JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

I'm telling you man. Prius Vagon.

Costco

All you wise guys butting in

Required
Average high 20's or 30+ mpg combined (eliminates a lot of cars)
Under $25k
Manual
Reliable
Fun to drive

Highly preferred
New (or low miles)
Four doors
Under 3000 lbs
Good NVH - quiet interior, no squeaks, rattles
Appealing to my eyes

charliemike

I hope there's a 6MT 2.5 Mazda3 out by then. Best looking hatch on the market by a mile right now. And the 6MT 2.5 should be 27C/37H ... With 184hp in under 3,000lbs.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, the new Mazda3 looks great. Get that Costco. It fits your requirement.

00TL-P3.2

This is the one I'm holding out for. I drove the new 6 Touring 6MT a while back & really liked it, more than the 6MT Accord Sport.
Tried out a 3i Touring sedan 6MT & it was peppy with the 2.0, but I definitely want a bit more power. Hatchback 3s Touring or GT 6MT will do it for me.

Aman

Just walk into your dealers and drive them! Best way to decide, IMO.

Like Majofo said, look at Sis as well. Forget about the 6 and Accord. Great cars I'm sure, but there's plenty of time for them when you knock up future Mrs. Costco.

It sounds like you're set on a Fiesta, though.

charliemike

Same HP as the Fiesta ST, about 250lbs heavier. May hit 60 in about 7.2 seconds according to some estimates (Motor Trend). Certainly not slow and over 30mpg in combined cycle.

Majofo

Get the Civic Si.. it's cheaper than the ST and WRX, yet in the same playing field. Plus super reliable and easy to tinker with.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

The latest Si looks like a whale that got punched 34.50 times in the face.

Costco

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'd forgotten about the Si never been crazy about its looks. I did like the TSX, the new Si is probably even more fun.

I like the 3 hatch too. The 6 just looks so good to me though, better than the 3.

oonowindoo

Si is so not in the playing field with ST, WRX, GTi, MS3.

However it does have the best 6mt though.

Majofo

1 - Mazda3 with 2.5L doesn't come with manny, and if it did it would still be at the 3,000 lb mark.

2 - TSX might not look like it, but it's a boat. So either you want < 3000 lbs or you don't.

3 - We should kick you in the balls for acting like a bimbo picking a car.

Majofo

You should do some research.

Majofo

Now you want the Mazda 6?! it's 3200 lbs.

Majofo

Alright guys.. everyone form a single line, little guys up front.. Costco.. stand right there, legs apart.

Majofo

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Is that Costco!?

Costco

1. I knew about that, another reason why it's not on my list. For now anyway. If they make one, a MS3 will be over $25k, I just might like it enough to spend that extra... would hate to have the 2.5L 6MT and know there's something even better.

2. I was just saying the TSX pretty much has the same powertrain as an Si.

3. This happens every time I make a purchase I'll be stuck with. Phones, cars, gadgets... I can never decide... I hate myself for it sometimes

3k lb weight limit isn't absolute. Plus I just love the way the 6 looks.

Majofo

Yes.. but that was before he dyed his hair.

charliemike

It's not here yet. Mazda says it's coming.

The Civic Si is polarizing. And by polarizing, I mean it's ugly in general.

Compared to the Mazda3 it's a Ssangyong Rodius.

charliemike

I can understand that but the Focus ST is more of a hoon than the Fiesta ST.

If the 6MT is out when you get ready, just go drive it. You may decide the aesthetics, handling, and economy are just too good to pass up.

Majofo

I don't like the Si, but I'm just being honest. It's fairly quick, handles pretty well, brakes well, and sounds great. Plus great transmission and pretty much bulletproof in terms of reliability.


Si
CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 2874 lb (61/39%)
0-60 MPH 6.1 sec
QUARTER MILE 14.6 sec @ 95.6 mph
BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 109 ft
LATERAL ACCELERATION 0.87 g (avg)
MT FIGURE EIGHT 26.5 sec @ 0.66 g (avg)
EPA CITY/HWY FUEL ECON 22/31 mpg
ENERGY CONS., CITY/HWY 153/109 kW-hrs/100 miles
CO2 EMISSIONS 0.77 lb/mile

'14 Focus ST
CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 3193 lb (60/40%)
0-60 MPH 5.9 sec
QUARTER MILE 14.6 sec @ 95.9 mph
BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 112 ft
LATERAL ACCELERATION 0.96 g (avg)
MT FIGURE EIGHT 25.4 sec @ 0.70 g (avg)
EPA CITY/HWY FUEL ECON 23/32 mpg
ENERGY CONS., CITY/HWY 147/105 kW-hrs/100 miles
CO2 EMISSIONS 0.74 lb/mile

'15 WRX
CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 3330 lb (59/41%)
0-60 MPH 5.5 sec
QUARTER MILE 14.0 sec @ 98.1 mph
BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 106 ft
LATERAL ACCELERATION 0.96 g (avg)
MT FIGURE EIGHT 25.3 sec @ 0.76 g (avg)
EPA CITY/HWY FUEL ECON 21/28 mpg (mfr est)
CO2 EMISSIONS 0.82 lb/mi

Majofo

Nice.. totally agree.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Damn, when did Mazda up the price of MS3? I bought mine for like $23k in 2010.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

The WRX/GTI/Focus ST are all boosted. The Si is not. The driving feel and performance differences are pretty substantial. The gap only gets larger once you mod the car with the similar amount of $.

The Si has been the loser in the competition for several years now.

Yumcha

Aman

So... why not a previous-gen MS3?

Costco

.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

He needs something with combined 30 mpg.

I think I averaged like 20 on my car. I drove like a crazy turbo maniac though.

Aman

oonowindoo

I think MPG is highly overrated. It is very hard to get COMBINED 30mpg if you live anywhere close to civilization unless you never rev pass 2k rpm.

The only time i have ever gotten 30mpg is to Vegas without traffic.

the $ you'd save between 30mpg and 25mpg combined is about 60 miles per tank, or $7 per fill up. I would rather buy a car that i really really want with lower mpg and spend $25 more a month on gas than a car is ok to me but get 30mpg. Best $25 a month ever spent!

you really should not let MPG affect your car buying decision that much, unless you drive 30k miles per year or something.

if you are like most of us who drive 10k-15k miles per year, you will barely notice the difference.

oonowindoo

Again, just because they are competitors doesn't mean they are in the same playing field.

Example: 4G TL vs. rest.

Si vs. rest

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, I kinda agree.

If you want to get a car that has 30 combined MPG, there aren't that many cars that you will want to drive.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

You could get a Hyundai Elantra. I know for a fact those get 30mpg mixed

charliemike

I'm averaging 25 and not driving like a hoon. I bet I could get closer to 28 average without a tune.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

do you even boost!?

Sarlacc

Tesla S P85 vs 14 Stingray on the dragstrip

2 runs...looks like a bad launch by the vette on the first pass...but still That Tesla is never left in the dust...bad ass.

http://www.autoweek.com/article/2014...n=awdailydrive

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

^Unbelievable. Didn't know it was that fast.

Sarlacc

Oh yes, Ive been in love with this car...and its awesome to actually see it on the strip.

I've seen 2 bread new M5s in my area in the last two days...both being driven like TOTAL douchebags..it would be awesome to see the look on their faces when an electric car whizz's by