I've been reading these owner reviews for quite some time and always been meaning to contribute so here goes with a blast from my past. It was the mid-2000s, I was looking for a practical 4 door performance sedan that was a little bit more grown up than a WRX. Top of my list was a Subaru Liberty GT spec B, loved Subies and it ticked all the boxes. I had a budget of under $50K at the time. I also was looking at a brand new car thinking I'll hang onto it for a bit. Was a little wary of a used performance car. The Liberty 3.0 RB was also on the wish list but alas, I soon came to the realisation that both options were above my budget. However I'm a strong believer in things happening for a reason.
I still remember watching an episode of Top Gear where Jeremy Clarkson was fanging around the track in a Ford Mondeo ST220, a Vauxhall Vectra VXR and a Mazda 6 MPS. Clarkson was raving about the MPS, 2.3litre Direct Injection Turbo 4, 190KW, 380NM, quite a bit of poke at the time. Still remember the grin on his face has he blasted around the track. Ofcourse he picked the Mondeo ST220 because he didn't like the front grill on the MPS or something trivial like that. However that review really opened my eyes and I thought if it's good enough for him it's going to be absolutely awesome for me.
It was 2007, off I went to the Mazda Dealership trying to get a Luxury Pack MPS before realising I couldn't get one as it was over my budget. However the base model, minus the leather, sunroof and Bose sound system was under around $48K driveaway if memory serves me right. There was a problem, there were none available in the colour I wanted. I wasn't too picky on the colour, just said didn't want red and didn't want black. Put my deposit in and said find me any other colour and you have yourself a deal. That's right, looking back I can't believe I did it but I bought it without test driving. I had read and watched every single review, had to have it. Being older and wiser now I wouldn't do it again but that was me back then.
After waiting what seemed like an eternity (probably about 4 weeks) I got a call from the dealer saying a Liquid Silver 6 MPS had just come off the boat. I said perfect and a week later I was driving off in it. Coming off an Accord Euro at the time and this was my first Turbocharged AWD car I was amazed how effortless it accelerated. I remember the slightly tricky clutch, not as bad as when they first came out but as mine was one of the last to be produced it was as sorted as it was ever going to be.
I had the Mazda 6 MPS for 6 years. To date of all the cars I've owned, it is still my favourite. I don't think anyone understood why I loved it so much and in someways I don't know why because it wasn't exceptional at any one thing. Maybe that's why I loved that car, it did everything well. It was practical, it had enough performance for me, had a subtle bonnet bulge to accommodate the top mount intercooler and overall understated looks. If you weren't a trainspotter you probably thought it was a regular Mazda 6 which enhanced the appeal for me. Furthermore they were rare on the roads when they were in production, being only available with a 6 speed manual they didn't sell well. It was a wolf in sheep's clothing and I loved it for that.
I got the chance to track it through a Mazda drive day in 2008 at Oran Park right before they demolished it to make way for housing development. I used to drive it interstate once a year, and I still remember the absolutely magical drive I had on the Great Ocean road in it in 2010. There was no traffic or caravans and having the chance for a bit of safe but spirited driving was absolutely memorable. The gear shift was precise with short throws and heel toeing was easy enough with the pedal placement.
Was it perfect, no. Road noise never bothered me back then as much as it does now with a family but since moving onto other cars now that I think of it, cabin insulation wasn't
a strong point especially on the usual coarse chip surface Australian highways are known for. The exhaust also sounded a bit like a vacuum cleaner. Remember what I said about loving Subies, I'm a fan of the boxer burble and this Mazda for all its Zoom Zoom didn't please the ears as I would have hoped. However that's about it. Turns out getting the base model MPS, I actually preferred the cloth seats as they gripped me nicely. Would I have loved a sunroof, yes, but I had the car for 6 years and it didn't bother me. I'm no audiophile, so the standard audio was fine for me.
Throughout my ownership I had the guards rolled to fit a wider rim and tyre combo. I changed to aftermarket wheels twice, why I don't know but most probably being younger and dumber with my money. I had some Bilstein shocks and Eibach lowering springs put in that made a massive difference to body roll and pitching up and down when accelerating and braking. It was no boat but the suspension changes were just what the doctor ordered.
Not to mention it made a world of difference to the stance of the car without it being too low.
Why did I get rid of it? A couple of reasons and wish I still didn't to be honest. Got married and my wife couldn't drive a manual. I also was able to get a Holden Commodore SSV Redline Series 1 brand new to replace it at a really good price. Always wanted to own a V8, so that was it. Traded her in on the Redline and I remember that last drive feeling a little sad. It's been 7 years and I still miss it. BEJ75X, I wonder where it is now. It was immaculate when I had it, I probably should have kept it. That's my story of my beloved Mazda 6 MPS. I know it wasn't an exotic car, but to me it was everything. It never failed to put a smile on my face whilst also turning heads of those who knew what it was but those that didn't wouldn't bat an eyelid, that was part of the appeal. It was the one I let go and I shouldn't have. We all have them. Zoom Zoom!
Cheers
Senthu
