TDI fades into regulatory oblivion; Enter Miata

[Tave]

Tough choice between the Accord and the Mazda 6 once I start looking at midsizers. But still, I'd like something with more power if possible.

What are the Koreans doing? I don't know about anything but the Genesis.

[J86]

Have you driven the new Mazda 6 yet?  I am driving a 2012 now and don't think it's as fun a car as my 2003 is.  It seems neutered somehow.  Much bigger too.

[CALL_911]

I wouldn't consider the two to be interchangeable. They probably have a totally different feel that isn't obvious from spec sheets.

They aren't. I guess it's kind of a stupid point to make- all I'm saying is that relative to its competition, I can understand why someone would buy the Accord, but I can't understand why anyone would buy the Civic Si.

[Tave]

Have you driven the new Mazda 6 yet?  I am driving a 2012 now and don't think it's as fun a car as my 2003 is.  It seems neutered somehow.  Much bigger too.

Evidently they improved it.

[Tave]

They aren't. I guess it's kind of a stupid point to make- all I'm saying is that relative to its competition, I can understand why someone would buy the Accord, but I can't understand why anyone would buy the Civic Si.

Oh please, it's not that far off a GTI, and it's 4K cheaper similarly equipped.

[MX793]

I get the feeling that the Civic Si is becoming the Sentra SE-R of the current crop of sport compacts.  Underpowered relative to the rest of the class, not much to look at, and in its latest iteration it apparently lost some of its sharpness.

[Madman]

If this is replacing the Aveo, then the logical choice is a Chevy Spark.

Chevy Sonic.

[Raza]

I wouldn't consider the two to be interchangeable. They probably have a totally different feel that isn't obvious from spec sheets.

Yeah, I can't imagine that the 300 pounds and 15" don't change how the family sedan feels compared to the sport model on a different platform.  If fun isn't the #1 priority, the Accord is a great choice.  But the Civic Si (extrapolating from the old model here) is going to kill it as soon as you get behind the wheel.  The choice between the two is very clear.  Sure, the Accord may get to 60 in a similar time, but there's no way that it's as fun. 

Still, like I said, I'd buy a late model of the last generation Civic Si, save some money, and be done with it.

[Raza]

Oh please, it's not that far off a GTI, and it's 4K cheaper similarly equipped.

I don't particularly care for the current Civic Si, but when I was buying in 2008, the Civic and my Jetta were equipped and priced basically the same, and my monthly payment came out to be almost $200 more on the Civic.  That's why I went with the Jetta.  I liked both enough that it just came down to money.  They're very different to drive, yet very similar in a weird way. 

[68_427]

If youre stretching your budget I dont get why you dismissed the Fiesta ST so quickly?

[MrH]

I don't particularly care for the current Civic Si, but when I was buying in 2008, the Civic and my Jetta were equipped and priced basically the same, and my monthly payment came out to be almost $200 more on the Civic.  That's why I went with the Jetta.  I liked both enough that it just came down to money.  They're very different to drive, yet very similar in a weird way. 

This.  This is why leasing is stupid.

[Raza]

This.  This is why leasing is stupid.

Got a car I loved for a price I could afford.   

There are plenty of reasons leasing is stupid, but I don't think this is one of them.

[Tave]

If youre stretching your budget I dont get why you dismissed the Fiesta ST so quickly?

I didn't dismiss it, it's at the front of the list and I was hoping one of y'all could give me some impressions of it.

[Tave]

Yeah, I can't imagine that the 300 pounds and 15" don't change how the family sedan feels compared to the sport model on a different platform.  If fun isn't the #1 priority, the Accord is a great choice.  But the Civic Si (extrapolating from the old model here) is going to kill it as soon as you get behind the wheel.  The choice between the two is very clear.  Sure, the Accord may get to 60 in a similar time, but there's no way that it's as fun. 

Still, like I said, I'd buy a late model of the last generation Civic Si, save some money, and be done with it.

I have two big gripes w the Si:

1) I'd prefer something a little more mature. I don't want to feel like Johnny Tran on my way to race wars every time I take my coworkers out to lunch.

2) I've spent a ton of time in an Integra GSR and Acura RSX and while I love those cars I wouldn't mind switching things up.

More minor gripe:
-I've put up with the Aveo for 8 years, I'd like to drive a "real car," and I'm worried the compacts might be a bit tinny.

[2o6]

No offense, the Aveo is a horrible standard to go by.

[Raza]

I have two big gripes w the Si:

1) I'd prefer something a little more mature. I don't want to feel like Johnny Tran on my way to race wars every time I take my coworkers out to lunch.

2) I've spent a ton of time in an Integra GSR and Acura RSX and while I love those cars I wouldn't mind switching things up.

