Which would you choose?

"mazda616" (mazda616)
08/13/2019 at 11:43 • Filed to: Weekend

We are going 45-ish minutes out of town to a cabin by the lake this weekend. My wife’s aunt and uncle have a pontoon boat and they’re bringing that, so we are going to spend the day Saturday on the lake and the night at the cabin. I want to drive the Sunbird, just for shits and giggles.

But, I’m scared of overloading it with my wife and I and our two-year-old and the various crap required for an overnight stay with a toddler. And of course, there’s my general anxiety about the Sunbird breaking down.

I can either risk it and rock the ‘Bird and utilize its somehow freakishly cold A/C, or I can chicken out and take my 6.

Thoughts? The drive there will be all two-lane roads with maximum speeds of 55-60. No interstates or anything like that.

DISCUSSION (33)

Nibby > mazda616
08/13/2019 at 11:48

mazda

E90M3 > mazda616
08/13/2019 at 11:48

Life is full of risks, take the bird.

Chuckles > mazda616
08/13/2019 at 11:50

If the weather is supposed to be nice, take the Sunbird. 45 minutes isn't exactly a road trip. It can handle it.

mazda616 > E90M3
08/13/2019 at 11:51

This is true.

BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo > mazda616
08/13/2019 at 11:51

There are two kinds of people in this world

Kinja'd!!!

mazda616 > Chuckles
08/13/2019 at 11:51

Supposed to be sunny and 90° F . A.K.A. perfect lake weather.

Party-vi > mazda616
08/13/2019 at 11:52

Does the birb baby?

Tripper > mazda616
08/13/2019 at 11:53

Take both. That’s what we do when I want to take the M3 or 02 on a family vacation because I don’t want the baby riding in the older cars. When it’s just my wife and I, we almost always take the 02.

mazda616 > Tripper
08/13/2019 at 11:56

There’s an idea. My wife won’t want to drive, though. I could see if her and my son can ride in the aunt and uncle’s Suburban that will be towing the boat.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > mazda616
08/13/2019 at 11:59

This is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the Sunbirds capabilities, cold AC and nothing too fast.

mazda616 > Party-vi
08/13/2019 at 12:00

Now that he’s a toddler, his convertible seat fits decently back there. He can kick both front seats, though.

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > mazda616
08/13/2019 at 12:06

I wouldn’t worry about it breaking down or cargo space unless there’s already a known problem. Do a quick walk around and fluid check and your good to go. That being said I think children deserve the best crash test safety we can afford (caveat being joy rides in cool stuff of course)

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > mazda616
08/13/2019 at 12:13

Why would you be afraid of a car designed for 4-5 passengers + gear carrying 2 adults + 1 small child + gear?

If you’ve been taking care of it, why would you be worried about a breakdown?

I would almost put money down the Bird would be the more fuel efficient car to take on your trip.

mazda616 > MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick)
08/13/2019 at 12:17

True. Good point. I think I’m gonna suggest wifey and son ride in the boat hauling Suburban (or Silverado ). And little ol’ me will cruise my ancient J-Body.

Party-vi > mazda616
08/13/2019 at 12:18

so 45 minutes of kicking but looking good. Eh. Bird all the way.

mazda616 > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
08/13/2019 at 12:19

Because I have an anxiety disorder, so I worry about...well, everything.

The car is 30-years-old and massively underpowered to begin with (a raging 96 HP from the 2.0). The front struts creak like an old bed. Things like that make me worry about overloading it. The struts will be replaced eventually, though.

And, I’ll be getting new tires. The ones on there are mismatched. They have good tread but I don’t know how old they are.

The 6 averages 35-38 MPG on the highway, so it is way more efficient, surprisingly. The Sunbird struggles to maintain highway speeds, which affects its mileage.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > mazda616
08/13/2019 at 12:30

Because I have an anxiety disorder, so I worry about...well, everything.

I wouldn’t worry about a well maintained old car any more than I would a brand new car, either one can break down at any point.

My Acclaim had a raging 102 HP new, likely more like 60 HP when I got it thanks to the terrible maintenance/repairs, I never had an issue, even clipping 80 mph on the highway was no problem. The key was “don’t let it rev”, let it shift around 4k and let the torque do the work, the older engines have more torque than HP, making them feel quicker when you don’t scream them.

And, I’ll be getting new tires. The ones on there are mismatched. They have good tread but I don’t know how old they are.

