Car Talk 5: The Juice is Loose!

[Huckleberry]

I have never walked into a Mazda store where they put $5k on the hood of anything. The Mazda dealers around here are proud of their shit and won't come down more than a grand or two. It's why my wife now owns a Cherokee over a CX-5.

VW threw something like $6k on the hood of my GTI when I was shopping.

It's a regional thing. I bet there's far more Mazda dealers in CA than there is on the entire NE. VW is the opposite for some reason. Example: in Northern MI we have a every dealer including VW, but not Mazda. I would need to drive 150 miles south to Bay City to reach the nearest Mazda dealer.

I figured. Hence why Max was always posting ads of Wranglers with infinity billion dollars on the hood, and on this side of the Mississip, dealers act like their cars are upholstered with woven mixtures from Superman's cape and Santa's hat.

[CaleDeRoo]

Gonna really miss this car when I give it back. It's basically everything you'd need or want in a daily, with not much that you don't.



-More than enough power, with the option for more with plug and play stuff
-I've averaged 32mpg over the last 3200mi
-comfortable seats
-good enough base stereo
-decently practical with the hatch/liftback

Your Audi is cooler

Cooler yes, but I'm not terribly excited to have to drive it again.

[CaleDeRoo]

Ok and?

Wasn’t sure if you wanted to replicate the experience at 1/2 off

I don't think it would replicate the experience personally. This car is much larger, I'm sure it's quieter, probably rides smoother, an looks/feels better inside. Is the GTI a great car for $25K? Absolutely, and is this a great car for $45k? IMO yes it is.

More pics for clix








Sitting behind myself @ 5'11-ish

[max225]

It's a regional thing. I bet there's far more Mazda dealers in CA than there is on the entire NE. VW is the opposite for some reason. Example: in Northern MI we have a every dealer including VW, but not Mazda. I would need to drive 150 miles south to Bay City to reach the nearest Mazda dealer.

I figured. Hence why Max was always posting ads of Wranglers with infinity billion dollars on the hood, and on this side of the Mississip, dealers act like their cars are upholstered with woven mixtures from Superman's cape and Santa's hat.

Those really went away in 2020. Employee pricing came back in November tho ... no where near the 10k prior though

[ChrisoftheNorth]

It's a regional thing. I bet there's far more Mazda dealers in CA than there is on the entire NE. VW is the opposite for some reason. Example: in Northern MI we have a every dealer including VW, but not Mazda. I would need to drive 150 miles south to Bay City to reach the nearest Mazda dealer.

I figured. Hence why Max was always posting ads of Wranglers with infinity billion dollars on the hood, and on this side of the Mississip, dealers act like their cars are upholstered with woven mixtures from Superman's cape and Santa's hat.

There's so many car dealers in CA it's nuts. Often they're so close that they compete hard against each other, which drives the prices down.

Though, I recall Max saying a number of dealers closed up shop during lockdowns, so it's possible that they're leaning out.

[max225]

I figured. Hence why Max was always posting ads of Wranglers with infinity billion dollars on the hood, and on this side of the Mississip, dealers act like their cars are upholstered with woven mixtures from Superman's cape and Santa's hat.

There's so many car dealers in CA it's nuts. Often they're so close that they compete hard against each other, which drives the prices down.

Though, I recall Max saying a number of dealers closed up shop during lockdowns, so it's possible that they're leaning out.

I mean we have the most people and America’s biggest car market. But even then my tacoma search was epic difficult here ...

[D Griff]

It's a regional thing. I bet there's far more Mazda dealers in CA than there is on the entire NE. VW is the opposite for some reason. Example: in Northern MI we have a every dealer including VW, but not Mazda. I would need to drive 150 miles south to Bay City to reach the nearest Mazda dealer.

I figured. Hence why Max was always posting ads of Wranglers with infinity billion dollars on the hood, and on this side of the Mississip, dealers act like their cars are upholstered with woven mixtures from Superman's cape and Santa's hat.

The difference is pretty astonishing. It really makes the case for buying out of state sometimes, but if there is no presence locally, it could be annoying.

