Mazda, The Most Badass Company Ever?

"-Amateur" (amateur) 10/10/2013 at 13:28 • Filed to: None

16

91

If the answer is always Miata, Insto-Facto, the answer is always Mazda. You know for it to be true. Building RWD roadsters and rotaries, what's not to love?

Mazda builds cars to satisfy the enthusiast. There aren't very many of us left in today's world but Mazda doesn't care if there's just one of us left. Truth be told, Mazda has been losing money the past 5 years, only to finally come back in the black this year. They spent alot of money, single-handily researching and creating the super efficient Sky-Activ engines that nearly ruined them financially.

Even when creating the Mazda 6, they benchmarked it against the likes of a BMW 3 series, Audi A4, and the VW Passat! Mazda also looked at the lesser beings such as the Altima, Camry and Fusion but Mazda wouldn't let their engineers drive it because, "Your senses get dull." If that's not awesome, I don't know what is...except maybe !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

The Miata was unveiled at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show, aimed squarely at the enthusiast. And guess what? It still has a large following that can't get enough of it. There is no other car in the market that can equal the Miata in terms of bang for the buck fun and pure driving bliss. I've borrowed someone's Miata and autocrossed it once...At that moment, all my worries, thoughts, and emotions went out the window. I was living in the moment and it felt great!

When Mazda was developing the FC RX-7, they were aiming at building a car that would surpass Porsche, "The perfect sports car that exists within everyone's heart- a sports car for a liberated adult." With the FD, they wanted, "Beauty within the Beast." The RX-8 was canned but Mazda has made it clear that their intention is to bring the rotary back.

Mazda also won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1991. To this day, Mazda is the only Japanese Manufacturer to ever win at Le Mans.

Mazda also makes some badass working concepts. Remember the Furai when it still walked the earth?

Even their small econo sub-compact Mazda 2 was given the sporty treatment. Engineers tried to trim fat everywhere they can, leading to a weight loss of over 200 lbs compared to the previous generation sold overseas. Mazda's sportiness knows no bounds, hell, Mazda could probably make a semi feel like a GT3 racecar if they wanted to.

Tom McParland > -Amateur 10/10/2013 at 13:33

5

My one criticism of Mazda is that some of their mainstream offerings are just a tad under-powered. Take for example the new 6, it looks great it has wonderful handling but it really should be quicker. The Accord Sport 6MT smokes it to 60 by a good margin. I am sure they could squeeze another 15-20hp out of the 2.5 mill. I understand that in the 4cyl mid-size sedan market it is all about the MPG wars and not 0-60 times. But this is Mazda...Zoom-Zoom remember?

Meatcoma > -Amateur 10/10/2013 at 13:37

3

Ipso-facto* shhhhh, I'm sure everyone will get your drift.

FrankenBlaster > -Amateur 10/10/2013 at 13:38

1

I never really thought of myself as a Mazda fan boy until I realized it about a year ago. Even before I was a gearhead, I loved the sector of the market the Miata filled, and was always amazed at the lines on the FD rx-7. Then, as I learned more about cars, I realized how daring it was to slap that rotary into daily drivers. It wasn't until I was searching to buy my first car and seeing that the Mazdaspeed3 was the perfect car for the exact price and amount of power that I wanted, that I realized Mazdas are cars that I'll likely be driving the rest of my life.

RotaryLover > -Amateur 10/10/2013 at 13:39

1

And this is why I own an 1988 RX7 FC, an 2010 Mazda 3 and a 1997 Mazda Miata and sometime walk with a Mazda polo. Now the only complaint I have is paint and the metal they use. If it had good rust proofing from the start, I bet a lot more people would buy them in regions that gets snow and salt.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Tom McParland 10/10/2013 at 13:39

2

Adding to that, while their cars are generally the best to drive in any given segment, they also still refuse to pair a manual with anything other than the penalty-box base models as well.

Mazda,

Why you no Manuel Transmission with options???

Milky > -Amateur 10/10/2013 at 13:39

10

"Mazda, The Coolest Company Ever?"

Is something I could agree with, however I do not relate badass with Mazda.

Grindintosecond > -Amateur 10/10/2013 at 13:39

1

I'd like to see a rwd pocket hatch sedan again...MX-3 anyone? The rx3 or rx4 was cool. Some sort of fastback hardtop miata GTO would rock my world. And they seriously need a speed2.

