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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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#1374 of 1379 new-models review from Britain by creakid1 Sep 30, 2009 (11:47 am)
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)
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)
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. Replies to this message: creakid1 (Oct 01, 2009 10:01 am) eldaino2 (Oct 01, 2009 10:08 am) creakid1 (Oct 01, 2009 10:54 am)
#1377 of 1379 Re: well [eldaino2] by creakid1 Oct 01, 2009 (10:01 am)
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 Replies to this message: eldaino2 (Oct 01, 2009 10:08 am) creakid1 (Oct 01, 2009 10:54 am)
#1378 of 1379 Re: well [creakid1] by eldaino2 Oct 01, 2009 (10:08 am)
Replying to: creakid1 (Oct 01, 2009 10:01 am) hmmm avi would be a better candidate to answer that one. the steering on the mkV's was elctro-mechanical.   i dunno if i would find a car thats 'too' in control a terrible thing, but its nice to know they made the steering better.   adaptive chassis control is not listed as anything that will even be available on either the gti or golf, so no limo like shenanigans. Replies to this message: creakid1 (Oct 01, 2009 10:54 am)
#1379 of 1379 Re: well [eldaino2] by creakid1 Oct 01, 2009 (10:54 am)
Replying to: eldaino2 (Oct 01, 2009 10:08 am) The Adaptive Chassis Control comes w/ 3 different settings -- firm, medium & soft.   At least in Europe, the suspension of the Golf w/o the ACC option doesn't come in the soft setting. So you have to chip out enough $ to buy the ACC in order to ride like a limo. These days, I noticed this similar strategy in the US, where the lowest-price C-class Mercedes is forced to include the lowered sport suspension.   That's right, only the rich deserve to ride in a limo.   I remembered test driving all the Mazda cars at the 2004 or 2005 Mazda Rev It Up event. None had great steering feel except the Miata. The Mazda6 6-cyl rode & handled worse than the Mazda6 4-cyl. The RX-8 rode limo soft!   Later, I test drove more RX-8's at the dealers & found only the base model w/ soft suspension & 16" wheels did ride like a limo while the handling was still 'too' in control for me to explore the limit. So, yes, it's a terrible thing. LOL I'd rather drift the '05 Miata w/ LSD (limited-slip differential) all day long!   So I ended up picking up a Focus ST 2.3 w/ pure hydraulic steering, but neither its ride comfort nor the road holding can match the base RX-8, which unfortunately fishtailed badly in the rain due to RWD & un-availability of stability control!

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