10k: Adult Instead of A Dolt: 2007 Mazdaspeed6 Turbo

From the letters to the editor dept:  “Hi DT, I need a 4-door family car that goes fast, but I don’t want to be tarred with the flatbrimmer brush by buying an Evo/STi — halp, what do I do?  -Sleepless in Scranton.  DT: Sleepless, the first thing you need to do is move out of Scranton, that should help your sleep disfunction immensely, second the answer is easy…get yourself an Audi S4…this  2007 Mazda Mazdaspeed6 (I never know it if should be called a Mazda Speed6, or Mazdaspeed6 or Mazda MazdaSpeed 6 or…??) offered for $10,888 in Monrovia, CA via craigslist.

First up — yes, it isn’t quite as fast to 60mph as an Evo/STi, or quite as nimble in the turns…but…it is quite comparable to the B6 (Typ 8E) Audi S4 in terms of sheer speed with the notable exception of not popping timing chain tensioners (to the tune of $8000 from a dealer) like tic tacs.  It is quite the opposite, the MZR inline-4 is reliable and easy to service for a transverse all-wheel-drive setup.

The Mazdaspeed6 is more than just a tarted up version of the Mazda6, if
offers a significantly more performance focused package, starting with a
turbocharged and direct injected 2.3 liter 4-cylinder engine that
puts out 274 horsepower and 280 ft-lbs of torque.  Mazda didn’t stop
with engine and also provided all-wheel-drive (standard Mazda6 was front
drive only) a 6-speed gearbox and stiffer suspension all around.  Today’s example has a few war wounds, but the price is great for a car that is 100% stock and has only 62k miles on the odo.

 See a better fast family sedan that doesn’t make you feel like a kid when you are picking up your grandkids? tips@dailyturismo.com