Tom McParland > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 10/10/2013 at 13:40

3

I believer you can now spec a 6 Touring with a 6MT

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > Tom McParland 10/10/2013 at 13:42

0

Ehh, power usually isn't everything. As long as it gets up and goes like stink is fine by me.

Plus, that engine LOVES to be winded up.

William Byrd > -Amateur 10/10/2013 at 13:43

2

I'm not sure "badass" is the right terminology. The Miata certainly, as awesome as it is, does not give off that sort of vibe. Even the FD RX-7 was more of a subtle, curvacious offering, compared to other cars of the era that may have been a bit more "badass".

And yeah the race car (amazing) and concept car (conceptually amazing) are pretty badass, the subcompact maybe not so much. :)

I think I'm hung up on the terminology. Although you could construe the definition Google has to validate it!

Tom McParland > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura 10/10/2013 at 13:43

0

That is the problem it doesn't go like stink. I've driven the new 6 with a manual...it doesn't need a 100 more hp (though I wouldn't complain) but another 30 would be just about perfect.

RidgeFish > -Amateur 10/10/2013 at 13:44

0

I feel like there was more zoom-zoom in their past and they have lost their way a bit recently. Looking over their current lineup I see one RWD car, and one sport-oriented hatchback which is in its last year. This is disappointing. And if the rumors are true then the next gen Mazdaspeed3 will be NA and 200hp, which imo is a huge downgrade from the turbocharged 2008 Speed3 I own now. I want to see a next generation RWD sport coupe (rotary or otherwise), I want to see the miata live on, I want LSDs standard, and 6spd transmissions, and low weight! They need to earn their zoom-zoom back, right now its too much marketing and not enough mojo.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > Tom McParland 10/10/2013 at 13:45

0

It should be the other way around. I don't see why something AS asinine as a Camry needs, what, more HP than the 6.

EL_ULY > -Amateur 10/10/2013 at 13:46

0

they are okay, were better in the past. Mazda 6 will never be a BMW 3 series competitor lol

CKeffer > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 10/10/2013 at 13:52

0

You can get the new 6 with a manual in the mid-level trim and it has a good number of nice options, the Mazdaspeed 3 only comes in manual, the MX-5 can be had in any trim with a stick, the new 3 can be had in top level interior trim (albeit with the smaller engine) with all 3 pedals. So, how is it again that manuals are only available in the "penalty box" base models?

William Byrd > -Amateur 10/10/2013 at 13:54

5

I had a whole post going about how I think Ford is the "most badass" company right now. Started with the 200mph GT500, Boss 302, Fusion, Focus and Fiesta STs. And Raptor. But Kinja informed me that there were "some errors" while saving and that I should try again. It wouldn't work.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > -Amateur 10/10/2013 at 13:55

2

Most Badass title belongs to Duesenberg. They did nothing that wasn't Badass. Drivetrain and chassis only, if you wanted a body, you took it somewhere else.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Tom McParland 10/10/2013 at 13:55

1

Indeed you can!

*humming as though saying an incantation* zooooom zoooooom

BrtStlnd > -Amateur 10/10/2013 at 13:58

5

So, do you work for Mazda or are you a contractually hired PR person? I've disagreed many times with other commenters over the Rotary. It's a really cool concept but a shitty engine for public consumption. Weak, low torque, inefficient and very unreliable.

With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username > -Amateur 10/10/2013 at 13:58

0

Does anyone know if some third party picked up on the awesomeness of that cloth spyder top and started making them for sale?

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > CKeffer 10/10/2013 at 13:58

0

I said generally, not always.

And, if they really catered to enthusiasts we could get the manual with the larger engine options.

Until every trim/engine combo can be had with a manual, they are still not bowing to our demands.

Robert Maxwell > Grindintosecond 10/10/2013 at 13:58

2

MX-3 was FWD.......

Grindintosecond > Robert Maxwell 10/10/2013 at 14:01

1

crap....i wasn't thinking about that. I was thinking of a rwd hatch version of a miata...in the vein of the RX-3 and RX-4...MX-3 came out without thinking that it was already made and....that car. MX-4 then...

