Japanese cars

1fastredsc · 09-23-2007, 07:33 AM

I think i'm finally coming around to japanese cars of the modern era. Fact is, and i've read this from multiple cars enthusiast sites, is that the japanese artificially inflates the yen to keep there car industry at a constant advantage over others. This, among other things, is the root to why the domestics complain over there big disadvantage of production quality per dollar. When exchange rates are not in your favor there isn't much you can do. And now european cars are at an even bigger disadvantage with the euro getting close to 1.50 dollars per euro. Even porsche isn't off the targets as the new base model nissan GTR is claimed to have lapped the "ring" 2 seconds quicker than a 997 turbo!
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/22/round-1-gt-r-vs-911-turbo-at-the-ring-advantage-gt-r/

Anyhow this comes from my experience test driving compact cars yesterday. I went out and test drove a mazda 3 5-door and was blow away by the quality and design of the interior on a car that is 18k new. Not only was it fun to drive, being very planted and easy to toss around and point the nose where you want (must be the zoom-zoom

), but it has a gorgeous interior with very tight gaps, nice materials, and gorgeous layout. Although not in the sports car league, i haven't enjoyed driving a car like that since my 944 that i had years ago. Then i read through various surveys and quality reports and in most cases it ranks up there with corrolas and civics, others it ranks higher. Needless to say, i'm now selling my beetle...........

Jims5543 · 09-23-2007, 07:54 AM

One of the biggest reasons I race my RX7 and street my Porsche is Mazdaspeed racing support. Prove you are racing your car (even Autocrosses count) and you get 40-60% off parts for your car.

Did you take the RX8 for a test spin? My buddy bought one and I Autocrossed it once and was super impressed with it. Mazda really has their suspensions dialed in for the sports car enthusiast.

I have had my RX7 for almost 8 years now, and 4 other RX7's before it. You just cannot beat them for cheap fun.

LeeH · 09-23-2007, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1fastredsc

Anyhow this comes from my experience test driving compact cars yesterday. I went out and test drove a mazda 3 5-door and was blow away by the quality and design of the interior on a car that is 18k new. Not only was it fun to drive, being very planted and easy to toss around and point the nose where you want (must be the zoom-zoom

), but it has a gorgeous interior with very tight gaps, nice materials, and gorgeous layout. Although not in the sports car league, i haven't enjoyed driving a car like that since my 944 that i had years ago. Then i read through various surveys and quality reports and in most cases it ranks up there with corrolas and civics, others it ranks higher. Needless to say, i'm now selling my beetle...........

You just happened to pick one of the best inexpensive cars out there to start with. My wife really wanted a used 3 series BMW when I tripped across the Mazda 3 in 2005. Having just driven several used BMWs I had the same reaction you did when I drove the Mazda 3. Let's see... used German car with 80K miles for $18K or brand new car that feels very similar for the same money? We have 60K on our 3 and just had our first problem in that the turn signal doesn't cancel on one side. My wife has already said her next car will be another Mazda3.... and I'm still very happy with my Mazda5. Did you drive a 5 speed our automatic?

Dave L · 09-23-2007, 09:03 AM

I have a Protege5 with 195,000KM on it now and am very happy with it. It serves as my work car and gets decent gas mileage is somewhat sporty and is very very cheap to own. I have had very few issues with it and my only real complaint is about a few spots of rust that have surfaced. I am sure this is more due to my location but I am still perturbed.

I also have a Mazda3, the 3 is smoother (less stiff) and quieter and I like it too. At the time we bought the 3 we looked at the Corolla / Matrix and hated them both, nearly fell asleep on the test drive and the Civic with its weird dash board that I think will be viewed as one of those "what were they thinking" ideas a few years from now.

1fastredsc · 09-23-2007, 09:19 AM

Yeah i drove the rx-8. It's the only car i think that came close the razor sharp "point and shoot" handling of my old 911sc that i used to have. The 3 with it's weight up front isn't quite that point and shoot, but is more comparable to the directional change and feel of a 944 to me (although at the limits probably won't be as neutral). I'm looking at the 3 mainly because of the 5door with the cargo room for everyday driving and decent fuel economy otherwise i'd take a serious look at the rx8 for some track day's and auto crossing (maybe when i'm out of college i can revisit that idea).

