Future Classic: '93-'97 Mazda MX-6 LS
When the 1993 MX-6 debuted, it made our hearts sing. Here, finally, was a Mazda 2+2 that combined all the fun of its predecessors while banishing the remaining 80's-era funk that afflicted Japanese cars. Out went the plasticky interior and stubby slab-sidedness of the '88-'92 model. Style and performance for moderate money was always the game of the MX-6, and the '93 model stepped it up a lot. Underhood was a rare (for the time) V6 connected to a manual transaxle. The exterior was a timeless Berlinetta with a tightly-wrapped form and delicate flowing lines. It looked less Mazda and more Ferrari 456.
More nostalgia after the jump
The MX-6 also provided the underpinnings for the excellent second-generation Ford Probe. While the Probe was good-looking in its own right, and the best sports car in Ford stores at the time, the MX-6 was a more balanced overall package. The exterior exuded elegant grace; Mazda's stylists managed to come up with a fresh look that wasn't as "drag races, ten cents" as the Probe. Echoes of the MX-6's taut form are visible even today, in the shape of the Mazda 6.
The MX-6 LS was the top-dog, stickering around $20,000 and offering a spanking-new DOHC V6 and available with a stickshift. The 164 horsepower of the V6 may not sound impressive 15 years on, but the competition was humping four-cylinder wares at the time. Sure, some of them were sporting forced-induction and putting down more power, but the raspy blat of a four cylinder is no match for the snarly aplomb a V6 can muster. Weighing in at 2700 pounds, sprints to 60 were in the mid-seven-second range. On paper, perhaps, the MX-6 may not seem to add up, but it's a wonderful package to live with in the everyday world. Punchy midrange and a relaxed demeanor differentiate the MX-6 from its rowdy contemporaries. The MX-6 LS came pretty fully optioned, so it's not like driving one will make you feel like an orderly at a sports car nursing home; they've got most of the stuff that cars today have.
Mazda knows chassis, and the MX-6 benefitted from cribbing the twin trapezoidal links from the RX-7's backside. The chassis stretch allowed the light and compact V6 to be placed further back to minimize understeer and keep turn-in sharp. The tricks worked, the MX-6 did not hopelessly push its way off the road when you wanted to get frisky. Contrary to what you might think, the moderate (yet more than adequate) power level allowed hustle without fighting from the helm or boiling the inside tire trying to power out of corners.
The second-generation MX-6 is a strange case. The fact that it's been out of production for a full ten years snuck up on us, and we miss seeing it. We're not sure where they all went, but they tended to be more adult-owned than their Probe cousins. That bodes well for finding an MX-6 that hasn't been abused, or had some god-awful body kit foisted upon it. The moderate when-new price ensures a bargain now for a car that still looks delicious, can deliver performance to back up its looks, yet doesn't beat your ass or your wallet.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Pancho 5:58AM (11/09/2008)
Great article, Dan. I also agree that the MX-6 is a great looking car, looks modrern, and if kept in good condition can look better than most sports cars today. Oh, and I should also mentioned that I feel extremely luck to have just purchased a very nice MX-6 LS, 5 speed (with 97k original miles). Man, that engine purrs like new. I'm extremely excited about this fun, sporty car. Thanks!
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alexL 4:34PM (6/06/2009)
i bought mine off an older gentleman a year ago and people still mistake it for brand new, the backseats have never been used :) it runs like a dream and its been the most reliable car ever, its never had trouble starting even when its 40 below (no joke, 3 cranks and it was going) and itll still give most cars on the road a run for their money
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ziggy 4:17AM (1/15/2007)
And how many 2 door coupes does Mazda have in it's line-up today? ZERO. Some will say that's because coupes don't sell well, but Mazda is a small manufacturer who can turn a profit on a limited run of successful coupes. It's about time they bring something like the MX-6 back to the U.S. market. This time make it smaller, with the turbo DISI 2.3l 4cyl from the Mazdaspeed 3/6, and RWD please. It would be a modern version of Nissan's 240sx only with Mazda's handling ability. There just aren't any affordable RWD 2 door coupes anymore and Mazda could easily fill that gap while still making a modest profit. It would definately steal sales from all of the FWD poser entry level sports coupes like the eclipse, civic si, and tiburon.
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Max 11:58AM (1/14/2007)
I've gotta say that I am more nostalgic for the 1st gen Mx6. The F2T was a fantastic engine in the right hands and had a good amount of tuning potential. The car was built like a tank..its not unusual to see them reaching 300k miles with no major work under the hood. Plus, they were faster than the 2nd gen cars.
I had a 1991 626 turbo (the MX6's brother,) and I would have to say that it was probably the best all-around car I ever owned. It was a true sleeper with all the utility of your basic grocery getter. It was just a lot more fun once the boost gauge swept past 12psi.
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LegacyB442 12:12PM (1/14/2007)
All I can say is all time favorites of the 90's.
