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By
EWAN KENNEDY
18 October 2004
From
Japan, the Mazda MX-6 is a sports coupe. It was sold in two distinct
versions in its relatively brief period on the market. At its
introduction in October 1987 it was a hard-edged sports machine intended
for the serious driver. Using a turbocharged four-cylinder engine of
2.2-litre capacity it had huge straight-line performance, though there
was plenty of frustrating turbo lag to take the edge off the fun.
Too much power is something revheads don't usually complain about, but
in the case of the MX-6 the front-drive chassis can be overwhelmed at
full turbo boost at low road speeds. The result is savage torque steer.
It is even worse on wet roads and the car can be dangerous in the hands
of an inexperienced or sloppy driver.
On the other hand, if you know what you are doing and drive the hot
turbo Mazda according to its needs it can be very exhilarating. Most
modern cars don't demand any real skill from the driver, so enthusiasts
of these early Mazda MX-6s take pride at getting the best from them.
Four-wheel steering became an option in February 1989. Not so much to
tame the torque steer as to improve high-speed cornering. It also makes
parking simpler.
With the release of the all-new model in November 1991, Mazda MX-6 took
an all-new direction. Now a cruiser instead of a bruiser it used a
2.5-litre V6 engine. The 1991 MX-6 has a sleek appearance with a
particularly pronounced slope of the cabin at the rear. Headroom in the
back seat suffers and there's a fair bit of sun entry.
Four-wheel steering was also an option in the later MX-6 model. Due to
the cruising nature of the car it’s probably of less use than in the
turbo variants.
Engine performance from the smallish V6 is on the modest side, totally
removed from the animal antics of the old turbo unit. Meaning the type
of driver attracted to the two MX-6 models is completely different. We
will leave it up to you to decide which category you fall into.
Both the MX-6 models are sold with the choice between a five-speed
manual and four-speed automatic transmission. The automatic is the more
common in the later models, the manual in the turbo.
After a reasonable amount of success on the Australian market, the Mazda
MX-6 was removed from the scene in September 1997. That was more a
result of the severe rationalisation that was taking place in the
financially troubled Mazda corporation, than because of any fault with
the cars.
These are relatively complex machines so most repairs should be left to
the professionals. Preferably those trained in Mazdas as the four-wheel
steering is pretty unusual. The good amateur can do some routine
servicing.
Check with your insurance company before becoming too deeply involved in
an MX-6 turbo. If you are a young and/or inexperienced driver with a
poor driving record and living in a theft-prone area the premiums are
likely to make your hair stand on end. The V6 model is more reasonably
priced.
As well as examining the Mazda, you may also care to look at the Ford
Probe. Only sold here from 1994 until 1998, and never particularly
successful, it shared many of its underbody components with the latter
day Mazda MX-6.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Look for signs of repairs to the body work. Check the condition of
the interior and boot for damage caused by uncaring owners. Look for
signs of drying of the dash top as the windscreen is large and slopes
steeply.
Be sure that all equipment works correctly, especially in the upmarket
V6 variants. Use the owner’s handbook for details of operation of
everything from the complex stereo to the multi-function ventilation
system.
Modern turbo engines are generally reliable, provided they have been
correctly driven and maintained. If there's a service book with the car
make sure the engine oil has been changed to schedule. Any untoward
sounds from the turbo are a cause for concern, as is hesitation under
acceleration and/or smoke from the exhaust.
The fuel-injected V6 should start within a second or so, even when stone
cold, and immediately settle into a vibration-free idle. There should be
no hesitation under acceleration and the exhaust should be free from
smoke.
Gear changes on the manual should be light and easy and automatics
should change ratios almost imperceptibly.
CAR BUYING TIP
Try taking along a friend so you can bounce your thoughts off them.
Maybe even get some interesting new ideas on the car.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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