Bout time. I'm tired of seeing people and flowers, hehehe.
The Jetta forum I joined after buying my Jetta has a photo challenge game thread. The current challenge was "picture of your car at sunset." Here's my result. Not quite what I wanted, but we have way too many hills and mountains in the horizon to get good sunsets.
Couple of flower shots playing with the flowers this evening.
Scouted a little bit for some car shot locations this evening also. Need my car, a sunset, and my camera. Only had 2 of the 3 tonight and the camera wasn't one of them. Might have something tomorrow night.
Scouted a little bit for some car shot locations this evening also. Need my car, a sunset, and my camera. Only had 2 of the 3 tonight and the camera wasn't one of them. Might have something tomorrow night.
Being in a hilly and mountainous area, my heart has to go out to the truckers trying to drive our highways. Many of them are limited by their companies to 65 mph, but not all of them. They are out around where I am running up and down long stretches of hills. When they hit the uphills, they slow down. If one limited at 65 is getting to the bottom of an uphill, the other guy doing 70 can't put the brakes on, he loses all his momentum. That would mean he'd end up slowing way down way too slow running up the hill. They have to keep it floored or else it would be even a bigger mess. So, if a truck is up ahead of me pulling to the left to pass another truck, I give him room to make the move. He's getting paid by the mile, I'm not on the job when I'm on the road. More power to him if he doesn't have to lift off because of another vehicle in front of him.
Yup, they are called parkways and they are the way to travel from one side of the city to the other or enter and exit the city. And the reason you don't accelerate down the ramp to speed is because you are usually coming from a stop 30 feet out at a traffic light. Not enough distance to accelerate to the 70 mph the bumper to bumper traffic is running. In my Honda, that meant about 30 mph with the throttle on the floor by the time I am reaching the parkway to exit the city and enter 70+ mph traffic. Fun stuff.
This one in particular is really fun. How do you merge into traffic when you have a stop sign. This on is Pittsburgh.
This one in particular is really fun. How do you merge into traffic when you have a stop sign. This on is Pittsburgh.
You don't come around the bend at 80 (kph I'm assuming.) Keeping your units, you are coming from about 30 kph off the side into 120 kph traffic.
Now see, things must be a LOT different over here where I am. I ended up in the city with my Honda hunting around for used cars and I thought I was going to die! There was no way I was going to be able to pull into bumper to bumper rush hour traffic flying by at 75-85 mph with my weak old Honda. I had to though, there was no turning back and no stopping. I put it on the floor and went for a small gap. Cars flying all around me, whipping around me from behind, as I slowly accelerated up to 40... 45.... 50.... Oh I'm Going To DIE!
By city driving, I am going to take it that you guys mean small city. Because there is no way in hell you are driving a 60 hp car in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. My Honda was 100 HP and it couldn't go (though it was very old and worn out and a girlamatic to boot, so that hindered it a lot.)
This isn't Pittsburgh, but similar traffic. Imagine trying to pull into that with 60 hp when they are moving at 75+ mph....
That is city driving. No place for a slow car.
On the contrary, with the Wolfsburg which is mine, the difference from the normal GL's and such is in a stiffer "sportier" suspension as I stated. I've ran her about 500 miles now since Friday and I'll tell you, it indeed likes taking corners. I keep looking for the little slot cut into the road because it feels like a slot car.
That and every time I blink, I'm skating on the triple digit zone on the speedometer (mph of course). I'm still use to the Honda. In the time it took me to hit 35 mph in the Honda, I am well over 100 in this thing.
You internet experts keep loving your 70 hp tin cans. Let me worry about how "slow" and poor handling my 180 hp slotcar is, thanks.
That was quick....
2003 Jetta Wolfsburg Edition (basically sports seats, trim, and sportier suspension.) 1.8l turbo and it goes like hell!
Was up at the lake this past weekend, which normally we go early and have lunch. This time it was evening so I was able to grab the sun setting.
