G35X vs Subaru Legacy vs Mazdaspeed 6

[Fastfwd]

I currently drive a 2001 A4. Looking to change in a couple weeks or months.

G35X is the most expensive but it the one I liked most during the test drive. I think a lot of that came from the great automatic transmission. I usually hate automatics but this one is really a notch above the average.

Legacys are simply cheaper. Not as great to drive as the G35X but there is a pretty big difference in price.

Mazda I have not driven yet but it seems like a good middle ground.

This is going to be one tough decision. I'll probably end up buying a G35X on the used market to get the model I prefer to drive without the full pricetag.

[madchef]

All good cars.

The Legacy GT Limited can be had for cheap if you buy used.

[zenusXng]

I test drove a Legacy before buying my 05 X and to be honest, the Legacy seemed to handle the road as good (if not better) than the G35x. However, the turbo lag in the Legacy was very noticeable off the line if you're pushing it really hard. I dont have that issue with the G.

The interior of the Legacy felt really cheap too (granted I test drove a 2005 so they might have improved on it between then a now). The G's interior (albeit not as polished as say an Acura's) is better put together than the Legacy's.

My old roommate ended up buying the car I test drove. It was a 2005 2.5GT with 18k miles on it (it was a "company-car") and with a factory extended warranty, he got it for $21k (this was in June of 2005). So, like it was mentioned before, if you're looking to save some money that's a pretty tempting choice.

My guess (and it's only my guess) is that the Mazda will suffer the same drawbacks as the Legacy.

But you are posting this on G35Driver.com, so chances are the responses will be "GET THE G"

Good luck with your choice.

[trey.hutcheson]

I say go with the MS6. Believe it or not, but I think it's a much nicer car inside, and it will be quite a bit quicker, out of the box, than the g35x. Dealers are also giving away huge incentives on them to clear out inventory. A local guy I know just got one for 21k. That's a steal.

The aftermarket for the MS6 is very immature right now, but give it time. The aftermarket for the g35/350z is much more mature by comparison, but the x will NOT respond to mods as well as the MS6. If you're going to keep the car stock, then ignore this paragraph

One thing about the MS6 though; apparently Mazda didn't like the sudden rush of boost at 2k rpms. They have issued a reflash on the ecu, so that now the ecu limits boost at 2k to 3psi. Full boost isn't achieved until 4500rpms now. Owners that have received the flash are pissed. Apparently Mazda claims that the ecu cannot be flashed back to stock spec. If you do end up going with the MS6, check with the dealer to make sure they have untouched inventory.

[hemants]

Depends if you want auto or manual.

If you want auto, the turbo legacy and ms6 will both suck.

If you want manual, not sure you can get it in the G35X can you?

MS6 is a sweet looking car, not luxurious enough for my tastes but that is personal.

Chipped 2.0t is also a good choice if you want a manual but remember, the G35X is as fast as an S4!!!!!

[DaCurryman]

Originally Posted by zenusXng

However, the turbo lag in the Legacy was very noticeable off the line if you're pushing it really hard. I dont have that issue with the G.

Hard to have turbo lag, when you don't have a turbo!

To the OP, It's hard to say which is best, since the Legacy GT & Mazdaspeed 6 are in a different class than the G35. Also, my understanding is the Mazdaspeed 6 only comes in a manual if that makes a difference to you.

[ephemere]

Perhaps this article would be useful, although these are not 2007 models:

Road & Track comparison of AWD sport sedans

The rankings...

377.5 points: A4 2.0T
376.2 points: Legacy GT spec.B
360.9 points: 325xi
357.6 points: IS 250
351.4 points: Mazdaspeed6
345.4 points: G35x
330.8 points: S40 T5

The autocross results, in brief...

54.9 sec: Legacy GT spec.B
55.2 sec: A4 2.0T S-Line
56.0 sec: 325xi
56.2 sec: G35x
56.3 sec: S40 T5
56.7 sec: Mazdaspeed6
56.8 sec: IS 250

They also tested a RWD G35 just for fun, and it was 0.9 sec slower than the G35x in the dry and 1.3 sec slower in the wet.

[andy2]

Originally Posted by ephemere

They also tested a RWD G35 just for fun, and it was 0.9 sec slower than the G35x in the dry and 1.3 sec slower in the wet.

Must be the non-sport G35 RWD.

[ephemere]

Originally Posted by andy2

Must be the non-sport G35 RWD.

They tested the previous-generation G35.

[ttrank]

Are you going sport or luxury?

If you want sport go for the MS6. I almost got one when I got my G, they are cool cars.

[ttrank]

Originally Posted by ephemere

They tested the previous-generation G35.

What previous generation? His comment was that the sport model should have been closer to the X than the non-sport.

[Spoonie]

Maybe it's me but I thought that the G35 was in a different class than the other cars. I guess I’m wrong. If you are looking to save a buck I can understand, but from a refinement standpoint the other cars that you mentioned shouldn’t even be in the same sentence as the G35 IMO. I can’t believe that you guys are justifying the comparison. How will the G ever shake off the Nissan image when its being compared to factory modified run-of-the-mill Japanese cars? At the same time people are comparing the G to the BMW? You can’t have it both ways. Comparing the G to those other cars dilutes the G's image.

[ttrank]

I agree, it's hard to compare the two in the same class but a lot of people like both. Sometimes what puts them in the same class is the buyer.

[G35DORME]

Originally Posted by hemants

Chipped 2.0t is also a good choice if you want a manual but remember, the G35X is as fast as an S4!!!!!

WOW when did this happen

[BlackGSedaN1027]

Well in part it is true, depending on which one youre comparing. The Audi S4 Cabriolet runs a 14.3 quarter mile, per Car and Driver. And the 2005 Audi S4 Quattro runs 0-60 in 5.1 and the quarter mile in 13.7 (per C&D)