Subaru STI or Mazdaspeed 6?

[ScoobySnacks]

Hey guys...

2004 Subaru WRX STI with under 100km on it, basically brand new for $39,900.
or a brand new 2006 Mazdaspeed 6 fully loaded?

Also, I test drove an infiniti FX 45, very nice suv... That or a 2004 VW Touareg fully loaded V8 with air suspension etc etc...

These are the 4 I am considering... Any help advice would be appreciated...

Thanks guys

[bionicbadger]

Hey guys...

2004 Subaru WRX STI with under 100km on it, basically brand new for $39,900.
or a brand new 2006 Mazdaspeed 6 fully loaded?

Also, I test drove an infiniti FX 45, very nice suv... That or a 2004 VW Touareg fully loaded V8 with air suspension etc etc...

These are the 4 I am considering... Any help advice would be appreciated...



Huh?
A fully loaded tourag is over $76K new, so 2 years old is probably still close to $60K. A big price difference from $40K for a subaru
What are you looking for? An SUV? Something sporty?

[BD006]

Yeah, I'm confused as to what you're gonna be using this for.

[ScoobySnacks]

Yeah, either a sporty car or a sporty suv... I saw a nice Touareg for $49,900 fully loaded on the autotrader

[Ride-On]

Anecdotally, I would LOVE a Touareg... but I have an eng. friend who works for a ... ahh... competitor, whom tore down a Touareg and can't figure out how/why they made it like they did. He predicted maintenance nightmare!

Anyhoo... even limiting the choice to the STI vs. MazdaSpeed6 is a little offbase. For me, I'm in for the 6 - practical with performance. The STI is as close to a race car as you can easily achieve. For me, the 6 could be an everyday driver... the STI could, but I would prefer to have the STI as a second car. (and how's my winning lottery tickie coming along anyways??) :)

Have you tried sitting in the back seat of a 2006 Impreza? The first time I tried, I got 'chinned' by the window! Seems a design oversight. I'm 6'2", so have to bend a bit to get in, but the window/door on other cars is generally not intrusive like this. If you can't tell, it really did catch me off guard. Just a thought.

[hyperion]

Are you kidding me. Subaru STI, no contest.
STI is a good daily driver, especially in winter driving with its AWD.

[thesober]

Are you kidding me. Subaru STI, no contest.
STI is a good daily driver, especially in winter driving with its AWD.


The STi is a very nice car, performance wise but its such a boyish racer car, that wing is ridicious, should make it an option instead of standard equipment. Thats my only beef with it.

[flito ray]

The LEGACY GT Ltd is a better competitor to the Mazdaspeed 6 IMO.

[sixer]

Absolutely the Mazdaspeed 6!

[M-e-X-x]

STi, no contest :razz:

biased answer? yes, because i have a subaru, and also the awd component is unmatched by anyone... you'd have to go luxury SUV to get the same quality AWD.. the mazdaspeed 6 AWD is just a gimmick to add to the value of the 6...

[flito ray]

STi, no contest :razz:

biased answer? yes, because i have a subaru, and also the awd component is unmatched by anyone... you'd have to go luxury SUV to get the same quality AWD.. the mazdaspeed 6 AWD is just a gimmick to add to the value of the 6...
your statement is debatable. audi's quattro is up there if not better than subaru's symmetrical awd

[M-e-X-x]

your statement is debatable. audi's quattro is up there if not better than subaru's symmetrical awd

sorry my bad, i should add audi as well...

but you get my point at least...

[Taiphun]

The ride in the STI is very harsh.. go over a set of railroad tracks and every vertebrae in your spine will feel it.

Here's a forum where you can read about the MS6.
http://forum.mazda6club.com/index.php?showforum=18

Personally, I don't really like SUV's, and I love my Subaru Legacy GT. It's essentially a sleeper wagon with an STI engine. The LGT would be a better comparo with the MS6.

[toujours]

Subaru is like, a service every 6000 km, right ?

[Anessa]

Hey guys...

2004 Subaru WRX STI with under 100km on it, basically brand new for $39,900.
or a brand new 2006 Mazdaspeed 6 fully loaded?

Also, I test drove an infiniti FX 45, very nice suv... That or a 2004 VW Touareg fully loaded V8 with air suspension etc etc...

These are the 4 I am considering... Any help advice would be appreciated...

Thanks guys

I'd take the Mazdaspeed 6 just because I'm not into the boy racer appearance of the STi. However, the Legacy GT would suit my tastes and I'd agree that I'd take that over the Speed 6

[elephant]

Are you kidding me. Subaru STI, no contest.
STI is a good daily driver, especially in winter driving with its AWD.


Totally agree.

[ainsane]

Subaru's are awesome, but they look somewhat like pre-riced up cars... except with the power to back it up. The look isn't very refined. I haven't driven either one... but based on looks, I'de go with the Mazda. Based on performance, Subaru for sure, especially in winter conditions.

[wong8egg]

get the 6 for comfort
or
get the Subaru for performance

[McLaren]

If you are young, go for the STI.

If you are in your late 20's or older, go for the Speed6

[pandaharo]

I vouch for the STI, if you want to toureg why not get the cayanne? Porsche are of much higher quality than VW.

