another car thread

[Macs]

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i always keep forgetting them

To be completely fair, none of the Lancers (except maybe the Evo GSR and MR) are worth the money new. Used for sure, new god no. Although the engines are bulletproof and they drive much better than the prices (used) and engines would suggest especially the new 4wd Lancer. I liked it a lot, but again the price point is what got me:

Optioned Lancer SE AWD - 27000+tax with CVT and no Manual option
Used (12329 on the odo) 2009 Evo GSR with Aftermarket parts - 28999+tax

hmm...

 

[RockerGuy]

Subie's are great cars...built well. I got my wife a 2010 Legacy gt..while it doesnt get civic/corolla mpg's, its pretty decent. Having to run premium is a ***** (funny thou, look into all the jap full size sedans and most require it), but having a turbo makes it worth it. Awd might not make sense now, but wait a few months. 10L/100km is decent in my books.
It's funny, people ***** about mpg's like its tax...however seeing the number of mini-vans and suv's out there it makes you wonder....

I get 7.8L/100km on regular gas
Life is good!!!

 

[NP6000]

A few points for the OP and anyone following this thread:

- There is definitely truth in first year model reliability issues. Certain manufacturers are better and others are worse in this regard.
Examples, 03-05 corolla intake manifold gaskets, ECU grounds etc. Current pentastar V6 with "ticking" issue is valvetrain related failures that have since been addressed, BMW M series oil pumps (or any early model BMW oil pump for that matter)

Opengambit, consider a well kept low mileage S2000 over the FR-S. The FR-S is mostly toyobaru parts bin hardware with reasonable clever packaging and engineering. IMO, it lacks true sports car passion with the current powertrain.

OP your a Honda boy. Currently driving a fresh off the line 2013 Accord 4 cyl with CVT. I hate CVT's.... but this one works and works well. The interior trim is incredibly cheap, but the car seems well put together. Going to a up level trim would probably relieve the interior short comings. Engine has a lot of idle clatter from DI injectors, but you can't hear it from within the cabin. When you drive it gently, you can't hear or feel the engine running. I haven't driven a K24 powered vehicle for a few years, but the new 2.4L engine makes me wonder why the V-6 is offered at all.

CX-5 powertrain is an fantastic back-to-basics engineering piece. NVH sucks because of the engine design/architecture and controls calibration. Yes it is a bit underpowered for a CX-5, but it is probably peppy in a Mazda 3. This is currently one of the best naturally aspirated DI inline 4 cylinders on the market with regards to output and efficiency.

Hyundai - you get what you pay for. I find it amusing that the general public thinks so highly of them. Trust me when I say you get exactly what you pay for. Engine hardware is market competitive, but the controls calibration is poor.

Word to the wise, people need to stop quoting manfacturer specified power rating. Some of the manufacturers actually meet their adverstied power and others have a flying unicorn running the engine power certification process, being well short of their claims.

 

[wonderings]

Does anyone know when most car dealers begin their end of year sales? guessing sometime late November into December?

 

[regder]

Does anyone know when most car dealers begin their end of year sales? guessing sometime late November into December?

The best sales occur when the manufacturer is trying to blow out the previous model year stock. Most new model year vehicles (assuming there isn't a major redesign) arrive sometime between September and November. If you're looking at a new model year vehicle, as in a 2013 right now, you're probably not going to get any amazing deals. If you buy a 2012 right now, there are probably some good promotions going on. Especially if you pay cash or setup your own financing.

A service like carcostcanada or similar will provide you with the current invoice price and promotions, though sometimes they're not 100% accurate.

 

[OpenGambit]

Opengambit, consider a well kept low mileage S2000 over the FR-S. The FR-S is mostly toyobaru parts bin hardware with reasonable clever packaging and engineering. IMO, it lacks true sports car passion with the current powertrain.

I hear you, I am a bit wary of trading my current 12 yr old car for a different 12 year old car. If i decided I could live with a 2 seater. I would probably consider the 370z. any thoughts on that?

 

[NP6000]

I hear you, I am a bit wary of trading my current 12 yr old car for a different 12 year old car. If i decided I could live with a 2 seater. I would probably consider the 370z. any thoughts on that?

