The Ohio Random Thread... aka We Should Probably Be Working

[o0n8]

hopefully since it's the first show they won't do that again

 

[frenchy chan]

I'd say it's just something you get a feel for, how the car feels in each gear, as far as revs, sound, perceived acceleration, etc. You can also get an idea of how the shifter looks in each gear (top or bottom row of gears). Or, you could go for the bling-iest solution:

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/27/could-this-be-the-most-trick-shift-knob-ever/

is that knob real? omg...i forget what gear i am in in my car (versa) because when i'm in 6th gear, it sounds like i need to shift again because i'm running @3-4K...terrible!!!

 

[THE Phen]

Yeah, that sucked. The UK version is sooooo much better. You're right, Nate. The UK version just has the chemistry and like-able hosts. And I know Tanner Foust is a great driver but such a cocky bastard. I used to watch his show "Supercars Expossed" with the mute button on. But lke you said, hopefully it will get better as the season goes on. And that's funny they decided to put an 80 year old behind the wheel of their "resonably priced car". Oy. I'll just stick to TopGear UK on Monday nights.

Phen, you do fill up the DVR pretty quick. How much Star Trek can you watch, man? haha

Well, now that I have all 5 series of Star Trek, with all seasons of each series, on DVD, I don't need to record them anymore.

Oh... and the answer is 9 episodes. I can watch 9 episodes in a day before I get sick of it. I've done it.

 

[Lewis7789]

I think I have a dumb question but I have to ask...
Is there any type of gauge or light or...something (besides a possible dash hawk) that can tell you what gear you are in when you are shifting? (Mazdaspeed 3 doesnt have anything notifying driver of this)
I have the hardest time trying to remember what gear I am in. I am not very good at the whole shifting thing as it is but I am learning and was hoping this would help!
Thanks!

I remember seeing a few years ago a gear display like the WRC race cars you could mount to the top of the steering colomn. But I don't know how you would wire it up and sounds like it would be a pain... You'll get the hang of it, Justine. Practice, practice, practice. Plus that just means you get to drive James' MS3 around more!

 

[thejeans]

yeah... i was pretty disappointed with the us Top gear but its sad to say its better than i expected (i had really low expectations for it hahahaha)

 

[rally2003]

Just got back from P-burgh. The game was awesome as well as all the food I ate. If I lived there I know I would be a fat ass.

 

[thejeans]

hahahaha.... the food starts to lose the "appeal" if you have access/ability to eat it anytime you want when you live in the city haha

 

[Evan9999]

Haha I know all about food appeal. I work at Outback, I used to loveeeeee the food. It's still pretty good, but I've eaten everything so many times, it's really boring now lol.

 

[THE Phen]

I remember seeing a few years ago a gear display like the WRC race cars you could mount to the top of the steering colomn. But I don't know how you would wire it up and sounds like it would be a pain... You'll get the hang of it, Justine. Practice, practice, practice. Plus that just means you get to drive James' MS3 around more!

Yeah... but don't forget that the WRC cars are using sequential gear boxes. Much easier to notify with those as everything is in line.

 

[thejeans]

http://autos.aol.com/cars-Mazda-Mazda3-2008/available-trims/

for evan and pablo...
i didnt think that 2600lbs for the sedan 3 sounded right the other night so i did a little bit of searching and found the 3s sedan weights anywhere from 2780 to 2930 and the hatch (depending year) seems to be around 28000-2950 so the weight is a minimal difference

i found a few other sources (edmunds.com and motortrend.com) that seem to agree with aol on the vehicles weights

 

[Evan9999]

Ya, WRC drivers definitely need the gear display, it's not easy figuring out what gear you're in when all you have to do is touch the flappy paddle on the steering column to shift lol

Damn flappy paddle gear boxes!!!

 

[princess peach]

What I found is sedan: 2906, hatch: 2930. I'll check the manual when I get home

 

[PrinceValorum]

That's suspiciously light for the 3. I would have guessed it was over 3k, cus the MS3 is 3245. There really aren't any new cars that are under 3k anymore. Even the new NC Miata is over 2500 lbs, which is just stupid.

The base 626, which I consider to be pretty light for its size is 2672.. I find it hard to believe that a car that's more than 10 years newer with 10 year's worth of new electrical crap and safety garbage can be the same weight. If so, I'm impressed.

 

[Evan9999]

So idk why I never asked...but who's the chick in your avatar?

 

[thejeans]

That's suspiciously light for the 3. I would have guessed it was over 3k, cus the MS3 is 3245. There really aren't any new cars that are under 3k anymore. Even the new NC Miata is over 2500 lbs, which is just stupid.

The base 626, which I consider to be pretty light for its size is 2672.. I find it hard to believe that a car that's more than 10 years newer with 10 year's worth of new electrical crap and safety garbage can be the same weight. If so, I'm impressed.

the ms3 is around 3100

and the weight of 2800-2900 isnt that suspiciously light... i mean hell the p5 is around 2700 and the 3 replaced it (essentially) so why is it that hard to believe its under 3k?

 

[03zoomzoom]

I was surprised to see the protege around 2750. That's alot of weight for a small 4 door car.

 

[Evan9999]

I'm sure that the newer vehicles have more safety components and gizmos. The new technology for metals probably enables them to have the same (if not better) rigidity with less weight.

 

[PrinceValorum]

So idk why I never asked...but who's the chick in your avatar?

Sara James from nubiles/FTV, etc

 

[PrinceValorum]

the ms3 is around 3100

and the weight of 2800-2900 isnt that suspiciously light... i mean hell the p5 is around 2700 and the 3 replaced it (essentially) so why is it that hard to believe its under 3k?

It's hard to believe because there aren't many new cars that are light. With stuff like the new Camry having 100lbs of sound deadening, which is pointless, it adds up really quickly. I'm just shocked, but this is a good shock for once, lol.

The 2010 MS3 is 3245, which is heavier than the 1st gen, but not by a whole lot.
http://www.insideline.com/mazda/maz...speed-3-vs-2010-hyundai-genesis-coupe-38.html

 

[Lewis7789]

Of course, that is curb weight. I was talking to Phen about weights last week and he said they weigh them without fuel. All I know is that my P5 with the backseats removed, 1/2 a tank of fuel and me (175lbs) in the car weigh 2850lbs. I weighed my car at Mid-Ohio the last time I was there for s**** and/or giggles. That is pretty heavy for a small-ish car.

I stripped my EG Civic of all the interior, no plastic, no rear seats, no seat belts nothing. That car was my DD and was crazy loud in the cabin. I'll never have a gutted interior for a DD again. I think my interior is nice how it is now. Now back seats or belts in the rear but i still have the carpet and plastic interior trim pieces and a small sub back there. It didn't really get much louder in the cabin from road noise after it was half-gutted and the stereo still sounds good and doesn't boom or reverberate too much.