Mazda… A Simple Modern Vehicle

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by fintstone

It seems to me that the RX-8 is incredibly underpowered (on paper) for a modern sports car...but I have never driven one. On the other hand, I had a great deal of fun in my youth with a VW Beatle and an MGBGT which have about half as much...so, I guess it depends on the car and the person.

My daughters Lexus IS300 runs like a scalded dog and only has 215 HP.

2900 lbs and 230 HP, it’s no supercar but it’s certainly enough to be fun. Acceleration is probably 911 Carrera-ish. Front engine is behind the front axle centerline so it’s technically front-mid engined. Excellent quick steering, one of the best stock shifters ever made, good ride/handling balance though I prefer the R3 with the shorter springs and Bilstein dampers. Most importantly the turbine smooth rotary that will happily rip to 9,000 RPM all day long. Also a surprisingly comfortable and quiet road trip car, if you don’t mind about 21 MPG.

Or if you want power, get a turbocharged 13BREW from an FD, that’s an easy 400 HP with a few upgrades and they swap in pretty easily.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

2900 lbs and 230 HP, it’s no supercar but it’s certainly enough to be fun. Acceleration is probably 911 Carrera-ish. Front engine is behind the front axle centerline so it’s technically front-mid engined. Excellent quick steering, one of the best stock shifters ever made, good ride/handling balance though I prefer the R3 with the shorter springs and Bilstein dampers. Most importantly the turbine smooth rotary that will happily rip to 9,000 RPM all day long. Also a surprisingly comfortable and quiet road trip car, if you don’t mind about 21 MPG.

Or if you want power, get a turbocharged 13BREW from an FD, that’s an easy 400 HP with a few upgrades and they swap in pretty easily.

Yeah, that sounds like it would be similar to a 3.2L Carrera as far as power to weight, and those are reasonably zippy. I think the deal is that they are a much more modern car than the old 3.2L Carreras. And they don't look nearly as sporty as the old RX7s. I saw a thing online the other day, don't know if it was real, but it was supposed to be a future RX7, and it looked pretty darn good.

I guess this is why the miatas haven't come with a lot more power, because they would get too close to the RX, and like the coxster, that can't happen.

FDs, < sigh > those things are DARN sexy!

Supposedly the new RX-7. If this is true, it's pretty hot.

[onewhippedpuppy]

FD is right behind my SC in terms of cars I miss. They are quite special cars, and a time classic shape. Probably why the next RX7 rumors are so pervasive but never come to fruition. I love rotaries but I doubt you could get them to meet modern emissions and fuel economy standards.

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by fintstone

I am pretty impressed with my "new" Japanese car (all the others are quite old now). I have never owned a Mazda. But I do like my 2022 Lexus RC 350 and like/use almost all the features/tech or am able to turn them off/adjust the function. The 6-speed automatic shifts very crisply/nicely although there are only about 311 HP (3.5L V6), it feels like more if you are in Sport+ mode (shift points are different). I generally do not use the paddle shift.

The AWD is very nice in snow and it handles like a dream (very neutral). I don't like/use the speed adjusting cruise control and set it so I can use it as a normal cruise control. I also turn off the feature that helps me steer the car. I don't use the Apple Play either (it can be used wired or unwired). I turned the Apple Play off and just use Sirius XM. The car has a large screen, but I usually keep it turned off (always at night) because it makes it hard to drive at night as it is bright and at eye level. I do like the big screen for the back-up camera (first I have had)

I also really like the feature that tells me what the speed limit is where I am driving (because I often miss the signs). I do like the tire pressure monitoring as well (first car I have had with that). The automatic (rain sensing) wipers work nicely (they can be very finely adjusted to suit) but I don't like/use the auto headlight dimmer as it seems to dim a bit late for me. The LED lights are amazing (and I really appreciate that as I age). It has a cold weather package with heated wipers and a heater/defroster that starts putting out hot air a lot faster (have not researched how but like this on cold days). Heated/ventilated seats and heated wheel are also appreciated. If I forget to lock it, it sends me a text and tells me. I can lock/unlock it, start it, locate it, or check the gas level (or if windows are down or doors unlocked from a phone ap. Makes my older cars seem like Model Ts.

I have not owned an American car for a very long time (or a German car newer that a 2004) ...maybe the tech/accessories are as good (or better). I just don't know.

I would imagine the Lexus would be a level between the Nissan GTR and the comparable Mercedes and BMW.

