General Car Talk Discussion Thread
Can't wait to see the ST! Congrats! 
I was soooo close to buying a Focus SVT in '03 when I was looking at hot hatches. I ended up with an '04 Civic Si but needless to say I've always been a fan of the performance variant of the Focus. I'm sure it's going to be a fun car.
I was soooo close to buying a Focus SVT in '03 when I was looking at hot hatches. I ended up with an '04 Civic Si but needless to say I've always been a fan of the performance variant of the Focus. I'm sure it's going to be a fun car.
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Passenger as well?! That's awesome
thanks for clearing that up. I've looked at MS3s and MS6s many times in the past... haven't completely singled them out yet either, just out of my price range at the moment.
The stock tune for the DISI motors are very conservative, but that's not the reason for being prone for ZZB. The stock tunes run rich to prevent knock but in turn create more fuel being dumped back into the valves. As well they're tuned with prevention in mind, so if some f*cktard puts 87 octane in it'll still run and not blow up. It'll run like crap but it will run. Also the stock spark plugs are basically at their heat range limit with the stock tune, so the very first thing you're supposed to do before tuning with an AP is get step colder plugs. The high flow fuel pump is also close to it's limit for holding fuel pressure with the stock tune/parts, so if you mod beyond the basic bolt-ons, such as installing a downpipe, mainfold, etc. you need to upgrade the fuel pump internals to be able to handle the increased fuel flow. I've decided to not go with a downpipe so I'm still using my stock internals but my logs show steady fuel pressure during WOT runs.
The real reason for ZZB though is the car being a relative performance bargain being put into the hands of kids just getting their license and thinking it's a race car. More often than not it's because of simple abuse, dropping the hammer on it constantly or boosting at too low RPMs causing all that excessive boost in the cylinders. There has been it happening (supposedly) to someone while just crusing at a steady speed out of boost, but I'm suspicious about that. But I personally run an off the shelf COBB tune simply because it's much better than the stock tune but still safe enough that I'm not pushing the limit since this is my daily driver. Some MS6/MS3 guys are tuning on E85 and making HUGE power. It's not uncommon to see 500+ hp out of the DISIs now, of course with big turbos, not stock units, but still that's insane for a sub-$30,000 car IMO.
The real reason for ZZB though is the car being a relative performance bargain being put into the hands of kids just getting their license and thinking it's a race car. More often than not it's because of simple abuse, dropping the hammer on it constantly or boosting at too low RPMs causing all that excessive boost in the cylinders. There has been it happening (supposedly) to someone while just crusing at a steady speed out of boost, but I'm suspicious about that. But I personally run an off the shelf COBB tune simply because it's much better than the stock tune but still safe enough that I'm not pushing the limit since this is my daily driver. Some MS6/MS3 guys are tuning on E85 and making HUGE power. It's not uncommon to see 500+ hp out of the DISIs now, of course with big turbos, not stock units, but still that's insane for a sub-$30,000 car IMO.
thanks for clearing that up. I've looked at MS3s and MS6s many times in the past... haven't completely singled them out yet either, just out of my price range at the moment.
2024 Honda Civic Type R
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 1,520
From: Chicago, IL
2024 Honda Civic Type R
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 1,520
From: Chicago, IL
Looking for a new vehicle since our Trailblazer just totaled. I may get another Trailblazer. We liked it and it definitely saved my wife and two young daughters life's. Maybe early 2000's Tahoe. Not really sure. Going to do a lot more thinking over the weekend. Any input would be appreciated.
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Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Phoenix, AZ
Looking for a new vehicle since our Trailblazer just totaled. I may get another Trailblazer. We liked it and it definitely saved my wife and two young daughters life's. Maybe early 2000's Tahoe. Not really sure. Going to do a lot more thinking over the weekend. Any input would be appreciated.
Thank the lord they are okay. I posted about about it a few days back in SWEDT. It was bad. Hydroplaned and flipped. My wife has major soreness and some minor bruises and cuts. My 2 daughters remarkable only had a little rashing on their necks from the child seats. I will post a thread here when I decide on a new vehicle and include some wreaked pictures and a little more background. There are some pictures in the SWEDT if you want to check them out. It truly is a miracle. Scariest day of my wife's life and mine.
