Writers are typically not good at math. In fact, many writing careers can be traced all the way back to high school algebra class where scribes-to-be arrive at the conclusion that distancing themselves from any occupation requiring more than rudimentary arithmetic will likely result in maximum happiness and success.

Fast forward a couple of decades and, in spite of grade-school teachers’ best efforts to confuse us with theorems and such, we’ve managed to muddle through with the basic math skills to recognize a good value when we see one. And that’s precisely what we see in the 2006 Mazda MazdaSpeed 6.

This limited-production model’s souped-up four-cylinder engine, new all-wheel drive system, sport-tuned suspension, and handsomely-restyled sheetmetal are admittedly eye-catching. But when we discovered all this good stuff can be had for a nominal premium, we knew we’d found a sports sedan that added up to much more than the sum of its parts.