US Diesel's big splash introduction

[Monterra]

Brz is kinda slow but for me it answers an awful lot of the wrxs wrongs and I'm not a 0-60 in 5ish whatever...the 86/brz are truly wonderful cars to drive where the wrx has #s it hard fails me as a machine of fun and/or intervention.. starts wirh the shifter

 

[Unobtanium]

Brz is kinda slow but for me it answers an awful lot of the wrxs wrongs and I'm not a 0-60 in 5ish whatever...the 86/brz are truly wonderful cars to drive where the wrx has #s it hard fails me as a machine of fun and/or intervention.. starts wirh the shifter

Agreed, but the wrx gives you a real back seat. Also, the brz needs 300hp. It would be dynamite instead of just a well balanced machine. Sometimes it's nice to be able to pass a large SUV, and the brz ain't doing it often enough.

 

[J.R.]

Well, with the lack of further diesel info/timeframe (and the fact that it will only come with an auto), rising interest rates and dwindling 2018 stock (particularly of manuals) I did some car shopping this weekend.

Tested out an Elantra GT Sport, Mazda 3 Sport GT and Golf Sportwagen Comfortline with 4 Motion. All with 6 speed manuals.

Funnily, despite having the most power/being the quickest, I enjoyed driving the Elantra the least. There wasn't anything outright 'bad' about it, it just seems to be missing 'something' that Mazda and VW both seem able to bake in to their cars (jinba ittai / Das auto?). So, short of a RIDICULOUS deal, they're out.

Having a tough time making a call between the 3 and the GSW though. The GSW has WAY more space (obviously) and AWD but is also more $, worse power/weight and will likely be more expensive to maintain. It's also not as sexy, though there is something to be said for driving a car that blends in and draws less attention (police) to itself (drive2)

The 3 has lower purchase and maintenance costs, better handling (though the Golf's no slouch and has a better ride), better steering feel, better power/weight... but we could use that added space and the AWD would be nice.

Might have to actually consult with my wife on this one (rlaugh). In fact, she might end up with the new Golf and I'll take over her 3 as it gets better mileage (I commute) and the GSW would have more space for her and the kids. Or we just both drive 3's... I dunno...

 

[Xeler8ing]

Or wait for the new 3 next year

 

[J.R.]

Or wait for the new 3 next year

Only going to come with 2.0L 'X' as far as I can tell with similar (but less) power than the current 2.5L. Also not bound to be much (any?) bigger which is one of the main reasons the Golf Sportwagen is attractive vs the 3.

Interest rates will also be going up and there won't be as good of deals on the new model vs the outgoing 3. I'd also rather not be a guinea pig for the 1st year 'X' motors.

Mazda could have solved this whole dilemma by simply selling the 6 wagon here...

 

[Xeler8ing]

Only going to come with 2.0L 'X' as far as I can tell with similar (but less) power than the current 2.5L. Also not bound to be much (any?) bigger which is one of the main reasons the Golf Sportwagen is attractive vs the 3.

Interest rates will also be going up and there won't be as good of deals on the new model vs the outgoing 3. I'd also rather not be a guinea pig for the 1st year 'X' motors.

Mazda could have solved this whole dilemma by simply selling the 6 wagon here...

I think they will release larger motors once they find out people want more performance

Wonder if they will drop the diesel engine back into the 3 (scratch)

If they do, may arrive before the CX-5 diesel!

 

[J.R.]

I think they will release larger motors once they find out people want more performance

Wonder if they will drop the diesel engine back into the 3 (scratch)

If they do, may arrive before the CX-5 diesel!

Part of the reason I'm also tempted to lease and see what's available in a few years...

 

[Xeler8ing]

Part of the reason I'm also tempted to lease and see what's available in a few years...

If there is no rush then best to wait for the new releases

 

[J.R.]

If there is no rush then best to wait for the new releases

Well, we need something now. My current 2011 SX4 is too small for our family of 4 + dog and is creeping up on major maintenance items/costs. I'd also like something with a bit more oomph (and weight) for towing our little utility trailer.

So the question is GSW or 3 and do I purchase one and keep it another 6+ years or do I lease and hope there's something better out there in a few years? (Will the new 3 eventually get a 2.5L version of the 'X' motor, have AWD available, be bigger? Will the 6 wagon make it back to North America...with a manual? ((This would be much easier if I could get a manual 6 wagon here!)) Will the CX5 diesel ever arrive and maybe, eventually (not likely) get a manual as well?)

I don't normally like leasing but I feel like I'm a bit stuck between choices right now. On the one hand, I'd really like to stick with Mazda as I do like the way they build their cars and I love driving my wife's 3... but we also could use more space and the AWD in the Golf IS nice.

 

[Xeler8ing]

Since there is no vehicle that is "perfect" for you, maybe leasing one is the way to go for the time being....

