quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:
Local dealer has a 2024 GTI manual that lists at $40,000 for $36,000. But it has 19" wheels with "performance tires". It's just too hot hatch / track car for me.

I'd drive it first before condemning it because they do come with adaptive suspension and 90% of all "Performance Tires" that come on OEM cars are still All Season tires.

Looks like there's a new 2024 GTI SE with leather for $32,200 at VW of Gurnee, IL. It is hot hatch looking, but much better looking than the Civic SI. The warranty is 4 years, 50k miles and the GTI will probably holds its value better than the GLI. The 2024 GTI is slightly updated engine wise over the 2024 and 2025 GLIs.

I'd check the tire prices. I strongly suspect the GTI's tires will be pricey relative to the GLI or Mazda3.

I own 2 VWs and had a 3rd. My uncle is still driving what was my mom's CX-7 which must be 15 years old by now.

Reliability, Mazda.

Performance, GTI, GLI, ...Mazda3.

Under the radar, GLI, Mazda3, .......GTI.

Cost of ownership, Mazda3, ...GLI, .GTI

Thanks guys. I didn't realize the GLI has adaptive suspension, that should provide a nice ride. (I'd hate to have to pay to fix it though.)

VW will no doubt be the better performing but I just have to think a made in Japan Mazda 3 will be much more reliable than a made in Mexico VW. And be better come resale time.

And track apps:



I hit .87 at the round about down the street on the All Seasons. The suspension setting are noticeable.

The worst thing about the GLI Autobahn is the Beats Audio. It’s the first factory radio in 20+ years that I had to do something about and it is not inexpensive to fix because it connects to the amp via a network cable, not seperate line level outs and ins. I had read about it before we flew to South Carolina to pick it up, but I figured how bad can it be? It really is as bad as the internet says it is.

The Mazda is the sensible choice.

I did completely blank on the Civic Si and Type R. The SI is manual sedan that should outperform any Mazda3 without a turbo, and the Type R would give you the hatch option.

quote:

Originally posted by DanH:
If you aren't looking for brand new, you could always try and find a used Mazdaspeed 3. Those were hatch and manual only from what I remember.

The Mazdaspeed 3 was a fun car, but they stopped making them in 2013...and you're not going to find one with an acceptable amount of miles on it unless you just "have to have" one.

The major issue with the Mazdaspeed 3 was the horrible torque steer

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:
Cost of ownership, Mazda3, ...GLI, .GTI

I saw a recent clip about Mazdas being less expensive to maintain over their service life than either Toyota or Honda...sort of surprised me

From what I've researched, Mazda quality is right up there near the top. I tend to prefer Japanese vehicles that are manufactured in Japan, such as the Mazda 3. My current 2019 Corolla HB was manufactured in Japan and it's been completely problem free. Not so some I've had that are manufactured in the US such as my Ridgeline, CRV, and Subaru Outback.

My 2024 Mazda 3 was built in Mexico.

I dislike that they are putting lower-profile tires on everything now. Not a fan of them.

A friend had a Mazda 3 manual about 5 years ago. It was a fun car to drive.

quote:

Originally posted by Spiff_P239:
My 2024 Mazda 3 was built in Mexico.

Interesting, thanks for telling me. 4 years or so ago when looking at them with my sister (who bought one) they all had "J" vins. It looks like production for NA now comes from Mexico, damn.

^^^^^^
Which character of the VIN specifies the county of origin? The first character of the VIN of my recently purchased Genesis G70 is “K”. Is that the county of origin key? My G70 was made in Korea with 85% Korean content.

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
^^^^^^
Which character of the VIN specifies the county of origin? The first character of the VIN of my recently purchased Genesis G70 is “K”. Is that the county of origin key?......

Vin on vehicles made in Japan begin with "J", so I can see how those made in Korea might start with a "K".

My 2023 Mazda3 was made in Japan. The sticker also says 0% Canada/American content and 85% Japanese content.

I had planned on replacing my DD hatch in March with a newer model. Now I’m thinking fuck the rear doors. I have a truck and a 4 door performance car already so a GR86 with Performance Package would be a killer DD. Base + PP = $32k. Premium + PP = $35k. For a small/light weight RWD (with Torsen LSD) car with 6MT, it has enough power when they upgraded the motor. And it does great in inclement weather with proper tires because it’s so light. When you flip down the rear seats there is a surprising amount of room in the trunk. I’m starting to think about waiting an extra year to replace my DD so I can have 2/3 down payment. Would be a nice combo with my GRC CE. Nice Toyota GR pair of vehicles, especially with 6MT’s going the way of the dodo.

