Participating in high-performance driving events and track days are not only a lot of fun, but they're also a great way to sharpen your overall driving skills. Getting the most out of a track day is mostly up to the driver and how willing they are to improve and how open they are to expert coaching. Having the right kind of car also helps.
So with a top-end budget of $40,000, Associate Editor Mark Takahashi and Photo Editor Kurt Niebuhr face-off to see which track day weapon reigns supreme. The pre-grid lineup consists of Takahashi in a BMW 135i, while Niebuhr hops in his Mazda MX-5.
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Categories: BMW, Face-Off, Mazda
Automakers charge in excess of $1,000 for in-dash nav systems, when you can get similar features on a lower-priced portable -- and now nearly the same functionality on an even less expensive smartphone nav app. Even though I liked the neat little nav system in a 2010 Mazdaspeed 3, the price (part of a $1,895 Tech Package option) left me less than impressed.
The downsized nav system in the Mazdaspeed 3 -- the screen is a mere 3.5 x 2.25 inches, smaller than even some of the lowest-priced portables -- has its upsides, but just as many downsides as well.
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Categories: Car Audio and Technology, Mazda, Test Car Notes
We recently added an old Mazda Miata to our long-term test fleet. Yes, fun as it may be to buzz around in, a 1994 Miata may not seem like a dream car initially, but we've got big plans for ours. Namely, to make it go, stop and handle not as good as new, but even better. We bought our Miata for under $2,000 and are in the process of modifying it (suspension, engine, brakes, seats, etc) to kick up the fun factor and make it suitable for the occasional track days. I took it through the canyons after the suspension and tire upgrades took place and that was enough to get me perusing AutoTrader.com for a nice used Miata, say a 2000 Special Edition in that lovely Mahogany Mica paint...
If you'd like to follow our Miata's metamorphosis, check out the 1994 Miata long-term blog (you'll see the most recent entries there, but you can use the drop-down menu to see preceding months' entries).
Categories: Dream Car Corner, Mazda
Most of the time, when a model is killed-off a similar vehicle replaces it. But sometimes we're left with a vast emptiness. Here are my top three cars that wandered off into the void that I wished would come back.
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Categories: Mazda, Nissan, Toyota, Weekly Top 3
I'll say it: I am a mom. A woman who sometimes cleans your face with her own spit, says things like "I suffered through 643 hours of labor with you and THIS is the thanks I get?" and worries about the state of your undergarments and their effect on her reputation. Not always an easy job, motherhood. Or a pretty one, for that matter. But it's also not only about manipulative guilt tactics, bad haircuts and embarrassing you in front of your friends. Being a mom is also about transportation. Somebody's gotta get you to all those sports games, jazz classes, orthodontist appointments, and sleepovers. Those "Mom's Taxi" license plate frames aren't just corny; they speak the truth.
But does mom's car have to be a bland, boring appliance? No way. So, in honor of Mothers Day (it's this Sunday, so there's still time for you to pick up a card, slacker), three cars for Mom that won't make the most important woman in your life yawn and reach for her pleated jean shorts.
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Categories: Audi, Buick, Mazda, Weekly Top 3
(photo courtesy of Flickr)
I was shooting pool a few nights ago with a friend. Among conversational tidbits like "How far would you go on the Olympic ski jump if you didn't jump at the end?" and "They're remaking Clash of the Titans? Really?" my friend let it be known that he was selling his 1974 Porsche 914. I just about whacked him with my pool cue. Dude, why?
Actually, he bought the 914 for his girlfriend (now wife) a couple of years ago. She loves the car and uses it as her daily driver, but they're thinking of selling it. He says it's not the most reliable car, and while he knows the mechanical basics, he isn't knowledgeable enough to do any major repairs. They haven't got the money to keep taking it to a specialized shop. Plus, his wife says she might like something a little bigger and with a backseat.
So I told my friend I'd use the infinite resources and powers of the WT3 come up with a few used-car suggestions that might still allow his wife to keep her car enthusiast credentials. I searched via the following criteria: 1) Fewer than $6,000 (that's the most they can spend); 2) Fun to drive; 3) Practical via a backseat and/or hatch; and 4) a reputation for at least decent reliability.
Here's what I came up with.
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Categories: Ford, Honda, Mazda, Porsche, Weekly Top 3
I spent several days and several hundred miles in an all-new 2009 Mazda 6
last weekend and I must say, if you are a fan of the current Mazda 6 you probably won't like the all-new one.
But here's the most important part -- there aren't many fans of the current Mazda 6. Oh sure, you hear enthusiasts (myself included) shout in glee about the current car's light, nimble handling, creative styling and unique interior design. But check the sales charts and the Mazda 6 falls far short of the Accord, Altima and Camry. For instance, in 2007 Honda sold 393,000 Accords, Toyota sold 424,000 Camrys and Nissan sold 284,000 Altimas. Heck, even Ford sold 150,000 Fusions (the Mazda 6's own platform mate). The Mazda 6? A modest 58,000.
So while a vocal minority of enthusiasts may bemoan the "Camry-ization" of Mazda's formerly lithe and responsive family sedan, logic and sales charts suggest Mazda is only showing good business sense in the new car's design.
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Categories: Mazda
Now before the Roundel-philes out there freak on me -- "What are you saying man?! Mazda's puny, turbocharged, front-drive econo-box is the equal of Germany's greatest sports sedan icon?!! Are you mad?!!!" -- let me explain that headline.
The Mazdaspeed 3 certainly doesn't possess the power, refinement or sheer performance of BMW's current M3...though compared to earlier versions...well let's not go there for now. Anyway, the car isn't a 400-horsepower V8 monster, but it is a tuned version of an exceptional base car.