More minor gripe:
-I've put up with the Aveo for 8 years, I'd like to drive a "real car," and I'm worried the compacts might be a bit tinny.

They won't feel tinny, especially when compared to the Aveo.  The GTI is most likely the most solid and well built here, but I went from a Mercedes and a Passat into a MkV Jetta and it never felt tinny.

Why new only?  Why not consider used? 

[Eye of the Tiger]

No offense, the Aveo is a horrible standard to go by.

It's quite good compared to a Yaris.
I recommend a Veloster.

[Cookie Monster]

What about a Nissan Puke?

[Raza]

What about a Nissan Puke?

You make is sound as appealing as....well, as it looks.  What a horrific car, I hope the people who styled it are blinded Slumdog-style.

[2o6]

What about a Nissan Puke?

Auto only in AWD guise. FWD guise it gets beaten out by everything else.

It's quite good compared to a Yaris.
I recommend a Veloster.

Veloster is a terrible idea. Its boring as hell....

[MX793]

You make is sound as appealing as....well, as it looks.  What a horrific car, I hope the people who styled it are blinded Slumdog-style.

Unfortunately, the designers were apparently hired by Jeep.

[Tave]

No offense, the Aveo is a horrible standard to go by.

They won't feel tinny, especially when compared to the Aveo.  The GTI is most likely the most solid and well built here, but I went from a Mercedes and a Passat into a MkV Jetta and it never felt tinny.

I know it's mostly a mental hurdle but it's there. I'm a big guy and driving a small car is wearing on me. And yeah the difference between the classes are small and vary make-to-make, but you do notice them if it's on your mind.

Why new only?  Why not consider used? 

I might, it's a timing thing. I need the Aveo checked out to see how much it will cost to keep running for the next few years. I'm thinking new shocks+struts, tires/maybe wheels, couple seals/gaskets, coolant flush, minor trans work. If it's only a couple grand I'll hold onto it and save up for a new or used car, but if I need to cut my losses and finance, I'd feel more comfortable with a new car.

I have a better handle on used market anyway, just haven't been following the new stuff as much.

[Tave]

It's quite good compared to a Yaris.
I recommend a Veloster.

The Veloster is another cool suggestion that I have a hard time picturing myself driving.



I've also been toying with the idea of purchasing a bike in cash. I can ride year round down here as long as I can stand the rain.

[Tave]

That's an awful idea on so many levels...but soooooo tempting.

[Eye of the Tiger]

The Veloster is another cool suggestion that I have a hard time picturing myself driving.



I've also been toying with the idea of purchasing a bike in cash. I can ride year round down here as long as I can stand the rain.

A motorbike, I hope. A bike would be super fun and efficient, and is perfectly practical with a good set of gear and storage bags/boxes. You do have to be kind of a tough guy to ride one daily, though. It can suck if you're feeling sick and tired after work and you have to ride home in the cold rain. What kind of bike are you interested in?

[Tave]

A motorbike, I hope. A bike would be super fun and efficient, and is perfectly practical with a good set of gear and storage bags/boxes. You do have to be kind of a tough guy to ride one daily, though. It can suck if you're feeling sick and tired after work and you have to ride home in the cold rain. What kind of bike are you interested in?

All of the bikes. Ninja 300, BMW F 700 GS + F 800 R, Ducati Streetfighter, Speed Triple, Tiger 800, Moto Guzzi V7, cruisers, whatever.

[GoCougs]

The Accord is a BIG car. However, I'd opt for the Accord Sport w/MT over the Civic Si in heartbeat.

[Char]

(In order)
BRZ/FRS
BMW E30 318 (With S52/54 swap depending on how fast you want to go)
Genesis
Mustang V6
Camaro V6





Notice carspin, there is no GTI on the list. Questionable reliablity, hohum dynamics (oh wait...stability control kicked in, never mind testing that theory) and parts that fall off after 2 years mean you should steer clear.

[Cookie Monster]

(In order)
BRZ/FRS
BMW E30 318 (With S52/54 swap depending on how fast you want to go)
Genesis
Mustang V6
Camaro V6





Notice carspin, there is no GTI on the list. Questionable reliablity, hohum dynamics (oh wait...stability control kicked in, never mind testing that theory) and parts that fall off after 2 years mean you should steer clear.

So let me get this straight... Tave asks for a new car, and you tell him that not only is the GTI not reliable, but then you go an recommend a 25 year old car with a swapped engine as a daily driver?


Holy shit. You have to be trolling. No matter how cool a swapped E30 may be, that is one of the worst choices anyone could make looking for a new daily driver.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I recommend a new Mercury Villager: Nautica Edition.