Recent content by kwsmithphoto

Depending how you drive the car, 20K is pretty good for the front pads (mine wore out at 11K). You can't go by looks - there's a very thick layer of backing material between the friction material and the backing plate, so it looks like you have lots of life left but you don't... Also, they wear...

I don't like the 2010 on any level. And yes, I am older than their target demographic. BTW, I don't see how adding 200 pounds could make the car handle better. Skidpad, shmidpad, all that means is they tightened up the rear suspension tuning. 3 years after it was badly needed. And ya, come to...

It could just be a loose sway bar link, but I would most definitely change the dampers anyway. They weren't very good when you bought the car, and 40,000 miles hasn't helped them!

Hey Design, did you get yours installed yet?

Sell it - it's not worth the trouble. Invest in better dampers and tires instead.

They didn't give us a boost gauge so who knows, but it wouldn't help. Seriously, I'm just keeping up with local traffic and getting 15-17 at best. No CEL's, no mods, I'm really just driving it normally. 1st gear is so short that I usually shift at about 3500rpm, part throttle, and 2500 or so...

I stopped reading this thread after 10 pages. FWIW, I average about 15-17mpg in normal (for Los Angeles) urban traffic. It doesn't seem to matter much how I drive it - just keeping up with minivans and other cars, short shifting, etc, trying hard to save gas, maybe 18. All calculated, using the...

Thanks, ya, I'm not expecting any job killers just yet. Flawless so far at 10K, and it's a late-build 2009. I've already improved the suspension quite a bit but am well within the warranty, and the only engine upgrade I plan to do is their CAI and possibly a quality catch can kit, to keep the...

About 10 years ago, I was driving a Neon ACR. Fun car, low cost, but it wasn't reliable. Cost me lots of money in cab fare (and one lost client) just to be late for work every time it broke. So I decided to buy something new, and checked out the GTI VR6. It only had about 40 miles on the clock...

Here in the big city, I can only have one vehicle. No place to park anything else, not to mention cost of insurance and registration. And in my careers, there is no "sorry, I'm gonna be late because my car broke down." Being 1-2 hours late can cost my clients thousands of dollars since they...

I've tracked my car with the stock bars and with an adjustable rear bar and stock front bar. The RSB alone, Tri-Point set to medium stiffness, worked wonderfully. Much better balance in low speed corners and much more power traction on corner exits. Body roll was reduced as well and so were my...

Ya, you guys are right, style is subjective. And, subjectively speaking, the "new" MS3 (and regular3) still looks like ass. They even applied the happy new face to the 2010 CX-7, which was previously the best looking crossover in it's class, IMO. Oh well. They're a small company with long...

I loves my Alcantara seat and door panel inserts. The glossy black trim pieces dust up real fast and are easy to scratch, but I prefer the look. Alcantara makes a very good product though. If it's good enough for BMW and Bentley, it's good enough for my little Mazda! They grip your body better...

You're wrong, I do get it. I didn't argue with the police, plead no contest at my hearing, and took my lumps for it. What I did was stupid - now I either walk, ride a bike, or take a taxi if I've been drinking - any amount. But what you aren't getting is that there is never a rationale for an...

I did take, and am still taking, full responsibility for my actions. I knew exactly what I was doing, but at no time was I driving while intoxicated, or even breaking the law. Alcohol rise is very real. And I was very honest with the cops. But I couldn't argue alcohol rise because they lied so...