Finally snapped a pic of my "new" Jetta out in the backyard after giving it some tenderlovingcare with the buffer and some carnauba. Doesn't show much in the photo, but the wheels are horribly corroded and in bad shape. Would love to put some new ones there, but doubt the funds will allow it just for cosmetics.
Don't pay any attention to the lawn chairs showing in the reflections, hehe. Ignore the kid's swingset that appears to be hanging out of the trunk also, and the birdhouse that is sitting on the roof.
Don't pay any attention to the lawn chairs showing in the reflections, hehe. Ignore the kid's swingset that appears to be hanging out of the trunk also, and the birdhouse that is sitting on the roof.
Last edited by mrodgers, .
I love RX7s, but Klutch, put an exhaust on that POS. That thing sounds horrible. Leave the riced up fart cans for the Hondaboys.
How much and what difference does the NGK Iridiums make? Really, just plain old platinum NGK you can't go wrong with, $1.99 each. A spark plug is a spark plug in my opinion. I've been through a lot of cars, a lot of miles, and a lot of different spark plugs, it never made a difference what spark plug I used.
And synthetic. What oil? I am using Mobil 1 since buying the Tribute new. It's like $25 for 5 quart jug at Walmart. Dang cheap. I've always used Castrol GTX in the older cars, but with the new-to-me turbo, it's recommended to use synthetic. Castrol GTX is around $20 for 5 quart jug at Walmart, so the Mobil 1 is only $5 more.
Plug replacement and oil change are about the cheapest jobs you can to on a car.
As for the transmission, seems you can never go wrong with Red Line MT-90 gear oil. Now you're getting a little bit more money. Summit Racing has it for $49.95 for 4 quart jug.
And synthetic. What oil? I am using Mobil 1 since buying the Tribute new. It's like $25 for 5 quart jug at Walmart. Dang cheap. I've always used Castrol GTX in the older cars, but with the new-to-me turbo, it's recommended to use synthetic. Castrol GTX is around $20 for 5 quart jug at Walmart, so the Mobil 1 is only $5 more.
Plug replacement and oil change are about the cheapest jobs you can to on a car.
As for the transmission, seems you can never go wrong with Red Line MT-90 gear oil. Now you're getting a little bit more money. Summit Racing has it for $49.95 for 4 quart jug.
2001? 150hp from the 1.8T, mine is 2003 180hp nenernenernener! :haha:
Only difference is a little fuel remapping in 2003 (or maybe it was 2002.)
I am now in possession of it. Sitting in the driveway. Bought it about an hour away from home, which I'm out in the sticks and that means a lot of nice curvy roads to run it on. Problem was, it was also around 4:30 in the afternoon which means all the 10 mph under the speed limit folks were out coming home from work
.Took it for a nice ride after dinner. Had the kids with me, so again, no spirited driving, but I'm absolutely loving it. Power delivery is very smooth, and has plenty of torque down low in the revs. It really takes off once the turbo spools up and the revs climb up. I was hoping to hear the turbo a little bit more though. It's very quiet.
I also have a LOT of experience with Toyota 4x4's. Had a Hilux, 2 4Runners, and a Tacoma. Experience with several of the motors as well, 22RE in the 89 Hilux, 3vze in the 94 4Runner, another 22RE in the 88 4Runner, and the 2.7L in the Tacoma. Wish I had the opportunity to drive the 3.4L. Those Toyotas were the easiest transmissions I've ever driven to shift clutchless. I rarely ever used the clutch. It slipped right into gear. They were also the quickest to shift of anything I've driven even with that 4 mile long throw of a truck gear lever.
