Post your own RIDE - Get it [bubble] wrapped

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Automotive Insanity > Post your own RIDE - Get it [bubble] wrapped

redgubbinz: May 1, 2007

hedge posted:

Mazda 2

The Mazda 2 is right at the top of my eventual new car shortlist and if you don't mind me dumping a load of questions, how do you like it? I know the engine is a bit underpowered but how does the manual transmission feel? How's the handling and visibility? Does the car have that penalty box feel or is it just a bit spartan? Also how many licks does it take too get to the center of etc etc.

I should really just go and test drive a bunch of B-segment hatches at some point, preferably ones in lime green.

# ? Feb 5, 2012 04:18

Adbot: ADBOT LOVES YOU

# ? Apr 25, 2024 22:15

Kia Soul Enthusias: May 9, 2004; zoom-zoom; Toilet Rascal

hedge posted:

Mazda 2

What's the little computer screen for?

# ? Feb 5, 2012 05:53

MetaJew: Apr 14, 2006; Gather round, one and all, and thrill to my turgid tales of underwhelming misadventure!

CharlesM posted:

What's the little computer screen for?

It looks like one of those little OBDII scanners that doubles as a trip computer.

# ? Feb 5, 2012 06:15

Super Aggro Crag: Apr 23, 2008; And, of course as always, kill Hitler.

hedge posted:

What the hell is the giant circular thing in the center dash?

# ? Feb 5, 2012 06:16

Rhyno: Mar 22, 2003; Can't post for 10 years!

Super Aggro Crag posted:

What the hell is the giant circular thing in the center dash?

Speedometer.

# ? Feb 5, 2012 06:20

TheGoatTrick: Aug 1, 2002; Semi-aquatic personification of unstoppable douchery

Super Aggro Crag posted:

What the hell is the giant circular thing in the center dash?

Speedometer around the outside; screen for navigation, stereo, and phone on the inside.

CharlesM posted:

What's the little computer screen for?

It's an UltraGauge.

Ineptus Mechanicus posted:

The Mazda 2 is right at the top of my eventual new car shortlist and if you don't mind me dumping a load of questions, how do you like it?

It's a great car. I love it even more after 7500 miles than I did when I bought it.

Ineptus Mechanicus posted:

I know the engine is a bit underpowered but how does the manual transmission feel?

You'll manage with the power. I got four people plus luggage up to Lake Tahoe (6000+ feet elevation) at normal highway speeds with no complaints about comfort. We drove about 1500 miles over 4 days and I averaged 37 mpg.

The gearbox is excellent, probably the best front-drive one I've tried. I like it better than modern Hondas; the engagement has a nice mechanical heft to it. There's a large spread between first and second gears which is kind of a downer. The solution is to wind it out off the line before shifting to second. The clutch is a bit odd; I'm just now able to be consistently smooth with it.

Ineptus Mechanicus posted:

How's the handling and visibility?

The handling is very good. Steering feel is surprisingly good for an electric system and understeer is minimal. It doesn't feel like a nose-heavy car at all. I wish it had a little less body roll, but on the other hand, it rides really well for a small car.

Visibility is fine. It has a big windshield and relatively small pillars. The rear headrests go all the way down onto the seatback so they don't block the rear view at all.

Ineptus Mechanicus posted:

Does the car have that penalty box feel or is it just a bit spartan?

It's a bit loud inside and I wish it had Bluetooth and USB input for the stereo. Other than that, it doesn't feel lacking in features. I'd say it's more lightweight than cheap (although it is cheap). But there's a sense that there's some solidness underneath all the plastic.

Ineptus Mechanicus posted:

Also how many licks does it take too get to the center of etc etc.

Three.

Ineptus Mechanicus posted:

I should really just go and test drive a bunch of B-segment hatches at some point, preferably ones in lime green.

That gives you the choice of the 2, Fiesta, and Accent. All good cars. Honda started offering the Fit in 90's Nostalgia Teal this year, so there's that option too.

# ? Feb 5, 2012 07:23

redgubbinz: May 1, 2007

That's everything I needed to know, thanks man! Sounds like a perfect match, now all I have to do is find some spare money lying around.

# ? Feb 5, 2012 08:20

kimbo305: Jun 9, 2007; actually, yeah, I am a little mad

hedge posted:

There's a large spread between first and second gears which is kind of a downer. The solution is to wind it out off the line before shifting to second.

I've always wondered about that -- in a low power car where 1st gear is like a granny gear to get you going, what do you do when you are still warming the car up? Short shifting would lead to lugging, wouldn't it?

# ? Feb 5, 2012 09:54

Mordred: Mar 15, 2007

Wow, you guys responded magnificantly.

Lots of good shots. Keep em coming.

Imperador do Brasil posted:

The only one I have of the Shelby:

I want this steering wheel.

