|
I saw a Kia Stinger for the first time on the road yesterday and had to keep looking back at it. Awesome looking car.
|
Yeah surprisingly awesome!
|
I'd consider one, but out of the budget. same with that Guilia...
plus I'd want the GT2 trim, which is a $50K car. |
1 Attachment(s)
Late to the party, but 135i.... I love my stubby lady :)
|
What do you think of that new Mazda 6?
|
The stinger is pretty awesome. But a 40k Kia is hard to swallow if you want awd and all the power. There is a local shop called Tork Motorsports That bought one for a shop car and is working on tuning them as well as parts development.
|
Originally Posted by Braineack
(Post 1459878)
The WRX does NOT oversteer, it PLOWS first, then oversteers a tiny bit out of the median you ran into. Such a disappointingly handling car. Mine even has aftermarket sways on it, where I had the rear on the stiff setting and front on softest. I was going to find a stock sway to toss on the rear it was that bad. Snow driving was treacherous.
the 4matic in my MB is AMAZING. He just this morning in the snow you have all the confidence in the world, you can control your drift angle with throttle and steering, it catches you getting into a understeer situation and correct it by send the power to any other wheel. it's truly awesome. I had a LOT of gripes about the WRX (09 hatch) so I sold it for the MB. It was a bit quicker in a straight line (after tuning), but I love all the TQ out of my v6. I spent a LOT of time getting the throttle to not feel like a flaccid dick in my hands with that WRX too.The S60 T5 AWD, I guess, would get tossed in there. Meh. the exterior styling is so forgettable and the interior looks like a cheap economy car with a minimalistic center console that was beyond outdated -- so glad they finally got rid of it. I don't like that the AWD keeps 95% of the power to the front wheels, and only engages the rears in a slippery situation, unlike the XF which keeps 95% of the power in the rear wheels. and a 6.6sec 0-60 is SLOW BALLS. the new cx60 looks cool though, not that I'm in the market for it. And I'm really not looking at Audis at all. there's a few I would really like, but, I'm not interested in a car that lives at the shop. Right now, the 550i hits all the points for me -- and there's tuning potential with the BMW where the rest don't really have the options for it. something like an instant extra 100hp with an ecu. I also have the is350 AWD f-sport on the list, but the interior is a bit meh, and they are really $$$$$$$. I'm really sad about the trunk of the Q50s, the hybrid engine gives you a 75 bump in hp and acts like a SC -- instant TQ anywhere in the powerband. Gets great MPG for the performance -- the regular V6 felt a bit underwhelming in comparison. I liked the interior and the car felt nice to drive. the E-series is not really doing it for me for MB. I'd want an E550, but for my price range, that would keep in the body style before the redesign and I think that's a pretty boring design. Honestly, I'd buy my same car again in 4dr. But here's the stupid thing. I have a C350 4matic. So a 3.5L AWD. In the sedan, if you want the 3.5L, you can only get it in the RWD Sport model. If you want 4matic, you can only get it in the 3.0L non-sport model. really annoys me. The new 2018 subaru wrx really doesnt jump out at me like the older 11 hatches did. I have a much more well balanced drive into work now instead of 43 minutes of 73 mph on a very anticlimactic road thru a forest. Now I have a few lights single lane curvy road for like 2 miles highway on and off ramps then boom im at work in 20 min in the morning 30 in afternoon. A mercedes would be nice but I dont want to spend that kind of money nor do I really WANT luxury. Looking for more fun/performance based car. Whatismore is that mazda has good looking 4 door cars but they dont seem to have the umppph I'm looking for. Maybe its because I have a turbo miata and handles and some boost is just the way to be! |
Originally Posted by ysleem
(Post 1460356)
I meant the ford focus st oversteers in thr corners if you really push it!
