Mazda 3 is a sweet ride... I rented one last year for a week.
So I test drove some cars today...
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Originally Posted By: doubleclutch
We purchased the 2009 Fusion SEL with the V6. The auto-matic 6 speed trans has a tag on it that says Manufactured in Japan.
The Aisin trans was replaced in the 2010 Fusion with the Ford/GM joint venture 6F, which is a much nicer trans.
We purchased the 2009 Fusion SEL with the V6. The auto-matic 6 speed trans has a tag on it that says Manufactured in Japan.
The Aisin trans was replaced in the 2010 Fusion with the Ford/GM joint venture 6F, which is a much nicer trans.
If I have an opportunity to buy a new car in the future, I would prefer it to be made in Japan. I mature slower than many other people and the one thing I come to realize that when you're poor or financially responsible, you go with things that will last and national pride takes that back seat to wallet pride. It wouldn't be this easy to make such decision if the big 3 make their cars here. I prefer [censored] cars made by Japaneses, who still take pride in their work.
If Honda doesn't have any [censored] made model than I'll go with a Civic or Accord.
I have a used 92 Corolla and it's a reliable car but I think Toyota makes boring cars and they can keep them. Unless they bring back MR2 or Supra, I don't think I'll be buying any appliance from them.
I will try my best not to buy Mazda. I had a hand-me down Mazda that died even though my parents took great car of it by always bringing it to the dealership, which always suggested replacement or fix and my parents always did what was suggested. That piece of junk was spilling oil and smoke around 107k miles and the transmission died shortly after. Never a Mazda again even though I like their 3 wagon a lot.
As for used cars, I consider a Cherokee to be the best value for the money. All Cherokee I know has over 300k miles without a engine problem.
If Honda doesn't have any [censored] made model than I'll go with a Civic or Accord.
I have a used 92 Corolla and it's a reliable car but I think Toyota makes boring cars and they can keep them. Unless they bring back MR2 or Supra, I don't think I'll be buying any appliance from them.
I will try my best not to buy Mazda. I had a hand-me down Mazda that died even though my parents took great car of it by always bringing it to the dealership, which always suggested replacement or fix and my parents always did what was suggested. That piece of junk was spilling oil and smoke around 107k miles and the transmission died shortly after. Never a Mazda again even though I like their 3 wagon a lot.
As for used cars, I consider a Cherokee to be the best value for the money. All Cherokee I know has over 300k miles without a engine problem.
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Originally Posted By: Thunderfan
I'm sorry, but that 2010 Mazda 3 is the most ridiculous looking car I've seen in awhile, at least from the front. It looks like something you'd seen on a cartoon, like it's a big smiley face or something. I don't doubt it's a solid car though.
Agreed. Terrible, cartoonish styling. Is this where Bangel went after BMW booted him? Thses mazda 3 are WAY overrpriced for the sportier versions. I am not a Buy-Korean fan, but the Hyundai Elantra looks like the best deal out there other than a base Toyota Yaris. Either can be had for $10-12 K out the door as ad price leaders.
I'm sorry, but that 2010 Mazda 3 is the most ridiculous looking car I've seen in awhile, at least from the front. It looks like something you'd seen on a cartoon, like it's a big smiley face or something. I don't doubt it's a solid car though.
Agreed. Terrible, cartoonish styling. Is this where Bangel went after BMW booted him? Thses mazda 3 are WAY overrpriced for the sportier versions. I am not a Buy-Korean fan, but the Hyundai Elantra looks like the best deal out there other than a base Toyota Yaris. Either can be had for $10-12 K out the door as ad price leaders.
My Mazdaspeed 3 needed a couple of warranty repairs early on but it has since worked its way back into my good graces. And it's so much fun to blow the doors off the mullet-heads who think that their 'murrican V8 is going to teach that stupid rice burning station wagon who's boss...
Originally Posted By: MCompact
My Mazdaspeed 3 needed a couple of warranty repairs early on but it has since worked its way back into my good graces. And it's so much fun to blow the doors off the mullet-heads who think that their 'murrican V8 is going to teach that stupid rice burning station wagon who's boss...
Yeah, my Z06 (3.9sec 0-60) and I are shaking in our boots at the thought of a 6+ second riceburner. Dream on.
My Mazdaspeed 3 needed a couple of warranty repairs early on but it has since worked its way back into my good graces. And it's so much fun to blow the doors off the mullet-heads who think that their 'murrican V8 is going to teach that stupid rice burning station wagon who's boss...
Yeah, my Z06 (3.9sec 0-60) and I are shaking in our boots at the thought of a 6+ second riceburner. Dream on.
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Originally Posted By: Thunderfan
I'm sorry, but that 2010 Mazda 3 is the most ridiculous looking car I've seen in awhile, at least from the front. It looks like something you'd seen on a cartoon, like it's a big smiley face or something. I don't doubt it's a solid car though.
