Mazda6 MPS v Vectra VXR 280

Mazda6 MPS v Vectra VXR 280

Author
Discussion

TheAngryDog

Original Poster:

12,394 posts

208 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
Well I thought I'd decided to get the MPS, but I've just seen a VXR in my price range that has had the timing chains done.

The MPS has also had the VVT and chain done. The way I see it;

The VXR is more expensive to buy than the MPS.
The VXR is quicker to 60mph (6.1 seconds claimed against 6.6 seconds claimed for the MPS).
The MPS is AWD (when needed) and the VXR is only FWD.
The MPS has been known to put a leg out of bed.
The VXR has catastrophic understeer (if you believe Top Gear, which I don't, especially after reading the evo article), so it doesnt have catastrophic understeer.
The MPS looks nicer (I think!)
The VXR has recaro's
Both 6 speed manuals, both seem to do the same MPG (claimed), though I believe the VXR is using less rev's at any given RPM in 6th.
The MPS seems cheaper to tune.

I like the idea of AWD in the Mazda, but I also like the idea of a V6T in the Vectra. I've had a 3.2 V6 Vectra before so I know what Vectra's are like to live with, and I never hated it.

If it wasnt for the VXR with the chains done that has come up in my budget, then I wouldn't be entertaining it.

Would you go for the MPS or the VXR?

Baryonyx

17,990 posts

158 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
Probably the VXR, for me. What colour is it? I always like the Arden Blue Vectra VXR for making a bland family saloon look pretty cool.

TheAngryDog

Original Poster:

12,394 posts

208 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
Baryonyx said:
Probably the VXR, for me. What colour is it? I always like the Arden Blue Vectra VXR for making a bland family saloon look pretty cool.
Its black. MPS is red. I think Arden Blue is a little common?

a7x88

776 posts

147 months

Friday 20th February 2015
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Drive them both.... Then pick the 6..... Not that I'm biased! wink

milu

2,346 posts

265 months

Friday 20th February 2015
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Had a red vxr estate,great car,doesn't understeer like mad but will a bit of course if driven like a nut.
Would have happily kept it but 40k miles a year seemed a bit too much on a nice almost new car
Did do 30k in it though at around 28 mpg.

Silverbullet767

10,680 posts

205 months

Friday 20th February 2015
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I'd pick the Mazda, I'm allergic to Vauxhall.

DaveH23

3,230 posts

169 months

Friday 20th February 2015
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MPS. Again not biased.

andburg

7,214 posts

168 months

Friday 20th February 2015
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without driving either, based purely on looks and spec sheets I'd take the MPS

4WD just incase
subtle"r" looks

I also hate vauxhall interiors with a passion

jimbobsimmonds

1,824 posts

164 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
TheAngryDog said:
Well I thought I'd decided to get the MPS, but I've just seen a VXR in my price range that has had the timing chains done.

The MPS has also had the VVT and chain done. The way I see it;

The VXR is more expensive to buy than the MPS.
The VXR is quicker to 60mph (6.1 seconds claimed against 6.6 seconds claimed for the MPS).
The MPS is AWD (when needed) and the VXR is only FWD.
The MPS has been known to put a leg out of bed.
The VXR has catastrophic understeer (if you believe Top Gear, which I don't, especially after reading the evo article), so it doesnt have catastrophic understeer.
The MPS looks nicer (I think!)
The VXR has recaro's
Both 6 speed manuals, both seem to do the same MPG (claimed), though I believe the VXR is using less rev's at any given RPM in 6th.
The MPS seems cheaper to tune.

I like the idea of AWD in the Mazda, but I also like the idea of a V6T in the Vectra. I've had a 3.2 V6 Vectra before so I know what Vectra's are like to live with, and I never hated it.

If it wasnt for the VXR with the chains done that has come up in my budget, then I wouldn't be entertaining it.

Would you go for the MPS or the VXR?
Dad was making a similar choice 3 years ago; likewise I had a look at the MPS and a few other again, around 3 years ago.

