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Comments
As I said we are here to help. One way to help us help you is to make it easier to read your messages. Writing in all one paragraph, not using capitalization where appropriate and misspellings make your messages difficult to read.
That is not a criticism, it is just a reality. Many people don't take the time to try to decipher a difficult to read/understand message. You lose a lot of your intended audience (potential help) that way.
If you can't take the time to go testdrive a car how do you expect to live with it for 5-10 years????
-mike
I would expect that the Mazda 6 engine will be quite reliable (if not as reliable as the Honda motor), since Ford's Duratec engine family has been fairly robust.
The 6 is a car of critical importantance for Mazda, so I doubt if they'd be willing to gamble on the powerplant. Since Mazda's engineering did the tuning, it should be just fine.
The Tribute uses that engine block and its launch was a fiasco. Now they're much better, but the image was tarnished and I doubt resale will ever be very strong for those. So even if you get lucky, the depreciation hit is big.
Honda has been better, but the Civic did dip to just average reliability for the first year model. Newer CR-Vs are down a bit, but overall both are still OK so it's a smaller risk IMO. So get an Accord as long as you can get a good price on one, I'd never pay MSRP though.
Even the WRX is about average, but my guess is the 2003 clutch with that valve will improve the numbers a lot. From my casual observations here and on NASIOC, they already have.
My strategy when car shopping is to sample the entire group of cars I'm considering at an Auto Show. That allows me to browse them closely with no sales pressure.
Then I test drive at least the 3 top candidates, and that's how I narrow it down. Since you already have a list of 3, I'd really try to get out there and drive them.
-juice
where in U.S.A. are you residing?
-Dave
Visiting dealerships doesn't have to be painful. See if you meet a salesman who is nice and shares the same enthusiasm about cars that you do.
-juice
Test drive it first.
Cars do look good on paper and on show room floor.
It's real characteristic will not show until you turn the keys and drive it.
Good Luck
-Dave
-mike
The 6 won't get in the way, though, it is stylish.
-juice
I've had my WRX for 14,000 miles and it's still a pleasure to drive. I'll let you all know what happens after 60K.
Please separate your thoughts into paragraphs, otherwise the text is very hard to read. Even if you don't want to bother with capitalization and all that, it helps if there are separate paragraphs. And you don't have to send your thoughts as separate posts, just as individual paragraphs.
As far as impressing the ladies...since I am one of the "opposite sex," I can tell you that either the M6, the Accord or the WRX will impress us...just depends on what type you're trying to impress!
The Accord will impress the slightly older types (say, 30-40+...I don't know how old you are) or those who are looking to settle down....The M6 might impress ladies in general ... And the WRX will impress the younger ladies or those who are into cars. Just IMO.
--sonya
Young woman - Like mazdas in general (miata), so the mazda 6 is more appealing. And because as we have all agreed to before it looks the best out of the 3.
Wrx impresses the street racers, or people who know cars and about racing.
And most of my friend don't think the wrx is appealing because of the front bug eye head lights and the back sort of camry style.
The new accord is stylish. MY age goup is 20-25
The real question is, why did you want a WRX with all those options?? The WRX is a great bargain when you keep the options to a minimum, but when you start adding several thousand worth of options, it starts looking overpriced. You can upgrade the wheels yourself for cheaper.
Personally, if I were shopping in the price range of the Z, I'd start looking at EVO's, what can I say, I'm a sucker for AWD turbo rally inspired cars. I can drive such a car year-round in any weather condition and come out smiling.
Or what if you coming on to a high way and you need to get to 75 fast, is the 4 cylinder going to get there quickly? or would a 6 cylinder?
And whats the typical wrx mpg?
I just picked up my new 2004 WRX on Friday, and I must say, I absolutely love the car. I think the redesign/facelift is going increase the popularity of the car tremendously. The first version of the car looked good, but I must say, the redesign is much better. I have 300 miles on the car so far, and I am anxiously awaiting the 1000 mile mark to see just how well the car performs.
As far as the AWP, I think it is a great idea. This is my first car with the AWP, and I will never go without it again. It was 30 degrees and windy this morning, and it was quite nice feeling those heated seats warm up after a few minutes of driving the car.
I have a bizarre question for you guys. I was putting gas in my car tonight, and I was wondering if anyone ever had trouble with gas coming out of a common line. Basically, 87, 89 and 93 octane all coming out of the same line and handle. Would this affect performance of the car over time? I imagine some of the gas coming out might not be the correct octane, but I figure it quickly becomes the desired octane. I'm probably just thinking about it too much.
Anyways, I absolutely love the car. I recommend it to anyone that is looking for a mid-priced car with outstanding performance that is fun to drive. I actually look forward to the long commute to work everyday (50 miles each way).
Have a good one.
-C
If a mustang pulls up to me at a red light and revs his/her engine, I'll let him/her rev all he/she wants. I'm not paying for the gas in that tank.
Oh, I'll let him/her mess with l'il old me in my WRX wagon. Nothing messes with large egos more than beating a wagon. Worst if they get beaten by a wagon.
As for getting to 75 fast, well as you've stated earlier, you've not test driven a WRX. It'll get there fast.
MPG? ~20mpg (winter blend) mixed driving with a very happy lead foot.
pheonixuno-
What about the 2.5l turbo 300hp/300 ft lbs WRX Sti?
C-
Congratulations! I'm envious that you have the AWP
-Dave (bring on the B11S)
Even with the newer dohc and sohc mustangs, delivering the power to the road can be problematic. I think many of us wrx owners can tell you that if we pulled up next to this fictional mustang owner looking for a race on a nice rain soaked or snow covered road, the mustang owner would be left smoking or spinning his tires at the stoplight (of course I have never tested this myself ;-)
As far as acceleration goes, I know you are having a hard time believing that a 4 cylinder can provide the power of a 6 banger, since I too came from an Accord, but more cylinders does not always mean more power or more torque.
