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Old 07-16-2019, 10:41 AM   #11
Nick M3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by equ View Post
The negatives are the front is quite ugly, the interior will take getting used to (if ever) and they are very common (becoming more so by the minute).

However, a reasonably well set-up (I'm not talking for the track), electric RWD car is going to drive pretty damned well. Certainly not boring to drive, but maybe Nick meant boring to own, the new Camry/3-series if you will. In that he is right...
Everything I hear says boring to drive. But it’s boring to drive in the same way that all new cars are boring. Highly competent, too high limits, limited feedback, impossible to feel like you’re having fun at reasonable speeds.

This is why I’m buying crappier tires these days. Sure, today’s summer tires can be as good as R-tires were not that long ago. But so what? Is that actually more fun?
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Old 07-16-2019, 10:43 AM   #12
John V
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Originally Posted by wdc330i View Post
GTI is probably your best bet. A four-door with hatch, would be plenty practical.

But, why would another Mazda 3 not be the answer?

Also, as an aside, what do you think of your wife's CX-5?
The CX-5 is fine. But I hate driving it because 1) it's dangerously underpowered and 2) automatic transmissions just suck. It's a good automatic. But it's still an automatic. I think the new turbo CX-5 would fix all the issues we have with it... except the automatic part.

If Mazda ever put their new turbo engine in the 3 I'd consider it. But the 2.5 is just too gutless and bland. I'd hate it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by FC View Post


I've settled on the idea that for reasonable money, if you are a car person in search of a new(ish) car, the answers are GTI or Miata.

Nothing is perfect, but I think those are closest.
No Miata. I'm done with convertibles, at least for a while.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick M3 View Post
I mean, if you’re actually going to drive it regularly, a low option Model 3 would save a lot in gas money. But it would also be boring.

Given that you’re going to replace the clutch anyway, it kind of seems like all answers point to keeping the Mazda as a beater, though.
I really need to find a low-option single-motor 3 to drive to see if I'd hate it.
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Old 07-16-2019, 10:55 AM   #13
wdc330i
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Originally Posted by John V View Post
The CX-5 is fine. But I hate driving it because 1) it's dangerously underpowered and 2) automatic transmissions just suck. It's a good automatic. But it's still an automatic. I think the new turbo CX-5 would fix all the issues we have with it... except the automatic part.
Thanks. It's on the short list for the post-divorce practical car (but only in a scenario where I keep the M240.)
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Old 07-16-2019, 11:27 AM   #14
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No Miata. I'm done with convertibles, at least for a while.
I wasn't suggesting the Miata. I don't think you'd sell a Boxster to get into a Miata. It was just a general statement. But I do suggest the GTI.
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Old 07-16-2019, 12:44 PM   #15
Alan
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The only A4 that I found remotely engaging is the S4 and I think that's outside the price range. The basic A4 2.0T is pretty bland.
Have you driven the new model ? Just curious because I was not a fan of the previous generation. The newer 2.0T engine is pretty awesome and very quick plus it has the DCT transmission ... it is nothing like the previous gen which felt boring and slow.

Last edited by Alan; 07-17-2019 at 09:05 AM.
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Old 07-16-2019, 12:51 PM   #16
John V
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Have you driven the new model ? Just curious because I was not a fan of the previous generation. The newer 2.0T engine is pretty awesome and very quick plus it has the DSG transmission ... it is nothing like the previous gen which felt boring and slow.
No, but at $42k new, not something I'm interested in trying.
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Old 07-16-2019, 01:58 PM   #17
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All the issues I have seen with the GTI clutch is when people tune it. Basically is sounds like it is at the limit with stock power. But we do have the JST issue on his R, not sure if the same clutch for the R. You seem to have high standards since your Mazda latest until 180k though

one issue with the GTI is the new one is right around the corner but not sure if that matters. I bought new since I wanted the new long warranty but you can probably find used ones now with the warranty.

Go drive the 3. I did and liked it but all the tech scared me, guessing you might be the same.
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Old 07-16-2019, 02:25 PM   #18
John V
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The things that worry me about the Tesla are 1) parts availability and the ability for me to fix it myself, since I tend to keep my stuff a long time, 2) Reliability (the Model S's that friends and co-workers have had were really poor), 3) whether I'd like the thing at all

When I think about the GTI, I think, yeah, that car is probably fine. I worry that I'm going to be working on it a lot as it ages. Because VW doesn't really design their cars to be reliable past ~ 60,000 miles.

The smart answer is probably to buy a Civic Si and just learn to ignore how ugly it is. Not sure I can convince myself to do that.
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Old 07-16-2019, 02:27 PM   #19
robg
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Toyota Tacoma with a manual? Might be kind of fun in a "can beat on it and drive it in all weather/terrain and nothing will break) kind of way.
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Old 07-16-2019, 03:13 PM   #20
John V
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Toyota Tacoma with a manual? Might be kind of fun in a "can beat on it and drive it in all weather/terrain and nothing will break) kind of way.
Oh my god, no. Anyway, I already have a truck that can actually do trucky things (like tow)

I guess I never stated my desires / goals.

1) Small-ish but with utility. No trucks, no SUVs.
2) Reasonably good handling, and quick.
3) Reasonably efficient. The Mazdaspeed averages 23MPG and the Boxster averages 24. Ideally, I'd like to do better than those cars.
4) Reliable (i.e. no BMWs)

Irritatingly I keep coming back to the GTI and the Tesla.
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