Mini vs. VW vs. Mazda vs. Subaru

[JennB]

Must have been a really quick glance cause I don't remember putting on my sunglasses yesterday... hmmm....

Sure it was my MINI? Pics are in the link in my sig (and for anyone else who wants to see how nice these cars can look when done right)

I'm white.... dark hair but definately not asian.

[Maniaç]

well you do have tint on your car right.... from what i saw... id say.... 20% maybe lower....
i only saw you for like a sec. but what ever! nice car! ok ..... later. L0L

[Doppelgänger]

yeah... she does need a bath... cool Mini though.. thats one of the best looking Mini's ive seen. got a very quick glance at you.. and i must say this.... a girl looks really hot with shades on. L0L

are you white or asian? (i think you should pm me instead of postin in here again).

\

yeah, she's pretty white..definatly not asian.. i would know

[HachiDori]

I would go Mazda, probably the most reliable of the cars on the list.

If it doesnt come with a rotary. hahah

[Kamikaze]

If it doesnt come with a rotary. hahah

The engine isn't the problem. It's the uninformed owners that don't know how to maintain them.

[Julio]

I'd love to see some unbiased opinions on Mazda. I've seen many approaching the 250K mile mark on the same engine which is why I still have mine. But I guess there will be haters everywhere; you can't please everyone.

Since I was the one bashing MAZDA (older models).....

I'm guessing you calling me a hater....

Now, explain to me, why would I be hatting? Please.........

[Kamikaze]

Since I was the one bashing MAZDA (older models).....

I'm guessing you calling me a hater....

Now, explain to me, why would I be hatting? Please.........

I don't know how you would be "hatting" but I'll explain the hating.

First of all, I don't even see how you could bash the older models since those were pretty much bullet proof. The only time Mazda's reliability could be questioned is when the famous Found On Road Dead company put their shitty parts on Mazda cars. And even then, all the models weren't affected. If Mazdas are so unreliable, how do you explain the ones that make it to 250K+ miles? I've even quite a few Mazda designed KLDE engines (found on the MX6, 626, and Probe) with 300K on them.

But like I said, there will always be haters or whatever you want to call them. It's impossible to like every automaker. But to say that VW is more reliable than Mazda, give me a break. We used to have a Jetta. That car had more electrical problems than any other car we've ever owned. But I expected you to say that considering you own an Audi. You can't help but be a fan of what you drive which is why I like Mazda (and Toyota) so much.

Hope that cleared it up for you.

[Julio]

I don't know how you would be "hatting" but I'll explain the hating.

First of all, I don't even see how you could bash the older models since those were pretty much bullet proof. The only time Mazda's reliability could be questioned is when the famous Found On Road Dead company put their shitty parts on Mazda cars. And even then, all the models weren't affected. If Mazdas are so unreliable, how do you explain the ones that make it to 250K+ miles? I've even quite a few Mazda designed KLDE engines (found on the MX6, 626, and Probe) with 300K on them.

But like I said, there will always be haters or whatever you want to call them. It's impossible to like every automaker. But to say that VW is more reliable than Mazda, give me a break. We used to have a Jetta. That car had more electrical problems than any other car we've ever owned. But I expected you to say that considering you own an Audi. You can't help but be a fan of what you drive which is why I like Mazda (and Toyota) so much.

Hope that cleared it up for you.

Still doesnt explain.. why im hatting....... Im speaking TRUTH based on EXPERIENCE. I have owned 2 MAZDA's... a 626 and a MX-3... BOTH PIECES OF SHIT. Maybe not enough to justify me saying they suck.. But enough based on personal experience.
My Brother used to own a 626... Piece of shit... My cousin used to Own a 626 piece of shit...
And we wont even go into the RX7 shit... even though they are NICE Looking cars.. They suck.....

I would consider someone hatting/hatter someone who can't have or own something.... and decides to talk shit about it. Simply a jealous person.

I never said VW's dont break down.. BUT BASED on PERSONAL experience, I havent had any issues with my AUDI and know a few people with VW's and AUDI and havent had any issues. But I'm Not saying it wont fuck up And BTW, Im willing to bet I give my AUDI more heat then your 626.. you probably got it to look "PRETTY" fuc* all that. .. because seriously, what else can you do with it.

Ok, you can count in one hand how many Mazda's are out thre with 250K+ miles still driving....

But really, Who cares.. Theres plenty of Chevy, fords, Vw's, Hondas, Yotas and so on with that many miles so you are not saying nothing

Lucky you own a Scion to pick up the slack when your 626 decides to blow a head gasket or tranny starts slipping if it hasnt already...

haha thats why a Got a Toyota also... just incase the Audi (VW) decides to take a crapper, so is ok man...

