Blew up my Speed6... ugly.
 

2006 Speed6, 90k miles. Original owners. Aftermarket top-mount, Forge BOV, and test pipe installed around 20k.

It's always run a little rough in the summer... you can feel it pulling timing and the occasionaly sputter. I drive it once a month because it's the wifes car, and she rarely gets on it hard. I think I remember it running a little rougher a month or so ago when it was really hot out one afternoon, but I just figured that 95* and 95* humidity was the culprit.

Anyways... 3rd gear, 50'ish throttle merging around 50mph... chug-chug-bang!!! Instant hot oil smell and I saw some sparks along the highway behind us, luckily nobody really close.
I coasted it over to the shoulder no problem. Threw a rod, took the oil-pan off with it.

It's in the dealsership's side lot waiting for me to decide what to do, but they said I could leave it there for a month or so. Parting it out in my garage over the next year isn't really what I want to do, so I'm hoping somebody local wants a project. It's going up on CL after I call some junkyards just to see what they'll do.

I want a Sienna, wife wants a Sequoia. Our 4Runner is the greatest vehicle we've ever owned, so it's not going anywhere, but we really just need something decent sized with a 3rd row that will last 10 years.

FML. OTOH, we sold our house after being on the market just 3 weeks, so there's that. Additional pictures of new bedroom toys from our garden.

-Sammy

Sucks. When you throw a rod, you don't mess around. Is that a known issue with those, or just bad luck?

Those are really not known for their reliability. Plagued with all sorts of issues actually.

Everyone's gonna laugh at me for this, but those new 16+ sienna's are really cool. I've done a ton of research on em. Rock solid DI/FI engine, 8sp auto, optional AWD, every creature comfort available on the LE+ trims, and if you want it to actually kinda look sporty, they have the SE trim that looks downright sexy for a minivan. 10 years would be nothing for one of those. I'm looking for one now, for our growing famiry

If you actually want a usable 3rd row, you will want the Sienna. (Though in the interest of full disclosure we went with the Odyssey).

I remember that speed6. I remember being at Braineack's house one Saturday shortly after he had crashed his miata and picked up a replacement. So we were slowly swapping over parts from the old miata to the new miata. Swapping the rear subframe was on the plate for that day. Then a blue speed6 pulls up and its none other then SpamNavy who gets out. He then man handles the rear subframe like it is his beta bottom bitch. Sort of how Hustler likes it if you know I mean. After we got the job done we shot the shit, rode around in the speed6, and got some pizza. Just about the best gay man date ever, boost and pizza.

all i remember is this:

LETS DO THIS!

http://static1.wikia.nocookie.net/__..._Screaming.jpg

didn't even use a tranny lift, did ya

^I've never use a tranny anything... got close one portcall in Phuket, but lucky a couple of my mates were more sober and waved me off in time.

I'm all about the fucking Sienna... the wife has an excuse-matrix about 3 pages deep why she doesn't want one, and she's been holding firm for years.

You don't need a Sienna or Odyssey. You need what is below.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...03e4bddb7f.jpg

What is more manly then a 12 second Dodge Caravan.

​​​​​​​On a serious note, Odysseys are a damn amazing piece of machinery. I used to be very much in minivans suck and I hate them camp. Then I drove my Aunts Odyssey and that all changed. They are not sports cars by any means, but damn if it was not comfy and loaded with everything I could ever want in a commuter.

Ours is a 2016 SE, aka "Goldilocks". Basically an EX with the rear DVD entertainment and built-in vacuum. Perfectly equipped for hauling kids around.

Speed6 stock* (edited for clarity) rods definitely can't handle boost below 3000rpms. Also, if you never upgraded your fuel pump internals for the high pressure side, the second you started modding that car you were doomed. As for the reliability statements, it isn't entirely true. There are just baseline mods that 100% have to happen first because Mazda never anticipated anybody doing tuner mods to a "luxury" competitor to the M3. For reference, there is a 620awhp Speed6 sitting in my garage that is my best friend's daily driver. JMS Racing tuned the car after Kotzur Racing built the engine. It's been making that power well over 2 years, hard pulls, launches, roadtrips, no issues at all.

Who doesn't love engine carnage? I'm truly impressed that you took out the oil pan like that.