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XJ 12:02PM (1/14/2007)
Back in 1994 the MX-6 V6 was the very first car I ever test drove. I thought it had great power until a Firebird Formula went screaming right past me during the test drive (I'm sure he wanted to send me a message about the MX-6). Then I started looking at Firebirds but thought better of having such a powerful car as a teenager (also my mom was dead set against it, and she was going to flip half the bill). Finally, I test drove the "all new" 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse and I was instantly hooked. The MX-6 was just an afterthought after that ride. The Eclipse was better looking, more power, the rush of turbo, better stereo, better looking wheels, and I swear more strangers would compliment me while I was on the road than the MX-6 could ever dream of. And as a teeneger at the time, that meant a lot!
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Michael Karesh 12:14PM (1/14/2007)
Absolutely stunning car. I thought so then, and I still do. Thanks for taking me back.
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David VanDyke 3:01PM (1/14/2007)
I still consider the MX-6 to be one of the most beautiful cars on the road
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Tom 2:15PM (1/14/2007)
This car is so amazing simply in its classic, timeless beauty. One of my all time favorite car designs.
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Bob in Cobb 8:06PM (1/15/2007)
I loved the 1993 MX-6 but I needed a hatchback to carry computer systems between NY and TX, I bought the '93 Ford Probe thinking same car, different skin. Ford had to have their name on the heads so they made new ones and mis-aligned the oil passages to the four cams. They used carbon impregnated string for plug wires, and found a cheaper battery that would expire with the warranty. The only problem I ever had was heads, plug wires and the battery. Ford could screw up a two car funeral!
New heads took four months to get and two weeks and three cans of Stop Leak to install, Mazda supplied real copper plug wires ($107.) and Delco a good battery. It was my last Fraud ever!
MX-6, I agree, a classic.
Billy Ford roast in Hell!
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Tom 12:48PM (1/14/2007)
This car is so amazing simply in its classic, timeless beauty. One of my all time favorite car designs.
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PiCASSO 3:17PM (1/14/2007)
I preferred the 2nd Generation Ford Probe over this Mazda MX-6. The MX-6 looked, and still looks a bit too long.
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Avery Ironside 5:00PM (1/14/2007)
I had a '96 MX-6 LS V6 5-speed (in a rare grey colour) that took me throughout university. I sold it a year and a half ago for an Audi TT, and there are still times I miss it. Gorgeous car inside and out, with a great smooth torquey V6. Loved it. Even when it was 9 years old, people thought it was brand new.
Pictures here: http://www.showoffyourcar.com/galleries.asp?carid=394
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carbuzzard 3:23PM (1/14/2007)
It's a shame that they didn't sell all that well.
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XGC75 4:34PM (1/14/2007)
Ahhh my first test drive as well, I was 17 looking for a good deal on a used car. '96 LS, 5spd, loved the thing after just a few blocks. The next day, I was beaten to the punch... Another came to the dealer with cash at opening and took the right from under me :(
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Bill 2:17PM (1/14/2007)
I agree with Max, I like the first generation better. My best friend had a Turbo coupe, and he drove the heck out of that car. It was a great car for everyday driving.
I like the 2nd gen Mx-6 too though, and I occasionally see and admire nice copies on the road. Another acquaintance bought one right after he got his MA and had a good job, and he went to the dealer with a simple intoduction, "I want everything". I rode in it, and at the time I remember it being very very smooth and quiet.
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Todd 11:51PM (1/16/2007)
The MX-6's are freaking awesome. I own one and its got around 144,700 miles on it and it sitll runs great! the paint is messed up a bit, but I love it.
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sirAQUAMAN64 3:57PM (1/14/2007)
Mazda actually had a magazine ad way back when (I distinctly remember it on the back cover of R&T or C&D) where the MX-6 Mystere (the 'Mystere' was added to Canadian cars, along with 626 Cronos, MX-3 Precidia, 929 Serenia) was photo'd within a glass time capule with the heading something like "still leading edge/timeless in 2016". At the time I thought it true, and still do. Gorgeous car. Still see the odd one up here.
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Harry 2:35PM (1/14/2007)
Your comments:
I drive an MX-6 LS that I bought new in August, 1992. It's been kept in a garage night and day since so the clearcoat paint still
looks new. This car can still turn heads as the styling is classic.
I love to drive stick shift cars and the MX-6 has a hydraulic clutch,
a dead pedal and the pedals are easy to "heel and toe". I use Red
Line synthetic MTX fluid and the gearbox is still smooth shifting.
The early versions of the Probe GT came with a really stiff suspension
setup. I test drove a few and decided the Probe would get tiring if
driven for an hour or more. The MX-6 is softer and I can drive it all day and not be tired after a 900 mile drive.
I love the little V6. Mazda used a variable geometry intake system that gives this motor a lot of power above 4500 RPM. There is a JDM high output
version of the 2.5 litre (code KLZE) with a forged crank and bigger
ports and valves for a rated 195 HP.
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sirAQUAMAN64 4:05PM (1/14/2007)
OMGosh, I can't believe I found the ad described above on eBay!!!
Check it out...
http://cgi.ebay.com/MAZDA-MX-6-1993-Industry-Promo-Ad-Cars-k_W0QQitemZ150049056903QQihZ005QQcategoryZ13563QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting
http://cgi.ebay.com/1993-MAZDA-MX-6-COUPE-AD-CAR-IN-TIME-CAPSULE-FOR-2030_W0QQitemZ7171359910QQihZ015QQcategoryZ13563QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting
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