The new 2018 subaru wrx really doesnt jump out at me like the older 11 hatches did. I have a much more well balanced drive into work now instead of 43 minutes of 73 mph on a very anticlimactic road thru a forest. Now I have a few lights single lane curvy road for like 2 miles highway on and off ramps then boom im at work in 20 min in the morning 30 in afternoon. A mercedes would be nice but I dont want to spend that kind of money nor do I really WANT luxury. Looking for more fun/performance based car. Whatismore is that mazda has good looking 4 door cars but they dont seem to have the umppph I'm looking for. Maybe its because I have a turbo miata and handles and some boost is just the way to be! I personally have more fun in my car as I did in my wrx. it handles better and its much more comfortable and gets off the line insanely fast -- much better than the wrx did. and the 0-60 on this thing is like 5.5 it's no slouch. there's really not much I dislike about it, just the transmission is a bit slow to downshift sometimes -- something they fixed in 2013 (i have a 2012). It's a 300hp awd little coupe -- the suspension is actually quite competent, I have the sport model with lower suspension and better rates. The computer helpers make the car fun, not lame. when traction kicks in, it just helps correct, it doesnt feel so intrusive. and the awd system is performance based moving all the power around to keep you planted, not just inclement weather based. I HATED the boost threshold in the WRX -- it was scary on the highway -- you'd downshift, floor it, and switch lanes and you wouldn't go anywhere. If you were pull in front of an approaching car, you'd get a horn. I never got used to that. Car felt cheap. The clutch pedal bracket falling off the firewall really put a sour taste in my mouth, but the seats were the most comfortable ive ever sat in. The ambient temp sensor work not work if it got wet, 1st and 2nd gear were STUPID loud -- it parking lots it sounded like the car was going to break. My frame rails were retaining water and I could hear it sloshing around. I had to do some major tuning to get the throttle to feel half-way decent -- there was a measurable delay between foot down and car forward. Worse part about it all was how shitty it handled -- especially in the snow. It was a slow in and slow out car. I have tons of fun in the snow with my MB -- I can control a drift beautifully. I dont autox or anything, so i dont need a little cheap car, and i carpool from HQ to client site a lot and need something decent to impress my colleges :P I'm just getting pretty tired of 2drs, and I feel bad when people sit in the back seats -- pretty much only reason I'm going to sell it. i feel same way about mazdas, but ive felt that way since early 90s with them, when they stopped making turbo motors. |
I think those are all really good points to consider. One of my friends works for ford and tunes throttle response in a couple of their cars. I wish Hyundai tuned my wifes car to respond better. It is the car she wanted but is only a 4 banger. Full SUV with a 4 cylinder. So I can understand the frustration there. As long as Subaru has developed the wrx I wish they had put more into it, but just like Mazda they don't have to add a turbo into a car because looks sell to the majority of the consumer market. It's not focused around peopl like us who are there for the driving experience. If you are you will have to spend a lot more money. I would agree MB has refined their vehicles but once agin you pay for it.
I don't need some cheap civic to go to work everyday and I want to have something I can get on that's practical. |
Originally Posted by Braineack
(Post 1460384)
i feel same way about mazdas, but ive felt that way since early 90s with them, when they stopped making turbo motors.
If you're considering a 550i, you need to drive an S6. http://www.codrus.com/audi/s6/audi-vista.jpg --Ian |
Originally Posted by buffon01
(Post 1459990)
Late to the party, but 135i.... I love my stubby lady :)
Great daily driver IMO, I got my 12' CPO in 2013 and just sold it a few months back. Had true snows on it in the winter and was still a blast. Couldn't get over not being able to cram wider than a 245 up front without doing the M front clip though. Didn't cut the "ultimate driving machine" criteria for me. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...f9e948498f.jpg |
Sure Mazda hasn't made turbo motors since the 90's.
