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Detroit, 7:56 PM
Tue Dec 1
29 posts in the last 24 hours
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04/09/09
I have never driven a car with too much power. I have a very high powered front drive car (mid '90's Saab Aero) which is apparently known for it's rapacious torque steer. Funny, when it's chirping the tires on the freeway in 3rd during overboost acceleration, I've never been bothered by the little tugs the steering wheel gives as we're walking by the surprised gentlemen in their hard accelerating S-whatever Audis.
Honestly, my Miata with modified suspension (SCCA Street Prepared stuff - 0 toe on all 4 wheels) tramlines on freeway ruts harder than any torque steer I've experienced in the SAAB. But then the Miata also has a tendency to step out in the back, so perhaps that might be frightening for this cohort of "enthusiasts".
If you are more concerned with your car pampering you with overly damped torque control, perhaps you need to step back and assess your level of Jalopitude.
I hear the Buicks are nice these days.
04/09/09
This 3 is too 20-something boy racer for me, but that's its target market, I'm sure.
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The 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 "Happy Face" edition will build on the already wonderful, but somewhat dour, Mazda 3 five door.
We copied the 19" wheels from the RX8 and shrunk them in our special shrinkulator to 18".
We continue to use the MZR 2.3L DISI Turbo engine producing 263 hp and 280 torques. We focused on being more efficient and consistent with a ridiculous hood scoop. Top speed is 155 mph. LSD is standard, shrooms are optional.
The brakes are tuned for Turn 11 at Laguna Seca. Just in case that is part of your daily commute.
It comes with everything a driving enthusiast could want, like red seats, windshield wipers, and a 6-disc in-dash CD changer.
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04/09/09
I fucking love it.
It's quite clearly manic, and that's awesome. Never know what it's gonna do next. Maybe it'll kill your sister! Maybe it'll eat your dog! Maybe it'll swallow your Mk.VI GTI whole!
The rear looks excellent, too. Last time 'round I would have had a GTI, no question. Now I'm leaning in the other direction.
04/09/09
Nice.
Maybe it'll rape babies, too.
You forgot that one.
04/09/09
04/09/09
This really weird woman came into my workplace last weekend, just kinda stood around, asked dumb questions, smoked crumpled cigarettes from her pocket... She said something about coming in before, so I asked my boss about it later, and she told me the story of the first time she came into the store.
Back when they were across the street (4+ years ago), this big young woman came into the store, asked for some matches, asked a number of stupid questions, and mostly just stood around. After a while, she asked if she could go out and sit on the patio, and my boss ("Mary" for the purpose of the story) obliged.
After Mary let out an "okay, that was weird", the girl came in and asked her, "Could you do me a favor?" and Mary said, "Uhh, sure! What do you need?"
"I need you to call the police for me."
"Okay... why?"
"They're looking for me."
"Uh, alright, why are they looking for you?"
"I just raped my 2-year-old niece."
It was at this point that "Mary" yelled for "Alex" (one of our regulars, and a cop, who was in the back) and she was promptly taken away. Fast forward, and now she's coming back to hang out again.
Great.
04/09/09
And they say family values are dead.
04/09/09
Funny, I was thinking exactly the opposite. I didn't like the MkV GTI's nose, but did like the Mazda3's. Now, all I want to do whenever I see this new Mazda grille, is find something heavy, and smash the bejeezus out of it, until I knock that silly grin off its face.
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04/09/09
When are mazdas going to start looking like cars again, and not some mentally handicapped chinese kid's interpretation of the batmobile from Batman Forever?
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Which apparently works pretty well.
04/09/09
I'm waiting.
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...or when you first cast your eyes on it."
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Mean look?
lol
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04/09/09
I need direction Jalop commentrait, this is where you come in.
04/09/09
If you can get a new Speed3, I'd go that route. There's nobody who's bought one of these to treat gingerly, so who knows what kind of hoonin it's seen before your chance to wring it out.
(I'd buy a Cobalt SS (or HHR SS if you want practical sleeper, double parenthesis?)....you know it's the better car, haha)
04/09/09
I can speak from experience, having been in my buddy's Integra GS-R when he decided to get cocky against what he thought was a crappy little HHR panel van.
Love live the HHR SS Breadwagon.
04/09/09
The used MS6 has dropped a lot in price though...like over $10K from its $31K sticker. It's worth a look if don't mind ugly wheels and the rumor it eats tires. Worth comparing to a used Legacy 2.5GT.
04/09/09
I just specced out an HHR SS with the performance package. If you can do without a sunroof, it comes out to a touch under $24k.
[prod3.gmautobuilder.com]
Not a half-bad deal, and the car got very good reviews from C&D and Motor Trend.
04/09/09
I wouldn't buy an HHR SS if GM's economic future depended on it. Wait ...
Really though. If I wanted to drive around in a coffin I would just end it all right now. If I was going with any GM product in this sgement it would be the Cobalt SS.
@Brandegee: You can pick up a used (35-30k miles) Speed 6 right now for anywhere from $15-$19k. Considering what they are new that's a heck of a deal. The speed three is usually about $1-2k less.
I have drive the Speed 6 and love it but not the Speed 3 yet. Looks like I'll put that on the list of things to do this weekend.
04/09/09
Say, wasn't the MS6 discontinued? If so, I think they should go with AWD for the MS3--they previously stated the main reasons for FWD were cost and MS6 cannibalization.
04/09/09
Your call.
It got a five-star front and side impact safety ratings, very positive reviews, has a 260 ho turbo four backed by a five-speed short-throw with a limited slip.
And it's a total bargain.
Just sayin'....
04/09/09
It's no secret that I'm not really a domestic car guy. I just can't get into the styling of either the Cobolt or HHR. Not to mention the fit and finish is still lacking. Price-wise, sure, I'll bite. But in the end I still feel you're getting what you pay for.
I'm now a retired Honda/Toyota guy, as they have both forsaken me by putting out nothing I would want to buy.
All of the Mazdaspeeds have VINs that start with a "J". That makes me feel a little bit better inside.
04/09/09
I will admit that I still secretly harbor hopes for a new Celica 4-trac.
If they had come out with AWD for the final-gen Celica, I would have cried and bought one on the spot, college be damned.
04/09/09
I would sell my firstborn child (who isn't born yet) for an all-new Celica 4-trac.
04/09/09
I'd sell my left nut for one to reduce the risk of an accidental first-born child.
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