Help! Looking for a 2nd car (A3/Jetta/Saab/Subaru)

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#26

08-24-2006, 01:34 PM

Craig_N

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Quote:

Originally Posted by phil3mac

This was a great thread to read - lots of nice cars and good opinions. I haven't driven any of those on the list but I'm very impressed with what I see of the GTI and the A3.

One car no one mentioned - has anyone tried the Mazdaspeed 6? AWD, 260+ turbocharged HP, etc. The spec sheet sounds really good. I think the nose looks funny (they had to raise the hood to stuff the engine in there) but otherwise it seems like a decent car. The reviews I've read in the mags were decent, nothing earthshattering, though. Any driving impressions out there? The first new car we ever bought was a 1992 Protege and that car was as reliable as a claw hammer. We had it for 220,000+ miles and 10 years. I'd buy another Mazda any day.

I drove the Mazdaspeed6, RX-8 and new MX-5 two weeks ago at the DC area's "Zoom Zoom Live" event at FedEx Field. The MS6 is a nice car, more interior room than my A3, if I had to haul four full sized adults + cargo on a frequent basis, the MS6 may be a good choice. However, I absolutely hated its clutch feel. Way too much power assist, totally numb feeling - much like the manual transmission A3 I test drove. Otherwise, the MS6 was great - a very nice car.

I simply hate most clutches now. I love the Mini's clutch, the RX-8's clutch was not bad, but I hated the new MX-5's.

DSG is so good, unless I planned on autocrossing a car, I would take it over a numb power assisted clutch. I really think DSG is the most innovative technology available in cars since VTEC-style engine management systems.

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#27

08-26-2006, 11:37 AM

Dr Obnxs

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Have you seen the Mazdaspeed 3?

It looks like it may be a blast!

http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/disp...er=upcomingMS3

Matt

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#28

09-11-2006, 05:47 PM

Paul

6th Gear

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I just finished watching Motor Week (headliner was the Ford Shelby GT 500) and they directly compared the A3 to the MINI Cooper S, saying it was "so much like the MINI Cooper S."

They liked the whole car (reviewing the 3.2) calling it "spirited and agile." The only thing they didn't like were the "stiff" seats on long trips.