Dad went with the VXR. The engine is great (sounds good out of the box) and the car really covers ground rather well. Drive accordingly and you can avoid the Top Gear levels of understeer (who would have thought 280bhp in 2nd gear with full lock applied would understeer...). One thing that annoys me is the throttle mapping; my car and the Vectra are very similar performancewise, yet on first glance the Vectra feels quicker. The reason why I think is down to the fact that 10% throttle pedal travel seems to deliver 90% of the available power. The interior, despite a few VXR decals, is still a Vectra.

The MPS to me felt a little better bolted together and below 100mph just as quick (in the dry, in the wet the AWD I would imagine would have you, I have no doubt that the VXR would pull out a small gap above this. The engine feels more traditionally turbo-ey (new word for the OED), not better, not worse, just different. The biggest difference for me was the interior, it was just a better place to be.

Dad bought the VXR; I preferred the MPS. But the real answer to your question is buy my car and put a decent LSD on it wink

Edited by jimbobsimmonds on Friday 20th February 09:00

PapaJohns

1,064 posts

152 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
Or for similar money

Passat CC 3.6 V6 GT .......300bhp/260lbft........0-60mph 5.5sec.......Awd.........DCC........Dsg/paddles...........stunning! Not to mention Rare

Edited by PapaJohns on Friday 20th February 09:13

rscott

14,690 posts

190 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
Just a thought - have you considered a Saab 9-3 ? They're available with the same V6 turbo engine, but have a far nicer interior than the Vectra.

Depending on your budget, you might even be able to get the nutter 9-3 TurboX .That's AWD too.

TinyCappo

2,106 posts

152 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
MPS is alot less shouty in comparison to the VXR.

Beautiful driving position and great comfort levels. Stock Bose sound system is a peach too.

ArsE92

21,007 posts

186 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
PapaJohns said:
Or for similar money

Passat CC 3.6 V6 GT .......300bhp/260lbft........0-60mph 5.5sec.......Awd.........DCC........Dsg/paddles...........stunning! Not to mention Rare

Edited by PapaJohns on Friday 20th February 09:13
A Passat, stunning?

pti

1,694 posts

143 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
TheAngryDog said:
The MPS has been known to put a leg out of bed.
confused

SamR380

725 posts

119 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
pti said:
confused
Throw a rod? Even in standard tune?

idibbers

269 posts

127 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
Silverbullet767 said:
I'd pick the Mazda, I'm allergic to Vauxhall.
This.

Not just Vauxhall.... the owners of any 'VXR' model seem to set off my allergy.

TheAngryDog

Original Poster:

12,394 posts

208 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
SamR380 said:
Throw a rod? Even in standard tune?
Yeah so far as I have read.

No way would I want to own a pisrat, i really dislike them, plus I want something turbo charged.

Thanks everyone for your comments, I think the mps is the choice.

PapaJohns

1,064 posts

152 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
ArsE92 said:
PapaJohns said:
Or for similar money

Passat CC 3.6 V6 GT .......300bhp/260lbft........0-60mph 5.5sec.......Awd.........DCC........Dsg/paddles...........stunning! Not to mention Rare

Edited by PapaJohns on Friday 20th February 09:13
A Passat, stunning?


Ok maybe stunning is a stretch, but it's hardly a dog

garycat

4,382 posts

209 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
TinyCappo said:
MPS is alot less shouty in comparison to the VXR.

Beautiful driving position and great comfort levels. Stock Bose sound system is a peach too.
Yep - I was sat in mine for 5 hours yesterday in awful rain going from Leeds to Bristol. AWD a godsend in those weather conditions as I took the A46 from leicester to cheltenham and booting it off the many roundabouts kept me entertained.



BMRuss

1,547 posts

189 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
Had 3 x Vectra VXR's, only 1 of them had the chains replaced, most common on the 56/07/57 models it appears.

Earlier ones are the cheaper tax bracket, some 255bhp up to some 06 models, 280 thereafter, respond VERY well to a stage 1 remap, 300bhp/400ibft.

Try and get a fully loaded one, full leather is nice, AFL's are good, the nav is rubbish, but a lot of car for the money and I personally would pick one over a Mazda.