Tell Me Something You Love About Your Car

"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind) 06/04/2020 at 14:15 • Filed to: Questions

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As the cold air nips at my skin like minnows on a dry toe, I am reminded of yet another reason I love my Kia Amanti .

T he HVAC system in this car is outstanding! I get cold air within moments of start up, and heat before I make it out of the neighborhood. Four clicks is enough fan speed to feel the air hit me the way my mother used to when I acted up in church . Plus, the temperature settings are like a home thermostat! I don’t need to drop below 68° F for air conditioning capable of combating the midday desert heat, nor do I need to go beyond 74 °F before I start sweating the way I did between finding out the Tooth Fairy wasn’t real and learnin g that the tooth swap is done by a parent. If you reveal something isn’t real, please immediately tell people what is really being done!

What is something you love about your car??  

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 14:19

5

On the Cruze I love the 35-40  mpg I routinely pull.  On the Volvo I love the noise of it’s weird 5 cylinder engine.  

DipodomysDeserti > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 14:21

2

The smoothness of the engine, despite it’s 200k+  miles of experience.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 14:22

1

The Cruze has one single lock/unlock button in the entire car and it’s brilliant! A single dash mounted toggle (not a button thank goodness) actually works great because with the lock while in drive feature you never really use it anyways and the arm rest space is at a premium. You can also just press down on the lock indicator on the door, which can't be pulled up again like some cars.

I don’t mind that there is no interior trunk release (only outside like an SUV hatch, which is probably intentional) but my passengers get confused.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 14:24

4

I like the noise my all seasons make when I toss it into a corner. And the noise. Lifter tick and fuel starvation from throwing it around, not so much.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 14:25

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I was sitting on my parents patio yesterday just staring at it across the lawn. 6 years of ownership and I am still smitten with it.

I’ve driven Mustang GT’s, a Boxter and a Focus ST and still feel that, $ per smile, I got the best deal.

I know that it isn’t the best car, but I’ve never felt that it was too slow or that it could handle better.

Best Features: Recaros, lights, shifter

Worst: PAINT

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 06/04/2020 at 14:26

1

Plenty of room here

No room here

And this ledge is perfect for a phone mount without interfering with forward or screen sight lines.

And you think you’ll get away without me mentioning the color?

fintail > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 14:27

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Wagon - its overall confident smooth demeanor. 2nd gear start and early upshifts in economy mode, yet it still pulls a sub-5 second 0-60 per C&D. The car is sure enough of itself that it doesn’t need to shout. Probably the least shouty car of its price point.

Fintail - aside from the overall fun of driving it, modern for its time yet so different from a modern car, the build quality. Opening and closing the doors, especially the less-frequently used rear doors, is fascinating in a way, everything is weighted just so .

OPPOsaurus WRX > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 14:34

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er....um..... it runs.

CB > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 14:36

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That it’s probably the best daily I could’ve bought. Ground clearance for the grids, AWD for the winter, wagon for space for the dog and groceries, manual and relatively quick, and a comfortable highway cruiser. 10/10 would buy again.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 14:36

6

functionoverfashion > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 14:37

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If we’re talking about the truck, I love how it has the street cred of a classic truck, while still being useful as a truck.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 14:40

4

For my Mazda3, I’ve always been enamored with the level of sportiness this compact sedan has. It’s 90% to an RX-8 but fits 4 and gets 30+ mpg. I always love a good back road in the small silver sedan.

For the D atsun it’s the elemental experience of sitting 6" off the ground and having a smooth torquey I6 thrumming away. That car never fails to make me smile. Even Future heap owner liked it.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Snuze: Needs another Swede 06/04/2020 at 14:41

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My mom's turbo 5 XC90 makes a great noise but it always sounds a little overworked lugging around 5000 pounds of steel and massive rolling resistance.

RallyWrench > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 14:42

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I love when it starts. 

Future next gen S2000 owner > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 14:45

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It does literally everything I need it to do on a daily basis and all the extracurricular activities that crop up during the year. Drop the kids off at day car and pull 25 mpg on the commute to work. Done. Tow the boat and family in tow to the lake in relative comfort and ease. Done. Put 1,ooo lbs of wood in the back for fires all winter long and run through the mountains at 65 mph. Done. Throw the bike in the back and have fun at a track day. Done.

