Christian Wardlaw’s 2006 MazdaSpeed 6 Driving Impressions:
Sadly, I was unable to take the MazdaSpeed 6 for a spirited run down my favorite mountain road in the Santa Monica Mountains, which, if you’re an enthusiast, might make any of my observations about the car’s driving character suspect. Happily, I did get to drive the MazdaSpeed 6 in a rare southern California downpour during rush-hour traffic, which, if you’re considering one for use as a daily driver, adds credibility to my observations about the car’s driving character.

The 2006 MazdaSpeed 6’s all-wheel-drive system is a real benefit in rain and on slick roads. Rev the motor to three grand, dump the clutch, and this thing rockets forward like a turbo Subaru. Grab second using a manual six-speed shifter that is sheer joy to row, and another burst of velocity sails you past 60 mph. I like how broad the MazdaSpeed 6’s power band is – this car isn’t peaky like my MazdaSpeed Miata, and though it starts running out of steam near redline, it’s much more pleasurable at lower revs. The worst thing about driving this sport sedan is the hair-trigger clutch. You can easily stall this car, and the clutch wears on you in traffic. Mazda needs to get a paddle-shifting six-speed automatic into this model yesterday.

My remaining driving impressions are just that: impressions. The slick roads kept me from exploring the limits, but I can say that the steering features good heft and quick turn-in, the brakes are quick to bite and feel good underfoot, the ride quality is taut without beating you up, there’s lots of communication with the road surface, and the body rolls a bit too much in tighter turns. Also, road noise is intrusive.

In my opinion, there are few negatives about the 2006 MazdaSpeed 6 driving experience. And as a former resident of the Rocky Mountain State, I would imagine something like this would offer phenomenal year-round performance in, say, Denver, where the thin air chokes normally-aspirated machines and the weather can turn from sunny to severe in a matter of minutes.

Thom Blackett’s 2006 MazdaSpeed 6 Driving Impressions:
This is a grown-up’s Mitsubishi Evolution or Subaru WRX. There’s the same, or at least similar, thrill of a spooled-up turbo, tight and responsive steering, a firm ride, and an overall sporty nature yet without the harshness of the Subie or the overdone styling of the Evo. Some drivers complain about the 2006 MazdaSpeed 6’s tough clutch, but it really only takes a mile or two in traffic to get accustomed to its sensitivity, and turbo lag is alleviated by goosing the gas pedal a bit to get the revs up into the 2,500-3,500 range. Do that, and you’re off and running from every stop. But for more restrained excursions around town, drivers can go easy with the throttle, keeping revs down by upshifting quickly, with the result being a smooth daily commuter. That’s one of the 6’s greatest points – turbo thrill is there if you want it, but can be easily controlled when there’s no need for speed.

Personally, I start up the MazdaSpeed 6 and instantly do have a need for speed. Therefore, I appreciate the engine’s willingness to put out the power, and the short, precise throws of the six-speed manual transmission. What is less pleasing is a relatively low redline that cuts off the fuel supply a little sooner that I’d expected. But that’s just one quibble amidst numerous complements. Those deservedly go to the steering, which offers plenty of road feel under normal conditions and has a nice heft to it in aggressive corners; the brakes that are well-modulated in everyday traffic and very effective under full pressure; and handling characterized by negligible body roll and a near-perfect balance between over and understeer. Granted, the MazdaSpeed 6 may not keep step with more youthful competitors on gnarly back roads, but it holds its own and is a blast on that tight on-ramp just down the road from your stuffy office.

Ron Perry’s 2006 MazdaSpeed 6 Driving Impressions:
I hate to say it but I was disappointed with the engine in the MazdaSpeed 6. The power is either on or off, making it hard to drive the MazdaSpeed 6 smoothly without lots of clutch and careful throttle application. When the turbo kicks in, the car launches forward, quickly hitting redline and many times catching you off guard. And, as the revs climb, the power really hits a flat spot around 4,800 rpm.

On my initial drive I became annoyed at how much effort was required to drive the car in traffic. Leaving a stop is by far the most difficult task. A blip of the throttle is necessary before engaging the clutch in order to leave the line smoothly. Once at speed, the MazdaSpeed 6 behaves like any other car until you depress the gas, and then like a cat hitting water, it takes off in a panic. That’s fun at first, but the constant reoccurrence becomes annoying. The MazdaSpeed 6’s shifter is smooth and precise, and wind noise is minimal. Steering and braking are spectacular, both giving lots of feedback to the driver. Seating is comfortable, outward views are excellent, and the ride – although a bit stiff – is acceptable for this type car. The LED gauge cluster is easy to read and the fact that the navigation screen can be closed when not in use is a nice touch.

For the most part, I love the MazdaSpeed 6. I just can’t get past the power curve. I much prefer naturally aspirated power or a supercharger as opposed to a turbo.

Brian Chee’s 2006 MazdaSpeed 6 Driving Impressions:
Wh-o-o-o-ha.
Really, that’s all you need to know about driving the 2006 Mazda MazdaSpeed 6. Whoooha, to 12.6-inch brakes that grab like a date at a scary movie. Wh-o-o-o-ha to a turbocharged, 274- horsepower four-cylinder engine that delivers 280 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,000 rpm and puts a hair-raising electric charge into your drive. And – you guessed it – wh-o-o-o-ha to a light and tight all-wheel-drive sedan that loves a twisty road like a boa constrictor loves a fat, juicy rat. Add to all that a fun and easy six-speed manual transmission and nicely bolstered seats, and, really – there ought to be a law requiring the purchase of this car across America.

Somebody, please, smack me upside the head.
Wake me up, bring me back to earth, and give me a reason to hate this car. There are enough Mazda lovers in our shop, and someone has to offer the alternative view, no matter how hard it is to justify. I can always come up with something – even for this marvelous car. Point is, all that crazy fun gets a little tiresome on a typical daily commute. Most experts have found the MazdaSpeed 6’s engine and transmission to deliver its power smoothly, with only a small amount of turbo lag. This is courtesy of a direct fuel injection setup that helps the turbo deliver a good portion of its power as low as 2,500 rpm, for a barnyard full of low-rev fun. But here’s the exception: with this setup, it can be tiring to drive the ‘Speed 6 like a normal car. You slip out the clutch and step on the throttle and, well, the power tempts you, so you rev, rocket along, hit a flat spot in the upper rpm range, shift and – stop at the next red light. Do this a few times and you soon get frustrated, and wish you were driving a Corolla. Okay, maybe not. But it is tiresome, and a pity – for many commuters who desire this car’s fun will end up driving it too carefully, and not shaking it out – a sorry state of affairs.

The only way around that is to go around it – find a nice twisty route home, tell the spouse you have to start working late, and take advantage of a car that loves to carve a corner. It’s hard to shake it loose, and the temptation is to pile on the power and see just where the losing-it point is – not a good idea, for with the Mazda MazdaSpeed 6, that’s the point of no return for most drivers.