[4dmin]

i have never understood people talking shit about cars they have never owned or have experience in... i've owned 5 VW, 3 hondohs, 3 fords, 1 benz, 1 saturn, etc... i never had any issues w/ any VW i've owned that wasn't minor and if i did have an issue it was due to trying to make more power or a possible recall for something minor... i can name people throughout atlanta who have had issues w/ every single make it doesn't matter what you drive.

Mini Cooper is a cute car... cute is the keyword it just isn't fast enough!

VW Jetta i personally think the new body is ugly (i would only drive the GLI) but the 2.0t is well capable of make 350whp on a stock block daily driven and it will make that power cheaper then probably the other makes w/ the audi turbo + software

Mazdaspeed3 i dont care for the look of it but mazda is really come around making some good products, but i know quite a few guys who have had lots of issues w/ their boosted mazdas from tranny/motor issues.... so i'm not sure how stout that power plant is under lots of boost.

wrx = awd which is great and they have been known to make great power but i don't know how reliable they are... for as many as i have seen modded i've seen just as many for sale which can be good/bad

in the end i will always buy a euro over a japanese/american make, to me it is just a better product, call me a euro nazi i don't care i like my heated seats

[Kamikaze]

Still doesnt explain.. why im hatting....... Im speaking TRUTH based on EXPERIENCE. I have owned 2 MAZDA's... a 626 and a MX-3... BOTH PIECES OF SHIT. Maybe not enough to justify me saying they suck.. But enough based on personal experience.
My Brother used to own a 626... Piece of shit... My cousin used to Own a 626 piece of shit...

And I bet they were 4cyl automatics with the CD4E tranny which was designed and implemented by Ford, not Mazda.

And we wont even go into the RX7 shit... even though they are NICE Looking cars.. They suck.....

Exactly why I don't have one. It's not because of the car, it's the owners that don't know how to take care of them.

I never said VW's dont break down.. BUT BASED on PERSONAL experience, I havent had any issues with my AUDI and know a few people with VW's and AUDI and havent had any issues. But I'm Not saying it wont fuck up

Guess your luck is better than mine.

And BTW, Im willing to bet I give my AUDI more heat then your 626.. you probably got it to look "PRETTY" fuc* all that. .. because seriously, what else can you do with it.

That's one of the main reasons I have one. How often do you see a 626 that's been done up? I like being unique and not going with the crowd. You learn to appreciate the mods you do to your car because there aren't a million aftermarket companies making parts for your car.

But really, Who cares.. Theres plenty of Chevy, fords, Vw's, Hondas, Yotas and so on with that many miles so you are not saying nothing

You're not saying much either, buddy. Just giving your OPINION just like I am.

Lucky you own a Scion to pick up the slack when your 626 decides to blow a head gasket or tranny starts slipping if it hasnt already...

I doubt that will ever happen.

haha thats why a Got a Toyota also... just incase the Audi (VW) decides to take a crapper, so is ok man...

Hey it's all good. I don't get worked up over the int3rnetz.

[Kamikaze]

i have never understood people talking shit about cars they have never owned or have experience in... i've owned 5 VW, 3 hondohs, 3 fords, 1 benz, 1 saturn, etc... i never had any issues w/ any VW i've owned that wasn't minor and if i did have an issue it was due to trying to make more power or a possible recall for something minor... i can name people throughout atlanta who have had issues w/ every single make it doesn't matter what you drive.

I don't know if you were referring to me, but I have experience with Toyota/Scion, Nissan, Mazda, VW, Lincoln, Jeep, Hyundai, Cadillac, GMC, Chevy, and Honda/Acura. So yeah, I can talk about American, Japanese, and European cars.

And you're right. Every automaker has its problems which is why I don't understand how people can say a certain one sucks.

[4dmin]

I don't know if you were referring to me, but I have experience with Toyota/Scion, Nissan, Mazda, VW, Lincoln, Jeep, Hyundai, Cadillac, GMC, Chevy, and Honda/Acura. So yeah, I can talk about American, Japanese, and European cars.

And you're right. Every automaker has its problems which is why I don't understand how people can say a certain one sucks.

wow you do oil changes on all of those makes... unless your a VW tech or you have owned multiple i wouldn't call you a reputable source for that make; along w/ any other.

and out of all of the car makes you listed i would only own maybe 2 of what you have listed...

but there is a distinct difference in makes... if there wasn't we would all be drivng Aveo's, Accents, or any other 10k car anyone can make... i drive euro's b/c they look better, have torque, and have an excellent reputation for class/luxury.