Not that any of us could actually get our hands on one, but did you know that many of the 2L 4 cylinder wrc cars are producing 300+ hp and 350+ lb./ft of torque. The new sti wrx will have 300 across the board, and some of us will actually be lucky enough to get one.
Getting to 75mph fast is easy...keeping yourself from going faster is the hard part.
Mileage, if you are really concerned with what mileage you are going to get, buy a civic. I am guessing the people over on the porsche boards are not talking about mileage. I have been getting about 20 in mixed driving, to answer your question.
John
hee hee, I couldn't agree with you more.
Yesterday, I needed to accelerate to do a pass...
ended up @ 115mph (according to max. speed on GPS).
-Dave
Mustang GT (V8): 0-60 - 6.1 secs., 1/4 mile - 14.7 secs.
WRX - 0-60 - 5.7 secs., 1/4 mile - 14.4 secs.
I think a WRX could mess with a Mustang GT just fine.
vegoen: are you for real? Spare us the insanity and just go buy a Chevy Malibu with the V6. I'm sure you both will be happy together.
pheonixuno: I cross shopped the 350Z and WRX. I love the looks of the Z, and it is arguably the sports car bargain of the decade. What I didn't like: interior was a bit plasticky and far out for me, and the car felt too flashy to me. Otherwise it's a sweet car. I ended up buying an 03 WRX in January; on my way home from the dealer, as I was cruising back roads with snow drifts, I was glad I made that choice. I would have been quite nervouse driving a Z in those conditions.
Craig
And is it possible to put a cold air intake in a wrx, or any kind of intake?
P.S mustang was bad example, how about a 3000 gt or a twin turbo supra
TT Supra costs a hell of a lot more than any WRX....we might as well bring in the 400+ HP TT Porsche 911 for good measure, since cost does not seem to be a factor in this argument.
Later...AH
Hey, I'm no longer a Subaru dealer!
I hope you're still working though.
-Dave
Thanks.
A typical V6 might be smoother than a 4, but their power is easily matched by using today's engine technology available, in a 4cyl.
scoobiedo - Congrats!! Please do not talk about the AWP! It get some of us angry. ;-)
I've never thought about the different octanes that come out of the same hose. I would guess that it would only be trace amounts of the lower octane, and not enough to do any harm.
edge01 - Unfortunately, it's true. No AWP on the wagons unless Subaru has a quick change of heart.
-Dennis
-B
-Dennis
But to get a moonroof on the XT, you'll have to get an automatic! DOH!
The Z is nice, but I think it takes a very different angle, and not a very practical one. I think that rear tower brace just kills any pretense towards utility. Prices are a little high once they're equipped, and it could stand to be lighter.
But it's great to have choices. I've seen a few on the road and they look much better in that element, vs. on the show car stand.
I too prefer the G35 coupe. I had considered a G35 sedan for my wife, but the styling doesn't come close to the coupe's. That plus they didn't offer a manual tranny on the sedan at the time.
-juice
They did encourage some hope, however, by saying that customer feedback goes a long way in determining how their models are equipped, so...maybe next year!
SOA's website will be updated the 2nd week of April to include the 2004 Impreza line.
Limited-slip differentials on any car operate by shifting power from wheels that are losing traction to wheels that have traction, thus more effectively putting the power to the ground and keeping the vehicle stable. This feature gets more useful the more powerful the car, since with more HP it becomes easier to overpower the tires' grip.
I think you're mistaken if you think the Mazda would be cheaper to mod (provided you're talking about performance mods). The WRX has a very robust tuner market, and many of the common mods are inexpensive. You could very easily add 60 HP for around $1000 with exhaust parts and ECU tuning.
Having said that, and unlike many other cars, there really aren't gains to be had from modifying the WRX's air intake. Most knowledgeable and experienced tuners recommend leaving the stock unit intact.
For more info I'd suggest checking out
www.vishnutuning.com
www.cobbtuning.com
Those are two well-established tuning shops, and there are many more.
The Vishnu Stage 0 kit gives you 280HP for $1200.00. That's a steal.
Limited slip differentials on the front or rear is a performance feature that helps handling. Basically, it allows you to distribute torque to your wheels when they are turning at different rates.
Lastly, as far as attracting the gals, you really should be looking at the RX-8. The Mazda 6 is a family car. You're going to be disappointed when you see that most people that buy this car are in their 40's. I test drove one and drove it in a busy area, it didn't get that much attention.
SoA knows that there will likely be people cross-shopping the two (Ed for one).
It's just a ploy to get potential WRX wagon customers into the more expensive XT. :-)
-Dennis
* Mazdaspeed
* Brainstorm
* Duetto
* Flyin' Miata
* Metro Motorsports
* MM Miata
* Moss Motors
* Jackson Racing
* Garrett Turbos
There are half a million Miatas on the road, a huge market. Of course they get the most attention, but other Mazdas are also included, so I imagine they'll cover the 6 as well.
But yeah, a turbo is easier to tune. You can chip it or just get an MBC really cheap and produce results you can feel. Though I believe in achieving balance - so things like brakes and chassis bracing should come first, IMO.
If you do end up buying a 6, check out Miata.net, it's a great resource for any Mazda owner.
-juice
Rod Millen Motorsports (Pikes Peak champ and Stillen's brother) had some Protoge stuff, but you're right, not nearly as much as for the Miata. Plus he's focusing on Toyotas now IIRC.
=juice