Topic: The New Car Saga (and general auto chat) (Read 158892 times)

Maxvla · « **Reply #820 on:** April 23, 2013, 05:16:08 PM »

Drove out to test the MR-2 Spyder this morning. Not the best conditions for it being cold and windy. Had the dealer drive since I haven't driven a stick in a long time. The performance was quite nice. Felt really powerful for such a low rated motor. The ride quality was really hard, though. Wind noise was loud and the wind was pushing the car all over the highway. The salesman was having to fight it a little. Road noise was actually pretty good for the type of vehicle it is. Getting into the car was interesting, with the passenger side being not too bad. Drivers side was more difficult with the wheel in the way. I had to lower my leg to get around it, then when in a comfortable driving position, the wheel was touching my right leg. Think the car is just a little too small for me. I'm 6' 1" or just a bit over with long legs so I end up with high knee position in most cars. Probably a fun little car, but too small and not something I could do anything but track with. The ride quality is way too hard for my city's streets.

Based on my complaints of the MR-2 he took me for a spin in a 2007 Miata Hard top. Less powerful feeling, but more civilized. A bit more space around my lower body, but more snug up top. Felt like I was wearing the Miata as a coat. Quieter against the wind (as expected from a hard top), and cut through the wind easier, didn't have to fight it as much. Certain pavements were obnoxiously loud though, nearly deafening. Perhaps a different tire would fare better, but that was ridiculous. At highway speeds in 6th gear it was rolling around at 3500-4000rpm with a noticeable drone that would get annoying. This is more in line with what I would want, but still too raw, I suppose.

In the end the last car standing that combines everything I want, real back seats, 4 doors, performance, stiffer handling without being hard, fuel economy, smaller overall, decent storage, and a well appointed interior is the GTI. I'm going to wait for the MKVII that comes in 2015 model due some time next year and order it as soon as it is available.

Thanks to everyone who offered advice and suggestions during the course of this thread. I really appreciate it. Feel free to continue to use it for general car chat if you like. I will update my status as the new generation nears production.

DaveBSC · « **Reply #821 on:** April 24, 2013, 02:47:37 AM »

Ultra-light, ultra-fun cars stop being fun when they stop being livable. That's why I suggested the Z4 3.0si, you can 1. fit in it, and 2. hear a conversation with a passenger on the highway. GTI is a good choice though. Any thoughts on the Focus ST, or are you completely sold on the VW?

Maxvla · « **Reply #822 on:** April 24, 2013, 03:14:19 AM »

I might look at the Fiesta ST since it will be here first, but no, not interested in the Focus.

DaveBSC · « **Reply #823 on:** April 24, 2013, 05:37:51 AM »

Speaking of the new GTI...

Maxvla · « **Reply #824 on:** April 24, 2013, 06:06:30 AM »

Yes it's quite impressive. Love the variable rack, surprised this isn't used in all modern cars. The 8 inch nav screen is nice and I'll probably get the performance pack though I doubt I'll push it hard enough to ever make proper use of it, except perhaps in an emergency. The car makes a really nice sound too.

Anaxilus. · « **Reply #825 on:** April 24, 2013, 06:21:49 AM »

Well, if someone wants to listen to Death Magnetic, the HE500 is more useful than the HD800. Some of us like experiencing everything the driving experience has to offer which is the purpose of such a car.

Btw, I'm 6'1" as well and don't have any issues w/ the steering wheel because I left foot brake. If you need to reach across to center then you'd probably need a flat bottom steering wheel.

The closest thing you'll ever get to a jack of all trades is a Porsche Cayman which still has to make compromises. The only VW's I'd ever buy don't a exist. A Scirocco w/ 4motion or GX-3. I'm just totally done w/ FWD personally. You'll never get me down that route again. Should be fine for people not pushing their car and just want the occasional kick in the butt I guess.

How about an entry level Evo?

Maxvla · « **Reply #826 on:** April 24, 2013, 08:26:13 AM »

I agree there is a perfect car for everyone's driving wants and needs.

For me, it wasn't even braking that was a problem. With my foot on the gas my right leg was rubbing the steering wheel, much less braking. If I were actually driving the car I'm sure my left leg would also be touching while clutching or braking. It's just too cramped in there for me. If the steering wheel could telescope that would have solved everything, but it only tilts. I tend to have my tilt all the way up and my telescope all the way out. Not always at the extreme, but close if not.

