Ongoing General Automotive Thread 2.0

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Trick rear differentials can mask the transverse layout.

I think they are for sure an improvement and more fun, they still are a long way off from an actual RWD car or a rear biased AWD car with the same torque vectoring rear diff.

[TorqueDog]

So … some time ago, I said this:

Originally Posted by TorqueDog

This is one of the big reasons I let my E550 go. With its power, it was ungodly quick, quicker than any 4,200 lb. car had any business being. But for all that power and noise, there was part of it that left me woefully unsatisfied. It all came too easily, carpet the accelerator pedal coming out of the apex of a ramp, “oh look, I’m doing 160 again, best slow it down, -yawn-”.

The E550 tuned to 550hp/750ft-lbs as a “fun sports tourer” definitely didn’t quite satisfy my tastes for a proper sports car which is far more engaging, and — because of it — I’ve since been of the opinion that there is definitely such a thing as too much power to enjoy… to say nothing of how that power is delivered (NA or S/C FTW).

I feel like that now needs some extra qualification, because I think the weight and intended use of a vehicle should factor into that statement. Adding a ton of torque, especially to a large, luxurious barge of a vehicle allows you to whoosh up to speed without too much drama and noise, and gives a very nice experience on the road. Unlike a sports car, you’re not generally getting into the upper RPMs except where you’re passing on the highway.

… All of this is to excuse the fact that I’ve just tuned the RR to 660 horsepower and 639 ft-lbs of torque from its stock 503hp/461ft-lbs with a combination of upper and lower supercharger pulleys and an ECU tune from VelocityAP. Oops.

[Otto-matic]

Need a new compact SUV, Been looking at the Nissan Kicks. Anyone have any opinions on it?

[TorqueDog]

Not Nissan, for the love of god. They have been phoning it in for a decade now.

Some more pointed critique:
- It uses a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). The amount of maintenance they require versus a normal automatic found in most other cars is much higher -- like $800 for a transmission service every 30,000 KM -- and you will want to do it, because Nissan's CVTs in particular have a woeful reputation for being unreliable... and when they break, hoo-boy do they break. CVTs in cars are also not really very enjoyable to drive, and because they find a sweet spot in the engine's RPM for the amount of throttle and stick with it, they can tend to drone during acceleration.
- If you're buying a brand new 2024 model year, you might luck out and get the 125 horsepower engine which is the most they came with. For 2025 models, you get 139 horsepower, in a car that weighs 500-700 lbs more than its predecessor.

I would strongly suggest looking elsewhere.

[photon]

The HRV is nice but I really hate the look. I liked the CX-30 quite a bit (and the CX-5), if it was my choice I probably would have got that. The Corolla Cross was ok but suffered from the same blandness as the Honda. The Kia Niro has a plugin hybrid version, and my niece just got a Hyundai Kona she really likes.

My wife ended up getting a Buick Encore GX. Was the perfect size for her and their 2024 update they look pretty decent as well. The Envista is even better looking IMO, looks way more expensive than it is, but didn't come in AWD so she went with the Encore.

The VW Taos was probably her second choice but it was quite a bit more $$.

[Hemi-Cuda]

I'd go with one of the Mazda's as well. If you can afford it the turbo engine variants have 250hp and are ridiculously fun to drive, plus their interiors are easily best in class

[Locke]

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

When doing that, perfect time to make sure your blinker fluid is also topped up.

Originally Posted by btimbit

Only if you use synthetic

I also get the optional 'egg in the radiator' but they tell me its good for longevity!

[TorqueDog]

Absolutely, Mazda has to be part of the conversation; everything they're doing these days is just so good, and it's criminal that they're routinely selling behind Toyota, Honda, and (especially) Nissan.

Mazda CX-30 is probably 'the' one to look at if comparing to the Kicks, and -- pardon the pun -- it kicks the crap out of the Nissan. A nicer interior, fantastic amount of equipment as standard on even the ~$29,000 base model including a reasonable amount of power, AWD, and no worry of awful CVT transmissions. Mazda produces their own home-grown SkyActiv 6-speed automatic transmissions developed in tandem with their SkyActiv engines, something Mazda is particularly proud of. Once you've gotten to drive one versus its competitors, you'll see it's for good reason.


Buick is worth a look, though my misgivings about the Nissan Kicks are also present in the otherwise very attractive Envista; a CVT and only 137 horsepower. ~99.7 horsepower per tonne, even lower than the 2025 Kicks' 102.6 hp/tonne. Who knows how reliable the Buick's CVT is, but maintenance and repairability are still ultimately concerns due to the very nature of CVTs.