Giving the Jetta a little tenderlovingcare this weekend with the buffer and I'm trying to think of a good spot for some photography. I hope to get some photos posted before too long. Big issue unfortunately though with the 2003 Wolfsburg is the $1100 each wheels (so I've read) that had horrible corrosion and clear coat lifting. The wheels look horrible. They are 2 piece and I thought it was just the rim (the proper use of "rim" here, Tristan. I know how you love folks saying "RIMZ" :razz
but upon further inspection, the inner piece is also starting to lift clear coat. Problem is, I've read that there is a special bit they used for the bolts and it's not available for me to remove them to get to the corrosion to strip and polish correctly. The car is just a work runner, and though I'd love to spend the money on a nice shiny set of wheels, that just isn't in the future so I have to settle with the crap looking wheels. I'll still try to strip, polish, and reclear the rims, but the inner wheel I won't be able to work on very well.Gotta go show off to the brother-in-law who is the family VW connoisseur. I have to take him for a ride and really put the car through the paces. Hehehe, he's going to be so jealous
Since I don't have any photos of it yet, here's a photo before they remove it from the site from the dealership....
Last edited by mrodgers, .
Awwww, you're just a baby yet.
I'm about to go back 18 years to 20 with my new car. Never owned/driven a turbo before.
Some of these folks aren't as old as my first new computer would be today.
Took my soon-to-be MKIV 1.8T Jetta out for another drive before I worked the deal. Took it out without the owner. WhoooohheeeeeE!!!!!!! Now, I'm not 18 years old anymore, thus I don't beat and abuse a vehicle stupidly, but I did want to drive it without the owner before I committed. Had to put it through it's paces and I don't like having a passenger if I'm going to be yanking around on the wheel and hitting triple digit speeds briefly. Didn't actually hit 100, but she sure hit 90 mph in a hurry!
Took half a day at work to go make the deal and pick up the car, as well as pick up Wifey's car since it was at the mechanic, and today the bank decided there is a two day hold on the check I was depositing. Yesterday they told me there wouldn't be. So, now I have to wait until Friday, and I had to drive all the way back home in my weak old Honda at 45 mph because it shakes at 50 mph too much. :gnasher:
Now I want to take Friday off, but I'm too darn busy at work.
A shame there isn't anything available around me for track running. Stupid little local track is nothing but beginner stuff (which would be fine the first time, but there would be no second time) and tracks further away are big money to run on. Haven't had an interesting and fun to drive car in over 3 years now. I'm itching to have a clutch under my foot.
Bummer since I've set up a clutch on LFS last year and learned how to heel-toe, I tried it in the Jetta and couldn't get anywhere near the throttle with my foot on the brake. Not enough room and the throttle is really really low compared to the brake pedal.
Took half a day at work to go make the deal and pick up the car, as well as pick up Wifey's car since it was at the mechanic, and today the bank decided there is a two day hold on the check I was depositing. Yesterday they told me there wouldn't be. So, now I have to wait until Friday, and I had to drive all the way back home in my weak old Honda at 45 mph because it shakes at 50 mph too much. :gnasher:
Now I want to take Friday off, but I'm too darn busy at work.
A shame there isn't anything available around me for track running. Stupid little local track is nothing but beginner stuff (which would be fine the first time, but there would be no second time) and tracks further away are big money to run on. Haven't had an interesting and fun to drive car in over 3 years now. I'm itching to have a clutch under my foot.
Bummer since I've set up a clutch on LFS last year and learned how to heel-toe, I tried it in the Jetta and couldn't get anywhere near the throttle with my foot on the brake. Not enough room and the throttle is really really low compared to the brake pedal.
Book your appointment, or get a monitor resolution higher than 320x260.
When are you children going to take it to PM. It's turned into a bunch of whiny schoolgirls in here....
And Logitek, nah, I didn't exactly like the Jetta better than the Mazda. I'd buy the Mazda in a heartbeat. I'm just not liking the rust issue on what is essentially still like new cars.
Weird issue with the VW was, when I went to climb in it, I thought a girl must have driven it last. The seat was pulled way up and I could barely fit down between the steering wheel and seat back. I pushed the seat back away from the wheel and climbed in. At that point, I realized I was fine with my reach to the steering wheel, but my feet were miles away from the pedal. I had to push the seat way up to fully press the clutch pedal, but then couldn't get out of the car when we got back from the drive. I can't believe how far the pedals are away from what would be a normal seating position away from the wheel for me. It was really weird.
