Anyone read the article in Feb. 2005 MT "A Life Less Ordinary?"

MCS was pitted against the following:

1. Mitsu Lancer Ralliart
2. Scion tC
3. Mazda 3 (hatchback)
4. Ford Focus ZX4 ST

Premise: You just got your first job, and you can afford a $300-$400 payment and want an exciting vehicle... here are your choices.

This test seemed a little flawed to me, as when I saw the competition stated above, my first reaction was "How could the MCS lose?" It did in fact come in first, out-accelerating and out-handling the other autos. Not to mention having a style and design that epitomize the word "hip."

Guess I just think of the MCS in a totally different class then the other 4 in the test, and feel it could hold its own in a more competitive class that could still be had for close to around the same payment (GTI, RSX, and new Cobalt just to name a few).

 

When I bought my MCS I chose it over a pretty select group:

1.AudiTT 225
2.Porsche Boxster (used)
3.VW GTI
I would NEVER have considered the cars MT chose as competition.
(Isn't the Cobalt just the latest Cavalier?)

 

AldoS...

When we bought our TT before the MCS we tested the same group you did. Only reason I added Cobalt is that the new SS version, was rated very highly in the same issue, and they specifically put it up against an MCS and said that in 0-60 it out gunned it. But your right, its the new Cav....

Clearly MCS is in the league of those that you and I test drove in comparison.

 

The MCS was a slam dunk. I give GM credit for the new Cobalt SS. It uses a great gearbox and the fantastic 2.2L Ecotec motor. I understand this motor is barely at it's limit in the Cobalt. It has been tuned to over 1,100 hp and uses 50% of the stock components! Now that's some impressive engineering. Tuners have gotten HUGE horsepower gains with this thing. Click here to view the GM video and more information on this puppy. One can only dream of BMW had installed this engine in the Mini...The Getrag gearbox/CV joints would be have been stressed to the breaking point!



Issue with the new 2005 MCS winner


2.2 GM Ecotec 4 cylinder

 

i DID not thought about those cars when i got the mini, my choices were
1)Mazda Miata (was REAL close to ordering it, even specced it out)
2)VW GTi
3)Scooby WRX
4)Toyota Celica GTS

i dont know about the states but the cars on this list are about 7000 CDN within the mini's area.. mini's obiviously cheapest on this list aside from gti 1.8t

 

I considered the Mazda 3, but it was just way too big. I really liked the Protege5, but it was too slow.

The tC would be tough competition for a Cooper, especially when you factor in the price. Based on value and power it would hold its own against an MCS, but certainly not in the handling and style departments.

They probably left out the GTI because it's a lame duck. The new one gets here sometime this year (assuming VW gets around to it).

The new RSX should have been in there. It might have given the MCS a run for its money. (from what I've ready anyway, I haven't driven one)

 

Audi A4
VW Jetta aniversery
Evo
thought about the R32

 

I gave the TT 225 AWD cabrio a long hard look and actually started looking at auction. I still think its a strong competator, but not nearly as fun to drive, in particular because if the extremely long clutch throw.
Among the others, I don't think the tC should have been matched. I looked at it passingly, and I really like Toyotas for what they are (have had several camry's including my current car and a corrolla), but the drive, fit and finish of the interior just don't match up. The styling is headed in the right direction.

 

is this MCS victory in the Jan or Feb 05 issue of MT? reason I ask is because the pic of the "Car of the Year" issue posted above is Jan 05, and I looked thru it today and saw nothing regarding this article. As far as I know the Feb 05 issue is not out yet. Jimbo

 

Here are the cars that were in the running when I was car shopping:

Nissan 350Z
Pontiac GTO
VW R32

..... none of them even came close.

 

Its Feb. '05.... got mine last week. The picture above earlier in the thread with Car of the Year is the wrong cover.

The 300 C is on the cover of Feb. '05 but its titled "The Power Issue"
Also has the new Dodge Charger and Viper GTS along with a peak at the Z06 Corvette (500 hp $75,000)

 

1. Mitsu Lancer Ralliart
2. Scion tC
3. Mazda 3 (hatchback)
4. Ford Focus ZX4 ST


ok, *maybe* the Maz3..

 

Thanks!

 

Just two car I shopped when looking at my Mini.

Chrysler Crossfire and the Mini. It was the usuable back seat that won it. Also it was the first model year, wife did not like that. Chrysler did a good job with the Crossfire. I can't imagine the Srt version.

 

Mazda RX-

I had a two seater, the Toyota MR-2 Spyder, which is also a ton of fun to drive but absolutely no room. I loved the new RX (is it a 7 or an 8? The one with the back seat) and was looking at that, but the gas mileage was too low and the sticker too high. It's a 6 cylinder, but no reason for Mazda to make a car with such poor gas mileage. Mingo is as much fun as the MR-2 and much more practical..I plan to keep this car for years and years, although with how much I drive I hope it lasts...

 

Jennscooper, the RX-8 is actually a rotary engine, not a 6-cylinder. Mazda's rotarys have always suffered poor fuel efficiency and excessive oil consumption. Nature of the beast I guess.

 

Though I love how smoooooth and turbine-like the Mazda Rotary is....

 

I came across the Mazda3 forums, here is what they have to say

http://www.mazda3forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=12848

 

I also dont consider the MCS in this class of car. I guess its cuz of the base price, but you start adding options and it starts to get a bit more expensive than any of those other cars fully loaded.

When looking into buying a new car, here are the cars I considered before finally settling on my MCS

WRX : Fun, AWD, but junk for an interior
GTI 20th Anniversary : Beefy GTI with a better suspension and those giant 18s
VW R32 - A bit beefier than the GTI, but I liked the Turbo power a bit more than the V-6
SRT-4 : Dirty cheap raw straight line fast
Focus SVT - Even though I had a focus before and hated it
Mustang GT - V-8 Power, but rear seats are even worse than an MCS

In the end, the MCS had the performance I wanted as well as the FEEL of the car.... something the WRX lacked big time. When I was in the WRX I felt like I was back in my Focus.

 

I think they were trying to match cars with same hp, i.e., 160. But I agree that the MCS has nothing really in common with the other cars. Makes for a strange comparison to say the least.