Volvosaurus-Rex > BrtStlnd 10/10/2013 at 14:04

22

Basically the definition of "perfect enthusiast engine"

Volvosaurus-Rex > EL_ULY 10/10/2013 at 14:06

1

And they aren't trying to be. If you are trying to build a sedan under the banner of a car company with sporting intentions, wouldn't the "Ultimate Driving Machine" be a good thing to benchmark though?

EL_ULY > Volvosaurus-Rex 10/10/2013 at 14:11

0

yeah i know, it was a respond the the author. In the article Mr -Amature wrote "they benchmarked it against the likes of a BMW3 series, Audi A4, and VW Passat! Mazda also looked at the lesser beings such as the Altima, Camry and Fusion but Mazda wouldn't let their engineers drive it because, "Your senses get dull." " Not sure if that's 100% true. I see what your are saying and good for Mazda to go for it :] It's just that the whole paragraph sounds odd and too simplified with personal thoughts.

BrtStlnd > Volvosaurus-Rex 10/10/2013 at 14:13

0

Wha? Not sure if you're mocking enthusiasts or disagreeing with me.

Gamecat235 > BrtStlnd 10/10/2013 at 14:16

1

Wankel's will rise again, likely as gasoline engine component's in a hybrid range extender format. The lack of vibration, smaller size, and a simple output lend itself to collecting energy from a gasoline powered source to feed an electric drive system.

Pretty much all generations of the RX7 were nearly perfect for wankels, as they were very light, and used that to their advantage (there were exceptions), and for short term use, the 787B proved that managing fuel management along with power could yield exceptional results when tuned for a specific purpose.

Current safety requirements and increasing weight for vehicles makes them less and less desirable for modern vehicle applications.

waymoe > BrtStlnd 10/10/2013 at 14:17

5

It is good for enthusiasts because it will cost lots of money to always be fixing and they like not having money. You could say they are enthusiastic about being poor.

Ex. President Mack41 > Volvosaurus-Rex 10/10/2013 at 14:17

0

Stop. I love the rotary but calling it the perfect enthusiasts engine because it sorta sucks is retarded.

CKeffer > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 10/10/2013 at 14:19

1

Lol, I think that probably boils down to economics more than anything else. Manuals don't sell well here in the US so I'm just glad they offer them at all. Actually, I think they may be second only to MINI in % of models offered in Manual here in the US....though they may be tied with Porsche there, I'm not completely sure but that's also getting way out of the price range there.

Ex. President Mack41 > -Amateur 10/10/2013 at 14:23

0

I love Mazda and own a Miata but they are not a badass company. They advertise a cute fun image and used to make a ton of cars to back that up. They get a disproportionate amount of love here that borders on rampant fanboyism. It's not wrong to love something that is faulted but open your eyes to the problems

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > CKeffer 10/10/2013 at 14:26

1

I know it's all economics.

Damn the bean-counters!

MANUAL ALL THE TRANSMISSIONS!!!

Ex. President Mack41 > Gamecat235 10/10/2013 at 14:26

2

It pains me to admit it but even though the rotary was perfect in the RX7 it is a much much better car with an LS block, granted I consider that sacrilege. It won't be a hybrid companion with such high inefficiencies while normal gas and diesel engines have much more to offer. Mazda could have gone wankel with their hybrid skyactiv but chose diesel

BrtStlnd > Gamecat235 10/10/2013 at 14:27

0

That.... is not going to happen. It's a decent race engine, but I'd rather drive a Nissan Leaf than a car with a Rotary.

Gamecat235 > Ex. President Mack41 10/10/2013 at 14:30

0

Sure. And I agree, but you're turning a drivers car into a race/track car at that point (more power than needed for car / purpose). I am not sure I agree with your opinion re: range extenders. I think for long term use for certain applications, the simple harmonics of a rotary, combined with size and simple output shafts will see them pop up from time to time in this application.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Tom McParland 10/10/2013 at 14:30

2

As much as I'd like to see a little more power in their models across the line, they've chosen to always have better brakes and handling than their cars' engines can overcome. There are plenty of cars where the opposite is true.

I also think it just comes down to their ethos, as well. Power is great, but balance is better.

Gamecat235 > BrtStlnd 10/10/2013 at 14:31

1

THIS JUST IN, BURT WANTS A NISSAN LEAF.