Some paint issues on the VW beings it's black and full of spiderwebbing, but I guess nothing a buffer couldn't handle. I assume it had been wrecked and fixed up recently. I didn't even notice at first, but one headlight lens was horribly clouded and scratched up and the other looked brand new. Not really a big deal, but is nice to know.
I've been reading tonight around the various VW forums. I just may go back early in the week and pick it up. I just have to research to see if it's worth advertising my old worn out Honda or if I should just trade for what they would give me.
Hmm, poor XCNuse will be disappointed. I've been talking to him in PM a little bit about the Mazda. I was ready to pull the trigger until I looked at pictured of about 6-7 other Mazdas for sale on autotrader.com and every one of them I could see rust bubbles starting in the back fenders. I'm not dealing with that, it's the main reason of getting rid of the 188k mile Honda. It starts up just fine which I'm happy with (I don't drive in the city normally, it's all country roads to work) but it's already had recent extensive body work due to rust and is all rusting out again. Anywhere from 150k-200k is pretty much the end of life for a car here in PA normally due to rust. Once it starts, you'll have to do more and more work to it every year. Needs 4 new tires, alignment, possibly ball joint, bushings, something replaced as the shimmy is absolutely horrible. Just too much work and money to put into a 188,000 mile car.
And Logitek, nah, I didn't exactly like the Jetta better than the Mazda. I'd buy the Mazda in a heartbeat. I'm just not liking the rust issue on what is essentially still like new cars.
Weird issue with the VW was, when I went to climb in it, I thought a girl must have driven it last. The seat was pulled way up and I could barely fit down between the steering wheel and seat back. I pushed the seat back away from the wheel and climbed in. At that point, I realized I was fine with my reach to the steering wheel, but my feet were miles away from the pedal. I had to push the seat way up to fully press the clutch pedal, but then couldn't get out of the car when we got back from the drive. I can't believe how far the pedals are away from what would be a normal seating position away from the wheel for me. It was really weird.
Some paint issues on the VW beings it's black and full of spiderwebbing, but I guess nothing a buffer couldn't handle. I assume it had been wrecked and fixed up recently. I didn't even notice at first, but one headlight lens was horribly clouded and scratched up and the other looked brand new. Not really a big deal, but is nice to know.
I've been reading tonight around the various VW forums. I just may go back early in the week and pick it up. I just have to research to see if it's worth advertising my old worn out Honda or if I should just trade for what they would give me.
Hmm, poor XCNuse will be disappointed. I've been talking to him in PM a little bit about the Mazda. I was ready to pull the trigger until I looked at pictured of about 6-7 other Mazdas for sale on autotrader.com and every one of them I could see rust bubbles starting in the back fenders. I'm not dealing with that, it's the main reason of getting rid of the 188k mile Honda. It starts up just fine which I'm happy with (I don't drive in the city normally, it's all country roads to work) but it's already had recent extensive body work due to rust and is all rusting out again. Anywhere from 150k-200k is pretty much the end of life for a car here in PA normally due to rust. Once it starts, you'll have to do more and more work to it every year. Needs 4 new tires, alignment, possibly ball joint, bushings, something replaced as the shimmy is absolutely horrible. Just too much work and money to put into a 188,000 mile car.
Last edited by mrodgers, .
Ah yeah, I forgot. They must be starting their phase-out of Google here in the US. Must not have reached PA where I am at yet.... 
Camera light meter
and Histogram
The light meter I am talking basically just the little graph you see on your display or viewfinder that moves back and forth. It will look something like this....
......v
| . . | . . .|
You will see the arrow or marker move around the display as you point the camera to different things. You are "suppose" to have the proper exposure when the marker is in the center, but that isn't necessarily what you want in a photograph. Use it as a guideline to what the exposure is going to be. If it is to the left of center, the exposure is on the underexposed or dark side. Open up the aperture 1 or 2 numbers and you will see it move towards center.