Maybe you're done with the mazda turbo motors, but if you want a 7 passenger vehicle, we just got a '17 CX-9 and love it. Plus, they look sexy for big ass SUVs, and they don't drive like a bucket of floppy dildos either.

+1 to the CX-9. They're incredibly well built and the value of buying one used is astronomically more in favor of the other mom-car options hahaha

Even Fae has an Odyssey now! :)

If we're comparing minivans, the Odyssey drives a lot better than the Sienna. I wouldn't use the work "sport" in the same sentence as "minivan", but let's just say that Honda and Toyota have a difference of opinion regarding driving dynamics, and that shows up even in the minivans.

The other problem I have with Siennas is that the driver ergonomics are terrible. The ones I've driven, the driver's seat is positioned in such a location that the wheel arch intrudes into the space where I want to put my left foot.

We have a 2016 CX-9, it's awesome.

http://www.codrus.com/misc/three-mazdas.jpg

--Ian

We've got a couple neighbors on deployment, so I've got access to a late-model Oddyssey, a 2010 Prius, and a 2005 Grand Cherokee. There's no hurry to buy because of the loaner availability, but not gonna wait more than a couple weeks... gotta get back in the saddle.

For now, I'm think I'm getting pretty serious on an AWD CX-9... but that leaves us with 2 same/same medium sport-utes whose capabilities almost directly overlap. The 4Runner has no third row and is a bit smaller, and is RWD, but that's a 1st world problem. At 180k it's probably got another 100k in the motor and the rest of it will never wear out. It needs shocks/struts... full set of KYB oem replacements for $300... and I've started scouring for some leather front seats off a wreck.

We've got a couple neighbors on deployment, so I've got access to a late-model Oddyssey, a 2010 Prius, and a 2005 Grand Cherokee. There's no hurry to buy because of the loaner availability, but not gonna wait more than a couple weeks... gotta get back in the saddle.

For now, I'm think I'm getting pretty serious on an AWD CX-9... but that leaves us with 2 same/same medium sport-utes whose capabilities almost directly overlap. The 4Runner has no third row and is a bit smaller, and is RWD, but that's a 1st world problem. At 180k it's probably got another 100k in the motor and the rest of it will never wear out. It needs shocks/struts... full set of KYB oem replacements for $300... and I've started scouring for some leather front seats off a wreck.

Stick with the turbos. Two of them, in an AWD not-minivan minivan.

Ecoboost flex. I don't yet need to reflash it, it's that entertaining stock/warrantied.

Looks like my driveway minus the FD. You made me want to add a FD to my collection even more.

Have you driven a CX9? They are great to drive. I am thinking about getting a flash for it too for some more boost. Ours is the blue color above, but the Grand Touring with all the bells and whistles. I'm more of a "drive the old 4runner" guy myself (I dd my 06 crew cab duramax) but it is one of the few newer cars I have genuinely appreciated all the tech on while still being able to somewhat feel the road.

The third row isn't the largest, but it is just kids under 5 that end up back there anyways. With them folded down, cargo room is great. Not a "take on a long road trip with lots of luggage" third row like a suburban, but still nice and useable.

IIRC you guys only have 2 girls, right?
if that's the case, you can totally get away with an suv and don't need a van

I DD a 2015 Sienna Limited. 100% happy with it- I don't really even "need" a minivan as my kids aren't little any more, but I've been driving vans for 10 years and there's no going back for me. 2006 Odyssey before this; great van, but the Sienna is better all around.

No, it doesn't drive like a Miata, but it's deceptively fast and a lot less like a bucket of floppy dildo's than any SUV or crossover I've been in. It's the tits for hauling anything, or for road trips. AirLift bags in the rear suspension made a huge difference for ride/handling when loaded down. 21-24mpg under any conditions. If you're the outdoors type, pull the rear seats out and it makes a fantastic camper- I put a Coleman cot in the back of mine and do weekend mountain bike trips in the mountains all the time.

Don't bother with the AWD. Worse mileage, reported reliability issues, and stupid run-flat tires with no spare. I've driven the FWD in serious snow/ice with no issues at all, as long as it has decent tires.

