RE: Shed of the Week: Mazda MX-6
Discussion
greenarrow said:
Another great Shed and a reminder of why I have a real soft spot for Mazda. They have a history of producing niche interesting cars like the MX-6, MX-3, etc amongst the bread and butter stuff and do their own thing. I remember these cars being quite popular amongst directors at my firm back in the early 90s and as others have noted, they ranked favourably in the comparative road tests of the day. Looking forward to next weeks SOTY already.
I suppose the irony is, post a pic of the Ford Probe and you suddenly get very different views and opinions. Despite them being largely the same vehicle.A mate of mine had one in South Africa. Happy memories of tooling along the coast around Cape Town in it. Lovely engine, decent tourer.
I preferred my 200SX overall, though, as it had a bit more edge to it.
At the time I'd deffo have had either on the company scheme rather that the 3 series Coupe equivalent. For the same monthly amount that would have been a wheezy povvo-spec 318 with a pea shooter exhaust.
I preferred my 200SX overall, though, as it had a bit more edge to it.
At the time I'd deffo have had either on the company scheme rather that the 3 series Coupe equivalent. For the same monthly amount that would have been a wheezy povvo-spec 318 with a pea shooter exhaust.
300bhp/ton said:
greenarrow said:
Another great Shed and a reminder of why I have a real soft spot for Mazda. They have a history of producing niche interesting cars like the MX-6, MX-3, etc amongst the bread and butter stuff and do their own thing. I remember these cars being quite popular amongst directors at my firm back in the early 90s and as others have noted, they ranked favourably in the comparative road tests of the day. Looking forward to next weeks SOTY already.
I suppose the irony is, post a pic of the Ford Probe and you suddenly get very different views and opinions. Despite them being largely the same vehicle.300bhp/ton said:
GravelBen said:
The KL-ZE is a great engine 
Smooth, revvy, nice sounding, tuneable... 200bhp as stock from an NA 2.5 V6 probably wasn't bad for the time, maybe the Probe would have done better with that version of the engine instead of the weaker KL-DE.
If only they had made the MX6 Rwd though, it could have been something more special.
Not sure, was the 200hp available outside Japan? I don't recall it being available in the UK, only the 164hp engine. Smooth, revvy, nice sounding, tuneable... 200bhp as stock from an NA 2.5 V6 probably wasn't bad for the time, maybe the Probe would have done better with that version of the engine instead of the weaker KL-DE.If only they had made the MX6 Rwd though, it could have been something more special.
Ah ha, great piece! I'm chuffed to get a mention again, thanks PH! 
The MX-6 is an underrated car certainly - as far as I'm concerned it's a lovely and clean berlinetta type shape, good sounding revvy engine, good handling. And for a pocket money price.
I guess the fact that they are FWD is why they are generally over-looked by the enthusiast, personally I enjoy FWD just as much as RWD for a road car. It would be good to see more people get into these cars as they getting rare and are an interesting alternative to some of the more ubiquitous options.
My own MX-6 turbo project is something of an excerise in achieving the most I can with the car whilst spending as little as practically possible. Not everyones cup of tea but I'm enjoying the build and looking forward to getting it on the road for this summer. 😎
The MX-6 is an underrated car certainly - as far as I'm concerned it's a lovely and clean berlinetta type shape, good sounding revvy engine, good handling. And for a pocket money price.
I guess the fact that they are FWD is why they are generally over-looked by the enthusiast, personally I enjoy FWD just as much as RWD for a road car. It would be good to see more people get into these cars as they getting rare and are an interesting alternative to some of the more ubiquitous options.
My own MX-6 turbo project is something of an excerise in achieving the most I can with the car whilst spending as little as practically possible. Not everyones cup of tea but I'm enjoying the build and looking forward to getting it on the road for this summer. 😎
Still miss my MX-6. 1993 model - L446 KAV. Think it got shipped overseas not long after I sold it in '96. Had the 2.5 v6 with the 5-speed manual in that same red. Some lowering springs, +1 wheel/tyre upgrade, and a better stereo (all things being relative) were the only changes I deemed necessary.