[Kamikaze]

wow you do oil changes on all of those makes... unless your a VW tech or you have owned multiple i wouldn't call you a reputable source for that make; along w/ any other.

Never said I was an expert. I was just speaking from experience.

and out of all of the car makes you listed i would only own maybe 2 of what you have listed...

That's just awesome.

but there is a distinct difference in makes... if there wasn't we would all be drivng Aveo's, Accents, or any other 10k car anyone can make... i drive euro's b/c they look better, have torque, and have an excellent reputation for class/luxury.

Yeah but with proper maintenance, any car can be reliable (besides the occasional lemon that EVERY automaker produces).

[4dmin]

Never said I was an expert. I was just speaking from experience.



That's just awesome.



Yeah but with proper maintenance, any car can be reliable (besides the occasional lemon that EVERY automaker produces).

+25

[Julio]

And I bet they were 4cyl automatics with the CD4E tranny which was designed and implemented by Ford, not Mazda.



Exactly why I don't have one. It's not because of the car, it's the owners that don't know how to take care of them.



Guess your luck is better than mine.



That's one of the main reasons I have one. How often do you see a 626 that's been done up? I like being unique and not going with the crowd. You learn to appreciate the mods you do to your car because there aren't a million aftermarket companies making parts for your car.



You're not saying much either, buddy. Just giving your OPINION just like I am.



I doubt that will ever happen.



Hey it's all good. I don't get worked up over the int3rnetz.

My 626 was a 4 banger and the MX-3 was a V6.. GS.

4 cylinder or not, they sucked. Everyone always uses the excuse your using.. ahh.. trying ot be diffrent and blah blah.... If you want to be diffrent.. By an exotic or something that we dont see everyday....
I can get on cardomain and I bet I can find a few 626's

Be diffrent, thats cool.. but in my eyes.. The mazda "I" owned were junks... especially the 626...

And Im not saying much ? haha.. If im not saying much why you replying then?

But hey... Blame ford all you want......But I see more fords in the rodes then I do mazda with higher miles....... They might not be running that great.. but they are still going.......

[Kamikaze]

I can get on cardomain and I bet I can find a few 626's

Yeah I bet you could since they've been making them since 1979.

Be diffrent, thats cool.. but in my eyes.. The mazda "I" owned were junks... especially the 626...

Oh well. Maybe the car didn't like you lol.

And Im not saying much ? haha.. If im not saying much why you replying then?

I have nothing better to do so this helps pass the time.

But hey... Blame ford all you want......But I see more fords in the rodes then I do mazda with higher miles....... They might not be running that great.. but they are still going.......

Yeah I guess that would be the case considering for every 1 Mazda produced, there are like 20 Fords produced.

[Julio]

Yeah I bet you could since they've been making them since 1979.



Oh well. Maybe the car didn't like you lol.



I have nothing better to do so this helps pass the time.



Yeah I guess that would be the case considering for every 1 Mazda produced, there are like 20 Fords produced.

face it.

[IDCoconut]

Kill me now, but I'd get the Jetta. The new GLI's look great and would be a good car just to drive around in, and the power is not bad. I'm a German fan that like VW/Audi's and Porsches, so my opinion on them is very biased.

About the Mazda comments going on, it's really one's definition of "peice of shit." Anyone can call anything a peice of shit. Some people have a slight bit of problem and will automatically call it a peice of shit. I've owned a 94 Mazda B3000 (ford ranger) and a 92 B2200 (pre-ford). Both of these trucks were very reliable and depending on what you consider a "problem," to me these never had a big problem, and one was bagged. Proper maintenance is key in cars, but there are certain things an owner really cannot help.

I'm not taking anyone's side, but here's my opinion on total mileage. Total mileage relies mainly on owner maintenance. You really can't blame the manufacturer for some of these cars that just don't get maintained and break down. It's also how owners treat/drive their cars. You can't go zooming, redlining around everywhere with your 15,000mile old oil and not expect engine life/part failure chances to decrease.

[Kamikaze]

I'm not taking anyone's side, but here's my opinion on total mileage. Total mileage relies mainly on owner maintenance. You really can't blame the manufacturer for some of these cars that just don't get maintained and break down. It's also how owners treat/drive their cars. You can't go zooming, redlining around everywhere with your 15,000mile old oil and not expect engine life/part failure chances to decrease.

+1

[Dark.GEAR]

i wish everyone would STOP READING statistics that probably aren't very accurate and do some real research. Talk to owners who owns one, visit forums, something! I don't know too much about the cars listed but I can tell you one thing!