 

[Monterra]

I think they will release larger motors once they find out people want more performance

Wonder if they will drop the diesel engine back into the 3 (scratch)

If they do, may arrive before the CX-5 diesel!

Hahaha no

JR:
GSW vs. 3 --well you know I was really looking forward to a GSW diesel 4mo here...it didn't go too well as you may have heard, worse than however long Mazda and/or the EPA strings us out via playing by the rules I imagine..so no VWs to date, no VWs ever!! (for me).. I'm sure I've said that here before but I said it again and will continue as I feel very strongly compelled to do so.
All that aside though strictly car to car, stick to stick honestly both sitting in my driveway I'd take the 3 10/10 times..unless whatever junk I had physically wouldn't go in 3s trunk but that's really it.

 

[Xeler8ing]

Never rule anything out!

 

[NelsonLewis]

Hahaha no

JR:
GSW vs. 3 --well you know I was really looking forward to a GSW diesel 4mo here...it didn't go too well as you may have heard, worse than however long Mazda and/or the EPA strings us out via playing by the rules I imagine..so no VWs to date, no VWs ever!! (for me).. I'm sure I've said that here before but I said it again and will continue as I feel very strongly compelled to do so.
All that aside though strictly car to car, stick to stick honestly both sitting in my driveway I'd take the 3 10/10 times..unless whatever junk I had physically wouldn't go in 3s trunk but that's really it.

I agree...I wouldn*t own another VW if it had 0 miles and was offered at 50% off MSRP. I too have stated that here,and will also continue to do so.

 

[J.R.]

JR:
GSW vs. 3 --well you know I was really looking forward to a GSW diesel 4mo here...it didn't go too well as you may have heard, worse than however long Mazda and/or the EPA strings us out via playing by the rules I imagine..so no VWs to date, no VWs ever!! (for me).. I'm sure I've said that here before but I said it again and will continue as I feel very strongly compelled to do so.
All that aside though strictly car to car, stick to stick honestly both sitting in my driveway I'd take the 3 10/10 times..unless whatever junk I had physically wouldn't go in 3s trunk but that's really it.

That would have been the dream right there. GSW 4Motion TDI with a 6 speed stick in silver (not brown...lol).

Conversely, a Mazda 6 wagon similarly equipped (diesel or otherwise) would be nice too. Hell I'd lean to it if it was available and in the same ball park for price etc given I prefer Mazda as a company.

But alas I was born on the wrong continent and either need to buy a car that's smaller than I'd like, doesn't have AWD but is otherwise the car and company I'd likely prefer to support, or get the car that arguably better suits my/my family's needs but is less fun to drive has worse power/weight, gets worse mileage and costs more both to purchase and maintain...

UGGGGHHHH

 

[Xeler8ing]

I've mentioned this before - if memory serves, the 2016 LA Motor Show [November 2016 (uhm)] provided details on the 2017 KF CX-5 update.

Maybe this years LA Motor Show will provide definitive information about the CX-5 diesel (scratch)

 

[xtrailman]

Xeler

Why do you have so much interest in the US getting a diesel cx-5 when you own a petrol model?

 

[xtrailman]

I agree...I wouldn*t own another VW if it had 0 miles and was offered at 50% off MSRP. I too have stated that here,and will also continue to do so.

Why wouldn't you own another?

I've never had a VW myself, but hold nothing against a company just because they cheated on emissions, or is there another reason.

 

[Xeler8ing]

Xeler

Why do you have so much interest in the US getting a diesel cx-5 when you own a petrol model?

Because they should be able to have what the rest of the world has. Sick and tired of differentiation between countries. Each country should have same features and engines. It's what the consumer wants yet companies don't listen.

Also yes I don't own the diesel but it's still a good engine. They should be allowed to have it

You feel for your fellow Mazda enthusiasts!

 

[Unobtanium]

Because they should be able to have what the rest of the world has. Sick and tired of differentiation between countries. Each country should have same features and engines. It's what the consumer wants yet companies don't listen.

Also yes I don't own the diesel but it's still a good engine. They should be allowed to have it

You feel for your fellow Mazda enthusiasts!

If you really want to complain about something, look at the trash Landrover sells in America vs. over seas.

 

[NelsonLewis]

Why wouldn't you own another?

I've never had a VW myself, but hold nothing against a company just because they cheated on emissions, or is there another reason.

Th emissions has absolutely nothing to do with it (I didn*t own one during that time,thankfully) Not gonna converse about the long list of why,I*ll just say I had Problem after problem,some so weird even VW couldn*t figure it out. When one thing went,another always followed instantly,not just engine or mechanics wise. Numerous people I know had problem after problem as well...

Pure junk,well besides an old air cooled bug,and I*ll spank everything they*ve produced with it...