Say Chi Sin Lo

It's a bus, what performance?

JonBoy

Relative to its class, not an absolute standard of measurement.

The X3 and X1 can do 0-60 in 6.3s and the 1/4 in 14.8 at roughly 93 mph. That's not FAST but it's definitely not slow, either. Consider this - if an S2000 doesn't launch, it's going to lose a straight line race against a "bus".

Say Chi Sin Lo

Here's what I don't understand about the general public. 90% of them are buying buses left and right, 90% of the that 90% market will not even hit redline, or can distinguish between a CVT or traditional automatic. So then why are people so hung up on the performance of a bus?

I can understand why if you're buying a performance oriented vehicle, those figures matter. But you're a mile high off of the ground and your face hits the window if you turn too aggressively, what's the point performance numbers in a SUV when you won't even use half of the car's capability.

Anyways, back to the next gen Mazda 3:
- I love everything about it except for the hatchback's rear quarter panel. Jesus, do something something that giant piece of panel. Something, anything! Just put a window on it at least.



- And the rear torsion beam, why?!

darcyw

one reason...NVH.

This is retro mazda- Mazda did the AWD sedan thing back in the late 80's and early 90's with the GTX (in my garage) and protege AWD with IRS. Both only available with 3 pedals...you know, a baby seal dies every time some orders their car with 2 pedals. Hell, Ferrari has been killing baby seals for years.

darcy

Say Chi Sin Lo

Yeah that was the official explanation out of Mazda. But, I'm sure there will be still noise and vibration. People need to remember that these are economy, entry level vehicles.

darcyw

yup...and yet they seem to think every single future model of car ever to come out needs to offer heated, cooled seats, sensing, touch screen, sunroof, leather, fancy soft surfaces in all class of cars for everybody always. I remember the economy cars of the 80's having rubber carpet, exposed metal, tiny engines, steel rims...my, how "economy" cars have come a long way in the past 30 years!

darcy

zeroptzero

Lots of cars coming out with such great powertrains and technology, but it seems like there isn't a competent exterior car designer to be found on the planet anymore outside of Ferrari and a few other high end cars. Where are these new car designers graduating from these days ? Old school Hondas seem light years ahead of these new cars in terms of exterior design.

I'm convinced that traditional car designers are being replaced by Harvard marketing geeks who don't know shit about common sense car design. All the cars these days look the same due to the unending quest to squeeze every mile out of each gallon of fuel. Just take a jelly bean and put four wheels on it and spend the rest of the R and D money on the powertrain, who gives a crap how it looks.

LUV2REV

The rear of the hatch is just off as others have said, looks terrible from the front 3/4 view. The dash is also drab, almost Tesla bad.

Saki GT

They like the feeling of power when they step on 60% throttle from the red light.

Saki GT

I think the exterior design is sleek, but the tacked on info display was a turn off last generation and is this generation as well.