This is rational, although if the tires look good ( lack checking/cracking ), they’re likely fine. Tires don’t have to match to function, although non-matching tires drives me nuts as well.

The 6 averages 35-38 MPG on the highway, so it is way more efficient, surprisingly. The Sunbird struggles to maintain highway speeds, which affects its mileage.

I find this really hard to believe, as I said my Acclaim had no issue cruising at 80 mph from an extremely tired motor. Even beating the hell out of it it averaged 34 mpg with the 2.5L. Same goes for the old Buick Century with the Tec4 we had, 32-35 mpg in mixed driving was the norm, it would dip into the low 40s cruising at 65 mph on the interstate. Neither of them were power houses by any means, but not what I would call dangerous or overworked either.

End of the day, I wouldn’t think twice about taking the Bird, I’ve taken every one of my 90s vehicles on 3-4 hr road trips and never thought twice about it.

Maxima Speed > mazda616
08/13/2019 at 12:42

For me this is an easy choice of the 6 every day. However I love the 6 and am indifferent about sunbirds. The car will do fine though. I’ve driven a lot of sketch cars and that car, old or not is very well maintained. I can see no issues that would come up specifically because you chose the sunbird over the 6.

Maxima Speed > Chuckles
08/13/2019 at 12:46

Hold up. 45 minutes? That’s longer than my commute. That only a few minutes longer than it would take to go to the grocery store.

Maxima Speed > BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo
08/13/2019 at 12:47

Yeah, those who drive Mazda’s and those who are right

mazda616 > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
08/13/2019 at 12:47

Maybe it’s just that this car is louder and tougher than what I’m used to. I have gotten it up to 70-75 before and it literally sounds like the little 2.0 is screaming for mercy at that point. Having a 3-speed automatic doesn’t help matters. And yes, I can feel the torque converter lock up when it’s supposed to.

According to Fuelly, the Sunbird has been averaging 24 MPG with me.

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > mazda616
08/13/2019 at 12:50

I used the wrong your (I meant you’re, as in you are good) and I will never forgive myself.

Nothing > mazda616
08/13/2019 at 12:57

For reliability sake, I think either would be fine. I’m sure the 6 would probably be more comfortable overall, but I never drove the Cougar because it was more comfortable than any of the other vehicles we had. Drive what makes you feel good in the moment.

Chariotoflove > mazda616
08/13/2019 at 13:39

What does your wife want to take? If she doesn’t care which, then you can feel assured that another responsible adult isn’t worried about the Sunbird having problems.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > mazda616
08/13/2019 at 14:22

For the tires there should be a date code

https://www.tirebuyer.com/education/how-to-determine-the-age-of-your-tires

That would be my biggest concern. Industry standards are to replace tires within 10 years...that being said my dad’s truck is currently riding on 20 year old tires with no signs of degradation. Though he’s planning on getting new one’s soon simply due to the age.

Also, I hope the front drive tires are at least matching? Mismatched drive tires can work the diff and cause premature failure.

mazda616 > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
08/13/2019 at 14:41

The car’s tire size is 195/70-R14. One of the front tires is a 195/75-R14.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > mazda616
08/13/2019 at 14:47

I would swap around tires so the front pair match, not only in size but as close as you can with wear as well (check tread depth).

Do that and if the tires aren’t too old I wouldn’t worry about taking it.

merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc > mazda616
08/13/2019 at 15:01

Just take the Mazda. Especially on two lane roads, not worth risking your littlins life in the sunbird.

mazda616 > merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc
08/13/2019 at 15:28

My plan now is have little feller and his mom ride in the new truck that’ll be hauling the boat. And I’ll follow in the Sunbird.

merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc > mazda616
08/13/2019 at 15:36

That’s a good idea. It’s one of those things. 9 times out of 10, all will be well, but if something were to happen, you’d be gutted.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > mazda616
08/13/2019 at 16:03

Both my Acclaim and the Century were 3 speeds as well. They sound like they’re screaming, but they’re only really turning just over 3k usually, which is about what most modern 5-6 speed vehicles turn on the highway.

Is most of your driving city? 24 mpg seems low IMO.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc
08/13/2019 at 17:40

Way to make the very a nxious dude feel better there bro

CRider > mazda616
08/13/2019 at 22:14

What will your family remember more, the time you went to the lake in a Mazda6 or the time you went t o the lake in a Sunbird?

Take the Bird and don’t worry. It’s a 45 minute drive, that’s nothing to worry about. If you think it’s an unnecessary risk, well, so is recreational boating.