Insanely Nice 1989 Mazda MX-6 GT Turbo with 62k Miles
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For October 12, 2021, our used car find is this remarkably well-preserved and original 1989 Mazda MX-6 GT Turbo coupe with just 62k miles. It’s offered on Craigslist by a private seller in the Orange County area for $5,999 or best offer.
Here’s what makes this one special.
Introduction
Following in the footsteps of Honda’s Prelude and Nissan’s 200SX, Mazda got into the sporty coupe game with its MX-6 model, which debuted for the 1987 model year (in the US). The handsome design — a two-door wedge with fender flares — was based on the popular 626 sedan and featured the same basic mechanicals. In the case of the top-of-the-line GT trim, which we have here, that meant a turbocharged and intercooled version of Mazda’s 2.2-liter F-series four-cylinder, making 145 hp and an impressive-for-the-day 190 lb-ft of torque. That was good for a 0-60 runs in the mid seven second range.
You may recall that Ford offered its own version of the MX-6, the rather unfortunately named Ford Probe. While the Probe GT was more hard-edged, the MX-6 GT, true to its name, was more of a grand tourer. In its road test at the time, MotorTrend noted, “Though all the mechanicals are also a common design with the Ford Probe, the MX-6 uses softer springs, shocks, and bushings to achieve a more refined touring feel. This translates into a greater degree of dive, squat, and pitch, but endows the car with a noticeably more compliant ride quality than its American cousin.”
Fun fact: like the Honda Prelude of this vintage, the MX-6 GT could be optioned with four-wheel steering (4WS). The setup utilized an electronically-controlled rear steering rack to turn the back wheels counter to the fronts at lower speeds (under 22 mph) and with them at higher speeds in order to help the car change directions.
The Listing
With barely more than 60,000 miles and a like-new appearance inside and out, this MX-6 GT has to be one of the best specimens left. This particular car doesn’t have 4WS, but it does sport electrically adjustable dampers — also pretty cool for the era, and in keeping with its grand touring nature.
In the words of the seller…
1989 Mazda MX-6 GT Turbo in excellent condition with only 63,000 miles. This vehicle has been meticulously cared for, with an extremely clean interior and exterior, always kept in a garage.
Vehicle runs great, with multiple new parts and systems installed in recent years by authorized shops. Clean title w/ current insurance & registration.
Don’t miss out on this clean Turbo-Coupe with classic Mazda speed.
Features:
2.2L Turbo engine
Automatic Transmission
Power windows
Strong A/C with oscillating “swing” vents
Immaculate, smoke-free interior
No mechanical issues, runs perfectly
The seller also shot a series of videos of the car starting, running, and driving. Check them out on YouTube here.
About the only fault we can find with this one is the gearbox. While the somewhat laggy turbo four cylinder should pair well with the four-speed slushbox, we can’t help but wish it was fitted with Mazda’s excellent five-speed manual instead.
We have few quibbles with the price, either. Considering how rare such a nice example like this is, a dollar under six grand seems quite reasonable, perhaps even a bit cheap.
Details and Specs
- 62,440 miles
- 2.2-liter turbocharged four cylinder engine (F2T)
- 145 hp @ 4,300 rpm
- 190 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm
- four-speed automatic transmission
- front-wheel drive (FWD)
- Blaze Red exterior
- gray cloth interior
- for sale by owner
- $5999 (or best offer)
- Anaheim Hills, California
- 1YVGD31C2K5239028
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