Mazdaspeed 3 has alot of power...maybe a little too much!
Motor mounts are snapping left and right with only a couple thousand miles on the cars. Don't believe me, go visit the forums or search google. So unless you plan on buying some aftermarket mounts or want to risk the chances don't get a MS3 just yet. Wait a year or 2 so they can address the issue and then make a decision! I would go with a MS3 if they ever resolve the issue.

[Doppelgänger]

Mini Cooper is a cute car... cute is the keyword it just isn't fast enough!

I find this very funny. I know manjority of the MINI S owners are older and less likely to 'get into it' on the streets, and i garuntee you that ver FEW people on this board have had personal expirence with one. I find them to be quite fast for sure. I've had Jenn's S up to about 140 and it was still pulling. I guess its because its not been a "tuner" make for a long time that no one really looks at these cars like Honduhs and Nissans. Not to mention that i out ran a group of cars on a mtn run including a E46 M3 that was getting the shit beat out of it trying to keep up.

[Julio]

I find this very funny. I know manjority of the MINI S owners are older and less likely to 'get into it' on the streets, and i garuntee you that ver FEW people on this board have had personal expirence with one. I find them to be quite fast for sure. I've had Jenn's S up to about 140 and it was still pulling. I guess its because its not been a "tuner" make for a long time that no one really looks at these cars like Honduhs and Nissans. Not to mention that i out ran a group of cars on a mtn run including a E46 M3 that was getting the shit beat out of it trying to keep up.

People look more at these factors now a days...
What car makes more power w/ less money? What car gets/has more aftermarket support? What cars are easier to mod.. etc etc
I think thats what people look at the most. I think thats why It hasnt been in out there as much...


Bottom line is.. any car has potential... question is .. HOW MUCH MONEY YOU WANT TO SPEND...

and thats where we get burnt... hahahahaha

I dont know how much power You girls MINI has.. But I drove one with like 160hp and like 180 tq.. shit was nuts.. .. He had the a built motor in that shit.. old school Mini.... I can only imagine how much fun a 200hp+ one would be...

[Julio]

i wish everyone would STOP READING statistics that probably aren't very accurate and do some real research. Talk to owners who owns one, visit forums, something! I don't know too much about the cars listed but I can tell you one thing!

Mazdaspeed 3 has alot of power...maybe a little too much!
Motor mounts are snapping left and right with only a couple thousand miles on the cars. Don't believe me, go visit the forums or search google. So unless you plan on buying some aftermarket mounts or want to risk the chances don't get a MS3 just yet. Wait a year or 2 so they can address the issue and then make a decision! I would go with a MS3 if they ever resolve the issue.

we were talking about older mazda really..... and some of us did owned / own older mazda's.

[JennB]

People look more at these factors now a days...
What car makes more power w/ less money? What car gets/has more aftermarket support? What cars are easier to mod.. etc etc
I think thats what people look at the most. I think thats why It hasnt been in out there as much...


Bottom line is.. any car has potential... question is .. HOW MUCH MONEY YOU WANT TO SPEND...

and thats where we get burnt... hahahahaha

I dont know how much power You girls MINI has.. But I drove one with like 160hp and like 180 tq.. shit was nuts.. .. He had the a built motor in that shit.. old school Mini.... I can only imagine how much fun a 200hp+ one would be...

It's right at 200HP at the crank and costs a whole lot less than you think to get there. A pulley upgrade and intake and there you are. Upgrading the pulley on this car made it feel amazingly stronger than stock. I have suspension mods, exterior styling, all kinds of things done to it. 200HP fells really nice in a car that light. Of course to go higher now is where the expense starts... I want an exhaust but they start at about $850. Of course a shop could make a custom one for less, I know a lot of people who have done that. There are tons of mods out there for the 2006 (my year) and older cars... there are even a few 400HP+ ones. The 07's have just about nothing available for them right now.

I'm currently contemplating keeping it and going faster or selling it and getting something cheaper that I can play with a lot more.

So to the orignal poster, if you want to buy one thats already modded... heeheh

[Vteckidd]

all the cars on that list suck.

Mini Cooper-No thanks, cute car, not a bad daily, but def not a performance machine
MazdaSpeed3- Hasnt been out long enough for me to thinkk it will not break.
VW- its German, FUCK NO
Subaru-the only car i would buy in this list, but they are a pain in the ass to work on, boxer motors dont excite me. I do think they are great cars, but expensive and hard to work on.

If i had to buy a brand new car, im sorry, it would be a Pontiac GTO with the LS2.

[oasis0124]

u left out rsx type s

[iloveboost]

I'd get the Subaru out of that list. For that money, I'd get a used STi.

All of the other options are girl cars.