Plus it’s a manual. It is really the perfect truck for me.

Exage03040 @ opposite-lock.com > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 14:45

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VVTL-i with Injen intake. Psycho path VTEC and yes the change over is so high it drops off cam.

Not my car but same setup:

Jake, Yes, wearing khakis > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 14:47

3

Dat Noise, pops and bangs included

Not my video, shamelessly stolen to make my point

Also the door locks on this car are ingenious.

To unlock the car from the inside, you just pull on the door handle and both doors unlock. To lock the car from the inside, you push the door handle and both doors lock. No lock or unlock buttons anywhere inside the car

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Jake, Yes, wearing khakis 06/04/2020 at 14:50

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My car also unlocks after a single door pull from the inside but doesn’t have an outside lock button. It makes sense because the only other lock button is located in the center of the dashboard.

DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 14:51

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Love how fast the 500e gets off the line, instant torque is addictive

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 14:51

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The only thing I love about my daily driver is that it’s been reliable transportation for the most part. I really couldn’t give a shit about it otherwise, it’s not big enough, it’s not fun or engaging to drive, it gets terrible gas mileage for such a small car, and it’s an automatic...but it has gone ~ 175k with minimal issues. I’ll drive it until it dies or until my wife’s car is paid off (3 years still ...ugh).

TheRealBicycleBuck > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 14:53

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I love that my car has a hood scoop. I don’t care if they’re not really efficient and I don’t care that the scoop on my car is for cooling and doesn’t really feed air into the engine, it makes my car look badass and I love it.

Jake, Yes, wearing khakis > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 06/04/2020 at 14:54

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So simple! Also like having my window controls in the center, simple, cost less, more arm rest room

Chariotoflove > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 14:58

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I love that my car is so quiet and serene inside that I can really  listen to classical music.

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 15:01

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On the Skoda, the absolutely ferocious heated seats. Hop in on a cold winters morning, hit the max button, and within seconds I have to turn it back down because I’m too hot. I swear, one of these days I’m going to try cooking my breakfast on the passenger seat.

On the 86, the handling. it’s the reason you buy them, and boy does it deliver. It’s the only car I’ve ever owned where even 3 years in, I kick the tail out a little every single time I drive it, just for the pleasure of how controlled doing so feels.

On the Pajero, the ride. It’s soft and floppy but manages not to be seasick-making or scary in corners. Really I shouldn’t like it, because it’s not actually *good* as such, but it makes the car feel enthusiastic somehow, like a great big puppy lolloping along. It encourages you to amble around  at 10 below the limit with a big grin on your face, smelling the roses. I never get out of the Pajero angry, no matter how I felt getting in

On the Leaf (which is a JDM import) the nice Japanese lady in the dashboard who says “Konichiwa”to me every morning and babbles meaningless things in a soothing tone at random intervals. It’s totally silly but it makes me happy.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 15:03

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E46 -smooth powertrain and surprisingly responsive. Kind of forget about it given how un-raw it feels compared to my old E30 just driving around. But then every now and then you get on it and realize oh yeah, this is nice!

Outback - lots of space for all the thingz. Not much else good I can say about it.

Bolt - effortless. Such a peaceful driving experience. Even a hint of throttle and it goes immediately with zero fuss or even noise. Which when it comes to just getting around town or going to work is nice. Also our only car currently with CarPlay/AA which is pretty awesome to have. Oh and all the cameras. Makes parking in the city almost fun.

hike > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 15:10

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I've been driving more frequently with the dog in the back since I can get curbside pick up, so I appreciate the convex mirror in my Ascent that allows me to keep an eye on him. It's especially useful since I use the camera rear view mirror. 

OmerCarrothers333 > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 15:16

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Heated plaid seats

IdleInCA > CB 06/04/2020 at 15:23

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Agree. Same spec as yours minus the safety package. Much quicker than I expected

jeepoftheseus > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 15:25

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TJ: when it’s right, it’s just so damn right. It’s also a great helper around the property since it is really just a street legal side by side.

Wife’s Crosstrek: Annoying my wife by telling her everything about it and what happens to it is what makes a Subaru a Subaru.