Having recently been in your position, I opted for a 2017 Honda Ridgeline. It's kind of the minivan of trucks. I like it. Handles way better than any body-on-frame truck every made. Pretty plush & roomy. Fits a full sheet of plywood. I've been averaging 22.7 mpg combined. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...93b3465469.jpg
Just a thought if you're looking to expand the capability of your fleet a little bit, but still need a kid hauler.

Yup, just two... but 1st world problems, remember? Gotta be able to haul all the friends and gear and "stuff". The wife has only ever had new vehicles and is really putting her foot down on getting something new enough that it'll last 10 years. We bought the Speed new and it's been hers for 10yrs now... she wants something that's decade-proof. A V6 AWD CX-9 checks all my wickets except for towing. I'm not going back to a turbo-4. The 4Runner will tow the 18ft travel trailers we rent from MWR like a champ, so we don't need the hugeness of a Sequoia.

I'm 100% with you on the Sienna. I would have bought one years ago, but the wife is having none of it. She's actually starting to get a little mad when she sees me looking at them in traffic. And I've repeatedly told her that she never has to drive it... she can have whatever she wants and I'll DD it.

What is it with wives not wanting minivans? That is honestly what I told my wife to get when we were shopping around and ended up with a CX9. She said "I want something with 7 seats that drives like a car and isn't too big" and things like that constantly. I kept telling her to get a minivan. When I told her all 7 passenger SUVs were just jacked up minivans, and she should just cave and get a minivan, she would get pissed and say "I'm not driving a minivan!" I guess that is why you see far more unoccupied 3 row SUVs on the road than minivans.

It's literally verbatim with most women: I'M NOT DRIVING A MINIVAN!!

My wife wasn't keen on the idea at first, but then we went to test-drive one and she discovered how easy it was to deal with car seats in a nice, big vehicle with sliding doors and she was sold. Now that the kids are big enough that we're mostly done with that (11 and 7, my son is still using a small booster, but it's nowhere close to the hassle a full car seat is), we replaced the 9-year-old Odyssey with the CX-9.

--Ian

Wife just got a CX-9 GT a couple months ago. It's pretty and has lots of gadgets. No AWD thanks, it is South Florida. It's got about 1000 miles and the MPG is only 16 because mainly city driving doing mommy things and hauling in-laws around. It's got awesome pull just after about 1.5 seconds coming from a dead stop and stomp of the go-pedal. Enough that it starts to spin the tires at about 5-10 mph. It runs out of breath really quick though.

It replaced a 14 Odyssey Touring. We lost a ton of room and the DVD monitor for the little one but that is about it other than the seat. Little one has a tablet now and the room is barely missed since we never really used it much. We did fit five with the 3rd row down for luggage and we got two big suitcases, two standard carry-ons, and one small carry-on plus my in-laws folding small-wheel wheelchair. Same luggage in the Odyssey would not have required getting rid of third row.

The CX-9 is much more plush inside except for the seat. It's only 6-way with lumbar. I may be nitpicking but not being able to adjust the angle of the lower seat just sucks. The freaking Honda had it. But the Mazda has a stereo worthy of a $40k vehicle unlike the 8 track dash speaker system Honda thought was good enough. And the HUD is full of information. And I can't wait to take a long trip and use the adaptive cruise control more. Going to Key West for my birthday so that should be a good test. Like I said, it's got gadgets.

The CX-9 has a sportier ride than the Odyssey but I won't go out and say it's fun to drive in corners and whatnot. Brakes have better feel but not that much better. Power is definitely better but it's also like 400 lbs lighter with 60 ftlb's more.

We got it for like $3k under sticker and .9 APR for 5 years. We almost got a 16 model that was advertised at $8k under and had 0 APR for 5 years. For the amount of car you get in the case of the GT for less than $40k, my opinion is it's a good value. Just hope it stays together and trade in value is still over $10k when finished paying for it. Then I hope the wife is done with these mommy cars and we can get a Cadi. I miss having a sedan.

We have the AWD GT. We manage 21 in the city (San Antonio) and driving back from TN we managed 26mpg running 80-85 most of the way. I'm sure you could get 27-28 running 70. The seat pisses me off too. If my basic ass diesel truck can drop the seat in the back, why not the luxury mazda. It is a hell of a car for the money though. It easily out classed the pilot, Durango, kia, and VW we drove, and was comparable to the MDX, just 10k less. The power dive at 5k is kind of annoying, but other than that, I love it. Still great passing power on the interstate even though the power drops off high.