I would look at the Encore GX, but only if you can spring for the AWD model. Even though it's only 2 more HP/tonne than the 2025 Kicks, how it'll deliver that power with a proper 9-speed automatic gearbox will make the drive more enjoyable.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by TorqueDog

Absolutely, Mazda has to be part of the conversation; everything they're doing these days is just so good, and it's criminal that they're routinely selling behind Toyota, Honda, and (especially) Nissan.

I'm guessing it's mostly brand recognition from the 90's and 2000's. Toyota, Honda, and Nissan were the gold standards in those decades, and Mazdas were ugly and unreliable for the most part. The RX-7 and Miata were the only cars they had going for them for a long time until they came out with the first Mazda 3 in 2004, which was the first compact sedan that actually looked cool instead of just functional. Then it took until the mid-2010's before they started releasing stuff in the compact SUV/crossover market, and it wasn't until 2019 that those became really good with the interior updates and new engines. Hopefully they start to see an increase in sales now that they have great cars in every class, I've definitely started noticing an increase in the number I've seen on the roads while driving. Even though it would never happen I'd love for them to bring the Mazda 6 wagon from Europe to North America, it looks gorgeous

[photon]

Originally Posted by TorqueDog

I would look at the Encore GX, but only if you can spring for the AWD model. Even though it's only 2 more HP/tonne than the 2025 Kicks, how it'll deliver that power with a proper 9-speed automatic gearbox will make the drive more enjoyable.

I am honestly a little shocked at how well the Encore GX drives, that 9 speed really does help get the most out of the little engine. It of course isn't fast by any means, but it does feel a bit zippy.. compared to her old Civic which I hated driving because I felt like I was driving through molasses all the time.

[Ashasx]

I think the Crosstrek is the best subcompact right now. Having just gone through the process of looking at new vehicles for my partner, the Crosstrek had the best build/impression of quality, ride comfort, and cost relative to the competition.

It's funny because although I've had a positive impression of Subaru, I've always known them to be absolute rattle boxes with a ton of road and engine noise in the cabin. Now after having owned this vehicle for a few months, it's been unbelievably comfortable to drive, soft suspension without being floaty, and a quiet, rattle-free interior.

We looked at a lot of other vehicles, including the CX30, Trailblazer, HRV, Corolla Cross, Taos, among others. The quality of the fabrics and touchpoints in those vehicles did not compare to the Crosstrek.

I currently own a 2021 Mazda 3 which I've had for almost 3 years now and all you have to do is look at it and the thing rattles. I've diagnosed and corrected many of the problems myself but almost every month I find a new one and it's gotten tiresome. My impression of Mazda's fit and finish has taken a big hit since I've taken ownership, which is surprising. A lot of people of the Mazda forums have similar issues.

The biggest weakness of the Crosstrek is the transmission, but most of the competition also has CVTs. Subaru has tuned it pretty well and you don't notice it 99% of the time if you are going to drive the Crosstrek like a Crosstrek. At the same time, the worst part of my Mazda 3 (besides the rattles) is the 6 speed - and the CX30 is essentially a lifted Mazda 3 with 10 inches of black cladding.

I would test drive them all in person because after having driven them all, the choice was pretty clear. The engine in the CX30 is great and is the primary reason to own the vehicle. If that's not important to you, I don't think there's really much else to consider.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Can't you get a manual crosstrsk?

[Ashasx]

Subaru removed the manual in this latest generation

[Winsor_Pilates]

Everytime I come across a terrible driver, it's a Subaru.
I've developed an unfair dislike for the cars just due to the people driving them.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Everytime I come across a terrible driver, it's a Subaru.
I've developed an unfair dislike for the cars just due to the people driving them.

I don't have that impression, but I will say they are the most law-abiding drivers out there. They don't speed and they pretty much stick to the right lane. No complaints about Subaru drivers from me. Pretty NPC.

[Fuzz]

Probably a Vancouver thing.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Everytime I come across a terrible driver, it's a Subaru BMW.
I've developed an unfair dislike for the cars just due to the people driving them.

That's better

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

When I was in SLC last year it was amazing the number of Subarus in that town. Just everywhere. Snowbird resort even has a dedicated parking lot specifically for Subaru drivers.

[Brendone]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

When I was in SLC last year it was amazing the number of Subarus in that town. Just everywhere. Snowbird resort even has a dedicated parking lot specifically for Subaru drivers.

Montana, Idaho, Utah region seems to have a massive Subaru population.

[gallione11]

Oregon as well. Go to any trailhead and Subarus are often 50%+ of the cars in the lot. I'm in the can't stand them group as well.