Suburban: doing actual truck stuff with it and it not batting an eye, even with 300k miles on it.

ranwhenparked > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 15:28

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I t has a surprisingly not completely terrible exhaust note for a V6, and doesn’t handle like a Chris-Craft Commander, unlike the Challenger I used to have.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Jake, Yes, wearing khakis 06/04/2020 at 15:29

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Yes, shared center controls just make more sense in a car where elbow room is tight. As you can see in my comment further down, the Cruze is quite a narrow car without much room for an armrest and that makes all the difference. Never used center mounted window switches but they seem intuitive.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 06/04/2020 at 15:31

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Wait, what model Skoda? I didn't know you had one.

DasWauto > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 15:34

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128i - the seats/ergonomics, I haven’t experienced anything better than BMW sports seats that can be adjusted so much to my liking.

WRX - loose surface driving dynamics. It is t he sole reason I am having trouble replacing this car. I know I’m going to miss this aspect of it, no matter what I  replace it with.

Verdog ~ manual Bro, Bro - HellHawk Equipped > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 15:36

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707 HP!

Svend > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 15:39

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The sheer interior size and comfort.

The boot size.

PlaysWellWithNOthers > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 15:42

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Weirdly, I enjoy driving our 14-year old Kia Sedona Van. It has the 3.8 V6 which loves to rev and is completely suppressed by the terrible 5-speed auto.

But if you put it in manual mode and shift yourself, it’s a hoot. And because of the heft of the vehicle and only 245HP, you can put the pedal to the medal without risking losing your license.

The engine even has a nice throaty note to it in higher revs under full throttle.

Plus lots of space and comfort features.

It does not like to corner fast, though. But then, who expects a mini van to do that?

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Svend 06/04/2020 at 15:42

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That is a genuinely impressive amount of space. Even more impressive that it is kept so clean. Sandy is a good wagon.

Jake, Yes, wearing khakis > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 06/04/2020 at 15:46

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Agreed. We had a cruze as a  company car for a few years, easy to drive and park in dc and baltimore. They replaced it with a newer malibu, what a turd. That malibu became infested with ants at one point too, i see it as a reflection of its true character

LastFirstMI is my name > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 15:52

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IS350- it’s paid for.

Crosstour- it makes everyone else angry. And it’s paid for.

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 06/04/2020 at 15:52

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2017  Octavia VRS liftback. Basically a mk7 GTI with a big butt. 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Jake, Yes, wearing khakis 06/04/2020 at 15:54

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The Cruze seems to have been everyone's favorite rental/company car from a few years ago since it was just a great car in a small footprint that drove effortlessly with good visibility. Too bad the 1.4 was so unreliable. It makes the Malibu look like it belonged to another decade in terms of quality and usability.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 06/04/2020 at 15:56

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That is a good thing though. Great chassis and I love what Skoda does on the appearance and value front.

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 06/04/2020 at 16:01

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“The thinking man’s Audi”

Amazingly given the brand’s history, they’re also the most reliable of the VAG stable.

I basically chose it because I needed l ots of load space and an enjoyable drive, I hate crossovers, and the wife wouldn’t be seen dead in a wagon. Once you narrow your criteria to “fast liftback” your choices are pretty limited. Plus I’d had a GTI before and I knew they were great.

Long_Voyager94 > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 16:03

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It’s 100% ANALOG!

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 06/04/2020 at 16:04

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And the best looking as far as I'm concerned. 

Long_Voyager94 > PlaysWellWithNOthers 06/04/2020 at 16:19

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Me?

;)

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 16:27

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Having these two things in one vehicle. Combine these with reliability, a smooth engine, sharp handling and electro hydraulic steering that has great feel  and I’m in love.

Svend > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 06/04/2020 at 16:32

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She’s got a fold up double sided mat in the boot to protect the boot liner mat and the back of the rear seats when the seats are down . Lol.

Making it super easy to clean.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > PlaysWellWithNOthers 06/04/2020 at 16:35

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Me. And it does.

Jb boin > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen 06/04/2020 at 16:49

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It actually makes sense that they are more reliable as they usually go t older platforms and parts from the parts bin from previous generation Audi/VW cars.