[koukis14]

Car and Driver recently tested the Mazda Speed3, the Mazda engineers told them to flat foot shift it to ge the best times. This is shifting without lifting off the gas. They did this...for weeks, and the car never had one problem.

[bomjoon]

get you a new evo 9 rs for 27k
evo> wrx> 3> mini> crap(VW).
end of discussion.

evo beats all in everyway. well all but price but sine you are looking for the below 29k range id go for the evo.

[bomjoon]

oh sorry about the "crap(vw)" make that ..... "(vw)audi wanna be".

[blackshine007]

I heard that the new '07 mini's are harder to make fast. Looking at the room under the hood, I see their point. I think the easiest thing to replace would by far be the Front O2 sensor on top of the downpipe on the S models. And the spark plugs would be a close second.That's about it.

I buy cars that are easier to work on. Then I go on looks. Don't get me wrong, I love my Mazda's, especially the 626 (hell, I own one now) but I flat out refuse to even co-own the 626 & MX6 (Ford Probe included) 4 banger atx. Any year, take your pick. That Ford Trans is for a lack of words, garbage. I'm trying my best to come up with better ways to make it more reliable, but honestly, I can't. Any other model, I'll own. I've owned 3 626's (2 4banger, 5 speed's, first died at 179k courtesy of a tree, the next at 255k thanx to my lil sis) And aside from sceduled maintenence, I had no problem out of any of them. Truth be known, I'll have another one in about a month or so, 626 ES V6 atx fully loaded.

I'm not knocking anyone on their preference of vehicles, that's all fine and dandy. You buy it as an expression of how you view your self. In one person's eyes, a car is viewed as ugly, crappy and/or the biggest piece of shit alive. But to another person, it either means "hidden treasure" or only means of transportation til they get enough to buy the car they wanted. I view my car as a hidden treasure. It satifies me. If you don't like my car, don't look at it. If I don't like yours, I won't look at yours. That's what make me happy.

And on a final note, I work on cars for a living, and I could count on 1 hand the vehicles that chrysler has built that I would consider working on. And some of the newer ones are not on that list. Neons are cool cars, but I refuse to do a timing belt on one. Hell, any car with that 2.0L or 2.4L DOHC I will flat out NOT TOUCH! What where they thinking when they designed the cars? Well, the Caravan with that 2.4L isn't that bad, but that's the exception. Some of the VW's are a PITA as well. Any car that requires the whole front end to come off just for a timing belt & water pump was shot off my list of ownership right from the beginning. Any A4/ Passat owners here? Also, VW parts are a bit on the pricey side. but other than that, easier to work on than the Chryslers. I could go on and on........... Damn, I forgot my point.......

[blackshine007]

Oh yeah, I was summarizing the vehicles in question......

The Subaru's are nice. I won't say that they're hard to work on, just there's a trick to working on them. Very nice layout in the engine bay. I'm not too hooked on having to disconnect the engine mounts to do a tune up (DOHC engines), but they're simple cars. The alternator, A/C and P/S pumps sit right on top. I've owned 4 subaru's total and the old ones are tough, hands down. I like the fact that with the old ones, that you could change the oil pump with an oil change in 15 minutes. Spark plugs on top, Hell, even the spare tire under the hood! The engines were light enough that you and a buddy could (without the "cherry picker") take the engine out and set it on the ground. I'd own a subaru now, but parts for this side of the country have to be ordered and takes longer than usual. Truth be known, if parts were more widespread, I'd be in a '94 or '95 Legacy 2.5GT wagon. So my next best bet was the Mazda...... been hooked since.

BTW, I picked the MS3, Those are fun cars to drive with a solid engine. I've driven the VW GLI, and was quite impressed. But like I mentioned, parts and price.

[C.A.T.A.P]

Yo I have a mazda speed 3 and I love it so much!!!!!!!! That is the car to go with. You can do so much with it plus it gets great gas miles in the city and highway.

[Brown Man]

vDUB all the way...no, sorry, i would go with the wrx

[atlxpat]

i like my wrx, only bad thing is the gas mileage, i'd be on the ms3 bandwagon if it were awd or rwd. subarus are very reliable if you treat it with respect, vw and mini would be rather expensive for parts and service compared to ms3 and wrx.
have you considered a gti or civic si?

[4dmin]

wow diggin up an old thread....

oh sorry about the "crap(vw)" make that ..... "(vw)audi wanna be".

this is the dumbest statement ever... so i guess audi is a bentley wanna be which is a lambo wanna be which is a bugatti wanna be??? oh ya they are all vw ID10t!

euro crap atleast VW actually has exotic lines