I drove the 5 speed automatic sport shift (has the manual mode option). I think it's the best compromise for me since my wife cannot drive a standard, and i need some shifting fun because i've always driven manuals. So with the sport auto i can flip into manual mode and select gears, gives me the impression that i have gear change control even though i know better.

I got the same feel from the civic, matrix and such. Civic was a long shot anyhow since we don't get the hatchback version here and i'd like the cargo room since it would be my only vehicle, and the matrix i would have fallen asleep driving it.

HardDrive · 09-23-2007, 09:19 AM

We have a 4 year old Lexus RX330 that is as good as the day we bought it. Superior fit and finish that has not deteriorated over time. Zero mechanical issues.

JavaBrewer · JavaBrewer's Garage

I was in WA recently and Hertz gave me a '07 Mazda 3. It wasn't the deluxe model but I was very impressed. Really nice interior, solid feel. It felt a bit heavy though. My Audi TT is no lightweight but feels more nimble in the turns.

Komenda Fan · Komenda Fan's Garage

I thought everyone had come to the realization by now that if you want a well built, reliable, intelligently designed car, you bought Japanese? Based on my experience though, they have a way to go in building a good wife...

stuartj · 09-23-2007, 04:02 PM

I drove the new Miata MX5 over the weekend. Gosh, what a good car. Weve had two before- the new one is just like the old ones but better. Could do without the cupholders and wheel mounted radio and cruise control (thanks USA market) whcih I think are outside the elan of the car. And gimme a MOMO wheel on a car like that.

legion · 09-23-2007, 04:06 PM

Aren't Mazda, Ford, and Hertz all the same company.

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

I bought a MazdaSpeed3 in Feb of this year and have 10,000 miles on it and have enjoyed every minute of it!

Komenda Fan · Komenda Fan's Garage

Ford owns approximately 30% of Mazda.

1fastredsc · 09-23-2007, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Komenda Fan

I thought everyone had come to the realization by now that if you want a well built, reliable, intelligently designed car, you bought Japanese? Based on my experience though, they have a way to go in building a good wife...

I'm a little behind the curve, and always went with the saying you get what you pay for. However since being more aware of the global car economy we have going on in the US, i'm starting to understand where the difference is coming from.

jcommin · jcommin's Garage

Come on guys. Can you say boring................. Lexus knock of of BMW Civic white bread. Corolla POS. Sure they are reliable. but come on: auto hall of fame never. Great PR all of them,; Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Add the Koreans too. White bread, no soul!!!!!!!!!!! Are they really a cut above the rest?????

LeeH · 09-23-2007, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcommin

White bread, no soul!!!!!!!!!!! Are they really a cut above the rest?????

Just curious... Have you ever driven a Mazda 3S 5 speed?

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Here's my 2007 MazdaSpeed3, it's a great little car!

HardDrive · 09-23-2007, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcommin

Come on guys. Can you say boring................. Lexus knock of of BMW Civic white bread. Corolla POS. Sure they are reliable. but come on: auto hall of fame never. Great PR all of them,; Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Add the Koreans too. White bread, no soul!!!!!!!!!!! Are they really a cut above the rest?????

Have you driven all of these cars? I don't think you have.

Drive a Lexus IS350 (305hp), and get back to us. The car is a monster. And just wait. There is an IS400 that is rumored to be sub-5 seconds coming out soon. If you want to rant about japanese cars not having 'soul' like the geezers over at Car and Drivel, its your loss man.

HardDrive · 09-23-2007, 06:55 PM

The beast: http://www.lexus.com/fcv/is_f.html

1fastredsc · 09-23-2007, 07:10 PM

Nice MS3, looks nice in black, i'm thinking of going with galaxy gray myself.

To the other guy who says that jap cars have no soul, apparently you've never driven an rx7 or 8?

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

1fastredsc,

Thanks! I think gray or red would be better than black, but this was the only MS3 the dealer had and I needed the car ASAP (left ford on a buyout and wanted to get S-Plan). I love the car, it's fast, fun, reliable, practical and gets 32mpg (mostly hwy driving). The cars require premium unleaded because of the turbo, but it's worth it! The MS3 is just as much fun to drive as the 911, I'm not kidding!