Put your camera in "spot metering" mode (RTFM). This will tell the camera to use the very center of your viewfinder to meter the light (measure the light.) Point it at something dark and you'll see the display marker move to the left. Point it at something lighter and the marker moves to the right. Now point it at what you want to photograph and adjust the aperture or shutter so that the marker moves towards the center.
I'll let you read about histograms.
Camera light meter
and Histogram
The light meter I am talking basically just the little graph you see on your display or viewfinder that moves back and forth. It will look something like this....
......v
| . . | . . .|
You will see the arrow or marker move around the display as you point the camera to different things. You are "suppose" to have the proper exposure when the marker is in the center, but that isn't necessarily what you want in a photograph. Use it as a guideline to what the exposure is going to be. If it is to the left of center, the exposure is on the underexposed or dark side. Open up the aperture 1 or 2 numbers and you will see it move towards center.
Put your camera in "spot metering" mode (RTFM). This will tell the camera to use the very center of your viewfinder to meter the light (measure the light.) Point it at something dark and you'll see the display marker move to the left. Point it at something lighter and the marker moves to the right. Now point it at what you want to photograph and adjust the aperture or shutter so that the marker moves towards the center.
I'll let you read about histograms.
Last edited by mrodgers, .
Last week I test drove this....
Fits what I need, something to get to work along with replace some of the family driving in the mallrunner SUV. We take a lot of day trips as a family so the back SUV like hatch sounded like a real good idea. They run well, 130HP 1.8l Toyota motor with a 5 speed. Nothing exciting. Ran good, seats were a little weird with no support behind your knees/back of legs. Seats kind of angled down the wrong way even though they are adjustable. Plain Jane non-exciting interior and performance. Would be a good 30ish+ mpg runner to work.
Friday night I test drove an 06 Mazda3 Hatchback....
Fell in love with this car! 160 ponies, very nice interior. Options like radio controls on the wheel, leather wheel and shifter knob, well supportive seats, etc, etc. I'll buy it in a heartbeat, except..... found out there is a huge rust problem. I'm reading everywhere about them rusting around the fenderlips in the rear. This particular one is an 04 with 88,000 miles and already has paint bubbling up on both sides. Seems Mazda is taking care of folks with the problem in Canada, but not the US. I'd be hopping mad to buy a new Mazda to find out 4 years down the road it was going to rust out. I drive my cars 10-15 years. I expect the rust to start happening past the 10 year and 150,000-180,000 mile mark, not on what is practically a new car.
A shame because it is a very sweet running car. I'm scrapping the idea of finding one because every example I've found has rust starting on it from the 04-06 year range I'm looking at.
Thus, I found this and test drove it this morning. 03 Jetta 1.8T. Wow! This thing ran! Press the accelerator in any gear at any speed and it picks up and goes. I wouldn't have any problems up and down the hills all day in this thing.
I've never driven a VW, but have a friend who has always been a big fan of them and I've passenger ridden in plenty of his. Body is solid on it, as in you can feel the thick sheetmetal. I've never seen a rusted out VW. The 1.8l has been in the lineup for years and years and years. I've never driven a turbo either. From 2000 rpm in any gear it pulled up through the rpms with no problems at all. VW has to have the best seats in the automotive business. I've yet to sit in one that wasn't ultra comfortable or ultra supportive. Not as refined and "luxurious" as the Mazda was on the inside, but still had the nice feel of leather wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob. Big negative was the lack of a center arm rest on the console, but I'm sure I could retrofit something from somewhere else in there. A place to put the elbow is important when you drive long distances.
This particular Jetta is put high on the list. I could buy it early this week. Else I have some more looking to do. I'd still like to check out some Hondas, but the Focus has been scratched off. First, I see too many dang Grandmas driving around in them, and second, the powerplant is just too weak. I'm not going to mess around with something weak when there is adequate power out there. Nothing is worse than cruising down the road at 60 mph on a main travel road and having to downshift down to 3rd and still have the car slow down and barely hold 45-50 while cars behind you pile up.