=)

Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger > -Amateur 10/10/2013 at 14:31

1

*puts on flame suit

I think Mazda got lucky in their 1991 Le Mans win. Major changes to the rules, very few privateer racers because of the 3.5L rule, Porsche racing a 7 year old model, Mercedes running old cars because they didn't have development time for a new motor. Jag got lucky with their F1 derived motor. The following year Mazda was running a Judd V10.

Ex. President Mack41 > Gamecat235 10/10/2013 at 14:33

1

Pop up from time to time =/= rise again. Do I see a future where Mazda throws a rotary hybrid in an RX successor? Yes. Beyond that model? A company besides Mazda? No.

offroadkarter > -Amateur 10/10/2013 at 14:34

1

Mazda builds cars to satisfy the enthusiast

Correction, Mazda USED TO build cars to satisfy the enthusiast. What do they have left now, the speed3? and the miata which is pretty much unchanged since its launch? Everything else is just an obscure non main stream offering to the typical beige mobiles. Nothing they sell right now is remotely exciting.

They make mildly more entertaining cars vs honda or toyota, thats just about it. They are FAR from a "badass" company.

BrtStlnd > Gamecat235 10/10/2013 at 14:36

2

AT LEAST I THINK I CAN GET 90 MILES FROM IT BEFORE IT SHITS

Gamecat235 > Ex. President Mack41 10/10/2013 at 14:37

0

Point taken. However I do think that Mazda will continue to toy with them, and we could see other startups attempt to use them in this application as it will simplify some engineering aspects (though it leads to more maintenance - adding oil).

Ex. President Mack41 > Gamecat235 10/10/2013 at 14:46

1

There are enough risks for a startup making their own hybrid drive train already before developing a rotary. Makes more sense to adapt to the most efficient crate engine you can find. Rotary revolution needs to come from a company with enough money and product that the research can go nowhere. Audi had a rotary hybrid concept a few years back. They'd be my not Mazda bet, but still stupid odds against

Ex. President Mack41 > Gamecat235 10/10/2013 at 14:53

1

And just for the record, I LOVE THE ROTARY. WITH its faults. BECAUSE of its faults. I'd LOVE to work on the next generation rotary and change the world. But I also like to eat and pursue other hobbies and am not such a fanboy to ignore other solutions or real world realities.

Volvosaurus-Rex > Ex. President Mack41 10/10/2013 at 14:57

1

Sorta sucks for "public consumtion". As an engineer, I love the hell out of a weird engine and will consider an RX-7 purchase when I have enough garage space.

Volvosaurus-Rex > BrtStlnd 10/10/2013 at 14:58

2

Kinda both. For the reasons you describe, its laughable that anyone likes them (I love the fact that the rotary exists and would like to own one at some point), but I disagree that those qualities make it a stupid engine.

Some people geek out about feats of engineering (this guy!), like flipping an entire industry the bird and making an engine that is completely different than anything else and then (eventually) putting it in one of the most renowned sports cars of the 90's.

Volvosaurus-Rex > EL_ULY 10/10/2013 at 14:59

0

Not all of us are professional writers, mannnnn

EL_ULY > Volvosaurus-Rex 10/10/2013 at 15:01

0

lol, im the worst :]

wrenches>computers

Ex. President Mack41 > Volvosaurus-Rex 10/10/2013 at 15:03

0

I am also an engineer and appreciate the rotary and can't wait to shop for an FC or FD of my own or make a crazy 13b swap, but there are plenty of enthusiasts that dislike the rotary for valid reasons.

Volvosaurus-Rex > Ex. President Mack41 10/10/2013 at 15:04

2

Fuck em.

mr. idk > -Amateur 10/10/2013 at 15:08

2

Mazda? badass? no. none of their production cars have ever been "badass"

BrtStlnd > Volvosaurus-Rex 10/10/2013 at 15:14

0

Giving the industry the finger and coming up with something different really is only admirable if you actually end up with something that's better and not worse in every measurable way, which the Rotary is.

Volvosaurus-Rex > BrtStlnd 10/10/2013 at 15:19

0

Being "almost as good as" and coming from an independent effort in an industry as large as the auto industry is no small feat. There are dozens of ICE concepts that will never see the light of day in a consumer product and the rotary made it. That's cool.