# ? Feb 5, 2012 10:19

thebecoming: Mar 23, 2004; Yes

2007 Mazda 6 S-GT

# ? Feb 5, 2012 14:13

chrisgt: Sep 6, 2011

I sort of forgot about my other car, 98 Legacy GT. I got it for $400 because it had a bad engine.
So I put an engine in it that I got for free..... You get what you pay for.
Anyway, the day before I was moving from Maine to North Carolina, the engine hemorrhaged all it's oil and seized. So I drove my 89 GL instead. (cue very AI adventure)
But now I'm back in ME faced with the issue of how the hell do I get a seized engine off an automatic transmission... Anyway, it's a pretty car. It looks nice sitting in a snow bank...

chrisgt fucked around with this message at 16:00 on Feb 5, 2012

# ? Feb 5, 2012 15:47

boondocksts: Sep 28, 2004; the blazing s4

azerdude32 posted:

My car is too skinny, it needs more

Is yours the wide body?

# ? Feb 5, 2012 16:44

TheGoatTrick: Aug 1, 2002; Semi-aquatic personification of unstoppable douchery

kimbo305 posted:

I've always wondered about that -- in a low power car where 1st gear is like a granny gear to get you going, what do you do when you are still warming the car up? Short shifting would lead to lugging, wouldn't it?

It's not that bad. If you drive it like a normal person it will be a bit slow but it won't lug. The cold engine light is usually out by the time I leave the parking lot anyway.

# ? Feb 5, 2012 17:16

Applebees Appetizer: Jan 23, 2006

Not your normal Crown Vic Interior....

2002 LX Sport

# ? Feb 5, 2012 17:34

Hypnolobster: Apr 12, 2007; What this sausage party needs is a big dollop of ketchup! Too bad I didn't make any.

You have no idea how tempted I was to buy that a couple years ago when you were selling it. :allears:

I have no idea why I have such a thing for the panther bodies.

# ? Feb 5, 2012 17:38

Applebees Appetizer: Jan 23, 2006

I'm glad it didn't sell, we don't need the money so bad anymore, It's my wife's and she loves it

It's currently sitting though due to a bad axle leak I have to fix when I get a chance

# ? Feb 5, 2012 17:42

Super Aggro Crag: Apr 23, 2008; And, of course as always, kill Hitler.

My ex has a Mercury Grand Marquis and that thing was like driving around on a leather couch. Real comfortable and way nicer than my dad's Crown Vic.

Here are some interior shots of my Cobalt SS/SC. I need to find something to clean those seats with. The mesh material is weird. And yeah I know the front plate is ricey in the windshield but I just got my Show N Go front place mount a few days ago, still have to install it. Also thinking about replacing the stock head unit with a Pioneer AVH4300DVD unit when I get my taxes back.

# ? Feb 5, 2012 20:33

Hypnolobster: Apr 12, 2007; What this sausage party needs is a big dollop of ketchup! Too bad I didn't make any.

Super Aggro Crag posted:

My ex has a Mercury Grand Marquis and that thing was like driving around on a leather couch. Real comfortable and way nicer than my dad's Crown Vic.

I drove a '98 Marquis that had a blown up motor and then a junkyard motor dropped in from something like 168k to 245k before it was finally junked. Kept having horrible fuel pump problems and eventually chased down electrical problems for a few months before giving up.

I limped that fucker on for a long time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPMbdTpC9Tw

I drive a now beater 99 Civic and it's a horrid little reliable shitbox. Powerless i4's aren't fun at all.
God I miss my grandpa mobile

# ? Feb 5, 2012 20:47

Paul Boz_: Dec 21, 2003; Sin City

Hell the interior is where you spend most of your time anyway..

'07 AP2 s2000

Money shot.

# ? Feb 5, 2012 20:51

GramCracker: Oct 8, 2005; beauty by stroll

boondocksts posted:

Is yours the wide body?

No, I loving wish it was. My car is the green one. The owner of the wide body has TiAL 605's on the car apparently. And he has Recaro Topline seats. I'm really envious.

nutnmunch posted:

I'm not sure why, but that interior is perfect.

Thank you!

D C posted:

B5s have the best interior.

I miss sitting in mine.

Yea, they really are awesome interiors that have hardly aged somehow.

# ? Feb 5, 2012 20:54

b0nes: Sep 11, 2001

How about you guys put what make and model of car you have so those of us who don't have detective skills can figure poo poo out.

# ? Feb 5, 2012 21:08

b0nes: Sep 11, 2001

Super Aggro Crag posted:

What the hell is the giant circular thing in the center dash?

The absolute worst place for a speedo.