I had the tires on my son's car rotated and balanced yesterday. They had to have the guy running the register drive it on and off the lift because he was the only one who could drive stick.

quote:

Originally posted by Prefontaine:
I had planned on replacing my DD hatch in March with a newer model. Now I’m thinking fuck the rear doors. I have a truck and a 4 door performance car already so a GR86 with Performance Package would be a killer DD. Base + PP = $32k. Premium + PP = $35k. For a small/light weight RWD (with Torsen LSD) car with 6MT, it has enough power when they upgraded the motor. And it does great in inclement weather with proper tires because it’s so light. When you flip down the rear seats there is a surprising amount of room in the trunk. I’m starting to think about waiting an extra year to replace my DD so I can have 2/3 down payment. Would be a nice combo with my GRC CE. Nice Toyota GR pair of vehicles, especially with 6MT’s going the way of the dodo.

GR86 was on my short list of cars just a month back when I first started thinking about it and I'm trying to recall why I put the Mazda and Honda SI in front? I haven't looked at one in person but it appears to have ample room for Barb and or my small dog and items in the back such as groceries. I think some of my concerns were it would sit a little too low making more difficult ingress and egress and maybe too little ground clearance for my road. I can't find it now but somewhere I noticed it seemed geared kind of short which would explain it's so so gas mileage of just 20 city/ 26 hwy. Back when I had a Miata the low seats, short gearing, and noisy cabin on the highway is what I did not like about it as a daily driver.
I will check out a GR86 though.

quote:

I had the tires on my son's car rotated and balanced yesterday. They had to have the guy running the register drive it on and off the lift because he was the only one who could drive stick.

LOL I had a similar occurrence last month when I had new tires put on my Corolla. The owners daughter behind the counter who I purchased them from asked "I'll pull it in the bay now, where'd you parked it"? I pointed to it then added "you can drive a manual right"? She had a funny look then said "maybe you can do it for me, pull it into bay 4".

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:

GR86 was on my short list of cars just a month back when I first started thinking about it and I'm trying to recall why I put the Mazda and Honda SI in front? I haven't looked at one in person but it appears to have ample room for Barb and or my small dog and items in the back such as groceries. I think some of my concerns were it would sit a little too low making more difficult ingress and egress and maybe too little ground clearance for my road. I can't find it now but somewhere I noticed it seemed geared kind of short which would explain it's so so gas mileage of just 20 city/ 26 hwy. Back when I had a Miata the low seats, short gearing, and noisy cabin on the highway is what I did not like about it as a daily driver.
I will check out a GR86 though.

You should. The first gen, well I negotiated a deal to buy it when it was called the FRS for my boss at the time who was in his 60’s. He loved it. The seating position is perfect. And you can very well milk the MPG’s out of it. Short shift it and people get 30 MPG on the highway, blasting the EPA numbers. RWD, with Torsen LSD, a fantastic clutch, and ample power (that was missing from the first gen) is worth losing a little MPG to have a real sports car. It’s a poor man’s Cayman IMO. Watch this when you have time. I respect these guys and they are real journalists.

https://youtu.be/C0Oj138Jncg?si=Kh9Bk8KW52Ubatm_

And you know what? You can get the base for $30k. I’d want the Premium for the heated seats, duckbill spoiler, better seat material, etc, and I’d want the PP because it’s $1500 for Sachs dampers and Brembos. But you can get a base for $30k flat. For the money that’s the best car on the market IMO. It’s a real sports car and if you aren’t ferrying children, a perfect DD. Great capability in the winter with proper tires because it’s so damn light.

Coworker had a 1st gen BRZ, he would toss me the keys anytime we'd have a group lunch. Really fun little car, but I never pushed it hard. I don't tend to drive other people's cars the way I'll drive mine.

quote:

Originally posted by Spiff_P239:
My 2024 Mazda 3 was built in Mexico.

Hatchback or sedan? Manual or automatic?

According to autotrader.com, there’s 49 manual transmission Mazada3 Hatchbacks for sale within 500 miles of my zip code. The VIN numbers of the first 25 I looked at started with J. I looked at a couple of sedans and their VINs started with a 3.