Dont forget in that price range you can also get the RX400h hybrid. :)

[afong56]

these seem to me to be two very different cars--they're not even in the same class; one is a compact and other is a full size vehicle. the sti is basically the same platform as the impreza, ergo, size comparable to the mazda 3--they will be different in just about every conceivable way, other than the very vague fact that they both share all-wheel drive and four tires. they will handle, accelerate, brake, and steer completely different. the 6 will have tons more comfort and amenities, while the sti will be cramped in comparison and not nearly as refined. of course, the sti will melt a 6 off the line, and outperform the 6 in every possible way

if you plan on putting kids in the back seat, get the 6

better yet, consider the legacy gt

[manixc]

these seem to me to be two very different cars--they're not even in the same class; one is a compact and other is a full size vehicle. the sti is basically the same platform as the impreza, ergo, size comparable to the mazda 3--they will be different in just about every conceivable way, other than the very vague fact that they both share all-wheel drive and four tires. they will handle, accelerate, brake, and steer completely different. the 6 will have tons more comfort and amenities, while the sti will be cramped in comparison and not nearly as refined. of course, the sti will melt a 6 off the line, and outperform the 6 in every possible way

if you plan on putting kids in the back seat, get the 6

better yet, consider the legacy gt

I would say impreza/STI is more of a mid-size car.

[airodus]

STI > Legacy GT > MazdaSpeed 6 > WRX

[Kinki]

According to Subaru's site for the 2006 model:

"The Impreza WRX STI is equipped with a rally-inspired spoiler that does a lot more than just draw admiring glances. The large, WRC box-type rear spoiler helps to provide added down-force to keep the car stable at high speeds. For 2006, a new roof vane helps direct airflow towards the spoiler for even better aerodynamic performance."

Not sure how helpful it really is.

The STi is a very nice car, performance wise but its such a boyish racer car, that wing is ridicious, should make it an option instead of standard equipment. Thats my only beef with it.

[stevethewheel]

According to Subaru's site for the 2006 model:

"The Impreza WRX STI is equipped with a rally-inspired spoiler that does a lot more than just draw admiring glances. The large, WRC box-type rear spoiler helps to provide added down-force to keep the car stable at high speeds. For 2006, a new roof vane helps direct airflow towards the spoiler for even better aerodynamic performance."

Not sure how helpful it really is.

Sounds like how helpful it is depends on how fast you drive. I doubt it helps at any posted speed limit.

[Neb]

STi if u want perofrmance, and if u dont' care how cheap the interior looks or how harsh the ride is. The Mazdaspeed6 is probably a smoother, more refined car. Both of them are FAST enough for everyday use.

[Narci]

Are you kidding me. Subaru STI, no contest.
STI is a good daily driver, especially in winter driving with its AWD.

The STI will RAPE you in insurance. It's one of the most expensive cars to insure.

[masterballer]

Go with the STi . . . . . . . . . . . . . i mean for gods sake its an STi!!!!!!

[kingsley]

STi

[mudmojo]

The STI will RAPE you in insurance. It's one of the most expensive cars to insure.

The 04 STi's didn't come with immobilizers from the factory leading to a few of them getting jacked. IIRC immobilizers were added in 05 and carried into 06.

Perhaps those insurance rates were adjusted to reflect that change... ahh, who am I kidding? Insurance companies pass savings onto their clients? Unheard of! :(

[M-e-X-x]

'06 STi immobilizer has been recalled...

[Narci]

The 04 STi's didn't come with immobilizers from the factory leading to a few of them getting jacked. IIRC immobilizers were added in 05 and carried into 06.

Perhaps those insurance rates were adjusted to reflect that change... ahh, who am I kidding? Insurance companies pass savings onto their clients? Unheard of! :(

I don't think it was because of an immobilizer. I asked for an insurance quote from a good friend who owns a co-operaters broker, and he told me don't even bother. Insurance companies knows it's a steet legal ralley car.

[ScoobySnacks]

I ended up getting the mazdaspeed 6. Took it for a test drive and ohh man... My friend had a friend that worked there so we really beat the crap outta the car, was amazing... At the subaru dealer, the salesman wouldnt let us do ****, I guess because I am 23 and I was with a couple of my 23 yr old buddies.. damn old ppl, lol.

The STI was a bit faster, but the ride was very rough, like a truck.

[sixer]

Congrats on the new car! I'm sure you'll love the Mazdaspeed 6!!! The all round best choice!

[Narci]

Congrats, nice little sleeper car.

[hyperion]

Oh well congrats. Guess comfort matters more to you :P

[baymoe]

Excellent choice there bud. The look of the sti is just plain ugly and on top of that, there's too many fobs driving them around here. lol

[Anessa]

Speed 6...good choice :)

[airodus]

Did you test out the Legacy GT? Seems like a better comparison to the Speed 6 than an STI. Very good car too.

Congratz on your purchase. I plan on cross-shopping the mazdaspeed and legacy in the near future.

[ScoobySnacks]

Thanks guys,

I didnt test the legacy GT but I imagine it's a great car... I just honestly fell in love with the mazda. My buddies friend works at the mazda dealership I went to so he really let us rip the **** outta the mazda. Was really fun :)