Do you think guys there is any chance to have Mazdaspeed 6 for under 1mln NT here in Taiwan?
(AWD, 260bhp, 2.3 trubo)
That would be something to look for let only to give all the overpriced european imports run for their money.
mazda.com.tw/2005/news/news20061023-1.html
Scroll down to the last paragraph.
[quote=“pb”]Do you think guys there is any chance to have Mazdaspeed 6 for under 1mln NT here in Taiwan?
(AWD, 260bhp, 2.3 trubo)
That would be something to look for let only to give all the overpriced european imports run for their money.
mazda.com.tw/2005/news/news20061023-1.html
Scroll down to the last paragraph.[/quote]
nice looking car
pb, you might want to drag your horse out of the rain… 
The Mazdaspeed 6 that will be sold here does not have the 260hp engine nor the awd system. The engine options will be a 2.0 and 2.3s of which only the 2.0 is available with a 5 speed gearbox. The car that you want competes directly with the Subaru WRX STi and the Mitsubishi EVO so I would guess that if it ever makes the trip over here, it will probably cost upwards of 1.5M NT$.
Yeah, that is a nice lookin car.
It’s taken Mazda way too long to release another AWD vehicle. I mean, they’ve had the MPV 4x4 van but the only other car was the 323 GTX AWD turbo. My friend has one and it’s choice.
And I don’t say choice often. 
I’m going to pretend I didn’t see this thread. Move along now.
Yes, you are right. It is going to be the same 2.3 liter engine as in Mazda 6 2.3S 
I guess it was my subconscious wish for a car breaking the lousy choice here in Taiwan
I’m at a point where I’m thinking of buying a car and it is going to be either something
cheap and boring (and reliable and blending in: I would go for a new Civic)
or a car which is fun to drive.
Locally Subaru looks interesting (1.23M NT). EVO is more expensive (1.8M NT) and only VIII (where’s IX ?)
Both have quite flashy body styling - what I’m looking for is a blend of power and practicality (the wife acceptance factor )
Mazdaspeed 6 (USA version) looked interesting. 4cyl 2.3 turbo would have power and as a bonus stayed in lower tax bracket.
On the other hand I do not really like big V6 making car front heavy. What I want from a car is a control first then power.
This is Taiwan after all with all the curvy roads. All it leaves is above mentioned STI, EVO and perhaps VW GTI
(R32 is a stretch but a good performer)
Oh… I forgot: sequential gearbox mmm GTI with DSG is it then?
Others: Infinity G35 (3.5 liter ?!)
BMW 130 (+2M NT and see the Top Gear review)
Anything I missed?
[quote=“Nonsequitur”]pb, you might want to drag your horse out of the rain…
The Mazdaspeed 6 that will be sold here does not have the 260hp engine nor the awd system. The engine options will be a 2.0 and 2.3s of which only the 2.0 is available with a 5 speed gearbox. The car that you want competes directly with the Subaru WRX STi and the Mitsubishi EVO so I would guess that if it ever makes the trip over here, it will probably cost upwards of 1.5M NT$.[/quote]
Sorry man! 
I know you have your reasons for Mazda aversion.
Just a car. But then all kinds of cars are driven by the pricks. Recently Wish drivers
are getting on my nerves though. Those with little HP and big ego are worst.
I’m cool with all the bikers. I kind of both admire and envy you guys
Ford Focus ST or whatever letters the sports version is.
The Subaru WRX is a good choice (although I might be a bit biased :p)… They’ll get around to bringing in the STi version eventually so if you aren’t in a hurry, I’d suggest waiting for it. The EVO is a nice car but they only have VIII and not IX. It’s interior is also less impressive than the locally made Lancer. 
As for the European cars… waaaaay overpriced IMHO.
Compare all the cars and you’ll see that nothing comes close to the WRX in terms of cost/performance ratio. 
I honestly don’t know if the Taiwan market for STi models is enough to get a version that will pass the emissions regs (even though they pass in California). I did hear some rumors the STi would be back in '07, but still no announcements from SoT. Same problem for Mitsubishi, so no Evos this year and '07 also looks like a wash.
That’s what they told me in '04 when I bought my rex… 2 weeks later, the STi was on sale here. :S
Yeah, but things were a bit of mess back then. I would expect a bit more competence from SoT these days…
OTOH…
Competence? From the guys who said that my stock temp sensor was aftermarket? 
I meant at corporate level, communications, but yeah, lol anyway. The same geniuses are still working at my local dealer as during the Ta Ching days.
To the OP: Sorry, bit of a hijack… 
But seriously, it would be wonderful if Mazdaspeed 6 appeared here but considering that the current car market situation is far from being hot at the moment, it’ll probably be a long while before we get a whiff. It’s nice to see that Mazda is finally warming up to the 4 door rocket sedan market what with the “Zoom zoom zoom” comercial and everything.
What are the biggest differences between current Taiwanese WRX and STI? Is there a chassis dffierence?
I see that the WRX in Taiwan sells with 2.5 liter engine? (BTW Subaru website Flash seems to be broken)
Is it the same or different unit compared to STI? (retuned?)
There are significant differences between the WRX and STi. Although both have 2.5L engines, the STi engine has reinforced internals and a larger turbo along with more aggressive engine tune. The STi also comes with a 6-speed gearbox and a better suspension.
Considering Taiwan roads, the only place where you can really have a bit of fun are the mountains - Highways are packed and full of radar, city roads are shit…
Go for a small and aggressive stuff - Clio RS, 206 RC, Megane RS, Golf R32, etc…
Cheers
Clio V6 saw one (or a fake one) parked at a 2nd hand dealership once~ i think that dealership is closed now though… they often had a supra, an rx8 etc. parked there~
would be interested if the AWD 6 did come here~ the missus was only commenting the other day at how big the 6 seems (she likes big, roomy, comfy cars)… and if she wants to upgrade, no complaints - not that there’s anything wrong with my MAV~ but bike comes first
Clio V6 : Oneof the best stuff in terms of fun and performance. Could take on anything - even much more powerfull - a rush up to Yan Min Shan…
There are a few in TWN, but they are damn expensive. I’ve seen two for sell so far, 2002 (or 2003?) model, going for 1.4~1.6 M NT$. Kind of special collector stuff…
I’d stick to the Clio RS or 206 RC - There’s a few around, they are reasonnably priced, piece of cake to drive in the city, “cute” for the wife, and vicious on the mountain roads - Close to 200 HP on 1000 kg, with a European (Errr… Sorry, French) handling.
Probably not the best choice if you look for big, roomy and comfy car, though.