Mazda 3 or 6 MPS
 

Anyone drove any of these cars? My misses just bought a 2007 Mazda 6 Sport, and it is really nice to drive with all the gadgets. Had a look at the MPS and really like it.
All wheel drive and 260 brake standard. I know its heavier than a scooby but it must be quite poky especially with a remap :)

What do you reckon???

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008039323...ht_1399wt_1059

Ive always liked them but the tax band and future resale values as a result have put me off. I can't imagine anyone wanting a £2000 car in 4-5 years time that costs £500+ to tax.

If I get a 2006 won't it be in the lower tax bracket?

Only if its registered in the first 2 months.

I'd go for the 6 MPS. I really like em, look abit stealth! 256 bhp and 289lb. Got all the toys as you say. Could even be my next car too. Don't get me wrong I wouldn't pay the £400-£500 tax for any car unless I won afew quid! Think we all pay enough to the country as it is! Like you say get the lower 2006, sorted.

They will loose valve but most cars do these days unless it's a classic of some sort, rare car etc. I'd still never buy new cars, rather buy 2nd hand!

My only concern is that the car will loose a lot of value because of the newer ones in the higher tax bracket pushing down the prices.

What a stupid idea backdating high tax brackets were. Instantly effecting families with 2nd hand cars such as Vectras and Mondeos with the larger engines without any warning. They're not exactly cars owned by those well off.

A had a Volvo V70 T5 with the same engine. The Volvo would you believe it is lighter than the 6 MPS so I'm led to believe.
In a word...Slow! Spins wheels on boost on anything but a dry, straight road. Good mile muncher, no fun really. I think they are also limited on boost in first gear?

I have seen one for sale that had 330/385 (with a graph) just on a remap. Tax bracket wouldn't really bother me as insurance is 200 quid less than the scooby (and mines a UK classic!).
Resale value? ....... We own scoobies we are used to depreciation! :)

6.5K 26000 miles!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2511472567...ht_1089wt_1059

I've got a 6 MPS and I love it. I had a 330 bhp Scooby for 8 years, got a 350Z for 3 years then bought this.

I think Andy above had a dud and been on really rubbish tyres as mine doesnt spin on boost and its not slow by any means (Maybe slower than my old Scooby!). Will catch many by surprise.

Don't pay any more than £4.5-5K for a private sale and aim for anything registered before March 26th to avoid the higher tax band. Don't bother with the factory sat nav as its crap.


Try these:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4231311.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4157399.htm

A 2007 but still worth a look...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4226152.htm


The wheel often corrode like anything but no worries, just stick on some RX-8 alloys!

https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3222...745f386c0d.jpg

Really like that mate. Where did you get the splitter from? I feel myself getting swayed towards one :)

Thats not mine by the way! Although mine looks very similar.

The splitters are usually Scooby ones that are cut down to fit, I used the FrostKing G16 stuff for mine which is actually for garage door weather seals but had a great profile for splitters. Some strong double sided tape and a few screws laters its on and looks good. I will find some pics shortly and show you mine.

The car above has the RX-8 alloys on and is using H+R springs. The Eibach springs I have on mine are not as low but they suit mine better and I didnt want to have problems with speed humps etc.

Think I would definately have to Invest in the RX8 alloys although I might aswell buy the whole car the price they are going for now!

These cars don't share an engine. The T5 volvo's use a 2.3 5-pot turbo that was also used in early Focus ST's. The 2.3T in the Mazda is a 4-pot engine.

Wheelspin would not be a problem in the 6MPS as it is 4WD. I seriously considered one of these when I was looking into getting my Mondeo ST220. I'd still consider one in the future if my annual mileage wasn't too high.

3mps for pace and the 6mps for stealth looks imo. Loads of folk have them over on ctro after their type r's and they remap for around 300bhp, very quick motors!

I'm getting swayed! :)

Nice cars, do a google search, Jeremy clarkson loved the 6mps, but beware as the 3mps is fwd rather than 4wd like the 6mps. They should of made the 3mps 4wd aswell IMO.
Good luck.

My next car will be a Mazda 6 MPS. I found one for under £5k, with under 50k miles, on a 55-reg, so £270 road tax instead of £470, all with dealer warranty and a new MOT!

Sounded too good to be true, but my deposit was down before seeing the to hold it. I see it next weekend, so I'll follow up then.

Never heard of a 2.3T engine being used in a Focus ST and I own one, they are all 2.5T engines apart from the new ST just released where they have dropped the engine to 2 litre.

I believe they use a 2.3T engine in the Mazda 3mps

I looked at one at Donalds group, what an unloved car from the previous owner. Im sure most others will be better, but the paint and interior...oh dear. As for the supposed FSH...I left it in search of another.

Sorry, it wasnt Donalds, it was ... S.Petes or something like that.

Let us know what you think Andy. Pics aswell mate :)

You might be right, I was under the impression the 2.3 was used initially with most model years using the 2.5. The 2.5 is certainly Volvo derived/shared.

Defiantely 2.5's in the ST I've checked with a few other owners to confirm

The 2.5 is 100% Volvo derived. It's normal for ST owners to go to Volvo dealerships for engine parts as Volvo tend to be cheaper than Ford on a number of parts.
I've got aFocus RS oil cooler to go on my ST and its stamped Volvo.

We might be seeing afew 6MPS on here soon by the sounds of it!

This looks like a good one?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1709160142...#ht_822wt_1059

I went from 12 years of scooby ownership to a 6 MPS in March 2011. Since then I've put 34K miles on it and it has been excellent.

They definitely need a remap, Litchfield did mine and it should now make about 290bhp. They are heavy at 1660kg - about 300kg more than a blobeye WRX.

But they are fantastic value (apart from tax). Have a look on mpsowners.co.uk for more info.

Thanks Gary will have a look at that :)

Could be a good buy, the air con failing is normally the pipe that rubs where it is clamps and breaks. Approx £70 for a new one + £35 for a re-gas.

Unfortune that its the higher tax band :(

The Mazda was a collaboration between them, Volvo and Ford. Making the engine (with pretty much the same output figures) very similar indeed - hence my argument. The 6 is heavier than a V70 with the same output. I base my estimate of performance compared to a WRX on that.