I did actually look at the Cayman since prices are approaching what I was looking for in new cars, but then I'd be stuck with repair bills for a $50k+ car. Can't argue with performance or looks (especially) though. The interesting thing about the MKVII GTI is the electronically controlled mechanical differential, which according to several reviewers so far means it has virtually eliminated torque-steer, and some reviewers (like the one posted by Dave) have said it feels like a 4WD car at the price of a slightly bumped 2WD.

Evo is too heavy (3500lb+) and too ugly. It actually gets less gas mileage than my car somehow... Oh it's $35k starting too... What is actually desirable about this car?

Anaxilus. · « **Reply #827 on:** April 24, 2013, 08:44:48 AM »

0-62 in under 4.5 secs and faster than most basic 911 configurations plus room for 4 adults all at 1/3 the price of a comparable Porsche. That's what. The Evo is the cheapest near supercar you can buy. For an extra $15k worth of work you can exceed a $100K GT-R on the track.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdpBvLlWbXE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNCDaRnF-k8

E-diff is nice in trying to cope w/ torque steer but that doesn't negate the other issues of FWD. Putting power and cornering on the same contact patches while the rear just sit there and do next to nothing. The greatest FWD car was the Integra and this new Golf will never be able to do what that did. But like I said, as long as you are content to get a few cheap thrills to offset mundane daily driving, that's fine. Serious performance is not in the cards.

Maxvla · « **Reply #828 on:** April 24, 2013, 09:06:53 AM »

That's cool.

I didn't know it was such a competent car. Maybe I'll stop hating on it for its looks since it's a good performer. Still well above my price point though.

The thing about the GTI's diff is that it's not just an E-Diff. It's an electronically controlled mechanical diff, which is different from all of those simulated brake actuation LSDs (what is normally called an E-diff) that don't make as big of an effect. These reviewers are flooring the car 1/2 way through the turn and not losing grip on street tires. A brake actuation LSD would not perform well in that situation. I forget the exact times, but I recall someone mentioning the stock GTI is some 8 seconds slower around Nurburgring than the same car with the diff. I know I know.. the ring.. at least it was a comparative test, not just some reviewer talking about how it felt.

I don't intend to defend the honor of the GTI til I get mine (and continue doing so afterwards), but there are real gains on this MKVII generation on all aspects of the car.

DaveBSC · « **Reply #829 on:** April 24, 2013, 08:00:24 PM »

Here's the thing about the EVO. Yes it's insanely fast. But it's also a Mitsubishi Lancer, which is a TERRIBLE car. There's a reason why the EVO is so fast for so little money spent. Mitsubishi spent about $1 on refinement, and it was $1 wasted. If you think the MazdaSpeed3 is too civilized and too nice to live with day to day, buy an EVO. Stock up on headache medicine, you're gonna need it thanks to all the NVAH.

Also, the "0-60 in 4.5" is a bit bullshit, only attained with brutal hard launching. If somebody with a blown 6 or V8 catches you off guard in the wrong gear, you're toast. Under about 3,000rpm or so the engine is basically dead. You can see the man behind the curtain when you look at 5-60mph "street start" tests, the "4.5 second" EVO becomes a 6.5 second+ car.

The reason you buy a GTI over a Renault Sport Clio (or a MazdaSpeed in this country) is because unlike those cars, when you're finished fooling around it can calm down, relax and just get you home after a hard day like a regular Golf. The Clio RS and the EVO are like rabid dogs. They don't calm down, ever. If you like to drive everywhere at 10/10s that's fine, but if you don't want a car that's constantly growling, gnashing its teeth and foaming at the mouth, I would avoid the EVO.

Author Topic: The New Car Saga (and general auto chat) (Read 158892 times)

Maxvla

Re: Thinking about a new car, need some help.

DaveBSC

Re: Thinking about a new car, need some help.

Maxvla

Re: Thinking about a new car, need some help.

DaveBSC

Re: Thinking about a new car, need some help.

Maxvla

Re: Thinking about a new car, need some help.

Anaxilus.

Re: Thinking about a new car, need some help.

Maxvla

Re: Thinking about a new car, need some help.

Anaxilus.

Re: Thinking about a new car, need some help.

Maxvla

Re: Thinking about a new car, need some help.

DaveBSC

Re: Thinking about a new car, need some help.

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Author Topic: The New Car Saga (and general auto chat) (Read 158892 times)