Except the Mazdaspeed Protege. And the Mazdaspeed Miata. And the Mazdaspeed 3. And the Mazdaspeed 6. And the new CX-9. And the 2018 Mazda6. |
I was thinking about their regular cars like like the 626 turbo or Mx-6 turbo or 323. At lease there were engine options for each model; Mazdaspeed models are a different story (and they dont even make a msp, msm, ms3 ,or ms6 anymore). They put the same i4 as the m3 in the m6 which no engine options -- their mid/large sedan was making the same power as everyone else's compact/mid.
they spent way too much time continuously dicking around with the renesis. |
What turbofan is saying is right I think we are talking more about the present line up and maybe a few years back. So like 2014-2018. This community likes turbos and automakers like money. I really wish the 2018 mazda 6 was what they had been making the last couple years since yhe promise of a turbo could be good for the car. I just hope they do really good and thorough testing to make sure its the next top sports sedan that is affordable.
|
|
|
Originally Posted by ysleem
(Post 1460506)
My arguement is budget. Unlimited funds and we will all drive racecars.
|
still closer to $50K here. Way out of budget. I'd only be able to 3.6L performance, which is on my list.
sometimes I see them and think they look great, other times I think they look meh. Might be the trim levels I'm seeing as when I looked up the performance trim it always looks good in pictures. |
Originally Posted by Zsanz
(Post 1460448)
Nice,
Great daily driver IMO, I got my 12' CPO in 2013 and just sold it a few months back. Had true snows on it in the winter and was still a blast. Couldn't get over not being able to cram wider than a 245 up front without doing the M front clip though. Didn't cut the "ultimate driving machine" criteria for me. |
Originally Posted by Braineack
(Post 1459878)
The S60 T5 AWD, I guess, would get tossed in there. Meh. the exterior styling is so forgettable and the interior looks like a cheap economy car with a minimalistic center console that was beyond outdated -- so glad they finally got rid of it.
I don't like that the AWD keeps 95% of the power to the front wheels, and only engages the rears in a slippery situation, unlike the XF which keeps 95% of the power in the rear wheels. and a 6.6sec 0-60 is SLOW BALLS. the new cx60 looks cool though, not that I'm in the market for it. I will agree that the center stack is pretty out-dated, but the seats are incredible. The S/V60 is the last car in the lineup still on the old platform, so I expect them to release a new version for 2019. The transmission is not great, but with the polestar tune the AWD system is pretty good. I like it better than my Outback's for sure. I am also coming from a 2005 Outback XT, so jumping 10 years and a luxury class may mean my standards are probably pretty low. Regardless, I love it, and I was surprised at how quick it is. The polestar tune gives it a good power band. |
i'll give it another look, but overall I wasn't impressed from my little research. but that interior is still just so blah -- I think that was introduced in 2010, yeah, I prefer the look of the 2009 interior.
|
Originally Posted by Braineack
(Post 1460606)
i'll give it another look, but overall I wasn't impressed from my little research. but that interior is still just so blah -- I think that was introduced in 2010, yeah, I prefer the look of the 2009 interior.
|
I still have a number pad in mine. rofl. but it's a nice 10-button favorites for my Sirius channels. and ive actually used it to dial my phone more than a few times -- it's just not the centerpiece of the dash, with tiny little button as the secondary feature.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...f38165568f.png I do have to say, they dropped the ball on one thing. there are dual climate zones, but only the CA model has a "sync" button so both sides are controlled by the driver's temp. often my wife will change her side and if I don't notice, even with mine pegged at full heat, the car wont warm up If here's is still in the middle. |
Originally Posted by Braineack
(Post 1460647)
I do have to say, they dropped the ball on one thing. there are dual climate zones, but only the CA model has a "sync" button so both sides are controlled by the driver's temp. often my wife will change her side and if I don't notice, even with mine pegged at full heat, the car wont warm up If here's is still in the middle.
|
^That's interesting. I just assumed because the BRZ had one, that was just a standard deal with dual climate zones.
|
it should be. what made me angry was reading through the manual and seeing it was an option in CA models. US models have the MAX COOL button instead. The newer c-class got the sync button but MB botched the interior and exterior and motor for that car so doesn't matter.
