The Mazda 3 with the 2.5L is without a doubt the best performing in its class.
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I think it does. It's similar to Earth Dreams.
High compression direct injected engines with high gear ratio transmissions. Plus other things, such as lightness.
Unfortunately for Mazda, it also means thin sheet metal and poor paint quality, which has given them a reputation for that tin can feeling and rusting way too early
Not really... No
A top trim Mazda 3 with the 2.5L comes in at the same price as a VW GTI or a Focus ST.
Both which are significantly faster than the 2.5L 3.
Even when you compare the 1.8T Golf to the 2.5L Mazda 3, it's slower.
Both tests from C&D
However, both of these cars are at the top of their class. There is no wrong choice between them.
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I haven't really looked at any of the new Mazdas, but from my experience in the past, they all handled well for the most part -- just around roads, never tried one on the track aside from my old Miata. The new TSI engines are great in the VWs. And I really like the Fiesta ST. If I had to choose between the Focus ST and the Fiesta ST, I would probably take the Fiesta ST.
Still thinking about the 5.0 ---> Honda trade. God it would be tough to do, never loved a car more than that 5.0. However having two wheels jacked and $9500 in damage in the process (yes, $9500) last September, six months to the day I took delivery when the car had just 6000 miles on it, kind of ruined the car for me, having special ordered the car and having been at the dealer to see it come off the truck and taking delivery covered in plastic and completely unprepped so as to not let the dealer ruin it with PDI swirls (I'm a pretty serious detailer). Car looks great and drives just as it always did, but knowing it's had paint work bothers the hell out of me and has for almost a year now.
Still haven't checked CarFax/AutoCheck to see if it shows up on there, but if it does that probably sinks my battleship as it will tank the trade value.
Otherwise though, when the F is the 2016 Civic being revealed? We've all seen the concept, but if this car is supposed to be out this fall, when the hell are they going to unveil the regular production version?? I don't think I could do an Accord sport, I just can't buy a halogen headlight car again.
Still haven't checked CarFax/AutoCheck to see if it shows up on there, but if it does that probably sinks my battleship as it will tank the trade value.
Otherwise though, when the F is the 2016 Civic being revealed? We've all seen the concept, but if this car is supposed to be out this fall, when the hell are they going to unveil the regular production version?? I don't think I could do an Accord sport, I just can't buy a halogen headlight car again.
Soon.
The best thing about Honda is that when they reveal a car, it is out on lots very quickly. The 2016 Accord was shown a few weeks ago and they're on the way to the dealer right now.
I wish that you could put the Lexus NX F SPORT grill on the Hybrid Lexus NX. The grill that comes on the Lexus NX hbrid and the Regular NX is just so basis. I don't like the red interior and the lower mileage that comes with the Sport edition NX.
I don't like the red interior and the lower mileage that comes with the Sport edition NX.
Plus with the Lexus NX you can't adjust the headrest is available outside the US with adjustable forward and aft movement at 4 intervals. FYI I'm in the USA. I'm going to have to write Lexus about this matter.
The U.S. NXs are missing tons of options, like HUD, Mark Levinson, etc.
Other markets get all of this stuff.
Of course, because other markets have a lot more Mercs, Audis, etc that add a ton of options. Lexus has to have the best of everything to compete in Europe.
I got this.
"Everything is going to be OK ... just put the 5.0 key back in your pocket ... back slowly away from the Honda ..."
(psst, if this doesn't work, get ready to tackle him)
That's because other markets will pay for premium features, this market just wants the biggest POS for the cheapest price, a la 2012+ Passat.
LOL
This is mostly because the American Automotive industry is still comparative garbage.
Honda/Toyota/Nissan plant their flags in the United States and all they have to do is be better than the horrible GM and Chrysler offerings. In Europe the German offerings are just so far superior to anything in the United States.
I don't think it has anything to do with just being better than the American manufacturers, it has everything to do with the American consumer being a fat pig cheap-ass that wants the biggest turd for the lowest price. Look at how many Passats VW sells now that they decontented them and made them bigger. They used to be a nice, premium car that was a little smaller - and they didn't sell as well.
The US getting garbage compared to other markets has everything to do with the American consumer just wanting big and cheap instead of small and premium, or even just premium - everyone here wants something for nothing, but manufacturers aren't going to give something for free, so we get the nothing alternative instead. Other markets are willing to pay while the US market is not.
Would you mind telling me what are the other things that are missing besides these two items ? Thank you.
Radar Cruise
HUD
The better seats
Mark Levinson audio
Panoramic camera system
Headlamp washers
These are the ones I've noticed. However, 98% of buyers don't order most of these anyways. The way Lexus bundles options, you're pretty much forced to check every box if you want options like Radar Cruise on other Lexus models. That would make it a near $60k NX.
