Looks like the MS3's only competition is still a year out..

[Evo Scooter]

Buuuut there's no free lunch. Have you ever driven an S2000? It's like riding a 600cc motorcycle. It pulls hard but only at the top of the rev band. Nail it low in the RPMS and it might as well be 150hp. As most turbo guys know, the real kick in the pants is from torque. American V8s put torque out hard and fast. Two different approaches 'tween the Japanese and the Americans but the goal is the same. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

That might be true of the NA cars like the S2000 but this little MS3 has some torque down low as does my Evo. Admitted I have modified the Evo a bit but It pulls hard from about 2800 RPM so you don't have to REALLY rev the engine like that on the S2000. TRUE, it will never match the torque on a V8 but it gets me along. Also I've noticed a lot of V8s run out of steam once the revs get up there. I think it is all about finding the balance where you are comfortable.

 

[SwampAss]

Well, that's kinda why these cars have turbos. They are small so they spool quickly and produce torque. Lots of torque.

 

[CTGrey02]

Not the fords. Ever since the 302 their motors have been high revvers power wise. Especially the 32 Valve motors. They're not pushing 9000 RPM like a little honda motor, but 7000 is more than enough for your average v8. Especially consider the car basically loafs at 700 rpm at 75 mph. Standard 2 valve V8's like the 4.6 drop off after 5500 but they only go to 6150 anyway so its not a big deal. Theres still plenty of power band there regardless. Old Chevy 302's were another example of a good high rev motor. They basically built it for Trans Am road racing.

 

[Hikaru9]

They're not pushing 9000 RPM like a little honda motor, but 7000 is more than enough for your average v8. Especially consider the car basically loafs at 700 rpm at 75 mph. Standard 2 valve V8's like the 4.6 drop off after 5500 but they only go to 6150 anyway so its not a big deal.

A little off topic (of the thread), but since you guys are talking about V8s, is it true that the GTO goes all the way up to 70mph in first gear? (shocked) I was watching an old episode of Fifth Gear (TV show in UK sort of like Top Gear), and the host mentioned something like that. I was wondering if that was indeed possible. ^_^a

 

[SwampAss]

It's possible. The new liter bikes do 100 plus in first gear.

 

[CTGrey02]

A little off topic (of the thread), but since you guys are talking about V8s, is it true that the GTO goes all the way up to 70mph in first gear? (shocked) I was watching an old episode of Fifth Gear (TV show in UK sort of like Top Gear), and the host mentioned something like that. I was wondering if that was indeed possible. ^_^a

Nope

Gear limited is gear limited, but 48 mph is still pretty high for first gear. My five speed I usually change gears somewhere in the high 30's. T-56's are nice tranny's.

 

[TheDutchGun]

It's possible. The new liter bikes do 100 plus in first gear.

Don't those bikes rev to like 13000 though? Unless they Start dropping Formula 1 spec V10s into street cars, that's not gonna happen in a car anytime soon.

I'm seriously amazed at the legs of this thread so far.

 

[SwampAss]

Yeah, there a bouts. 13k or so.

 

[Evo Scooter]

I'm seriously amazed at the legs of this thread so far.

It's like the damn Energizer Bunny...(ughdance)

 

[TheDutchGun]

It's like the damn Energizer Bunny...(ughdance)

For sure, I'm definitely enjoying the non-specific car discussion here.

 

[CTGrey02]

We're all auto enthusiasts.. we just happen to have an interest in Mazda's lil rising star right now.

 

[Hikaru9]

Nope

Gear limited is gear limited, but 48 mph is still pretty high for first gear. My five speed I usually change gears somewhere in the high 30's. T-56's are nice tranny's.

Hmm... maybe the Fifth Gear host was talking about Km/h. ^_^;; Do they use Km in Aussie country? (48mph = 77km/h) Vauxhall Monaro = from Australia

 

[Hikaru9]

We're all auto enthusiasts.. we just happen to have an interest in Mazda's lil rising star right now.

Yet, I'm surrounded by friends who couldn't care less about cars.

One of my friends didn't know that she had to change the engine oil in her (new in 2002) Maxima GLE and ran it for 13,000 miles. The mechanic was puzzled -_-a (followed by a shock), but the engine was in perfect condition after all the oil (more like nasty dark jello at that point) was removed. -_-;;
I guess Nissan does make good V6 engines. *^_^*

And my sister, who also has a 2002 Maxima GLE, refuses to use premium gas saying that it's too expensive. >_<

 

[CTGrey02]

Not bashing the ladies, cause I know quite a few (my wife included) that have no problems ripping into a motor, but what you wrote is typical. I was making jokes that my focus was getting it's first oil change when I bought it with 40,000 miles on it because the previous owner was a woman. Most people haven't a clue how to maintain a vehicle

 

[TheDutchGun]

Not bashing the ladies, cause I know quite a few (my wife included) that have no problems ripping into a motor, but what you wrote is typical. I was making jokes that my focus was getting it's first oil change when I bought it with 40,000 miles on it because the previous owner was a woman. Most people haven't a clue how to maintain a vehicle

Hilarious. I admit I've stretched oil out to 6000-7000 km intstead of getting it done right at 5000 but I'd never let that happen on my current car or any car worth any money. Besides, I feel like the oil companies rip us Canadians off because they tell Americans to do it every 5000 miles and us to do it every 5000 km (3125 miles). If I'm wrong and they actually say 3000 miles I'll just shut up.

 

[Hughes412]

Sometimes it feels like Japanese car fanboys have an automatic hate on for every American car ever made.

We have a winner!

 

[SwampAss]

Maybe the Mazda 3 attracts a more mature, well rounded buyer? I dunno. I've had quite a few cars. Domestic and other. This is actually my FIRST japanese car. My cars have been either domestic (3 of them) or European (the other 15)

23 of my 26 motorcycles have been Japanese though.

 

[TheDutchGun]

Maybe the Mazda 3 attracts a more mature, well rounded buyer? I dunno. I've had quite a few cars. Domestic and other. This is actually my FIRST japanese car. My cars have been either domestic (3 of them) or European (the other 15)

23 of my 26 motorcycles have been Japanese though.

Jesus Christ thats a lot of cars/bikes. I've had 7 cars since I was 17, no bikes. I'm 23 now. And no, none of the lost cars were bad driving/accident related. 4 Domestic, 3 Japanese.

 

[SwampAss]

I have ADHD when it comes to bikes. Cars too but not as much. My wife is working to seriously curb that. I am 32.

 

[Hughes412]

Oh by the way, I can't remember where I read it, but the caliber is on the way out do to slow sells.