look at this retarded ipad they bolted to the dash -- wonder how many of these accidentally get ripped off: https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...b767b81a65.png recessed is important for glare -- especially for such a glossy fingerprint surface. getting rid of knobs for toggle switches makes my blood boil. Then all these companies replace the best UI in the world (the gear lever) for fucking knobs! it's UI 101. |
My wife's CLK 500 doesn't have the sync button either. It sucks!
|
I hate when Canadian models get simple features we don't! The Canadian version of my car has the option to roll all the windows down from the key fob, and to install a factory trailer hitch and wiring that allows use of some neat stability, parking, and AWD/trans settings. There is no logical reason why we can't have those features. But I guess I can disable the DRLs and canadians can't... hooray.
|
that reminded me of one other thing I like so much better than my WRX.
HILL ASSIST! on the wrx it was automatic and fucking awful. It got to the point where if I was on an incline, I'd bring the e-brake up one notch which disabled the feature and allowed my to actually engage the clutch decently. Or I'd push in the clutch and wait the two seconds for it to disable. Hill assist on the wrx was so intrusive and clumsy -- my wife would always ask if I knew how to even drive stick. on the MB, I simply press down on the brake and it engages, I can stomp on the gas and it takes off the line without any care -- its completely seamless. in fact, I use it all the damn time when I'm too lazy to hold my foot down -- it even keeps the brake lights on. The simple fact that I can engage it whenever I want, not whenever the car wants me to have it, in itself, is better. but one con: with cruise control, if you're going down a hill and go faster than set speed it will apply brakes to keep you at your speed -- so I often cut off cruise if I'm coasting down a hill. I believe the newer models may have a disable/option for this. |
Any thoughts on an N55/DCT equipped 135i? You can find very clean ones for $25k or less. A tune away from M2 power, and it seems the big issues have been fixed or there are known fixes for them.
Biggest issue seems to be retrofitting an LSD is $$$$$$ |
Originally Posted by z31maniac
(Post 1460930)
Any thoughts on an N55/DCT equipped 135i? You can find very clean ones for $25k or less. A tune away from M2 power, and it seems the big issues have been fixed or there are known fixes for them.
Biggest issue seems to be retrofitting an LSD is $$$$$$ Water pump at ~58k (warranty) Coolant reservoir ~64k- cracked Upper coolant hose ~73k- quick connect clamp broke-off You could get one way below $25k unless you're looking at very very low mileage. I've only done some autox events, can't really comment on LSD. I'd sell you mine ;) |
Cooling systems are a known maintenance point on every BMW sold since the E36, so that's not a surprise. It also seems they don't have the HPFP issues.
In Michigan, have you been driving it in the snow and such? Rusty bolts under the car are a no-go for a southerner. It's just not worth the hassle. I'm seeing clean ones with under 25k miles for $24k. And 75-100k miles as cheap as $13k. |
Originally Posted by z31maniac
(Post 1460984)
Cooling systems are a known maintenance point on every BMW sold since the E36, so that's not a surprise. It also seems they don't have the HPFP issues.