Agreed. Terrible, cartoonish styling.
+1
Originally Posted By: Thunderfan
I'm sorry, but that 2010 Mazda 3 is the most ridiculous looking car I've seen in awhile, at least from the front. It looks like something you'd seen on a cartoon, like it's a big smiley face or something. I don't doubt it's a solid car though.
Agreed. Terrible, cartoonish styling.
+1
Originally Posted By: SWSportsman
Originally Posted By: MCompact
My Mazdaspeed 3 needed a couple of warranty repairs early on but it has since worked its way back into my good graces. And it's so much fun to blow the doors off the mullet-heads who think that their 'murrican V8 is going to teach that stupid rice burning station wagon who's boss...
Yeah, my Z06 (3.9sec 0-60) and I are shaking in our boots at the thought of a 6+ second riceburner. Dream on.
I don't think he was referring to a Z06 when making that statement. Maybe American v8s priced more similarly to his own vehicle.
Originally Posted By: MCompact
My Mazdaspeed 3 needed a couple of warranty repairs early on but it has since worked its way back into my good graces. And it's so much fun to blow the doors off the mullet-heads who think that their 'murrican V8 is going to teach that stupid rice burning station wagon who's boss...
Yeah, my Z06 (3.9sec 0-60) and I are shaking in our boots at the thought of a 6+ second riceburner. Dream on.
I don't think he was referring to a Z06 when making that statement. Maybe American v8s priced more similarly to his own vehicle.
Originally Posted By: MCompact
My Mazdaspeed 3 needed a couple of warranty repairs early on but it has since worked its way back into my good graces. And it's so much fun to blow the doors off the mullet-heads who think that their 'murrican V8 is going to teach that stupid rice burning station wagon who's boss...
I would be happy to show you why my mullet-head 'murrican V8 is the boss of a stupid rice burning station wagon.
But I hope you enjoy estimating distance in bus-lengths.
My Mazdaspeed 3 needed a couple of warranty repairs early on but it has since worked its way back into my good graces. And it's so much fun to blow the doors off the mullet-heads who think that their 'murrican V8 is going to teach that stupid rice burning station wagon who's boss...
Originally Posted By: silverrat
Originally Posted By: SWSportsman
Originally Posted By: MCompact
My Mazdaspeed 3 needed a couple of warranty repairs early on but it has since worked its way back into my good graces. And it's so much fun to blow the doors off the mullet-heads who think that their 'murrican V8 is going to teach that stupid rice burning station wagon who's boss...
Yeah, my Z06 (3.9sec 0-60) and I are shaking in our boots at the thought of a 6+ second riceburner. Dream on.
I don't think he was referring to a Z06 when making that statement. Maybe American v8s priced more similarly to his own vehicle.
A Mazdaspeed 3 can't even handle a stock 3-valve Mustang, it would even have its hands full with a 5.7 Charger and they aren't exactly barn burners.
14-second 1/4s and sub-100 mph traps aren't exactly impressive these days, especially by 'murrican V8 standards.
Originally Posted By: SWSportsman
Originally Posted By: MCompact
My Mazdaspeed 3 needed a couple of warranty repairs early on but it has since worked its way back into my good graces. And it's so much fun to blow the doors off the mullet-heads who think that their 'murrican V8 is going to teach that stupid rice burning station wagon who's boss...
Yeah, my Z06 (3.9sec 0-60) and I are shaking in our boots at the thought of a 6+ second riceburner. Dream on.
I don't think he was referring to a Z06 when making that statement. Maybe American v8s priced more similarly to his own vehicle.
A Mazdaspeed 3 can't even handle a stock 3-valve Mustang, it would even have its hands full with a 5.7 Charger and they aren't exactly barn burners.
14-second 1/4s and sub-100 mph traps aren't exactly impressive these days, especially by 'murrican V8 standards.
No but you pit a speed3 against a Mustang, Charger, etc on a real world road, with turns.... And the speed3 will demolish it. The only muscle type car that wouldn't would be the CTS-V and the Corvette.
Originally Posted By: rudolphna
No but you pit a speed3 against a Mustang, Charger, etc on a real world road, with turns.... And the speed3 will demolish it. The only muscle type car that wouldn't would be the CTS-V and the Corvette.
Sorry, but a speed3 will not outperform a TrackPack 3-valve GT on a road course, driver to driver.
No but you pit a speed3 against a Mustang, Charger, etc on a real world road, with turns.... And the speed3 will demolish it. The only muscle type car that wouldn't would be the CTS-V and the Corvette.
Sorry, but a speed3 will not outperform a TrackPack 3-valve GT on a road course, driver to driver.
