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Mazdaspeed3 vs. VW V GTI vs. Civic Si

1379 messages,  Last post on Oct 01, 2009 at 10:54 AM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDA3, Volkswagen GTI, Honda Civic, Car Comparisons, Coupe, Hatchback, Sedan


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#1368 of 1379
Re: well [puffin1] by cz75
Sep 28, 2009 (6:18 pm)
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Replying to: puffin1 (Sep 28, 2009 9:24 am)

Why do you need heated cloth seats? Leather I could understand.
 
The Si sedan back seat folds down, but it won't load to the ceiling like a hatchback will. I don't like using my car like a truck, but I did own Integras for over ten years and it helped moving things from college and grad school.
 
Diesels are 30% more fuel efficient, so is 64 cents more/gal. a 30% difference over gas? Here it is within a quarter between regular and diesel and has been within a nickel a couple months ago; last year it cost more than premium.
#1369 of 1379
Re: well [eldaino2] by cz75
Sep 28, 2009 (6:24 pm)
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Replying to: eldaino2 (Sep 28, 2009 10:27 am)

TOV has it posted and it won't be a euro hatch (thank god), but a sedan (probably a coupe, maybe a hatch of the same platform). I expect it will be a K-series, but don't know the displacement and it might be direct injection or other new technology. This is a rumor from someone at an outside source that makes components for Honda. It will be 2011 (2012 model year) before it rolls out, as Honda wants another year out of the current platform.
#1370 of 1379
Re: well [cz75] by eldaino2
Sep 29, 2009 (5:50 am)
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Replying to: cz75 (Sep 28, 2009 6:24 pm)

ah ok i see.
 
wow so the current civic is going for a 6 year run huh? interesting.
 
i just hope it has some torque.
 
dont like the euro civic eh? lol, i personally like when honda is a bit daring.
 
they honestly need to go back to their roots the way VW did, i guess they dont because the ep3 left such a bad taste in everyones mouth. thanks for the info though cz75, i'll check out TOV.
#1371 of 1379
Re: well [eldaino2] by creakid1
Sep 29, 2009 (7:27 pm)
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Replying to: eldaino2 (Sep 29, 2009 5:50 am)

http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/202445/honda_civic_typer_latest.html
 
The new Euro Civic looks energetic & handsome. W/o looking at its badge, you'd think its the modern version of the old Scirocco/Corrado, while the re-borned Scirocco today looks wimpy/dumpy & not too different from the old '92 Civic. LOL
 
See post #1349
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ef6c2da/1348#MSG1348
 
But no matter how handsome it is, this Euro Civic w/ simple strut-front/beam-rear suspension (just like the Fit) makes me proud b/c my '2000 Civc hatch w/ double-wishbone suspension FRONT & BACK & 103" wheelbase (w/ customized pwr windows/locks/mirrors, DVD/navigation, Monaco driver seat, front sway bar, softer springs from LX sedan, etc.) now feels like the most high-tech tiny car in world!
 
Even today's Mazda3, which does not have multilink front suspension, is heavy & bulky like a barge by comparison
#1372 of 1379
Re: well [creakid1] by aviboy97
Sep 30, 2009 (9:50 am)
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Replying to: creakid1 (Sep 29, 2009 7:27 pm)

my '2000 Civc hatch w/ double-wishbone suspension FRONT & BACK & 103" wheelbase (w/ customized pwr windows/locks/mirrors, DVD/navigation, Monaco driver seat, front sway bar, softer springs from LX sedan, etc.) now feels like the most high-tech tiny car in world!
 
I don't know if you were trying to be sarcastic or not. But, IIRC, that gen of Civic Si was not a hatch. Not here in the US anyway...
 
Even today's Mazda3, which does not have multilink front suspension, is heavy & bulky like a barge by comparison
 
Todays Mazda3 is bigger then many cars from 10 years ago. C'mon..gimme a break.
 
The Mazda3 does have multilink rear though and has best in class handling. That is what matters. Not what hit the streets 10 years ago.
#1373 of 1379
Re: well [aviboy97] by creakid1
Sep 30, 2009 (11:24 am)
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Replying to: aviboy97 (Sep 30, 2009 9:50 am)

All Civic's lost the front Double Wishbones after 2000. That cool-looking current-generation Euro-market Civic hatch also lost the rear multi-links/DW, unlike the notchback we're getting.
 
