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My brother bought an MX-6. He knew it was mechanically identical to the Ford
Probe. which was cheaper. Yet he went with the Mazda. Specifically, the LS
edition of the 1996 Mazda MX-6, priced at $23,695, is about $3,000 cheaper than
a comparably equipped '96 Ford Probe GT. These cars were jointly designed, and
are built at the same factory in Flat Rock Michigan.
"Why not the Probe?" I asked.
"Why drive an ugly car?" he answered.
I don't agree that the Probe is ugly, but the MX-6 is definitely better looking.
Car stylists are considerably more constrained by a hatchback design (a la
Probe) than by a conventional coupe-with-a-trunk (as is the Mazda). The MX-6 is
swoopy and sexy, where the Probe is a bit boxy in the rear. But I don't know if
the sex appeal is worth three grand.
Aesthetics aside, neither of these cars would make my All Time Top Ten list.
First the good news: The drive is superb. The light, efficient V6 lets you toss
the MX-6 around with abandon, accelerating easily and passing at will. Gas
mileage is good (see below). And if I had at top ten list for seats, the driver
and front-passenger seats of the MX-6 would probably appear. They are
fatigue-free, yet they hold you in place like a racing harness.
Winterwise, the trunk is perhaps less versatile than the Probe's hatchback for
carriers skis and such. But this trunk is sizable nonetheless, at 18.8 cubic
feet. The rear seat split-folds 50/50, which is a plus for three-person ski
trips. Electronic traction control is not available, but winter traction is more
than adequate thanks to front-wheel drive and the car's excellent overall
balance.
The bad news: I find the interior, particularly the dash, somewhat dated and
clunky. What's with those big rectangular switches for turning on the flashers
and such? Meanwhile some of the stereo controls (particularly the "scan" button)
are literally smaller than the tip of my fingernail. Try arresting the scan
function in a dark car on a bumpy road. It's impossible. The power windows are
too slow.
But the car is quick, and fun to drive. The price of the MX-6 has risen
considerably in recent years. Antilock brakes add $800 to what's already a
marginal value. It's a car for people who place vehicle dynamics near the top of
their personal-priority lists. As an added bonus, it is not ugly.
1996 Mazda MX-6 LS
Engines 2..5 liter V6, 164 horsepower
Transmission 5-speed stick, 4-speed auto
Drive System: FWD
Wheelbase: 103.0 inches
Weight: 2,800 pounds
EPA economy: 21 MPG city, 26 highway
(with V6 and 5-speed manual)
Price: $23,695
Copyright © 1996 Snow Country Magazine. All rights reserved.
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