# ? Feb 5, 2012 21:14

redmercer: Sep 15, 2011; by Fistgrrl

kimbo305 posted:

I've always wondered about that -- in a low power car where 1st gear is like a granny gear to get you going, what do you do when you are still warming the car up? Short shifting would lead to lugging, wouldn't it?

Having mostly owned little shitboxes like that, the answer is it's fully warmed up in under 30 seconds or so. Seriously, it doesn't take much fire to warm up that 19 ounces or whatever of aluminum that powers, say, a Ford Aspire

# ? Feb 5, 2012 21:32

davebo: Nov 15, 2006; Parallel lines do meet, but they do it incognito; College Slice

kimbo305 posted:

Yall don't want to see the whole interior. If I told you it was a manual Grand Prix, you'd believe me. A sampling:

GM apologist! Lightweight plastics mean more speed!
1998, sorry it's an auto.

2002, not sorry its an auto with the traffic around here.

# ? Feb 5, 2012 21:50

Belldandy: Sep 11, 2001; Do not try to boost in peace, because that is impossible. Instead only try to realize the truth, there is no boost.

Paul Boz_ posted:

Hell the interior is where you spend most of your time anyway..

'07 AP2 s2000

Money shot.

God damnit I want your car so bad.

# ? Feb 5, 2012 22:03

opengl: Sep 16, 2010

08.5 Mazdaspeed3

# ? Feb 5, 2012 22:07

Imperador do Brasil: Nov 18, 2005; Rotor-rific

Super Aggro Crag posted:

My ex has a Mercury Grand Marquis and that thing was like driving around on a leather couch. Real comfortable and way nicer than my dad's Crown Vic.

Here are some interior shots of my Cobalt SS/SC. I need to find something to clean those seats with. The mesh material is weird. And yeah I know the front plate is ricey in the windshield but I just got my Show N Go front place mount a few days ago, still have to install it. Also thinking about replacing the stock head unit with a Pioneer AVH4300DVD unit when I get my taxes back.

Be careful when replacing your stock stereo if the car has OnStar. You will either have to rewire everything or buy an OnStar adapter plus the steering wheel control adapter for everything to function.

# ? Feb 5, 2012 22:25

Imperador do Brasil: Nov 18, 2005; Rotor-rific

Mordred posted:

I want this steering wheel.

It can be yours for the low, low price of $59,000!*

*Free Shelby GT500 included!!!!!

# ? Feb 5, 2012 22:26

Super Aggro Crag: Apr 23, 2008; And, of course as always, kill Hitler.

Imperador do Brasil posted:

Be careful when replacing your stock stereo if the car has OnStar. You will either have to rewire everything or buy an OnStar adapter plus the steering wheel control adapter for everything to function.

How can I tell if it has OnStar? I've read that I need to buy a wiring harness to keep the steering wheel controls and a harness to keep the door chimes and stuff.

# ? Feb 5, 2012 22:37

Motronic: Nov 6, 2009

Super Aggro Crag posted:

How can I tell if it has OnStar?

Because it will have a big blue button somewhere obvious that is labeled "On*".

# ? Feb 5, 2012 22:56

Imperador do Brasil: Nov 18, 2005; Rotor-rific

Super Aggro Crag posted:

How can I tell if it has OnStar? I've read that I need to buy a wiring harness to keep the steering wheel controls and a harness to keep the door chimes and stuff.

Does your rear-view mirror have OnStar buttons? The door chimes and turn signals are all played through the stereo, so yeah you'll probably have to get the adapter. Check Crutchfield, they will tell you what you need, even if you decide to buy from someone else.

# ? Feb 5, 2012 22:56

DogDodger: Nov 19, 2006; Hellcat likes it rough.

2002 ALMS TT:

2007 RS 4:

2012 TT RS:

2003 Elantra GLS:

# ? Feb 6, 2012 05:47

sadnessboner: Feb 20, 2006

Interior! '63 Holden Special

# ? Feb 6, 2012 06:03

Tanz-Kommandant: Dec 25, 2009; Radio Message from HQ:
Dance Commander
WE LOVE YOU

sadnessboner posted:

Interior! '63 Holden Special

That's fuckin sexy as hell.

# ? Feb 6, 2012 08:59

Mordred: Mar 15, 2007

DogDodger posted:

This is the right colors.

# ? Feb 6, 2012 10:01

KozmoNaut: Apr 23, 2008; Happiness is a warm
Turbo Plasma Rifle

2008 Fiat Panda

# ? Feb 6, 2012 15:10

Mordred: Mar 15, 2007

Imperador do Brasil posted:

It can be yours for the low, low price of $59,000!*

*Free Shelby GT500 included!!!!!

It is just ridiculous how expensive cars are here in Denmark. You'd need $64,383 to buy a brand new BMW 1 series. And thats the cheapest there is. No options or extras AT ALL for that kind of money.

# ? Feb 6, 2012 18:35