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,542
Likes: 6,192
From: Phoenix, AZ
Thank the lord they are okay. I posted about about it a few days back in SWEDT. It was bad. Hydroplaned and flipped. My wife has major soreness and some minor bruises and cuts. My 2 daughters remarkable only had a little rashing on their necks from the child seats. I will post a thread here when I decide on a new vehicle and include some wreaked pictures and a little more background. There are some pictures in the SWEDT if you want to check them out. It truly is a miracle. Scariest day of my wife's life and mine.
Looking for a new vehicle since our Trailblazer just totaled. I may get another Trailblazer. We liked it and it definitely saved my wife and two young daughters life's. Maybe early 2000's Tahoe. Not really sure. Going to do a lot more thinking over the weekend. Any input would be appreciated.
i really like them
Last edited by crazyasiantl; Oct 5, 2012 at 02:33 PM.
so what do you guys think about a TDI? long term benefits, upkeep, ect?
my MS3 is barely averaging 25mpg 75%highway/25% city, and i drive roughly 400 miles a week.
i can barely get 300 miles to a tank with the car and premium isnt getting any cheaper.
I would look into a Jetta more than likely since an A3 TDI (used) is way out of my range.
any benefits to a TDI, or should i stick to a regular 4 banger? i was considering buying an 8th Gen AV6 coupe since they seem to get pretty close to 30mpg while using regular 87.
feedback is welcome.
my MS3 is barely averaging 25mpg 75%highway/25% city, and i drive roughly 400 miles a week.
i can barely get 300 miles to a tank with the car and premium isnt getting any cheaper.
I would look into a Jetta more than likely since an A3 TDI (used) is way out of my range.
any benefits to a TDI, or should i stick to a regular 4 banger? i was considering buying an 8th Gen AV6 coupe since they seem to get pretty close to 30mpg while using regular 87.
feedback is welcome.
Your Friendly Canadian
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 17,447
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From: Toronto, Ontario
^ Dunno if it's similar in the states, but here diesel prices go up and down all over the place. Sometimes well below 87, sometimes more than 91.
From what I've seen, TDIs hold their value like crazy. Great when selling, frustrating when buying.
I sort of wish I got a TDI instead of a 2.0, but they were so much more expensive...
Maker, what's your budget?
From what I've seen, TDIs hold their value like crazy. Great when selling, frustrating when buying.
I sort of wish I got a TDI instead of a 2.0, but they were so much more expensive...
Maker, what's your budget?
i havent looked at TDI's yet. just throwing out the idea. but id like to dump the mazda. insurance is 155/month
as far as fuel costs, its kinda all over. less than 87 and more than 91.
^ Dunno if it's similar in the states, but here diesel prices go up and down all over the place. Sometimes well below 87, sometimes more than 91.
From what I've seen, TDIs hold their value like crazy. Great when selling, frustrating when buying.
I sort of wish I got a TDI instead of a 2.0, but they were so much more expensive...
From what I've seen, TDIs hold their value like crazy. Great when selling, frustrating when buying.
I sort of wish I got a TDI instead of a 2.0, but they were so much more expensive...
im just skeptical about going german.
2024 Honda Civic Type R
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 1,520
From: Chicago, IL
Thank the lord they are okay. I posted about about it a few days back in SWEDT. It was bad. Hydroplaned and flipped. My wife has major soreness and some minor bruises and cuts. My 2 daughters remarkable only had a little rashing on their necks from the child seats. I will post a thread here when I decide on a new vehicle and include some wreaked pictures and a little more background. There are some pictures in the SWEDT if you want to check them out. It truly is a miracle. Scariest day of my wife's life and mine.
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,012
Likes: 439
From: SoCal
i'd consider the golf tdi over the jetta tdi. Its a ltl more expensive, but the quality of the car is a lot better.
As for reliability, I dont see why the engine would have problems. But if you go golf there is quite an expensive 40k transmission service. My friend got one a couple months ago, seems like a well built car. I'd get a golf tdi if i was in your situation. And seeing how you're coming from a ms3 you'll still appreciate the hatch
As for reliability, I dont see why the engine would have problems. But if you go golf there is quite an expensive 40k transmission service. My friend got one a couple months ago, seems like a well built car. I'd get a golf tdi if i was in your situation. And seeing how you're coming from a ms3 you'll still appreciate the hatch
shit, i forgot all about the Golf 
i like, but i think i would go DSG
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...nal&listType=1
i like, but i think i would go DSG
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...nal&listType=1
Last edited by crazyasiantl; Oct 5, 2012 at 05:34 PM.
