I went and drove a bunch of new cars today

[ijbrekke]

Doing so just re-affirmed that we drive an awesome car. Yes it's getting old, is loud on the highway, rattles all over the place, and has a buzzy engine. But it also has so much personality that the cars I drove today did not have. It's eager, willing, and just seems very alive in comparison. It speaks to me in ways the new cars did not.

I'm glad I went and did some driving, it justifies the money I've recently put into car maintenance. A nice reality check.

For those that were curious, the girlfriend and I drove:

2013 Mazda3
2014 Mazda6
2013 Ford Focus ST
2013 Ford Fusion
2012 VW Beetle Turbo
2012 VW Golf TDI
2013 VW GTI (favorite by far)
2012 Subaru WRX
2013 Subaru Impreza Sport

 

[Bastian]

It's eager, willing, and just seems very alive in comparison. It speaks to me in ways the new cars did not.

This. My dad has a Mazdaspeed3 that I drive now and then. Yeah, it's much faster and yeah it can take a corner faster, but I still have more fun driving the P5. I don't know what it is, maybe it's just cause it's a "no frills" car when you get down to it. Yeah, there's suede upholstery, yeah some have sunroofs. But it has a cable throttle, I don't even have ABS, no traction control, it's so basic that it's hard not to have fun.

all that and the absolutely PERFECTLY balanced steering. That definitely is what ties the whole thing together. With so many cars now, the steering feels more like you're steering a car in a video game.

 

[Timmy_03-P5]

^^^The steering is what sold me on the p5!!

"it's so basic that it's hard not to have fun."<------THIS!!!!

Just have to comment on how much I love this thread!!! I don't know what I'm going to do if I ever have to get rid of this p5 haha

 

[sparkstyl]

^ I have to completely agree.

I have wanted a P5 sense i saw one for the first time. Just the look sold me and then later on i found out that they handle awesome. Well many years later i get one. Unfortunately it had a engine that was burning a quart of oil every 100 miles so had to put a new one in. Decided the best thing for it was a brand new engine. Even though I paid more for the engine then I did the car I will never regret it. This car does have lots or personality and it will be a sad day when its drives its self into a wall or some one hits her.

 

[tweety2300]

If you want something more fun look for something rwd. I just got a mustang gt and I have way more fun than my 323 or mp3. Granted its almost as slow as the protege it's alot of fun to kick the ass end around.

The focus st was boring as hell to drive

 

[AzzA SP20]

If you want something more fun look for something rwd. I just got a mustang gt and I have way more fun than my 323 or mp3. Granted its almost as slow as the protege it's alot of fun to kick the ass end around.

The focus st was boring as hell to drive

I use to frequently drive a modified 180sx SR20DET...
RWD, actually handles and hanging the ass end out is what it did best.... now that is loads better than the Mustang gt in the sense of driving enjoyment... (Mustang gt is totally disconnected from the steering and is a huge lard ass boat around corners) and i found that my sp20 is just as fun as the s13

It's just a different type of fun.

I agree about the driving feel of the P5... Especially with some mods done, steering feel and sharpness is fantastic

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

If you want something more fun look for something rwd. I just got a mustang gt and I have way more fun than my 323 or mp3. Granted its almost as slow as the protege it's alot of fun to kick the ass end around.

The focus st was boring as hell to drive

Mustang GT almost as slow as a Protege? Cool story bro.


There is definitely something about the P5 that just combines all the right ingredients. It is slow, but still such a blast to drive...and I love that it doesn't have a bunch of crap in it. No satnav, no traction control, no TPMS, no backup camera...it's like the essence of what a good driver's car should be.

I'm disappointed that you were so discouraged by that lot of cars...there are some in there that I hold out real hope for. My P5 will be with me for a long time I think!

 

[ijbrekke]

I'm disappointed that you were so discouraged by that lot of cars...there are some in there that I hold out real hope for. My P5 will be with me for a long time I think!

I too was disappointed by some of them. They were all so similar compared directly to the P5: Refined, smooth, and powerful but also sterile and unengaging.

My favorite was the GTI, as I predicted it would be. If money were no object I'd get one, it's a hell of a car to drive. The diesel option was different but the power band felt backwards, almost zero top-end on that engine. I also liked the new Mazda6, beautiful car that could handle a bit but the driving position wasn't quite right. It needed a telescoping wheel and the one I was in did not have it. WRX was a WRX, whatever speed you are going it wants to go faster. Too much risk for trouble with that one.

Everything else disappointed, especially the Ford offerings. At the end of the day the best car I had driven was the P5. That was reassuring.

 

[tweety2300]

Have you looked at a scion tc? Their supposed to be the drivers cars of today, and look decent with lots of potential and aftermarket support especially with trd

Mazdaspeeder- do you want me to say its fast? It's a 3200 lb boat. It's not horrible with handling, I've driven worse but it needs suspension improvements

 

[Circuit]

Try the Fiat 500 Abarth. The exhaust note alone almost has me sold LOL

 

[P-Funk!]

My Lancer Ralliart Sportback is in that (OP list of cars) price range.


All the handling of the P5, all the utility of a P5, and with turbo and AWD it will do 0-60 in 5.1 sec )

(but none of the interior noise [rolls eyes] of a P5 ;0 )

 

[ccrunner2011]

My Lancer Ralliart Sportback is in that (OP list of cars) price range.


All the handling of the P5, all the utility of a P5, and with turbo and AWD it will do 0-60 in 5.1 sec )

(but none of the interior noise [rolls eyes] of a P5 ;0 )

Still in the 3500$ price range (nudge nudge) It's my little 'grocery getter' and ticket preventer. (five-0) If i had gone the sti or speed3 route this early in my life, I'd be loosing my license. The P5 is fast enough for daily transportation and it gets around corners that say 35 at 55-60 with ease. (WRC)

Add another to the list of crappy new cars:
My girlfriend drives a 2012 Dodge Avenger, and dammit I feel like I'm in a video game when I go to turn. Absolutely no drag/effort when turning - but it's hard to feel road conditions. Compare that to either my '91 miata or '02 P5 and it just makes me want to lay down and never drive again...(rant)