[cockerpunk]

Originally Posted by id10t

Wifes cruise control is unusable in any kind of traffic. Autobrakes kick in going around curves with oncoming traffic and at the bottom of steep hills

Winshield wipers delay system is unusable - it speeds up if a little more water is on the windshield but it never slows down. And you cant disable the autospeed up (dont think this is a fed thing)

Add in not being able to charge my phhone without it going into carplay mode etc - all I want it to do is charge the darn thing

again, the feds didnt do any of this too you. the free market did.

[ramonesfreak]

Originally Posted by Arizona_928

Screen being at the dashboard / more eye level has been a major talking point. The gm screens have glare i don’t like as well.


Also the cx-30 vs cx-5 are night and day different. Mexico vs Japan build quality. The cx-30 i test drove had significant qa/qc issues.

she had a 2017 cx-5, then 2020 cx-5 and now a 2024 cx-30

I do not see a night and day difference at all regarding quality....but I do not doubt what you are saying re mexico vs japan. I like the looks of the cx-30 better, but really hate the goofy look of both these vehicles. I recommended them to her because the interiors were nice and they seem like a good value, which they are. I wouldnt own one if you gave it to me for free. If there ever was a hair dresser looking vehicle, its these. Cant stand the looks of any Mazda except the Miata. Only quality issue i have seen on any of her leased vehicles, is body panel gaps are awful. As for long term issues....no idea, she leases and drives only back and forth to work, so about 10K per year...which is not really enough to reveal anything significant although she has had several recall issues and currently has an appointment for some sensor or something

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by cockerpunk

again, the feds didnt do any of this too you. the free market did.

Yes and no. NHTSA requires backup cameras and recommends lane departure, collision warning, and emergency braking systems. CarPlay not so much.

[cockerpunk]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Yes and no. NHTSA requires backup cameras and recommends lane departure, collision warning, and emergency braking systems. CarPlay not so much.

that includes none of things he listed.

also you are wrong, emergency braking is not mandated. in 2029 it will be.

the feds didnt ruin your car, the free market did.

[ramonesfreak]

btw my GM screen is at a perfect level and the image quality is as nice if not nicer than my Ipad and works just as well as far as moving icons around to customize the pages. Looks practically like an OLED screen and is very responsive. I am highly impressed with it.


What I do like on my wifes Mazdas are the gauges....very tastefully done. In fact most of the interior has a bit of a German flavor to it which is what got my attention enough to recommend them to my wife

I still way prefer my customizable digital gauge cluster. Im never going back to analogue which, if you knew me, is saying a lot.

and i have physical buttons for everything, even for front & rear diff lockers - unlike Ford

Mazda does too (HVAC etc) and I gotta give them credit for that

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by cockerpunk

that includes none of things he listed.

also you are wrong, emergency braking is not mandated. in 2029 it will be.

the feds didnt ruin your car, the free market did.

I said recommended, not required. The federal government has done a LOT over the years to ruin cars.

[cockerpunk]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I said recommended, not required. The federal government has done a LOT over the years to ruin cars.

and this isnt a thread about them.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by cockerpunk

and this isnt a thread about them.

Until it says moderator under your name, I could really care less about your opinions on thread content. Frankly you add nothing of value to this forum and generally take a large crap on any thread in which you post. You are a narcissistic self promoting tool who basically represents the worst aspects of social media. Also this thread was about Mazdas, and CAFE ruined the American auto industry.

[cockerpunk]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Until it says moderator under your name, I could really care less about your opinions on thread content. Frankly you add nothing of value to this forum and generally take a large crap on any thread in which you post. You are a narcissistic self promoting tool who basically represents the worst aspects of social media. Also this thread was about Mazdas, and CAFE ruined the American auto industry.

:shrug: its funny that you think a bunch of folks blaming the government for things the government didnt do, is valuable, but the guy being like "um, the government didnt do any of that" and is 100% factually correct, is somehow the bad guy

lol. says a lot about what you think is "valuable"

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I said recommended, not required. The federal government has done a LOT over the years to ruin cars.

And so have manufacturers foisting crap on buyers. Fifteen years ago BMWs were nice cars - except for iCrash. If you wanted any of the other great things about a BMW, you were forced to tolerate iCrash. This wasn’t a government mandate but it was the top of a slippery slope. So now instead of three knobs on the dash for heat and defrost that you can operate by feel without taking your eyes off of the road we have a touch screen that demands that you stop looking where you’re going and look for icons on the “stack” to operate basic controls.
My 535 was mechanically a great car that was ruined by BMW pandering to the market, not the government.