Anon > offroadkarter 10/10/2013 at 15:24

3

To be fair nothing Mazda makes is boring to drive. You can make the same argument about the miata for the 911. Also there is a new RX car in the works.

Bruno Martini > -Amateur 10/10/2013 at 16:02

0

Yeah they have been going bankrupt adopting the engines and chassis from Ford. How rosy are your glasses? They do make some enthusiast friendly cars. But by no means do they design 1/2 the stuff they use.

NoahthePorscheGuy > -Amateur 10/10/2013 at 19:13

2

They killed the Rotary! YOU BASTARDS

GrauGeist > -Amateur 10/14/2013 at 21:32

0

OK, I get that there's a lot of fanwank here, but seriously, the most badass company ever ? That's one hell of a claim there.

Does Mazda hold a candle to Palatov , which only sells whip-ass karts? Their Pike's Peak kart is pretty freakin' awesome, because Pikes Peak kart.

Or maybe fullsize car companies like McLaren , which built the benchmark F1 supercar? or Pagani?

Even in the mass market, are their cars as distinctive as Subaru, which is still entirely boxer-powered and N-S drivetrain (Mazda sells no rotaries, and all their cars are FF boring)?

It's great that Mazda is still hanging on, but SkyActiv and Miata are their only current, in-production claims to fame. Much like Suzuki before and Mitsubishi today, Mazda just looks to be too small to survive as an independent mass market player. Sorry.

Jenshi > -Amateur 10/14/2013 at 22:03

0

Badass is not the term. Maybe one of the coolest or one of the most daring would fit nicer.

PonyboyF1 > -Amateur 10/14/2013 at 22:19

0

The 787B was awesome. However, it isn't the only Japanese manufacturer to win at LeMans. Honda won the GT2 class victory at LeMans in 1995 with the NSX.

Just FYI.

MTY85 > -Amateur 10/14/2013 at 22:28

0

They need to keep the rotary to themselves. It poisons what could have otherwise actually been good cars. It's a terrible exercise in futility. Imagine how much better the RX8 would have been with a 2.3 turbo. Mazda won that race because they they found a loophole and exploited it and yes that's a big part of racing, but as soon as that loophole was closed, the car was regulated out of existence.

EchtoGammut > -Amateur 10/14/2013 at 22:37

0

I rented and drove a Mazda 2 1900 miles. That car needed those 200lbs restored to its seats. The driver and passenger seats are like Ikea apartment furniture, they look normal size until you sit on them and realize they removed about 4 inches from the bottom. The car didn't just not have lumbar support, they actually put softer foam in the lumbar area, so you would end up with scoliosis after driving the car for more than 30 miles. Its 4 speed transmission was geared for city driving, where it did fine, but once speeds went over 50mph it revved high and consumed gas like no small car should.

Cheesewhiz > Milky 10/14/2013 at 22:48

1

Yep, "most awesome", "most defiant", "most Camry-hating"...all are true. But "badass" isn't quite it.

Cheesewhiz > Bruno Martini 10/14/2013 at 23:01

0

Actually, they designed most of those platforms and engines for Ford — Mazdas strategic value for Ford was their ability to develop superior small car and passenger car platforms, letting Ford focus on trucks.

Today, they're doing it all themselves - no small task - yet the new cars are all segment-busters. The CX5, Mazda6 and Mazda3 represent the post-Ford era and are massively superior to their competition. Just wait until the 10 Best and other awards roll in — I'll bet they clean up.

Giant Lobster Monster > Tom McParland 10/14/2013 at 23:16

0

My main complaint about Mazda is that all their models vanish into a pile of rust after three Canadian winters.

Jeremy > Meatcoma 10/14/2013 at 23:42

0

Yeah i was wondering about the insto-facto

rabidcontent > BrtStlnd 10/15/2013 at 00:18

0

Muscle cars (or in direct comparison to the rotary then, their motors) are worse in every measurable way to their current counterparts, but there is still a huge following for them. There are really only a handful of reasons to buy an RX (or Muscle Car). Aesthetics, the sound (both examples sound terrific), and originality. If I had a dollar for every 350z/240z/Civic/Nissan/Type R or S or whatever 'super fast' version exists for each model/etc that I see EVERY time I drive I would never have to pay for food again. In fact I could probably feed small communities. There are only a handful of RX's around though, because they are rare. Because they are more expensive to maintain. Because sales were not mainstream. Because they are a niche car, that only a true enthusiast or fan will buy. I don't care about having to rebuild a motor every 90k, or the crappy mileage. The only reason I wouldn't buy a used RX-8 or last gen RX-7 as my next car is because the Toyobaru exists now.