I hear you. You can find later model S2K's that are 4-5 years old going for sub 20K.

The more I work with the late model cars, the more I want a vehicle pre 2008. With full factory scan tools, diagnoising and troubleshooting newer vehicles is an absolute nightmare. Some of these newer vehicles go into limp mode with what is a seemingly trivial problem - like a disconnected cooling fan or malfunctioning wheel speed sensor.

I personally am not fond of the 370z for a variety of reasons, but you would need to drive it for yourself. check your inbox.

 

[Brian P]

This is true... every gen of Civic seems to be losing the "drivers car" perspective which IMHO, is surrendered to the Mazda 3, but I totally understand why.... Honda is looking for mass market appeal, ala Corolla. It must be working cause sales are through the roof as cost concious buyers are looking to downsize on fuel economy, but still want a roomy car. Civic interior is cavernous, esp the rear seat.

Apparently, apparently, the 2013 new Accord, early indications are that his model is the way "Honda used to be" and they just might be getting their mojo back.

I've heard promising early reports concerning the 2013 Accord. And what's not in the press yet, is that the 2013 Civic is getting some (supposedly) pretty significant upgrades in response to the criticism of that model. Whether they do enough to fix what needs to be fixed (steering and suspension calibration, noise insulation, interior materials) ... remains to be seen. The only thing I know about it and can say in public, is that certain parts that one would never ordinarily expect to be changed in Honda's usual mid-cycle refresh, are changing. I'm not sure when the 2013 Civic is due, but it should be soon. Hopefully the 2012 model will be a one-year-only dud. If you want to buy a Civic, hold out and see what they do with it.

Agree with you on the Focus.... would like to see long term quality on this car.

Arguably the 2 best cars in this segment......
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/2012-ford-focus-se-vs-2012-honda-civic-ex-comparison-test

The Focus seems to be more boy racerish and driver oriented which is great for guys like us. The Civic looks to be better suited to chicks, old people, and family.

Cant go wrong with either one!

The 2012 Civic does appear to be a car for people who hate cars but can't do without one, and need one as an appliance. Same can be said for the Corolla for years. I don't dispute that there are a lot of people like that. But it means that I won't buy one.

 

[Brian P]

I should add that the Civic will eventually get the new "Earth Dreams" (whoever thought of that name?) direct-injection engine and CVT automatic transmission (and hopefully 6-speed manual) but that won't be until the originally-scheduled mid-cycle refresh - probably 2014. It's a lot tougher to pull ahead a powertrain production date than it is to juggle spring and damping rates and ECU calibration, add some more noise insulation, and change the surface finish of a few strategic parts in the interior.

 

[regder]

I should add that the Civic will eventually get the new "Earth Dreams" (whoever thought of that name?) direct-injection engine and CVT automatic transmission (and hopefully 6-speed manual) but that won't be until the originally-scheduled mid-cycle refresh - probably 2014. It's a lot tougher to pull ahead a powertrain production date than it is to juggle spring and damping rates and ECU calibration, add some more noise insulation, and change the surface finish of a few strategic parts in the interior.

I can only hope they finally get rid of the ridiculous dual tier gauge cluster and adopt the ILX design instead.

 

[boarder360]

Subie's are great cars...built well. I got my wife a 2010 Legacy gt..while it doesnt get civic/corolla mpg's, its pretty decent. Having to run premium is a ***** (funny thou, look into all the jap full size sedans and most require it), but having a turbo makes it worth it. Awd might not make sense now, but wait a few months. 10L/100km is decent in my books.
It's funny, people ***** about mpg's like its tax...however seeing the number of mini-vans and suv's out there it makes you wonder....

Just bought a new 2012 impreza sti, cant believe how crap it is on gas with just normal driving. Knew it wasnt going to be as great on gas compared to my acura but the salesman reassured me that it really only went through gas when being driven hard. At 90 bucks a tank i wish milage would be better, regret trading in my rsx all the time. Not to mention for a 40 thousand dollar car the dash looks like something from a car worth half the price.