That's valid, but ignoring a few engine options (diesel especially) and options that are illegal (matrix LED lamps), the Germans offer much more flexibility in their options lists.
Custom exterior colors, special interiors...
On the topic of the NX, the BMW X3 offers so much more than what Lexus gives us in the NX. ACC, FCW, HUD, etc. All available on the BMW.
Lol, the B8 Passat was such a POS, compared to the European version.
Even the Jetta we get is a turd compared to the Euro spec model. However, they finally redeemed themselves after the recent facelift.
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I don't have radar (speed adjusting) cruise control, but I'm not sure if I would use it or not. Anyone have this?
I had it on my Audi.
Such a useful option in slow moving traffic. It just putters along and you don't have to modulate the brakes at all.
However, the main reason why I got it was for the forward collision warning system.
The prices of all of these tech features seems to be going down. Honda and VW are launching all of these cool toys across their lineup for 2016.
Weren't we just having a discussion about the Touareg some time ago. Same story. The fist generation Touareg offered a multitude of options (for the time), even on the base V6 model- air suspension, navigation, HID headlights, locking differentials, leather, real wood, etc. They also offered the V8 petrol and V10 TDI. Then the face-lifted "Touareg" 2 came about and dropped most of these features and dropped the V8 and V10. Then the 3rd generation came out and left much to be desired. The Touareg went from being a top tier SUV to being mediocre, if not elementary level luxury. The new Touareg is nowhere near the quality of the first, accounting for the competition. I get they watered down the VW brand to make room for Audi's SUV lineup, but not everyone needs the Audi badge to be able to sleep at night.
I'm not sure if it's the increased SUV options or the diminished quality/value of the Touareg, but I see far more 1st generation Touaregs than a I do T2 or T3's.
@AutoUnion39
Glad to hear this hail storm didn't do any damage to your cars. Finding an apartment with a garage in Brookline is not easy. I suppose we're pretty lucky. I incidentally got out of work early that day. Thank god, otherwise my car would be a golf ball.
Glad to hear this hail storm didn't do any damage to your cars. Finding an apartment with a garage in Brookline is not easy. I suppose we're pretty lucky. I incidentally got out of work early that day. Thank god, otherwise my car would be a golf ball.
I've always liked the Touareg (from afar) -- but it seemed like even when they watered it down, it stayed expensive. I've only been a passenger in the 1st gen, in a TDI model. It had crazy torque, interior was very comfortable.
Yeah I've always liked the Treg myself, but it's really not worth the price anymore... Especially when the luxury brands are only slightly more.
My friend's dad has a V10 TDI T2 and I've driven it a few times. It doesn't feel any faster than my E70 with the twin turbo diesel I6.
May I take a moment to babble about my GT500 research? Thank you.
The major changes from 2010 - 2014 (the 5th gen/5.x supercharged models) break down like this:
2010, 5.4L iron block, 540HP
2011, 5.4L made the change to aluminum, dropped ~100lbs off the nose (~130 total), bumped to 550HP, addition of the [must have] SVT package
2012, 5.4L no major changes, added the option for the [glorious] Recaro seats
2013, 5.8L beast upgraded to 662HP, CF drive shaft, upgraded brakes, gearing drops to 3.31 (even with the SVT package*)
2014, same
*The standard gearing the 11-12 models is 3.55, but that's lowered to a 3.73 with the SVT option in those years. The additional HP/TQ on the 13/14 let it maintain the 0-xxx performance but allowed the Coupes to push the 200MPH mark. Some folks (particularly on the Shelby forums) seem to much prefer the 3.73 gears, as they're a great "street" ratio, that don't give up much at highway cruising speeds (with the 6-speed ratios).
SVT package:
11-14 improved handling (different shocks, springs), different wheels/tires
11-12 gearing change and a slick Gurney Flap spoiler
13-14 two stage shocks, Torsen rear
I'm shopping convertibles, but the coupe has a Track Pack on top of the SVT that adds some additional coolers
MY2010 isn't an option for me, I'll almost certainly want an SVT optioned car, and for that matter, I'd like the Recaros, but there are some outstanding deals on very low mileage '11s. In fact, a good number of these cars - especially convertibles - are very low mileage, probably the original MSRP combined with the collectors sort of status (i.e., older guys buying, only driving on the weekend).
