The first generation Mazdaspeed6 comes from a time when the four-door saloon was king. Also known as the Mazda 6 MPS in Europe, this car is the very definition of a sleeper.

Currently, the vehicle is being auctioned off via Bring a Trailer. It has 52,809 miles (84,987 km) on the clock, a Liquid Platinum Metallic exterior, 18-inch multi-spoke alloys and a well-spec’d interior.

Go back a decade and you might remember just how understated and well appreciated cars like the Mazdaspeed6 used to be. In fact, 10 years ago, Jeremy Clarkson went out and compared the 6 to the Ford Mondeo ST220 and the Opel/Vauxhall Vectra VXR, and concluded that the Mazda was the most fun to drive.

Nowadays, there’s a shortage of “hot” four-door non-premium saloons built specifically to put a smile on your face. And no, models like the Ford Mondeo ST-Line or the Passat R-Line don’t count, because in 2006, that Mazda could challenge a BMW M3 in a straight line, so the modern day equivalent would have to be something like a Kia Stinger GT, maybe.

Then there’s the power, which comes from a 2.3-liter turbocharged in-line four. Maximum output is 274 HP (277 PS) and 280 lb-ft (380 Nm), and if that’s not enough, we reckon its future owner can easily squeeze a bit more from the engine with some mods. Also worth taking into account is that this car has an all-wheel drive system, which makes accelerating off the line a lot more efficient.

According to the ad, the car was optioned with the Grand Touring trim line, which meant leather upholstery, keyless entry, BOSE audio system with in-dash CD changer and a power-operated moonroof. Unlike the exterior, which features a great number of scratches as well as rust, the inside of this Mazdaspeed6 seems very well taken care of. Then again, 52,809 miles is by no means a huge number.

At the time of writing, and with two days left for the auction to end, the highest bid was $2,250. It’s offered with no reserve, so it’s a fair assumption that someone could get this understated gem for less than $3k.