T'was my first brand new car at the tender age of 19. Actually I bought it at 19 and took delivery at 20yrs as the insurance dropped from £2500 to £1100 in that age change. I remember that I'd even wash it whilst it was raining I was that obsessed with my shiny red toy. Wish I had that kind of spare time these days.
The v6 was creamy smooth, it was easily as quick as any of it's competitors (bar perhaps the Corrado which was quite a bit smaller) and the car was a rarity so drew many a positive comment (and probably too many Neds wanting to race). I'd say it wasn't quite as handsome as the contemporary Calibra but it was somehow more 'exotic' at the time. Happy days....thanks for the memory lane trip Shed.
T'was my first brand new car at the tender age of 19. Actually I bought it at 19 and took delivery at 20yrs as the insurance dropped from £2500 to £1100 in that age change. I remember that I'd even wash it whilst it was raining I was that obsessed with my shiny red toy. Wish I had that kind of spare time these days.
The v6 was creamy smooth, it was easily as quick as any of it's competitors (bar perhaps the Corrado which was quite a bit smaller) and the car was a rarity so drew many a positive comment (and probably too many Neds wanting to race). I'd say it wasn't quite as handsome as the contemporary Calibra but it was somehow more 'exotic' at the time. Happy days....thanks for the memory lane trip Shed.
greenarrow said:
300bhp/ton said:
greenarrow said:
Another great Shed and a reminder of why I have a real soft spot for Mazda. They have a history of producing niche interesting cars like the MX-6, MX-3, etc amongst the bread and butter stuff and do their own thing. I remember these cars being quite popular amongst directors at my firm back in the early 90s and as others have noted, they ranked favourably in the comparative road tests of the day. Looking forward to next weeks SOTY already.
I suppose the irony is, post a pic of the Ford Probe and you suddenly get very different views and opinions. Despite them being largely the same vehicle.
carinaman said:
s m said:
heisthegaffer said:
alorotom said:
Love the looks of these and always have done ... for some reason though I thought these were auto-only, god knows why!
Looks tidy inside too!
I'm pretty sure the MX-3 V6 is auto onlyLooks tidy inside too!
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article...
Does the dashboard photo show a manual gear lever?
An MX-3 2.5 V6
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1994-MAXDA-MX3-2-5-V6-M...
s m said:
That's very cool, I've seen a few 2.5L KL-DE MX-3's online before and it seems to make a great swap. I'd like to see some more restored MX-6's though, rather than them just giving up their motors to swap into other cars.My Mum & Dad had one each at one point. Then drove one of them for a couple of years. Both Manuals. Miss the N/A V6...
Untitled by will_finch, on Flickr
Untitled by will_finch, on FlickrEdited by WF36 on Friday 22 February 12:30
Each to their own. Leggy mid-90s coupe with FWD V6 and indifferent styling - meh?
And I speak as someone who formerly owned a 300ZX! At least that was RWD and had T-tops and Lambo Diablo lights.
As I say, each to their own.
Also, off road since 2015 but has a current MOT?
And I speak as someone who formerly owned a 300ZX! At least that was RWD and had T-tops and Lambo Diablo lights.
As I say, each to their own.
Also, off road since 2015 but has a current MOT?
Edited by ecs0set on Friday 22 February 12:24
ecs0set said:
Each to their own. Leggy mid-90s coupe with FWD V6 and indifferent styling - meh?
And I speak as someone who formerly owned a 300ZX! At least that was RWD and had T-tops and Lambo Diablo lights.
As I say, each to their own.
Also, off road since 2015 but has a current MOT?
I really like the MX-6 styling, but it is so clean looking as to perhaps be a bit bland for some? I really like the 300ZX and they are more exciting, but have you seen the price of a decent one these days? Or many other mid-'90's coupes for that matter. I think that for shed money the MX6 can be a fun car even if it's not seen as particularly desireable.And I speak as someone who formerly owned a 300ZX! At least that was RWD and had T-tops and Lambo Diablo lights.
As I say, each to their own.
Also, off road since 2015 but has a current MOT?
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