MazdaSpeed6: Used Car Reminder

There are two conversations where car enthusiasts always bring up Mitsubishi.  One is a discussion of the best turbocharged, all-wheel drive sport compacts.  The other relates to which car company will be the next to leave the US market.  In both cases, Mitsubishi is the big winner.

But let’s say you’re into cars, you’re looking for a hot AWD sedan, and you don’t want to buy a car from a brand that had to issue a press release after the Japanese tsunami announcing that they weren’t pulling out of the United States.  Oh, and let’s also say you have eyes, which eliminates the Impreza STI.  What then?

In that case, I submit the first Used Car Reminder: the 2006-2007 MazdaSpeed 6.

Remember these?  Probably not.  No one does, because no one bought them.  But imagine the good looks of the first-generation Mazda6 sedan combined with a 270-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, all-wheel drive, and a 6-speed manual transmission.  You can’t go wrong, right?

Right indeed – especially considering they currently sell for around $14k in decent shape.  Plus, they weren’t usually modified.   The same can’t be said of the Evo, half of which are now listed on cars.com for twice their actual value by misguided 23-year-olds who think adding neon lights and an exhaust actually increases value.

Sure, the MazdaSpeed6 has its flaws.  No one will ever know you have a cool car, for example.  And the clutch sucks.  But every time your left leg starts to get sore, just remember: at least your car company will still be in the US this time next year.