The jump between the 11/12 and 13/14 cars is pretty substantial in terms of cost (seeing about $10-12K), but it's also a pretty major update, not to mention being a year or two newer car. The blown GT500 engines are very tunable, so the 11/12 cars are an intake/pulley/tune (<$900) away from 630/640-ish, add a TB, a little exhaust tweak and you're right up into the 700 area like the 13/14, though that's aftermarket vs. stock (so considerations of reliability + warranty, though an 11/12 is probably out of OEM warranty anyway...).
Thanks for the space to ramble
The major changes from 2010 - 2014 (the 5th gen/5.x supercharged models) break down like this:
2010, 5.4L iron block, 540HP
2011, 5.4L made the change to aluminum, dropped ~100lbs off the nose (~130 total), bumped to 550HP, addition of the [must have] SVT package
2012, 5.4L no major changes, added the option for the [glorious] Recaro seats
2013, 5.8L beast upgraded to 662HP, CF drive shaft, upgraded brakes, gearing drops to 3.31 (even with the SVT package*)
2014, same
*The standard gearing the 11-12 models is 3.55, but that's lowered to a 3.73 with the SVT option in those years. The additional HP/TQ on the 13/14 let it maintain the 0-xxx performance but allowed the Coupes to push the 200MPH mark. Some folks (particularly on the Shelby forums) seem to much prefer the 3.73 gears, as they're a great "street" ratio, that don't give up much at highway cruising speeds (with the 6-speed ratios).
SVT package:
11-14 improved handling (different shocks, springs), different wheels/tires
11-12 gearing change and a slick Gurney Flap spoiler
13-14 two stage shocks, Torsen rear
I'm shopping convertibles, but the coupe has a Track Pack on top of the SVT that adds some additional coolers
MY2010 isn't an option for me, I'll almost certainly want an SVT optioned car, and for that matter, I'd like the Recaros, but there are some outstanding deals on very low mileage '11s. In fact, a good number of these cars - especially convertibles - are very low mileage, probably the original MSRP combined with the collectors sort of status (i.e., older guys buying, only driving on the weekend).
The jump between the 11/12 and 13/14 cars is pretty substantial in terms of cost (seeing about $10-12K), but it's also a pretty major update, not to mention being a year or two newer car. The blown GT500 engines are very tunable, so the 11/12 cars are an intake/pulley/tune (<$900) away from 630/640-ish, add a TB, a little exhaust tweak and you're right up into the 700 area like the 13/14, though that's aftermarket vs. stock (so considerations of reliability + warranty, though an 11/12 is probably out of OEM warranty anyway...).
Thanks for the space to ramble
May I take a moment to babble about my GT500 research? Thank you.
The major changes from 2010 - 2014 (the 5th gen/5.x supercharged models) break down like this:
2010, 5.4L iron block, 540HP
2011, 5.4L made the change to aluminum, dropped ~100lbs off the nose (~130 total), bumped to 550HP, addition of the [must have] SVT package
2012, 5.4L no major changes, added the option for the [glorious] Recaro seats
2013, 5.8L beast upgraded to 662HP, CF drive shaft, upgraded brakes, gearing drops to 3.31 (even with the SVT package*)
2014, same
*The standard gearing the 11-12 models is 3.55, but that's lowered to a 3.73 with the SVT option in those years. The additional HP/TQ on the 13/14 let it maintain the 0-xxx performance but allowed the Coupes to push the 200MPH mark. Some folks (particularly on the Shelby forums) seem to much prefer the 3.73 gears, as they're a great "street" ratio, that don't give up much at highway cruising speeds (with the 6-speed ratios).
SVT package:
11-14 improved handling (different shocks, springs), different wheels/tires
11-12 gearing change and a slick Gurney Flap spoiler
13-14 two stage shocks, Torsen rear
I'm shopping convertibles, but the coupe has a Track Pack on top of the SVT that adds some additional coolers
MY2010 isn't an option for me, I'll almost certainly want an SVT optioned car, and for that matter, I'd like the Recaros, but there are some outstanding deals on very low mileage '11s. In fact, a good number of these cars - especially convertibles - are very low mileage, probably the original MSRP combined with the collectors sort of status (i.e., older guys buying, only driving on the weekend).
The jump between the 11/12 and 13/14 cars is pretty substantial in terms of cost (seeing about $10-12K), but it's also a pretty major update, not to mention being a year or two newer car. The blown GT500 engines are very tunable, so the 11/12 cars are an intake/pulley/tune (<$900) away from 630/640-ish, add a TB, a little exhaust tweak and you're right up into the 700 area like the 13/14, though that's aftermarket vs. stock (so considerations of reliability + warranty, though an 11/12 is probably out of OEM warranty anyway...).
Thanks for the space to ramble
By all means pony up for the '13-'14 car, it's well worth it. MUCH nicer tail lights/rear end too.