LikeEmFast Member 56 Member For: 18y 10m 16d Location: Dapto Posted 28/02/08 11:06 AM Share Posted 28/02/08 11:06 AM Well I sold my XR6T a few weeks back (finally) at a huge loss ($20,000 devaluation in 24 months) and have been spending a few weeks deciding what car to get. Tried all the hot hatches and my impressions are as follows.Mazda3 MPS: Great little performance car if you are only after speed and don't mind torque steer. The interior leaves much to be desired and the seats even dug into my ribs. Not supported, just dug. I hated the steering wheel which looks like a standard cheapo Mazda 3 unit just wrapped in leather. Expensive Daewoo Astra HSV VX-R: Beautiful looking car and performance to boot. Again it has major torque steer problems. The das is shocking as I couldn't read the important Aussie speed numbers. It is done for Europe with big 40, 80 and 120. I had to lean forward and squint to see if I was doing the speed limit. Honda Civic Type-R. Love the space ship look and the trendy interior. Dash sets whole new standards in quality. Sounds like a formula 1 car in minature. But not a good everyday car as you get sick of the sound after a short while. Subaru WRX. I almost bought it as I got offered a great deal on one. Factory Leather, Tinted Windows, $5K in aftermarket wheels, Factory suspension upgrade, Factory sat-nav and more. Retail of $52,900. Had them down to $45,000 today. No denying it is a really nice car.I hadn't even considered the XR5 after diong my arse on my 3rd Falcon...until yesterday. I found an Electric Orange one for sale locally and it was a great drive. It was an 06 with 21K on the clock and no options. Had the dealer down to $32K. Drove it, loved it. Say no more. Well except that cruise control issue. But I have found where to get the aftermarket one fitted. Today I looked on carpoint and lo and behold I found even better. A dealer in Parramatta had one that was an 07/07 build with 09/07 compliance. First registered 10/07. The owner bought it and couldn't afford it 3 months later so they sold it back to the dealer. It is Electric Blue with factory leather, reverse park sensors, factory mats and like brand new with only 1500kms on the clock The dealer wanted $36,990 for it. Initially they thought it was a 01/07 build so I offered $34,000 for it. They came back with $35,000. I also said I wanted weather shields, bonnet and headlight protectors and an electric sunroof. A deal was finally struck for $37,300 with all of the above. I drove to sydney for a look and to my suprise we checked the build plate and I got an LT, not an LS :DHere are some dealer pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ENVY-T CNUTOX Donating Members 3,098 Member For: 21y 11m 18d Gender: Male Location: Not sure? Posted 28/02/08 11:11 AM Share Posted 28/02/08 11:11 AM Very nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EZ2CME Formerly XR6NA Member 3,512 Member For: 19y 23d Gender: Male Location: Brisbane Posted 28/02/08 11:16 AM Share Posted 28/02/08 11:16 AM Nice one mate. Whats the performance like compared to the T? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbjunior99 Member 4,359 Member For: 22y Gender: Male Location: Brisbane Posted 28/02/08 11:17 AM Share Posted 28/02/08 11:17 AM Very nice mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LikeEmFast Member 56 Member For: 18y 10m 16d Location: Dapto Posted 28/02/08 11:30 AM Author Share Posted 28/02/08 11:30 AM Nice one mate. Whats the performance like compared to the T?It isn't as fast as the T in a straight line but I live near Macquarie Pass and other fun type roads. I like corners and so does the 5.Have to love the sound of it to. So well thought out to get it sounding so sweet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XtRmn8 570Nm @1800rpm Donating Members 2,441 Member For: 21y 3m 2d Gender: Male Location: Perth, WA Posted 28/02/08 02:39 PM Share Posted 28/02/08 02:39 PM Looks very nice I drove to sydney for a look and to my suprise we checked the build plate and I got an LT, not an LS :DIndicators on rear view mirrors are also a give away, they did not have them on the LS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HellionXR6T I'm Back!! Thats right, long over due! :) Lifetime Members 4,348 Member For: 22y 1m 19d Gender: Male Location: West Brisbane Posted 03/03/08 01:37 AM Share Posted 03/03/08 01:37 AM Very nice indeed LikeEmFastI have been looking at a speedy compact (as there is no room for a Falcon at the new place and, hmm, never again TBH.The XR5 was high on my list and yeah, love em to death.Was surprised to hear a few people actually comment on the torque steer of the Mazda MPSMazda3 MPS: Great little performance car if you are only after speed and don't mind torque steer. The interior leaves much to be desired and the seats even dug into my ribs. Not supported, just dug. I hated the steering wheel which looks like a standard cheapo Mazda 3 unit just wrapped in leather.I actually found the opposite...Interior of the MPS slightly nicer then the XR5 and thought the XR5 lacked in the eye candy department, (it was the cloth version though in both cases). Torque steer? found the MPS just as agile as the XR5, however the Focus probably did have the edge in handling, the MPS however seemed to have a lot more punch and the 6 speed an absolute pleasure to drive. Did not like the feel of the clutch in the XR5 and took a bit to get used to.Both are fantastic cars though. It looks unreal, have fun and love every moment driving your new pride n joy, it looks great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobrav8 Member 1,969 Member For: 19y 9m Gender: Male Location: New Zealand Posted 03/03/08 03:46 AM Share Posted 03/03/08 03:46 AM For people looking for a smaller car - we just purchased my wife a second hand Mini Cooper S. (Electric Blue, Black roof and bonnet stripes).They are a great little car - no huge space in back seats or boot, but if you dont need that -great fun.They are surprislingly fast (1600 supercharged on ours, newer ones are Turbo).It would be the best handling standard car I have ever driven. Like a big go-kart with traction control and ABS.They are just a bit different - big weird central speedo - tacho in a pod on steering column etc. The build quality is not as good as BMW, but heaps better than Falcon plastics etc.Driving her mini is a similar feeling to driving my edited Falcon. I know it isnt as quick, but just about the same fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LikeEmFast Member 56 Member For: 18y 10m 16d Location: Dapto Posted 03/03/08 09:15 AM Author Share Posted 03/03/08 09:15 AM Funnily enough I was originally looking for a Mini. Even hada nice one lined up in Melbourne with all the extras I wanted. Was hard to find one with Chrono Gauges, Chili Pack, Sunroof and Harmon Karmon Stereo system. I have to agree they are a great little fun go kart type exprience. Only thing that finally turned me away from them was the limited back seat room. Even though my kids are only 11 and 9 I really didn't feel like having to get out to let them out etc etc. Also I like the Focus as I can still transport the family and if we decide to go away (as we do often) we are not confined to taking the wifes station wagon all the time. The Mini was definately limited in that area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LikeEmFast Member 56 Member For: 18y 10m 16d Location: Dapto Posted 03/03/08 09:21 AM Author Share Posted 03/03/08 09:21 AM I actually found the opposite...Interior of the MPS slightly nicer then the XR5 and thought the XR5 lacked in the eye candy department, (it was the cloth version though in both cases).If it wasn't for the steering wheel and the fact the seats just didn't suit me in particular I may have bought one. In my case the leather recaros in the Focus are really comfortable, but for some reason the Mazda ones just dug into my ribs badly in 2 spots.As for the steering wheel Mazda really should have done better in a car costing $40K. A lot of it was economics as well. If I was to have bought the Mazda it would have only cost $2500 less than the WRX deal I had lined up. If it came to that the WRX was the winner every time. At a lot less money I am happy with what I found . On aother day another car may have been the best deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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