In Michigan, have you been driving it in the snow and such? Rusty bolts under the car are a no-go for a southerner. It's just not worth the hassle. I'm seeing clean ones with under 25k miles for $24k. And 75-100k miles as cheap as $13k. Haha yeah I drive it year round :D, underbody looks good still. Give 1addicts a visit and check out what up for sale. I'd stick to something under 20k 1 series aren't holding value that great |
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...0c3b8aaac0.jpg
The daily with the tow rig. 2017 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7l. 2017 Empire 24'x8.5' enclosed trailer. Brake controller, weight distribution hitch 1,000x10,000lbs. Right now the wife is driving this since she wrecked her RAV4. So now I'm driving this: https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...94836c1b5a.jpg a 1996 Miata with a 2000 engine swap. Nothing special. |
[QUOTE=turbofan;1460450
And the new CX-9. [/QUOTE] 20 city / 26 highway MPG on a 4 cylinder 250hp engine....while a v6 toyota highlander 20/27 with 295hp. I'm not sure what Mazda was thinking on the number here |
Originally Posted by 2slow
(Post 1461052)
20 city / 26 highway MPG on a 4 cylinder 250hp engine....while a v6 toyota highlander 20/27 with 295hp. I'm not sure what Mazda was thinking on the number here
AWD is 20/26/23. 310 lb ft Highlander 2WD is 21/27/23 AWD is 20/26/22. 263 lb ft Pulled from fuel economy.gov. Highlander looks pretty sad when you put it that way. However it lists different results for different trim levels. Reality is, real world fuel economy is going to depend more on how you drive than which large crossover you drive. The Mazda performs very well and feels more powerful than the Highlander in most driving situations due to the low end torque. |
Horsepower isn't really relevant to mpg, displacement and weight are more relevant. It's impressive that Toyota is getting essentially the same mpg with a 3.5L, although the 8-speed automatic is probably part of that.
The new CX-9 is great, it's a huge step up for Mazda. --Ian |
Well if the weather between St. Louis and Indianapolis doesn't get too bad tomorrow, I'll be leaving OKC around midnight tomorrow to go get rid of the BRZ.
|
Just got my wife a lease on a 2018 Chevy Volt LT. Great deal and pretty decent daily driver!
|
Is the volt even something that is fun to drive? Not to sound ignorant, but do you feel like you can pass cars on the interstate with your foot down?
|
Originally Posted by ysleem
(Post 1462592)
Is the volt even something that is fun to drive? Not to sound ignorant, but do you feel like you can pass cars on the interstate with your foot down?
the gear dial selection made me lose all faith in humanity. edit: lol, I just looked it up, the 0-60 is 9 seconds. |
My daily is a 6 speed '06 G6 GTP
ever since i got my miata, its basically only useful for winters, going fast-ish in a straight line and carrying more than two people. not having popup headlights is a huge turnoff for me |
Originally Posted by ysleem
(Post 1462592)
Is the volt even something that is fun to drive? Not to sound ignorant, but do you feel like you can pass cars on the interstate with your foot down?
I'd daily a Volt in a second. |
Originally Posted by ysleem
(Post 1462592)
Is the volt even something that is fun to drive? Not to sound ignorant, but do you feel like you can pass cars on the interstate with your foot down?
It has a lot of torque off the line thanks to the electric motor. Suspension is meh but drivetrain is pretty nice. |
and accelerates the same at altitude, because electric :)
|
'13 135i, DCT, M Sport package, HK stereo, etc. It's quick, comfortable, super nice, white over Coral Red interior. In short, I'm in love with this car. 300/300, tune and exhaust are worth 70/90. Only suck thing is that since it's a '13 I have to remove the DME (in the engine bay behind and below the intake manifold) to be bench flashed the first time before it can be flashed through the OBD-II port after that.
The DCT trans is great driven in anger, but a bit grumpy around town. But I knew that going in. Coils, tune, exhaust, wider wheels and tires, done. I think this car is going to be the perfect mix of quick, nice, capable. Knocked down 1525 miles in 33 hours to go from OKC to Indianapolis and back. Girlfriend was a trooper to go with me. Lunch at Schlafly Bottlewerks in St Louis on the way back was fantastic, https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...90b5e7c377.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...b371c9b1c1.jpg |
Originally Posted by Braineack
(Post 1462596)
I rented a hyrbid fusion for a week once -- it was so insanely underpowered that i was flooring it everywhere and getting poor mpgs considering. merging onto highways was seriously scary; the car could simply NOT keep up.
the gear dial selection made me lose all faith in humanity. edit: lol, I just looked it up, the 0-60 is 9 seconds. |
Originally Posted by buffon01
(Post 1460573)
Sweet, haven't run into many people with 1 series. Car came with blizacks, but I'm not entirely happy with them. What snow tires were you running?