Back to the previous point though, I would be curious to see how many people would like driving something like a GTI a lot if they tried it. My wife is not a car person at all, she hates but she does enjoy having a decent vehicle. She really loves the idea of the and likes driving it on her short, urban commute, but hates actually driving it longer distances. Why? Well, it drives really poorly compared to anything else. She previously had a Fusion. She drove my BMW and other than the manual, she loved the feel of it, describing it as "solid". I don't think that the average person would like a Corvette or BAC Mono or anything too extreme, but a GTI or a Sport Pack BMW or the like really drive WAY better than your average CUV and you give up very little in terms of comfort/usability.

I think many people would choose this if they actually tried things.

But again, I'll use my wife as an example, she wanted a Jeep (Cherokee, GC, Wrangler, Renegade)... She had no reason for this other than just thinking it was best, her first car was a '93 JGC. I tried to get her to try other things like the CX5 and CRV and she was just like eww no, those are mom wagons...

[D Griff]

Wasn’t sure if you wanted to replicate the experience at 1/2 off

I don't think it would replicate the experience personally. This car is much larger, I'm sure it's quieter, probably rides smoother, an looks/feels better inside. Is the GTI a great car for $25K? Absolutely, and is this a great car for $45k? IMO yes it is.

More pics for clix

Interesting, looks nice inside! Looks to me like the back seat is smaller than a GTI's but the cargo area much larger, unless you're the typical forumbro who inexplicably moves washers and driers with regularity.

The seats in that Audi really remind me of my old 328i. Those were amazing seats, I've been missing that car lately, probably because it would've been killer for sawing away 7K miles of America in.

[max225]

I figured. Hence why Max was always posting ads of Wranglers with infinity billion dollars on the hood, and on this side of the Mississip, dealers act like their cars are upholstered with woven mixtures from Superman's cape and Santa's hat.

The difference is pretty astonishing. It really makes the case for buying out of state sometimes, but if there is no presence locally, it could be annoying.

Back to the previous point though, I would be curious to see how many people would like driving something like a GTI a lot if they tried it. My wife is not a car person at all, she hates but she does enjoy having a decent vehicle. She really loves the idea of the and likes driving it on her short, urban commute, but hates actually driving it longer distances. Why? Well, it drives really poorly compared to anything else. She previously had a Fusion. She drove my BMW and other than the manual, she loved the feel of it, describing it as "solid". I don't think that the average person would like a Corvette or BAC Mono or anything too extreme, but a GTI or a Sport Pack BMW or the like really drive WAY better than your average CUV and you give up very little in terms of comfort/usability.

I think many people would choose this if they actually tried things.

But again, I'll use my wife as an example, she wanted a Jeep (Cherokee, GC, Wrangler, Renegade)... She had no reason for this other than just thinking it was best, her first car was a '93 JGC. I tried to get her to try other things like the CX5 and CRV and she was just like eww no, those are mom wagons...

Yea the CUV stigma is it is essentially what the "sedan" stigma was about a decade ago... if you get a Camry sedan, you simply and gave up on life.

GTI is decent, I think a pretty large portion of the populous likes it a fair amount, it is also one of the best selling cars in europe (golf).
The main thing now is the driving position... No one wants to be grounded to ground

[D Griff]

The difference is pretty astonishing. It really makes the case for buying out of state sometimes, but if there is no presence locally, it could be annoying.

Back to the previous point though, I would be curious to see how many people would like driving something like a GTI a lot if they tried it. My wife is not a car person at all, she hates but she does enjoy having a decent vehicle. She really loves the idea of the and likes driving it on her short, urban commute, but hates actually driving it longer distances. Why? Well, it drives really poorly compared to anything else. She previously had a Fusion. She drove my BMW and other than the manual, she loved the feel of it, describing it as "solid". I don't think that the average person would like a Corvette or BAC Mono or anything too extreme, but a GTI or a Sport Pack BMW or the like really drive WAY better than your average CUV and you give up very little in terms of comfort/usability.

I think many people would choose this if they actually tried things.

But again, I'll use my wife as an example, she wanted a Jeep (Cherokee, GC, Wrangler, Renegade)... She had no reason for this other than just thinking it was best, her first car was a '93 JGC. I tried to get her to try other things like the CX5 and CRV and she was just like eww no, those are mom wagons...