 

[LePhillou]

Just bought a new 2012 impreza sti, cant believe how crap it is on gas with just normal driving. Knew it wasnt going to be as great on gas compared to my acura but the salesman reassured me that it really only went through gas when being driven hard. At 90 bucks a tank i wish milage would be better, regret trading in my rsx all the time. Not to mention for a 40 thousand dollar car the dash looks like something from a car worth half the price.

winter might make you think differently about your car.
but you DEFINITELY dont buy an STi for gas mileage though...like, ever.

Most of the $40k went in the engine-driveability-switchable drive modes-awd
Not in aesthetics hehe

 

[boarder360]

winter might make you think differently about your car.
but you DEFINITELY dont buy an STi for gas mileage though...like, ever.

Most of the $40k went in the engine-driveability-switchable drive modes-awd
Not in aesthetics hehe

Its a great car to drive without a doubt and thats defiantly what you pay for. The gas milage just through me off a bit, figured since its still a 4 banger it wouldn't be to terrible.

 

[daught]

winter might make you think differently about your car.
but you DEFINITELY dont buy an STi for gas mileage though...like, ever.

Most of the $40k went in the engine-driveability-switchable drive modes-awd
Not in aesthetics hehe

Dunno I have an AWD Audi. It's nice and reassuring but 99% of the time useless. Heck I drove Supra for three years. It was not that bad. Ontario is great at cleaning roads. Sure I was laughing on my way to Blue Mountain when HWY-124 was closed due to snow, but I much rather have civic. Don't get me wrong, AWD is awesome for many places.

 

[EXR]

Just bought a new 2012 impreza sti, cant believe how crap it is on gas with just normal driving. Knew it wasnt going to be as great on gas compared to my acura but the salesman reassured me that it really only went through gas when being driven hard. At 90 bucks a tank i wish milage would be better, regret trading in my rsx all the time. Not to mention for a 40 thousand dollar car the dash looks like something from a car worth half the price.

What are you getting for mpg?
It is a tuner car... However that said i cant imagine its horrible...probably the same as a mini van but much more fun to drive
We found it too small inside, really only reason we didnt get one....not enough room for 2 kids and a dog.

 

[EXR]

I get 7.8L/100km on regular gas
Life is good!!!

What subie is this? Good deal

 

[EXR]

Just bought a new 2012 impreza sti, cant believe how crap it is on gas with just normal driving. Knew it wasnt going to be as great on gas compared to my acura but the salesman reassured me that it really only went through gas when being driven hard. At 90 bucks a tank i wish milage would be better, regret trading in my rsx all the time. Not to mention for a 40 thousand dollar car the dash looks like something from a car worth half the price.

Ill mention that my 2011 f350 diesel avg's 14mpg unloaded driving round town...even worse pulling one of my trailers...now thats sucky. It drives and handles like a tractor too...

 

[Brian P]

What subie is this? Good deal

IIRC RockerGuy is driving a late model Hyundai Elantra ... not a Subaru.

The new Impreza with the direct injection 2.0 litre engine is supposed to be a large improvement compared to older Subarus, which have never been all that great in terms of fuel consumption, and the WRX has always been a notorious gas hog. The engine in those is tuned for power output, not economy, and it's geared for responsiveness, not economy.

My VW TDI will use about 8 L/100 km ... when towing about 1500 lbs of trailer and two motorcycles plus a car full of people and stuff to Deals Gap and back.

 

[LiNK666]

I get 7.8L/100km on regular gas
Life is good!!!

You must have the eco off. I'm getting 7.3-7.5L/100km

 

[Macs]

What are you getting for mpg?
It is a tuner car... However that said i cant imagine its horrible...probably the same as a mini van but much more fun to drive
We found it too small inside, really only reason we didnt get one....not enough room for 2 kids and a dog.

That's what you get with a 2.5 (read:cheating)

The Evo can squeeze about 11.8L/100km if I drive "normally" and take it easy on the shifts, even lower if I do all highway (in the neighbourhood of 11.1L). With aggressive driving and making people **** their pants when I pass them, closer to 17L/100 give or take). That said I'm running a slightly higher boost than a stock STi as well.

The Recaro seats are what do you in for cabin space. I couldn't put three people in the back if I wanted to.

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