I hate to magazine race, but:
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/hatchbacks/112_0911_2010_mazda_mazdaspeed3_test/specs.html
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coup...st_numbers.html
The GT is 6 tenths and almost 5 mph faster in the 1/4 and easily beat the speed3's time on M/T's figure 8 (25.5 sec. @ .70g versus 26.2 sec. @ .69g). Better handling and better acceleration paired up equals speed3 demolition on the road course, driver to driver.
And the 412 HP 5.0L 4-valve GT is about to hit lots...with upgraded suspension.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/hatchbacks/112_0911_2010_mazda_mazdaspeed3_test/specs.html
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coup...st_numbers.html
The GT is 6 tenths and almost 5 mph faster in the 1/4 and easily beat the speed3's time on M/T's figure 8 (25.5 sec. @ .70g versus 26.2 sec. @ .69g). Better handling and better acceleration paired up equals speed3 demolition on the road course, driver to driver.
And the 412 HP 5.0L 4-valve GT is about to hit lots...with upgraded suspension.
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Originally Posted By: rudolphna
No but you pit a speed3 against a Mustang, Charger, etc on a real world road, with turns.... And the speed3 will demolish it. The only muscle type car that wouldn't would be the CTS-V and the Corvette.
You sure about that? You do know the SN95 Cobras had IRS and were meant for more than going in a straight line right? An all-Aluminum 32V 4.6L (except the Termi) kept the weight balanced.
And then there was the Cobra-R.......
Not to mention the S197 chassis cars, which I see Ben has dragged up.
The definition of an American muscle car is not restricted to a 1980 Trans Am with jackers in the back, and a big & skinny combo with a B&M ratchet and a set of Cherry Bombs.
No but you pit a speed3 against a Mustang, Charger, etc on a real world road, with turns.... And the speed3 will demolish it. The only muscle type car that wouldn't would be the CTS-V and the Corvette.
You sure about that? You do know the SN95 Cobras had IRS and were meant for more than going in a straight line right? An all-Aluminum 32V 4.6L (except the Termi) kept the weight balanced.
And then there was the Cobra-R.......
Not to mention the S197 chassis cars, which I see Ben has dragged up.
The definition of an American muscle car is not restricted to a 1980 Trans Am with jackers in the back, and a big & skinny combo with a B&M ratchet and a set of Cherry Bombs.
Sorry I should have clarified. Most muscle cars that don't have IRS won't do as well. IRS definitely would help immensely.
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Originally Posted By: rudolphna
Sorry I should have clarified. Most muscle cars that don't have IRS won't do as well. IRS definitely would help immensely.
So you were thinking this:
And we were thinking this:
Sorry I should have clarified. Most muscle cars that don't have IRS won't do as well. IRS definitely would help immensely.
So you were thinking this:
And we were thinking this:
In Car and Driver's "Lightning Lap" at VIR, the 2007 Mazdaspeed3 (3:16.0) and 2010 Mazdaspeed3 (3:16.2) did beat the 2007 Ford Mustang GT (3:20.9), the 2007 Dodge Charger SRT8 (3:18.2), and the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 (3:16.3), though it may have been helped by having better OEM tires than the Mustang and the Charger (but definitely not the Challenger, which had better tires than the MS3), and possibly even better weather conditions, as none of those cars competed on the same day. The Dodges were hampered by automatic transmissions. But the Mazda was beaten by the 2009 Mustang GT (3:13.3), the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS (3:09.5), the Shelby 500 (various), and, of course, all the Corvettes. The big surprise was the 2008 Cobalt SS (3:13.0). It beat a lot of cars that I thought would be faster.
Here's the full list:
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/09q4/the_lightning_lap_2009-feature
The Historic Results Excel sheet from the Downloads section has more information on the vehicles tested.
Here's the full list:
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/09q4/the_lightning_lap_2009-feature
The Historic Results Excel sheet from the Downloads section has more information on the vehicles tested.
I was thinking this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O46E0gCF5os
EDIT: All the American car bashing aside, they make a good point.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O46E0gCF5os
EDIT: All the American car bashing aside, they make a good point.
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Originally Posted By: rudolphna
I was thinking this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O46E0gCF5os
Then you need to watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka4p6bSk16s
I was thinking this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O46E0gCF5os
Then you need to watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka4p6bSk16s
Originally Posted By: rpn453
In Car and Driver's "Lightning Lap" at VIR, the 2007 Mazdaspeed3 (3:16.0) and 2010 Mazdaspeed3 (3:16.2) did beat the 2007 Ford Mustang GT (3:20.9)
That wasn't a Track Pack car, hampered by less gear, worse brakes, and a looser suspension.
In Car and Driver's "Lightning Lap" at VIR, the 2007 Mazdaspeed3 (3:16.0) and 2010 Mazdaspeed3 (3:16.2) did beat the 2007 Ford Mustang GT (3:20.9)
That wasn't a Track Pack car, hampered by less gear, worse brakes, and a looser suspension.
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