Yea the CUV stigma is it is essentially what the "sedan" stigma was about a decade ago... if you get a Camry sedan, you simply and gave up on life.

GTI is decent, I think a pretty large portion of the populous likes it a fair amount, it is also one of the best selling cars in europe (golf).
The main thing now is the driving position... No one wants to be grounded to ground

Yeah, I don't want another GTI or anything, but I think it has been and remains to be the best jack of all trades vehicle for sale. It gives you really good efficiency, luxury, comfort, style, driving fun all for less than the average vehicle transaction price.

[CaleDeRoo]

I don't think it would replicate the experience personally. This car is much larger, I'm sure it's quieter, probably rides smoother, an looks/feels better inside. Is the GTI a great car for $25K? Absolutely, and is this a great car for $45k? IMO yes it is.

More pics for clix

Interesting, looks nice inside! Looks to me like the back seat is smaller than a GTI's but the cargo area much larger, unless you're the typical forumbro who inexplicably moves washers and driers with regularity.

The seats in that Audi really remind me of my old 328i. Those were amazing seats, I've been missing that car lately, probably because it would've been killer for sawing away 7K miles of America in.

The driver's seat is further back than it would normally be for me because I had the seat and steering wheel as far back as possible for the 18hr drive. Legroom I'd say is equal to the gti but you sit lower and more reclined in the back of this. Yes the seats were amazing. The best part is that even the thigh extension was heated.

Speaking of GTIs there's a Macan at Hertz. Basically a lifted AWD GTI.

[Huckleberry]

But again, I'll use my wife as an example, she wanted a Jeep (Cherokee, GC, Wrangler, Renegade)... She had no reason for this other than just thinking it was best, her first car was a '93 JGC. I tried to get her to try other things like the CX5 and CRV and she was just like eww no, those are mom wagons...

My friend's sister in law was buying a car back in 2019. She was convinced that they had to spend to $40k+ on a truck or SUV, or else the vehicle wouldn't be safe enough or large enough with their child. The reason for needing a new vehicle is that her husband had leased an F-150 for something like $600/month, and a deer did them a favor and totaled it. My friend showed her vehicles that were nowhere near the $40k mark, and were at prices that they could actually afford. She was still hung up on needing an SUV and would only look at CUVs. My friend convinced her to try out a brand new Accord, despite her scoffing at the impractical sedan.


After the drive, comparing the pricing, and physically seeing that her child's car seat fit in the sedan, she left the dealer in the Accord.

[D Griff]

But again, I'll use my wife as an example, she wanted a Jeep (Cherokee, GC, Wrangler, Renegade)... She had no reason for this other than just thinking it was best, her first car was a '93 JGC. I tried to get her to try other things like the CX5 and CRV and she was just like eww no, those are mom wagons...

My friend's sister in law was buying a car back in 2019. She was convinced that they had to spend to $40k+ on a truck or SUV, or else the vehicle wouldn't be safe enough or large enough with their child. The reason for needing a new vehicle is that her husband had leased an F-150 for something like $600/month, and a deer did them a favor and totaled it. My friend showed her vehicles that were nowhere near the $40k mark, and were at prices that they could actually afford. She was still hung up on needing an SUV and would only look at CUVs. My friend convinced her to try out a brand new Accord, despite her scoffing at the impractical sedan.


After the drive, comparing the pricing, and physically seeing that her child's car seat fit in the sedan, she left the dealer in the Accord.

Exactly... it aggravates me so much that people often refuse to test drive a car.

So many people have asked me for advice over the years, and I always say, hey, just go out and test drive X, Y, and Z if you're looking at A. They just always go purchase A even when it's a terrible choice.

[max225]

Yea the CUV stigma is it is essentially what the "sedan" stigma was about a decade ago... if you get a Camry sedan, you simply and gave up on life.

GTI is decent, I think a pretty large portion of the populous likes it a fair amount, it is also one of the best selling cars in europe (golf).
The main thing now is the driving position... No one wants to be grounded to ground

Yeah, I don't want another GTI or anything, but I think it has been and remains to be the best jack of all trades vehicle for sale. It gives you really good efficiency, luxury, comfort, style, driving fun all for less than the average vehicle transaction price.