Anyone have the Acura MDX on their radar? I picked up a '14 a few months ago and it's been great. 290hp, I can pull 28mpg on the freeway with no problem, technically seats 7 though the back seat is like most SUVs (honestly it's been folded flat since I bought it). Unlike the CX9 it can tow 5000lbs - I got 17.5mpg towing my Miata on a heavy ass UHaul car hauler 3 hours to Atlanta Motorsports Park and back, and it had no issues with power. Great stereo, super comfy. Not much tech in the base model but what do I care - I can drive the car myself thanks.

We considered the MDX, but it runs about $10K more than the CX-9 when optioned similarly, and to me the extra stuff didn't justify the increase in price. Towing wasn't high on our list of requirements though, since we have a 3/4 ton Chevy diesel for that purpose. :)

--Ian

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https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...f15daf583a.jpg

No sliding doors == not a minivan.

--Ian

Exactly the same here. We actually got ours from a dealership that sold acuras and mazdas. We drove them back to back.

My duramax does the heavy hauling as well.

Drove a fwd CX-9 V6 yesterday... feels really big and slow... everything slow to respond, very "removed" driving experience. I've been borrowing an 2010 Odyssey for the past week and I like it better. But I also think I'm spoiled with the 4Runner, which is the greatest car ever. The CX-9 Grand Touring steps up the fancy shit that I can live without, but the wife is all about it. I hate the thought of what 20" tires cost.

Anyways... 2012-2014 CX9 AWD V6 GT in white with 50k'ish for $22k is what we're after. The Mazda dealership only had fwd models, and the wife says AWD is a must. It shouldn't take long.

FWIW, the 2nd gen CX-9 (2016+) is very different from the first gen.

--Ian

Mazda did some serious re-designing and re-engineering starting with 14 and then into 16

They discontinued the V6 in '16, and I'm not buying a turbo-4 in a 4500lb car no matter how much better the mileage is. The '14-'15 V6 is within range depending on trim and mileage.

You need to embrace technology and realize that most modern turbo 4 engines are way torquier than a 6

There's nothing wrong with the 4-cylinder turbo in the current CX-9. Lots of torque down low, undetectable lag. It peters out above 5K, so it'd make for a lousy sports car motor, but this isn't a sports car. Drive one before ruling it out categorically.

--Ian

Not gonna happen. Main reason is... not gonna happen. Second reason is that the years and mileage we're looking at are only V6.

ALSO... sold the Speed today. Guy drove 4hrs to pick it up. Former Mazda mechanic and has a wrecked Speed6 w/good drivetrain... he's gonna swap his motor into my car, part my motor, and then part his car. I figure he doubles up minus his labor. Bittersweet, but glad the way it worked out.

I'm not sure a used MDX would be too much more expensive than a similarly used CX-9, the off-lease depreciation is pretty high. I picked my 2014 for $27500 with 32k miles. I haven't driven a CX9 so I don't know how the dynamics compare, but I don't have a truck to tow with so the MDX kind of does everything (haul my music equipment to gigs, tow the miata, take girls on dates, etc.)

My wife is the same way with the minivans - two kids here with one on the way. Her worry is about the sliding door reliability. She says that everybody she knows that has a minivan has had issues with the sliding door. Anybody have input on this? I love the Sienna, the Odyssey and the CX9. She just totaled her 2017 RAV4, which was a great car, but I had my hesitation about it being able to seat 3 kids and two adults comfortably.

My 2006 Odyssey had sliding door issues, and I put a lot of work into trying to fix them. Ended up just taking it to the Honda repair guy and paying $500 to have it fixed.

That’s the bad news. The good news- it was 10 years old before it had any issues.

Our 2007 Odyssey had zero issues with the sliding doors in the 100K that we owned it.

--Ian

Another vote for a Minivan. My mom DDs a 2003 Pontiac Montana and it has been wonderful to have. You would not beleive how much stuff you can move with a minivan with the seats out and a 6x10 utility trailer. I have felt cramped in any SUV I have been in, the minivan is gobs of space and comfy for everyone. When this one dies it is being replaced by a new Oddysy.

You guys know that this was 6 months ago, we bought a Sequoia, and now live in Hawaii...