CJFresh > -Amateur 10/15/2013 at 00:24

0

This post is bad, and you should feel bad.

weiner69 > -Amateur 10/15/2013 at 01:42

0

Sorry, a little off-topic but in what world does a Mazda Miata and Rambo have "badass" in common?

KiwiCarNut > offroadkarter 10/15/2013 at 02:34

0

I'm curious... Do they sell the badass 255hp Mazda3 MPS in the land of the free?

Bobby Ang > EL_ULY 10/15/2013 at 03:27

0

Put aside the badge snobbery. You will not be able to find a single aspect concerning real world usage from the F30 that surpasses the Mazda 6 significantly other than the obvious engine output figures.

offroadkarter > KiwiCarNut 10/15/2013 at 03:52

0

I have never seen that car in my life, so my answer is no. I'm not even sure how much a regular speed3 makes but I'm guessing not 255

KiwiCarNut > offroadkarter 10/15/2013 at 04:25

0

Oops... My google-fu skills tell me that what I'm talking about was the Australian/NZ model, called the Mazda3 MPS with 255hp (190kw) from our 6 MPS/speed6. North America's Mazdaspeed3 is same but with MOAR POWER - the 263hp (196kw) from your speed6. BTW: the decals and rims shown in the pic aren't standard.

SgtHop > Bruno Martini 10/15/2013 at 04:31

3

Pretty sure that's entirely incorrect. The only thing the new Mazda 6 is related to is the CX5, and the new 3 has nothing else related to it. Mazda and Ford aren't really playing together for new things. The only thing they have related to Ford now is the CX9.

offroadkarter > KiwiCarNut 10/15/2013 at 04:53

0

the speed6 doesn't exist here anymore though, which is sad because I thought the speed6 was a good looking car. But the current gen 6 is meh.

I stand by my answer, I think the only not boring cars mazda sell right now are the miata and speed3, and I don't lust over either one of them. I doubt I could fit in a miata, and the speed3 is an immature car driven by equally immature people.

sadfasdf > offroadkarter 10/15/2013 at 05:12

0

Enthusiasts sometimes have to compromise with spouses and children and the demands of work. Mazda's mildly entertaining cars are that compromise.

offroadkarter > sadfasdf 10/15/2013 at 05:13

0

a mazdaspeed 6 is a compromise

a mazda 6 is an accord alternative

CAPTAINpotato > -Amateur 10/15/2013 at 07:49

0

This comment is coming extremely late but I have been overloaded at work and finally saw this article. I feel like Mazda could be the best company for enthusiasts until you think about where they are now. The cars they make now are fun to drive but they are missing quite a few cars that Ford has. I would argue that Ford as of right now is the enthusiast car company. Focus ST, Fiesta ST, Mustang GT, Taurus SHO, and the GT500 are all sporty cars that any enthusiast would love to drive. Mazda has the MX-5 and they use to have the Mazdaspeed 3 (only speaking of recently). But if we take into account all of the cars from it's past to come to the conclusion that Mazda is the most badass then consider this: Toyota. I know that they are the most vanilla pudding brand now but from the 60's through the mid 90's they were making some fantastic sports cars that were not only beautiful but fast. I was born in 1986, I only remember Toyota being the refrigerators that they are today but what if they never stopped making the Supra? What if the MR2 never became the MRS? What if the last gen Celica was left on the cutting room floor? I think if Toyota never decided to get a broader range of buyers for their automobiles we wouldn't look at them in such disgust. I personally hope that the FR-S is the phoenix to this company of toasters and microwaves. Is Mazda a badass company? Yes, is it the most badass? No, is it the most badass of all time? No. Granted these are only opinions but take a look at Toyota's past and you will agree that they made more amazing cars than Mazda.