The M3's iconic status comes primarily from being based on such an excellent starting point -- the BMW 3 Series. The same is true of the Mazdaspeed 3. Big surprise -- if the engineers get it right on the volume seller, the true benefits shine through on the tuner version.
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Categories: Mazda
I spent most of yesterday at Willow Springs Raceway as part of our second Edmunds Consumer Comparison Test: Economy Cars.
If you saw my earlier post you already know that we wanted to pit the leading (by both sales and editorial opinion) economy sedans against each other, but beyond picking the entrants and organizing the test session we would offer no guidance on which car we like the best.
Six consumers performed each of the evaluations on the economy sedans. The excercises including a city driving loop, a highway loop, acceleration, braking and handling tests, plus a static evaluation where they could test cargo capacity, examine interior features and generally go over each car with a fine tooth comb.
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Categories: Fuel Efficiency, Honda, Mazda, Toyota
Has the Mazda Miata ever really jumped the shark? Moreso than the BMW M3, I would argue it has not.
In looking at the Miata's basic specs over its three generations there is an undeniable weight gain -- from just over 2,000 pounds for the 1990 model to 2,400 pounds in the current roadster. A "bulk-up" of more than 25 percent for a two-seat sports car could be reason enough to suggest the jumping of predatory fish. But if you've driven all three generations you know the Miata's core mission of providing exotic-car levels of fun at just over economy car prices hasn't faltered.
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Categories: Cars that Jumped the Shark, Mazda
I don't have one topic worthy of a full Talk Back Tuesday post, but I do have a few mini topics from the past week that, when added up, almost equate to one worthy discussion...hopefully. Here goes:
In the spirit of "perfect timing" comes a new Hummer H2 book: Yes, just as oil passes $100-a-barrel and gas hits $4-a-gallon we get a new book that, according to the press release:
"With unfolded centerfold the book reaches a width of 237 cm (94.5 inches), wider than the subject of the book, the HUMMER H2, itself. HUMMER H2 - KING SIZE AMERICA! is the biggest and most exclusive car book in the world and is published in a limited edition of just 999 sequentially numbered and signed copies. On 200 gloss-laminated pages German automobile journalist Hans-Jürgen Tücherer tells a great many entertaining and amusing stories that surround this spectacular American SUV. More than 270 fascinating pictures up to 43 x 237 centimeters (17 x 94.5 inches) in size depict the HUMMER H2 in all its glorious details and from many highly unusual perspectives. HUMMER H2 - KING SIZE AMERICA! is available for 999 Euros. The German edition is on sale now. The English version will be available online at www.h2book.com starting in April 2008."
Yes, for a mere $1,500 you too can pay proper homage to your H2 with a book as obnoxious as the vehicle itself! Better reserve your copy today!!
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Categories: Audi, BMW, Bugatti, Hummer, Mazda, Talk Back Tuesday, Vehicle Awards
This is going to sound bad after yesterday's topic, but I think I'd suggest a larger CUV over this 2008 Volvo V70.
Now hear me out. First, the fuel mileage on this crate isn't all that impressive at 16/24 mpg. By comparison, a 2008 Mazda CX-9 with front-wheel drive scores 16/22 while being superior to the V70 in just about every measurement. The Mazda is quicker (no turbo for the V70 this year), handles considerably better, offers greater interior space, seats two additional passengers, tows more and has higher ground clearance (yeah, those last two items are more theoretical than practical for most potential buyers). The CX-9 also has a price advantage that nicely offsets the V70's 2 mpg advantage on the highway.
The V70 still has the upper hand in terms of standard and optional safety equipment (active front head restraints, integrated child booster seats, childproof door locks, collision warning system, lane departure warning system, etc.). The V70 also has excellent front seat comfort. But in our test car the flaccid throttle response and floppy handling seemed excessive, even for a Volvo station wagon.
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Categories: Mazda, Volvo
The first round of 2008 North American Car and Truck of the Year votes are in...
Car Finalists:
1. Cadillac CTS 2. Chevrolet Malibu 3. Honda Accord
Truck Finalists:
1. Buick Enclave 2. Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid 3. Mazda CX-9
The final winnners will be announced the morning of January 13th as part of the kickoff for the 2008 North American International Auto Show (also known as the Detroit Auto Show). I just sent my second-round ballot in, so my part in voting for the car and truck winners is over. I won't know the results before that January 13th announcement, though obviously I know who I voted for.
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Categories: Auto Shows, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Honda, Mazda, Vehicle Awards
I just took my second drive in a 2008 Mazda CX-9, but this time I was coming home from work late, which meant no traffic on PCH. The only speed limiter I had on the twisty sections of that coastal pavement strip was the Mazda's handling capability and my faith in the Valentine One. And I went FAST!
I already knew the CX-9 handled well on the tight sections of Mulholland from my first experience in the car, but damn -- this thing is powerful, too! I didn't really experience that trait last time because Mulholland isn't a horsepower-hungry road and the rest of my commute was on trafiic-snarled PCH and the 101 "freeway." But between the car's composed chassis and its rockin' 3.7-liter, 273 horsepower V6, and it's responsive six-speed auto, this crossover accelerates like a certain German sports sedan. It handles about as good as one, too.
I'm still not a fan of the whole "Let's let people who should buy minivans feel cool" thinking behind the "crossover" segment, but when a vehicle is this well executed I don't care what they call it. BTW, the CX-9's interior design, seat comfort (and lateral support) and exterior styling are also among the best in the segment.
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Categories: Mazda