Civic sport/si also has my vote there... It was nearly as fun and for like 22k ... which is CHEAP in todays world. Sadly the is gone now.

[ChrisoftheNorth]

There's so many car dealers in CA it's nuts. Often they're so close that they compete hard against each other, which drives the prices down.

Though, I recall Max saying a number of dealers closed up shop during lockdowns, so it's possible that they're leaning out.

I mean we have the most people and America’s biggest car market. But even then my tacoma search was epic difficult here ...

Actually, Toyota is one of the OEMs with the most discipline with dealer franchises. They don't go as crazy handing them out as others...american OEMs are the worst.

[wap]

I have always kind of wondered why GTIs aren't like 30% of the cars seen on the road, they are really the best for regular people. It's crazy that for the same price, so many choose things like CRVs, Camrys, CX5s, etc. when the GTI does everything those do better other than maybe reliability past 100k.

GTI's or just hatchbacks in general. They were until recently the most common cars on the road in the ROW. Now small cuv things are even getting popular in Europe.

[Tar]

I test drove the prev gen Camry and wasn't impressed, but reserve judgement for the current gen until I can test drive one. Apparently they drive better then they used to. Not sure if any of us have done this yet and what impressions they have?

[max225]

What do y'all think of the Mustang Mach E?

It seems to be overall. But the real world range/charging remains to be seen I suppose. Really hard to get it over say a Model Y, as the tesla has quite a few advantages.

[max225]

I test drove the prev gen Camry and wasn't impressed, but reserve judgement for the current gen until I can test drive one. Apparently they drive better then they used to. Not sure if any of us have done this yet and what impressions they have?

Well I tried to get my dad into the last gen... and it was heaping pile of vanilla garbage that felt completely out of date. But that is the Yoda way.

[RLWake]

What do y'all think of the Mustang Mach E?

It seems to be overall. But the real world range/charging remains to be seen I suppose. Really hard to get it over say a Model Y, as the tesla has quite a few advantages.

I like it other than the fact that they called it a fucking mustang

Why not just call it a Ford Mach E?

[max225]

What do y'all think of the Mustang Mach E?

It seems to be overall. But the real world range/charging remains to be seen I suppose. Really hard to get it over say a Model Y, as the tesla has quite a few advantages.

I like it other than the fact that they called it a fucking mustang

Why not just call it a Ford Mach E?

Big controversy around it, but I think it also makes sense. As Ford really tried to solidify the importance of this model, by using their #1 brand name

[D Griff]

What do y'all think of the Mustang Mach E?

It seems to be overall. But the real world range/charging remains to be seen I suppose. Really hard to get it over say a Model Y, as the tesla has quite a few advantages.

I like it other than the fact that they called it a fucking mustang

Why not just call it a Ford Mach E?

Because people are still talking about that two years later... pissing off all of the journalists with the name was a genius marketing move, IMO.

It is interesting, it seems like a really good vehicle if you're into that sort of thing, certainly the best attempt yet outside of Tesla. Ford seems to be turning around at the moment with that, the Broncbro, the GT500, etc. Now if they would just give us the FiST.

[D Griff]

I test drove the prev gen Camry and wasn't impressed, but reserve judgement for the current gen until I can test drive one. Apparently they drive better then they used to. Not sure if any of us have done this yet and what impressions they have?

The newer Camrys are actually pretty decent cars, IMO. The V6 is epic. It's not really my thing but I get why you would want one. The CRV is just terrible and I think it's in the top 5 best sellers in the US. That is where I don't understand buying it over a GTI or something else that isn't depressing as hell.

[max225]

I test drove the prev gen Camry and wasn't impressed, but reserve judgement for the current gen until I can test drive one. Apparently they drive better then they used to. Not sure if any of us have done this yet and what impressions they have?

The newer Camrys are actually pretty decent cars, IMO. The V6 is epic. It's not really my thing but I get why you would want one. The CRV is just terrible and I think it's in the top 5 best sellers in the US. That is where I don't understand buying it over a GTI or something else that isn't depressing as hell.

Some people just need/want an appliance. The GTI doesn't check a lot of the appliance boxes.

[RLWake]

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a3 ... e-numbers/

New Mazda 3 Turbo >>> any GTI