PardonMyFlemish16 > BrtStlnd 10/15/2013 at 07:51

0

I kind of agree. I think the rotary's salvation will come in making it modular. ITBs & DoD.

Acidboogie > BrtStlnd 10/15/2013 at 07:58

0

so your personal bias and ineptitude are the reason rotaries suck? Got it. You can hand in your jalop card at the nearest dispensary.

Race to the cheese > offroadkarter 10/15/2013 at 09:09

1

"speed3...is...driven by equally immature people."

Wow, I had no idea other drivers held me in such low regard. I always thought I was the only driver on the road paying attention to the driving task at hand, at any given time. Speed3 is my work-a-day track-ad-day sporting compromise. Thank you for putting me in my proper place.

thielepr > BrtStlnd 10/15/2013 at 09:26

0

I think you got a really bad experience. A rotor engine is as reliable as a piston. This is a fact.

offroadkarter > Race to the cheese 10/15/2013 at 09:36

0

are you writing this while wearing an "obey" hat? Are your wheels painted with safety spraypaint from home depot?

You got stance son? hows your swag?

stevestamop > BrtStlnd 10/15/2013 at 10:25

0

except mazda didn't come up with it. so there's that.

mazda make ugly, soul-less cars imo, and couldn't care less about them.

The Stig's graphic designer cousin > offroadkarter 10/15/2013 at 10:42

0

Hmm...can't speak for Race to the cheese, but my MS3 is still completely stock, with the exception of the drop-in K&N air filter, which I don't really count as modifying. I also drive safely and responsibly in it. No driving like an ass hat for me. I leave that to the BMW, Camry, and SUV drivers.

Also, I don't own any clothing with "obey" on it. Is that a thing now? When I'm driving, I'm most likely going to be in business casual, as I'm likely on my way to or home from work.

offroadkarter > The Stig's graphic designer cousin 10/15/2013 at 11:40

0

Yes sadly that is a thing, its all swag trend. A lot of the MS3's I see around here are either all blacked out, or have bright orange or lime green spraypainted wheels (although to be fair I see that on a lot of imports)

Sam Payne > -Amateur 10/15/2013 at 12:18

1

I really can't think of a truly cooler car company than Mazda. I know it's subjective, but if you go through a list of all other manufacturers, nothing else comes close. I think it's a combination of building crazy machines that define a genre, reliable family cars that aren't boring to drive, and cars which aren't pretentious or over-priced.

If Mazda was an actor, he would be Jeff Goldblum.

If Mazda was a band, it would be Boston.

If Mazda was a beer, it would be Hamm's.

If Mazda was a breakfast cereal, it would be Raisin Bran Crunch.

If Mazda was a President, he would be Abraham Lincoln after a sex change.

Also, they sell a minivan with a manual.

Fenderaddict2 > -Amateur 10/15/2013 at 12:29

0

I've owned 'em all, well except for the supercar exotics, and can attest to one thing, Mazda, not BMW make the ultimate driving machine. Every car they make is a celebration of driving, and the world would be a less happy place without Mazda.

Weather and Darkness > Sam Payne 10/15/2013 at 13:15

1

dude, your analogies!

colorfulyawn > -Amateur 10/15/2013 at 15:15

0

Current Mazda owner here.

While I admire the company for doing a lot of things right, they're far from perfect. Having owned Honda products in the past, I'd say that Mazda could stand to pick up a bit of refinement. Also, their engines have never set my heart on fire. I'm not a rotary fan, and their piston engines are what I would call "good." Better than merely adequate, but not fantastic, not great. As opposed to engines like the B16A and F20C, which are beyond great.

The cars Mazda seems to build well are the ones other manufacturers aren't interested in building, and I really like those cars. But that doesn't translate over to a universal appreciation for the brand. I don't find the 3 or the 6 to be noticeably better to drive than their competitors, and probably wouldn't put them first on my list if I were looking for cars in that segment.

Race to the cheese > offroadkarter 10/16/2013 at 14:47

0

None of what you describe exists in the culture that is around me, as far as I know, nor does it describe me. I am not even exactly sure what you just asked. So what if it did apply, though? You would label everyone in the Jalop audience as not worthy of being Jalops? Do you tell the Donks that they can't play here? You're in an audience of Jalops and track day guys and throwing around hate and stereotypes. Please continue, by all means.