General Auto Chat

hello,

bummer. when it was first out with the MT i lusted after it even with the beak!

 

Fancy-Honda makes AWD sedans?

I've never seen an equivalent model in Australia. We never got the Acura brand.

 

They do indeed. I'm from NZ (living in US for work) so I never really knew much about the brand until moving to the States.

I wanted an AWD (but not a massive SUV/ute like everyone else has here...) for the shitty winters over here and after testing a few models (multiple WRX's, A4's. 3 series, and a Fusion) I ended up liking the TL the most.

 

Yeah... so I did it...
Actually wanted the Maximum Steel one but couldn't find anything down here.
Picked up the Granite version...

Enjoying it so far.

 

Sad day for 'Murica - The Viper is no more. One of the last (or maybe the last) direct super cars out there. A car that could embarrass you or make you a hero, depending on your skill.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/news/a27128/its-official-dodge-viper-production-ends-in-2017/

 

Loving Ken Block's 78 Escort RS -

 

new civic barf.jpg

 

Everybody is singing it praises, but I just see the same 2006/2012/2013 Civic with a more cluttered design, and more "stuff" attached to it and inside it.

 

I think it could be better, but it's still really good. The overall package is hard to beat. I don't get how you can see the last 3 designs (which were mostly evolutions) in a completely new car. Really the only competitor for top honors now is the Mazda 3, and for me, it doesn't really compare. The interior alone is vastly better than anything else in its class.

 

I actually saw a new Civic on the road yesterday. It looked quite nice, though a little too chromey. It's huge, too.

 

Mazda released the new CX-9 yesterday. Looks fricken fantastic. Not in the market for one, but would buy if I was.

 

Mazda is killing it with their interiors recently. I got to drive a Mazda 3 recently and it has easily one of best interiors in a sub-$30k car.

 

Heh, I'm just trying to figure out why an automotive enthusiast would contemplate a luxury SUV purchase. It's a well-adorned family hauler. How exciting. Frankly, I'd much rather opt for a minivan. More space for extra wheels and tires, a tool box, and the passengers. The one we have can tow, too. Cost? $10K with 30K miles on the clock. It's a disposable entity, as is the Mazda.

 

My parents are in kind of a rush to replace their minivan that was totaled. They were hoping to get the car by this weekend because my sisters and father go to school/work in opposite directions and can't really drop each other off. Their budget is around $17,000 which allows for a surprisingly big spread in my area (northern Illinois). They'd prefer a crossover with seven seats because they have to transport other people's kids pretty often. Right now their top choices are a 2009 MDX, a 2011 Grand Cherokee (their bottom choice but it is the cheapest), and a 2011 CX-9. Are they going in the right direction? They were also considering a 2011 turbo CX-7 even though it only has 5 seats but I haven't read good things about their reliability.

 

Sooooo I dumped the Ecostang for a WRX. I just couldn't stand the handling/lack of response in the Stang and wanted something sharper.

I'm also thinking about picking up a second car. I drove a Stingray and 11 Cayman S, and both were too soft and disconnected. I think I'm just gonna buy a gently used FR-S for like $20k.

 

You can even buy a DIY kit-car Lotus 7 and give it the modifications to outrun Ferraris.

 

Caaah Tawk. Now I'm going to cry. At least they do reruns.

Also, might as well size myself up to the competition here. 2005 Nissan Shitra, 1.8 litre, 17+ horsepower. Yeah. But the cool part is I drive it in the city and get 31 Mpg. So proud of myself.

 

Could be worse...



P.S. I was about to insert the Volvo 340 but that car still has a charm and does not catch fire.

 

I drove this today.

2016 Mazda Miata MX-5 Grand Touring
This will mostly be a comparison to the FR-S.

Exterior
Absolutely beautiful car. Pictures really don't do it justice, Smaller in person, too.

Interior
It's the typical modern Mazda interior, which is to say it's fantastic and shits all over the FR-S in terms of materials, fit and finish, and overall quality. The infotainment system might as well be developed by space aliens it's so much better than what's in the Ferz. There are buttons on the steering wheel!

Unfortunately, there are a few major issues. In the pursuit of weight savings, Mazda made it so the seats don't move forward/back and up/down independently. Instead, the seats slide up as you slide forward, and down as you slide back. The steering wheel also doesn't telescope, it only tilts. Unfortunately, this made it impossible for me to get into a comfortable driving position that didn't result in my head rubbing up against the roof.

The steering wheel isn't very good. The leather is smooth, but I find textured leather to be much better for actual driving. It's also a really thin and doesn't have much bolstering.

Driving Impressions
- Great steering. Maybe even sharper response than FR-S

- Engine has a lot of torque for a small 4 cylinder. Definitely better than the FR-S. Car feels faster

- Suspension is very soft. I'd replace it on day 1. FR-S was pretty much perfect.

- Lots of body roll/slop in turns. FR-S was completely flat.

- Brakes are great. Better than FR-S for sure.

- Car didn't feel as confidence inspiring as the FR-S.

- Automatic transmission absolutely blows. Probably the worst transmission of any car I've driven recently. Paddle shifts seem to take forever and the transmission just seems to be programmed poorly.

Overall, ergonomic and transmission issues prevent the Miata from being a contender for my second car. It's also at least $5k more expensive than a used FR-S while requiring a suspension upgrade.

 

At first I thought the back was the front and I was going to say that my car actually looked better than this one. And I'm definitely not that much of a car guy, is this a Lamborghini or Ferrari? I can't remember which is on the cover of Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 because this reminds me of that.