I ran the Nokian Hakkapeliitas stretched the 225s square on the m sport 18s to make sure they really sunk in the snow. (First gear was useless, even at 5% throttle.) |
Originally Posted by z31maniac
(Post 1462665)
I think this car is going to be the perfect mix of quick, nice, capable.
Do plugs every 20k. Do the Water pump + Thermostat at 80k. Do a downpipe before an axle back. Report back when you load up a corner and feel the rear isolated cradle deflect before the sidewall/ control arm bushings. Hoon Responsibly, |
Originally Posted by Zsanz
(Post 1463087)
You will be pleasantly surprised at the increased steering feel when you throw a larger wheel up front.
Do plugs every 20k. Do the Water pump + Thermostat at 80k. Do a downpipe before an axle back. Report back when you load up a corner and feel the rear isolated cradle deflect before the sidewall/ control arm bushings. Hoon Responsibly, I'll add plugs to the list since it has almost 27k miles on it. Was planning on doing water pump/thermostat, around 50k since I drive the car so few miles, may even do it sooner, since I want it to be reliable as a german turbo car can be for the occasional HPDE. What's the solution on the rear cradle? Stiffer bushing? Bracing? ER oil cooler, ER FMIC, SSR pan for the DCT I'm hoping will be enough to keep heat under control for cool track days........I don't mess with going to the track in June/July/August when it's already 90° at 9am. |
Originally Posted by z31maniac
(Post 1463116)
Yeah, plan is to go with the APEX wheels and do 245/35 front, 265/35 rear PSS or Conti ExtremeContact.
I'll add plugs to the list since it has almost 27k miles on it. Was planning on doing water pump/thermostat, around 50k since I drive the car so few miles, may even do it sooner, since I want it to be reliable as a german turbo car can be for the occasional HPDE. What's the solution on the rear cradle? Stiffer bushing? Bracing? ER oil cooler, ER FMIC, SSR pan for the DCT I'm hoping will be enough to keep heat under control for cool track days........I don't mess with going to the track in June/July/August when it's already 90° at 9am. |
Meet "Dirty Diana", aka my DD
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...dfc9fa2f48.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...e11026fd4f.jpg |
Originally Posted by z31maniac
(Post 1463116)
Yeah, plan is to go with the APEX wheels and do 245/35 front, 265/35 rear PSS or Conti ExtremeContact.
I'll add plugs to the list since it has almost 27k miles on it. Was planning on doing water pump/thermostat, around 50k since I drive the car so few miles, may even do it sooner, since I want it to be reliable as a german turbo car can be for the occasional HPDE. What's the solution on the rear cradle? Stiffer bushing? Bracing? ER oil cooler, ER FMIC, SSR pan for the DCT I'm hoping will be enough to keep heat under control for cool track days........I don't mess with going to the track in June/July/August when it's already 90° at 9am. https://www.ecstuning.com/b-superpro.../spf3946k~spr/ |
I think I may start looking into the E90 M3 rear subframe swap..........bushings, brakes, diff, M3 suspension bits all at once. |
|
Originally Posted by Fireindc
(Post 1466381)
Meet "Dirty Diana", aka my DD
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...dfc9fa2f48.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...e11026fd4f.jpg Let me know if you need parts I have a friend with two 323 GTXs here in CO and he hordes parts. |
pretty much the reason @Splitime got rid of his, iirc
|
|
Originally Posted by z31maniac
(Post 1462665)
The DCT trans is great driven in anger, but a bit grumpy around town.
Originally Posted by Zsanz
(Post 1463086)
Great value cars.
I ran the Nokian Hakkapeliitas stretched the 225s square on the m sport 18s to make sure they really sunk in the snow. (First gear was useless, even at 5% throttle.) |
Yeah still thinking I will end up with a Ford Focus ST. VW did just announce the Passat GT. Could this be the comeback of the Corrado?!
|
| All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:48 PM. |
© 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands