Mazda6 MPS v Vectra VXR 280
Discussion
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?
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?
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.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 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
Edited by jimbobsimmonds on Friday 20th February 09:00
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
A Passat, stunning?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
Ok maybe stunning is a stretch, but it's hardly a dog
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.Beautiful driving position and great comfort levels. Stock Bose sound system is a peach too.
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.
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.
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