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| 2006 MAZDASPEED6 (Photo: Chris Koski) |
Fully-loaded MAZDASPEED Sixes are priced under $40,000, but it's hard to place this car in an exact spot in the competitive landscape. Certainly it's more entertaining and comfortable than a WRX, as well as better on fuel, better-looking, and roomier too. It's got more gears, more power and more features. But a wagon isn't available, meaning if you ski or snowboard, you'll need to spend extra money for roof racks for your gear which would otherwise fit in back of a WRX. (The MAZDASPEED6 seats don't fold down in the back.) If you don't play outside very much in the winter, or want something more upper-scale and classy than a WRX, the MAZDASPEED6 delivers. Leather? Adjustable headlights? Keyless access? 6-speed? These are all things the Subaru doesn't offer. The Mazda goes about delivering options and power similar to much more expensive machines from Europe, without the much more expensive part.
That established, let's look a little higher. Though I'm not under the impression that Mazda is aiming this car at would-be BMW owners, it makes an interesting comparison nonetheless. Let's say you want a well-equipped and powerful sedan with all-wheel drive. From BMW, you
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| 2006 MAZDASPEED6 (Photo: Justin Pritchard, Auto123.com) |
would be looking at the slightly larger 5-Series. If you want a healthy dose of horses and all-wheel drive, the BMW 530xi will be your pick. It's not as powerful or fast as the MAZDASPEED6 though. Mazda has a better powertrain warranty, too. Seems a fairly obvious choice right? Get this: you could just about get two MAZDASPEED6es for the price of the BMW. Is the BMW worth more money? Sure it is. It's the pinnacle of European automotive performance. Is it worth twice as much? Likely not--but it depends on what you find important. Use the extra cash to go on a trip or three, pay off your education, or put a down payment on a house.
Bragging rights and money left in your pocket? Sign me up.
