6 for a spin. I was fully expecting to drive it around the block and be like "well, that was nice" and either get the Speed3 right then and there or wait until the new 3's came out. But something unexpected happened. When I test drove the 6, I fell in love. I did not just go around the block, I took it on the expressway and a few more streets and enjoyed every minute of it. When I got back to the dealer, they had only one 6 left (other than the Sport one I test drove) and it was the Grand Touring model on their showroom floor. However, before I had them make arrangements to sell me that car, I took a Speed3 out one more time. Yes, it was certainly faster than the 6, but there was something missing. My best guess was the 6 interior was way nicer and roomier. So, when I got back, I signed the deal for the 6 and the rest is history.
One small post note - when it comes to hauling stuff (like my body kit and other long items), the 6's room could not be beat. But the biggest thing on why I was glad I did not get the MS3 was when I was placing a baby seat in my brother-in-law's 3 and noticed how tight it was back there with a rear facing seat.
2014 Mazda6 Grand Touring
Purchase Date: July 1, 2013
Miles on purchase date: 21 miles
Miles as of 03/25/16: 15,000 miles
Modifications
Engine
Corksport short ram intake w/airbox
Racing Beat axle back exhaust
Suspension
Corksport springs
Koni yellow shocks (to be installed)
Corksport front strut bar
Exterior
MV Tuning body kit w/eyelids and rear rood spoiler
Interior
AutoEXE shift knob
Wheels
Gram Lights 57FXX (18 x 8.5 +45 F/+38 R)
Project Kicks spacers (3mm F/5mm R)
Previous Modifications
Suspension
H&R springs (4/2014 - 5/2015)
Wheels
Ichiba spacers (5/2014 - 9/2015)
August 2013 - Stock
JC_MZ6_01 by John Lukis, on Flickr
September 2014 - H&R springs with the spacers on the stock wheels
20140908_093836 by John Lukis, on Flickr
Today (3/23/16)
20160317_094510 by John Lukis, on Flickr
20160317_094601_SS by John Lukis, on Flickr
I weighed my options. I could get an WRX or STI, but those were stick and I was nervous about boxer motors. The Evo seemed a more sutible canidate, however, they were way too pricey and any modifications I would want to do would be very limited due to a higher car payment. Of course, there was the Lancer Ralliart, but everyone I talked to who own one said they wished they sprang the extra cash and got an Evo. So, back to the Speed3. As I mentioned earlier, I did not know how to drive manual, but figure what better time than now to learn. Fortunately, I had a friend with a manual Protege5 that let me borrow his car while he was overseas on business for two weeks. I got fairly decent at driving, not good, but passable. Also, the dealership was nice enough to let me test drive the Speed3 and learn on that car and its odd clutch a couple of times. I still needed a bit more confidence before I can make the trade, but what did not help things was the fact my wife had concerns about me buying a manual car. She was worried in the event she needed to drive the car, she would not know how (and I have little patience to teach her to be honest). While I was at a car show, a friend informed my on the new 3's coming out. How they will have the new Skyactiv automatic and the 2.5 engine that is in the 6 will be in the 3. I was intrigued, but they were not out yet.
Let me be clear on one thing: Until the morning after I talked to my friend, the 6 never was on my radar. Sure, it looked nice, but it only came with a 2.5 four and I did not think that was powerful enough. Since the 2014 3's were not available, I decided to take the 6 for a spin. I was fully expecting to drive it around the block and be like "well, that was nice" and either get the Speed3 right then and there or wait until the new 3's came out. But something unexpected happened. When I test drove the 6, I fell in love. I did not just go around the block, I took it on the expressway and a few more streets and enjoyed every minute of it. When I got back to the dealer, they had only one 6 left (other than the Sport one I test drove) and it was the Grand Touring model on their showroom floor. However, before I had them make arrangements to sell me that car, I took a Speed3 out one more time. Yes, it was certainly faster than the 6, but there was something missing. My best guess was the 6 interior was way nicer and roomier. So, when I got back, I signed the deal for the 6 and the rest is history.
One small post note - when it comes to hauling stuff (like my body kit and other long items), the 6's room could not be beat. But the biggest thing on why I was glad I did not get the MS3 was when I was placing a baby seat in my brother-in-law's 3 and noticed how tight it was back there with a rear facing seat.
2014 Mazda6 Grand Touring
Purchase Date: July 1, 2013
Miles on purchase date: 21 miles
Miles as of 03/25/16: 15,000 miles
Modifications
Engine
Corksport short ram intake w/airbox
Racing Beat axle back exhaust
Suspension
Corksport springs
Koni yellow shocks (to be installed)
Corksport front strut bar
Exterior
MV Tuning body kit w/eyelids and rear rood spoiler
Interior
AutoEXE shift knob
Wheels
Gram Lights 57FXX (18 x 8.5 +45 F/+38 R)
Project Kicks spacers (3mm F/5mm R)
Previous Modifications
Suspension
H&R springs (4/2014 - 5/2015)
Wheels
Ichiba spacers (5/2014 - 9/2015)
August 2013 - Stock
JC_MZ6_01 by John Lukis, on Flickr
September 2014 - H&R springs with the spacers on the stock wheels
20140908_093836 by John Lukis, on Flickr
Today (3/23/16)
20160317_094510 by John Lukis, on Flickr
20160317_094601_SS by John Lukis, on Flickr