Indecently while roaming around looking for cars, I ended up in the big city, Pittsburgh to be exact, with my little 100HP Honda. I thought I was going to die! Everyone else around me is flying around at 80 mph and I've got to try to accelerate and merge into traffic while I can barely do 60, let alone try to accelerate up to that point in less than a minute. I still don't know how you folks over there can run with your little cars.
Fits what I need, something to get to work along with replace some of the family driving in the mallrunner SUV. We take a lot of day trips as a family so the back SUV like hatch sounded like a real good idea. They run well, 130HP 1.8l Toyota motor with a 5 speed. Nothing exciting. Ran good, seats were a little weird with no support behind your knees/back of legs. Seats kind of angled down the wrong way even though they are adjustable. Plain Jane non-exciting interior and performance. Would be a good 30ish+ mpg runner to work.
Friday night I test drove an 06 Mazda3 Hatchback....
Fell in love with this car! 160 ponies, very nice interior. Options like radio controls on the wheel, leather wheel and shifter knob, well supportive seats, etc, etc. I'll buy it in a heartbeat, except..... found out there is a huge rust problem. I'm reading everywhere about them rusting around the fenderlips in the rear. This particular one is an 04 with 88,000 miles and already has paint bubbling up on both sides. Seems Mazda is taking care of folks with the problem in Canada, but not the US. I'd be hopping mad to buy a new Mazda to find out 4 years down the road it was going to rust out. I drive my cars 10-15 years. I expect the rust to start happening past the 10 year and 150,000-180,000 mile mark, not on what is practically a new car.
A shame because it is a very sweet running car. I'm scrapping the idea of finding one because every example I've found has rust starting on it from the 04-06 year range I'm looking at.
Thus, I found this and test drove it this morning. 03 Jetta 1.8T. Wow! This thing ran! Press the accelerator in any gear at any speed and it picks up and goes. I wouldn't have any problems up and down the hills all day in this thing.
I've never driven a VW, but have a friend who has always been a big fan of them and I've passenger ridden in plenty of his. Body is solid on it, as in you can feel the thick sheetmetal. I've never seen a rusted out VW. The 1.8l has been in the lineup for years and years and years. I've never driven a turbo either. From 2000 rpm in any gear it pulled up through the rpms with no problems at all. VW has to have the best seats in the automotive business. I've yet to sit in one that wasn't ultra comfortable or ultra supportive. Not as refined and "luxurious" as the Mazda was on the inside, but still had the nice feel of leather wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob. Big negative was the lack of a center arm rest on the console, but I'm sure I could retrofit something from somewhere else in there. A place to put the elbow is important when you drive long distances.
This particular Jetta is put high on the list. I could buy it early this week. Else I have some more looking to do. I'd still like to check out some Hondas, but the Focus has been scratched off. First, I see too many dang Grandmas driving around in them, and second, the powerplant is just too weak. I'm not going to mess around with something weak when there is adequate power out there. Nothing is worse than cruising down the road at 60 mph on a main travel road and having to downshift down to 3rd and still have the car slow down and barely hold 45-50 while cars behind you pile up.
Indecently while roaming around looking for cars, I ended up in the big city, Pittsburgh to be exact, with my little 100HP Honda. I thought I was going to die! Everyone else around me is flying around at 80 mph and I've got to try to accelerate and merge into traffic while I can barely do 60, let alone try to accelerate up to that point in less than a minute. I still don't know how you folks over there can run with your little cars.
Last edited by mrodgers, .
My tip, pay attention to the light meter reading and the histogram.
Reading center or 0 on the light meter display doesn't always mean the exposure is what you want. Understand your camera and what the result would be across the meter display readings. 9 times out of 10, I set my camera up to read -2/3 exposure on the meter display (manual) or set -2/3 exposure compensation (aperture or shutter priority.)
Hey, thanks for that, Nuse. Nice little review. I didn't realize the s was 160 (looking at sedan and the hatch.) The sedan i only has the 2.0 rated at 148 hp, which would still be adequate for me. I always did have a soft spot for the Mazda hatch. I actually like the old Protege5 version as far as looks, from back in 03.