My point is that cars w/ small-exterior don't come w/ high-tech multi-link/DW suspension ALL AROUND anymore.
 
Nevertheless, I still hate the slow-&numb steering of my "high-tech" 2000 Civic. That's why, despite living w/ dangerously-high level of oversteer, I still can't get rid of my '90 Protege twincam, which steers so deliciously that none of you modern-car owners can imagine.
 
I am so addicted to steering feel that I even rescued an old MkI '84 Jetta w/ manual steering from going to the junkyard.
 
The pre-2006 Miata also steers great, but I want elastic long-travel comfy suspension as well.
 
I remember test driving a comfy-riding MkV Rabbit, but its electric pwr steering was disastrous when comes to steering feel.
 
W/o great steering feel, I don't see what's so fun about driving, no matter how high the road holding is.
#1374 of 1379
new-models review from Britain by creakid1
Sep 30, 2009 (11:47 am)
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http://newsletter.autoexpress.co.uk/c/160V7LyScEh05lbozLM
 
Mazda
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/242680/mazda_3.html
 
"Direct, communicative steering makes cornering a rewarding experience."
 I wonder what other Japanese car maker can do this?
 
Ford
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/242677/ford_focus.html
 
VW
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/242674/volkswagen_golf.html
#1375 of 1379
Re: well [creakid1] by aviboy97
Oct 01, 2009 (7:18 am)
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Replying to: creakid1 (Sep 30, 2009 11:24 am)

Nevertheless, I still hate the slow-&numb steering
 
+1
 
I still can't get rid of my '90 Protege twincam, which steers so deliciously that none of you modern-car owners can imagine
 
My '05 Mazda6 has great steering feel as well. No electric assist. The Mazdaspeed3 has a more weighty feeling then the regular Mazda3. I don't like floaty steering systems.
#1376 of 1379
Re: well [creakid1] by eldaino2
Oct 01, 2009 (9:24 am)
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Replying to: creakid1 (Sep 30, 2009 11:24 am)

actually, as far as eletric systems go, ony the fit and mazda 3 really have this down, but the rabbit is not as terrible as you make it seem. all the other systems i have driven, including a civic hybrid and prius were terrible. while not as good as the 3 or fit, the rabbits was not bad at all, and probably had more to do with the fact that the steering ratio is not as quick.
#1377 of 1379
Re: well [eldaino2] by creakid1
Oct 01, 2009 (10:01 am)
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Replying to: eldaino2 (Oct 01, 2009 9:24 am)

The old Mazda3 used to have electro-hydraulic. Did the new version switch to fully electric?
 
Nevertheless, the MkVI GTI has improved steering feel over the MkV:
 
http://newsletter.evo.co.uk/c/161K9906Oxy4ApC7jmw
 
"Spot on – although it takes me a while to work my way up to that level. The new GTI is fearfully competent. Does that concern you? It should. True, the last Golf was not a raw, trembling ball of energy either, settling for being richly satisfying instead, but in the new one you really have to go looking for entertainment. Cruise around and the stunning damping composure means the car is always too much in control, too able. So you hurl it into a tight-ish third-gear corner. Aha… now we’re talking. Now the steering is more alert, now you can feel what’s going on, now the front end sharpens up a treat. Now it’s a GTI.
 
It’s a neat trick, a sudden sense of layers pulled back, true character revealed, but it’s also frustrating knowing how hard you have to drive it to have fun."
 
The Scirocco uses Passat's rear suspension just like the Control Blades originally from the Focus/Mazda3.
 
Not sure if the MkV GTI switched away from Control Blades on the MkVI. Does any body know?
 
The whole point is that, compare to the MkV GTI, the MkVI GTI is "too much in control, too able" so "it’s also frustrating knowing how hard you have to drive it to have fun."
 
Now w/ optional Adaptive Chassis Control that changes the damper setting under different situations, no wonder it can handle more competently w/o making the overall ride quality any harder.
 
My recommendation is choosing the MkVI Rabbit w/ Adaptive Chassis Control (hopefully will be available here eventually) over the MkV GTI, so you can handle nearly as well as the MkV GTI while still rides like a limo

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