I don’t think it’s really the case anymore but they still got their new cars released a little after its VW cousin so they are not the very first to “ try” the new engines and high- tech gadgets .

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Svend 06/04/2020 at 16:55

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That looks useful for transporting anything messy that would again the carpet.

t0ast > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 16:56

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‘19 STI - The love is more about what it doesn’t have; namely the slew of electronic “assistance” that has become the norm in most every modern car. Alternatively, the mere fact that it’s 2020 and I can still have hydraulic steering and a warranty at the same time.

‘15 Exocet - There are approximately zero to one things between me and access to just about any nut or bolt.

Brickman > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 17:36

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It runs and cheap on gas. Plus it’s a manual and haul everything I need :)

My bird IS the word > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 17:50

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On the FOST, I love the total lack of body roll. It is uncanny. The trans am it has to be the shaker hood. It is always in your field of vision, reminding you of what lies beneath. Meanacing.

Jesus Arias > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 17:51

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Definitely the t tops. Especially because my car’s ac doesn’t work. Not to mention on a nice sunny day its nice to remove the t tops and take it on back roads  and hear the engine rev.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 17:57

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The driving position. Where the wheel, shifter, arm rest are is prefect. The only other car that has been as good as my e90 for that was my 97 Accord. 

gettingoldercarguy > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 18:05

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2017 wrx - The sure- footed handling of the car. Once the limits are learned, it’s easy to toss it in just about any corner in just about any weather and know how it'll handle.

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > Jb boin 06/04/2020 at 18:05

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True. They also tend to be crippled a little to justify the lower price point, which reduces the stress on hardware parts and removes some of the flakier cutting-edge software functionality. For example my VRS has the same EA888 gen3 e ngine as that year’s GTI or S3, but with about 20hp less than the VW and 60 less than the Aud i . Likewise there’s a number of functions which can be “upgraded” just by connecting the VAG diagnostic tool and enabling the VW or Audi settings rather than the Skoda ones.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 19:05

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On the bug, I love the one touch up and down for both windows (on a 2006 economy car!). Plenty of other things I like, but that is the most seemingly insignificant that makes me happy lol

There isn’t much I dislike on the 348, but the gas cap is one of my favorite random things. It’s solid aluminum and it just unscrews and comes off. No string or other securing device. I usually set it on the top of the gas pump while I fuel and make sure not to forget it.

I like how lazy the truck drives. Very different than my other vehicles. It's nice having a numb lazy drive some days 

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 06/04/2020 at 19:26

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You've mentioned that before.  Its a shame because the XC90s are nice, and the turbo 5 is great, I guess it's just not the right pairing, unfortunately.

punkgoose17 > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 19:28

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I like that my car works again. It just needs to be inspected and then time to go for fun drives.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Snuze: Needs another Swede 06/04/2020 at 19:40

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Unfortunately, that engine has to lug 5,000 pounds through the front wheels and it tries but just can't quite do it.

ST80MND > Wobbles the Mind 06/04/2020 at 20:49

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The driving experience. For a 31 year old car, nothing compares.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Wobbles the Mind 06/05/2020 at 00:42

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I love everything about my TSX wagon. The only things that I would do would be, add AWD and the $4k supercharger that is available.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Wobbles the Mind 06/05/2020 at 04:57

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manual windows and transmission

CaptDale - is secretly British > Wobbles the Mind 06/05/2020 at 11:28

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Hmm, I like a lot of it, but the A/C in the Vette is also outstanding. Especially for a ‘95. The heat leaves a lot to be desired, but I think that is down to a clogged heater core since that thing produces a lot of heat in the cooling system .

PlaysWellWithNOthers > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. 06/06/2020 at 11:05

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I bet it does. From what I hear the Mazda 5 is probably the best handling mini van.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > PlaysWellWithNOthers 06/06/2020 at 15:06

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I’ve owns plenty of vans over the years and I’ve owned plenty of BMWs, a Porsche and a Benz. The driving experience of the Mazda is closer to the BMWs than it is to the other minivans and it loves to be tossed around. Even with the manual transmission it’s not terribly quick by today’s standards but it is fun, more fun than a box on wheels should be.