I'm looking at this beauty on Saturday (04 s.) It's the only 3 that's around me for sale unless I travel further than I want. I lie. I should say it's the only 3 around that doesn't have a girlamatic in it....
Lava Orange Mica they call that color. With reverting back to my college days detailing touch, that thing would look stunning.
We actually looked at the Pontiac Vibe back when I was shopping for the kid hauler for the wife (new car). All I could see was "GM" though and didn't even drive or research it. I came to find out it is total Toyota and the radio is the only thing GM in it. I won't touch a GM manufactured car. I test drove a 2004 the other day. Other than the really notchy shifter, it was pretty nice. Tons of cargo room, probably a bit more than the Mazda without me looking at a Mazda yet. It is kind of halfway between a hatchback and a small "crossover" SUV style. Nice car, the versatility of it really works for what I need, but it doesn't excite me as much as the Mazda, obviously.
I still want to drive a Focus, but your thoughts there are quite the reason I am probably going to shy away from one.
Speaking of the looks of the Mazda, what's your opinion on the new models? What is that front end suppose to be? Lightning McQueen? I would be in the market next year for brand new if my old worn out Honda would make it through winter coming up and that goofy smiley front end of the new Mazda (both the 3 and the 6) just totally ruins it for me.
I see you are on mazda3forums.com. I'm looking through your build log right now. Looking pretty good. This is the forum I've been reading researching the 3. If I buy one, I'll be joining you over there.
I've read a lot of complaints about gas mileage on that forum. Glad to see positive numbers from you. I'd guess it's all about the way they drive though. My Mazda Tribute is rated for 17/21 and everyone on the forums complain about getting 16 average. I drive mine like a bat outta hell and I average 20-21. My wife use to drive it like a girl and averaged 18-19. Now she's back working and driving every day, driving like a bat outta hell coming home from work 39 miles and she now averages 20-21 like I am.
Sorry to say against your love of Mazda, but..... I'm currently driving a 94 Honda with 188k miles. Just replaced the head gasket and the motor runs like it did when Wifey's aunt bought it brand new (I drove it home for her back in 1996 from the hospital.) It's still gutless as ever with a girlamatic transmission, but the thing runs like it did way back then. So, I'm a bit partial to Honda and it's high on the list of prospects with the Mazda3 right below it. It's tough to find an under 100k mile Honda for under $10k though. I've got $9k to talk the $9995 dealers down from their price.
Gonna go check out your build log now.
I'm looking at this beauty on Saturday (04 s.) It's the only 3 that's around me for sale unless I travel further than I want. I lie. I should say it's the only 3 around that doesn't have a girlamatic in it....
Lava Orange Mica they call that color. With reverting back to my college days detailing touch, that thing would look stunning.
We actually looked at the Pontiac Vibe back when I was shopping for the kid hauler for the wife (new car). All I could see was "GM" though and didn't even drive or research it. I came to find out it is total Toyota and the radio is the only thing GM in it. I won't touch a GM manufactured car. I test drove a 2004 the other day. Other than the really notchy shifter, it was pretty nice. Tons of cargo room, probably a bit more than the Mazda without me looking at a Mazda yet. It is kind of halfway between a hatchback and a small "crossover" SUV style. Nice car, the versatility of it really works for what I need, but it doesn't excite me as much as the Mazda, obviously.
I still want to drive a Focus, but your thoughts there are quite the reason I am probably going to shy away from one.
Speaking of the looks of the Mazda, what's your opinion on the new models? What is that front end suppose to be? Lightning McQueen? I would be in the market next year for brand new if my old worn out Honda would make it through winter coming up and that goofy smiley front end of the new Mazda (both the 3 and the 6) just totally ruins it for me.
I see you are on mazda3forums.com. I'm looking through your build log right now. Looking pretty good. This is the forum I've been reading researching the 3. If I buy one, I'll be joining you over there.