[Sooner or later]

BMW misread the market. I think manufacturers were chasing tesla and their touchscreen with few physical switches. Reviews of most cars now are negative when HVAC and entertainment volume are on a touchscreen. Smart manufacturers are moving back to knobs and switches for the most used functions.

On my Acura I can change source, station, and volume from the steering wheel. I also have physical knobs and switches for HVAC and volume. I use voice commands more than I ever thought I would. "OK Google. Play Trapeze Medusa." Any album. Any song. In seconds with no distractions. I rarely need to use the touchscreen while driving.

In the past I spent as much, if not more, distracted time finding that specific CD/cassette and inserting it into the player or finding that tiny button to select a specific radio source. I never complained about those distractions. On a side note the 16 speaker ELS system is far better than I would have ever expected.

I spent a total of an hour learning about each function and how to modify each to best suit my needs.

[ramonesfreak]

My biggest complaint at the moment is makers not providing a hard copy of the owners manual. I am the sort who sits on the couch and reads my owners manual and use post it notes to mark pages etc….especially as these vehicles get more complicated. Now I have to look at a PDF….and if not home, I gotta look at my iPhone screen and swipe through 300 pages. WTF. I think I found a source for a hard copy for $50 from some third party. I was looking at the Ford Raptor and the manual is in the dash screen. Ug. At least it has it there. My Mini also had it in the screen but also included a hard copy in the glove box. Now, I have nothing but PDF.

Is it really necessary to save a couple bucks by making life difficult for customers. I hate this practice.

[unclebilly]

You know… simple vehicles still exist that have none of this stuff you guys don’t want. And surprisingly they aren’t even all that expensive.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1984-chevrolet-c10-pickup-14/

[masraum]

Originally Posted by ramonesfreak

My biggest complaint at the moment is makers not providing a hard copy of the owners manual. I am the sort who sits on the couch and reads my owners manual and use post it notes to mark pages etc….especially as these vehicles get more complicated. Now I have to look at a PDF….and if not home, I gotta look at my iPhone screen and swipe through 300 pages. WTF. I think I found a source for a hard copy for $50 from some third party. I was looking at the Ford Raptor and the manual is in the dash screen. Ug. At least it has it there. My Mini also had it in the screen but also included a hard copy in the glove box. Now, I have nothing but PDF.

Is it really necessary to save a couple bucks by making life difficult for customers. I hate this practice.

I also like a physical copy of the OM that I keep in the glove box. I didn't realize that manufacturer's had stopped including them. Today's OM are often at least an inch thick, and then there's also multiple manuals that may be as thick or thicker (infotainment in some cars is twice as big as the owner's manual). Lots of folks seem to take the OM out of the glove box and keep it inside, and then don't put it back when they sell/trade in a vehicle. I've bought several vehicles over the years that did not come with an OM, and that's irritating.
I suspect that probably less than 1 in 20 folks read their OM, and that's probably why they've stopped, to save money and keep prices down. I could be OK with that IF they have a link to a PDF version of the OM. I have the physical OM for the boxster, but 9 times out of 10, if I want to look in the manual, I pull up the PDF that I found online for 987 and use that. It's quicker and easier and allows me to find the text that I'm looking for if the table of contents isn't hyperlinked.

"I was looking at the Ford Raptor and the manual is in the dash screen." LOL, try that when the truck is fubar (dead battery, dead screen, locked up/bricked infotainment, etc...) Genius!

[masraum]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

You know… simple vehicles still exist that have none of this stuff you guys don’t want. And surprisingly they aren’t even all that expensive.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1984-chevrolet-c10-pickup-14/

there are a lot of places in the US where that's probably not street legal. If it was a '70 it might be street legal, but as an '84, it doesn't look "emissions legal" to me. And I think many/most big cities are concerned with emissions.

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by masraum

there are a lot of places in the US where that's probably not street legal. If it was a '70 it might be street legal, but as an '84, it doesn't look "emissions legal" to me. And I think many/most big cities are concerned with emissions.

Other than California, almost every urban center in the US doesn't care about emissions for any car older than 25 years (2000 model year). Now that Texas got rid of safely inspections too, that truck can drive forever without ever having anyone check that it's safe to drive!