I've read a lot of complaints about gas mileage on that forum. Glad to see positive numbers from you. I'd guess it's all about the way they drive though. My Mazda Tribute is rated for 17/21 and everyone on the forums complain about getting 16 average. I drive mine like a bat outta hell and I average 20-21. My wife use to drive it like a girl and averaged 18-19. Now she's back working and driving every day, driving like a bat outta hell coming home from work 39 miles and she now averages 20-21 like I am.
Sorry to say against your love of Mazda, but..... I'm currently driving a 94 Honda with 188k miles. Just replaced the head gasket and the motor runs like it did when Wifey's aunt bought it brand new (I drove it home for her back in 1996 from the hospital.) It's still gutless as ever with a girlamatic transmission, but the thing runs like it did way back then. So, I'm a bit partial to Honda and it's high on the list of prospects with the Mazda3 right below it. It's tough to find an under 100k mile Honda for under $10k though. I've got $9k to talk the $9995 dealers down from their price.
Gonna go check out your build log now.
XCNuse, still liking that car? I'm searching for a car and it's in my list of prospects. Problem is, there isn't too many of them around me to go see.
No laughing as I show my age here, but Mazda3, Ford Focus, Jetta, Toyota Matrix (and Pontiac version), Corolla, and similar cars are all in the list. Just looking for a work runner with some room in the back for the kids, but something like the Toyota Matrix or even the Mazda3 hatchback would go a long way on replacing some miles on my wife's little SUV, which is the main "family" car, when we are all together.
Trying to hunt an example of each down to give the general car a test drive to weed any out. Thus far I think the Focus will be weeded out due to weak engine and Jetta will more than likely be weeded out due to fuel mileage from what I am seeing.
XC, how much Ford is in that Mazda. I'm not too happy with my wife's Mazda Tribute being basically a rebadged Escape. It's 3 years old with 60,000 miles and it's failed the last 2 out of the 3 total state inspection. I've got more money wrapped up in this Mazda than I have in the last 500,000 miles of my 4 Toyotas and a Nissan I've owned.
No laughing as I show my age here, but Mazda3, Ford Focus, Jetta, Toyota Matrix (and Pontiac version), Corolla, and similar cars are all in the list. Just looking for a work runner with some room in the back for the kids, but something like the Toyota Matrix or even the Mazda3 hatchback would go a long way on replacing some miles on my wife's little SUV, which is the main "family" car, when we are all together.
Trying to hunt an example of each down to give the general car a test drive to weed any out. Thus far I think the Focus will be weeded out due to weak engine and Jetta will more than likely be weeded out due to fuel mileage from what I am seeing.
XC, how much Ford is in that Mazda. I'm not too happy with my wife's Mazda Tribute being basically a rebadged Escape. It's 3 years old with 60,000 miles and it's failed the last 2 out of the 3 total state inspection. I've got more money wrapped up in this Mazda than I have in the last 500,000 miles of my 4 Toyotas and a Nissan I've owned.
Point is, obviously since it is a forum based game, there ought to be a forum where you all can chit chat at, no?
www.superspeedway.net (if still running)
I've been out of it a while, but you must get a different spotter than DW. When I was into NR2003, I used the Jimmy Johnson spotter. Also, there are massive AI tweaks on that site. Can't remember who did them but I remember racing Daytona in a solid 43 car pack 3 wide instead of 2 spread out lines.
Also Methyl Ethyl sounds. Don't know what it is like now, but Methyl Ethyl was the sound god of Nascar Racing series.
I've been out of it a while, but you must get a different spotter than DW. When I was into NR2003, I used the Jimmy Johnson spotter. Also, there are massive AI tweaks on that site. Can't remember who did them but I remember racing Daytona in a solid 43 car pack 3 wide instead of 2 spread out lines.
Also Methyl Ethyl sounds. Don't know what it is like now, but Methyl Ethyl was the sound god of Nascar Racing series.
FGED GREDG RDFGDR GSFDG