Test drove 4 cars yesterday...

"Storz" (storzbach) 01/31/2014 at 09:17 • Filed to: None

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Had a free afternoon yesterday so I stopped by the local auto mall and test drove several of the cars on my list of potential next cars.

2013 Charger SXT V6 8spd - Quicker than I would have imagined for a V6 2 ton tank. Trans was awesome for an automatic, fast shifts and very reactive. Nice cloth interior, tons of room but ultimately just too big for me. It lacked that on edge sporty feel I like, understandably as that is not the focus of the Charger

2013 Charger R/T V8 5spd - Same as above but with more horsepower and a slower transmission, I've realized that I don't care how much power a car makes I hate automatics.

2013 Subaru WRX 6spd Manual - I had an 05 2.5RS so this felt right at home, I've missed the Subaru boxxer grumble, the feeling of the AWD and the driving dynamics of a Subaru! Awesome power, grip and handling. Everything you would expect from a WRX, there is a reason they are so well loved, currently my #1 choice for a new car. The interior does look a bit dated, but as a car enthusiast such things are of little consequence to me.

2013 Focus ST - My god this car is good! The sound, the balance, the aggressiveness is everything I want in a car. I never would have guessed a FWD car could handle so well and be so balanced, it has that unique characteristic of feeling like the car is rotating around your hips, hard to describe until you feel it in person. Ask me tomorrow and this might be my #1 choice, its THAT good.

The one car I still need to drive that I've been considering is a Mazdaspeed3. Ultimately it'll come down to either a WRX, Focus ST or MS3. Not a bad automotive world we live in :)

Nibby > Storz 01/31/2014 at 09:27

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Dude, you should really look at the Corolla S. It's got paddle shifters and it's faster and sportier than any of those things.

/trololo

I have a feeling you'll end up with the WRX

Brian Silvestro > Storz 01/31/2014 at 09:28

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Why didn't you test drive the Fiesta ST? You should get the Focus ST if you don't want the Fiesta. You might regret buying the MS3 once the new one comes out.

spanfucker retire bitch > Storz 01/31/2014 at 09:30

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I still don't understand why the Charger V8s don't come with the 8-speed ZF transmissions like the V6 does. It's not a matter of too much torque, since the same tranny is used on the GC SRT. Is it a packaging issue?

spanfucker retire bitch > Brian Silvestro 01/31/2014 at 09:45

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Not everyone wants a car as small as the Fiesta.

shinsen > Nibby 01/31/2014 at 09:46

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you forgot to mention how the corolla s comes with 17 inch wheel sport package *drolls* :-P

shinsen > spanfucker retire bitch 01/31/2014 at 09:48

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I wonder if its a "wait until next generation" predicament

Storz > Brian Silvestro 01/31/2014 at 09:52

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The Fiesta I am sure is awesome but I need a little more rear passenger room for family duties than the Fiesta offers.

Brian Silvestro > Storz 01/31/2014 at 09:53

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Oh you have a family? Sorry I even mentioned the Fiesta. Not a family mover. I'd say wait for the new MS3.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Storz 01/31/2014 at 09:53

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I've realized that I don't care how much power a car makes I hate automatics.

Word.

Is the 6-speed in the WRX far superior to the old 5-speed? IIRC, I test drove the 5-speed and I was terribly unimpressed. I'd wait to at least test drive the new model before making any decisions.

Seen this yet?

I really need to test drive a Focus ST (and a BRZ, for that matter).

Not a fan of the current Speed3 - hoping the next one is AMAZING. I'm actually hoping they go AWD and make the replacement for the WRX hatch.

Great time to be a car guy...

Storz > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/31/2014 at 09:54

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The WRX I drove was a 5psd

JACU - I've got bonifides. > Storz 01/31/2014 at 09:55

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Please Mazda, make a new 3 hatchback version of this car. I promise I would buy it.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Storz 01/31/2014 at 09:59

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Honestly, I drove the WRX a couple years ago wanting to love it, and thinking it might be my next car, but the transmission and the interior felt like a downgrade from the Mazda 3s hatch I had at the time.

Are you considering buying used at all?

spanfucker retire bitch > JACU - I've got bonifides. 01/31/2014 at 10:00

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And AWD - it shouldn't be that hard given how modular your platforms are. You could easily use the same AWD case from the CX-5. I'd love a good WRX fighter from Mazda.

Storz > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/31/2014 at 10:01

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My plan is to buy used actually.

09+ WRX

Any year Focus ST

2nd Gen MS3

BJ > shinsen 01/31/2014 at 10:02

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I've started to see the new Corollas on the street, and I think they ALL have those wheels.

Nibbles > spanfucker retire bitch 01/31/2014 at 10:02

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It was supposed to be brought in MY 2014 to the V8 Charger and Challenger, but something held them back. Expect it MY 2015

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Storz 01/31/2014 at 10:10

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Always smart to let someone else take the initial depreciation hit. Good luck on your search! Can't go wrong with the WRX as a performance bargain, that's for sure, and the community and aftermarket are fantastic.

Storz > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/31/2014 at 10:14

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I really enjoyed the 2.5RS I had and can imagine the WRX will be even better

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Storz 01/31/2014 at 10:19

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WRX.

Because rallycross.

Storz > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/31/2014 at 10:22

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Yep had a lot of fun rallycrossing my RS

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > BJ 01/31/2014 at 10:30

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In other non-mocking-Corollas-because-Corolla news, the Eco has me interested because the high-mileage more-power concept in its engine my transfer up the lines into my favorite cars like the Camry and the Avalon.

/don't revoke my oppo license

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Storz 01/31/2014 at 10:39

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Looks like incredible fun!

Forgetful > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/31/2014 at 11:04

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I test drove a ST overnight. Went and bought a FR-S the next day. Sure, the power is fun, but the balance and looks of the Toyobaru won out.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Forgetful 01/31/2014 at 11:06

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CAN NOT WAIT for them to release the BRZ STi (not that it's a viable option for me right now...).

Forgetful > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/31/2014 at 11:09

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I'm banking on a TRD supercharger. If not, once I'm about 2/3 through the warranty I'll go aftermarket supercharger or turbo.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Forgetful 01/31/2014 at 11:25

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Nice. Check this one out:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr…

Nibby > shinsen 01/31/2014 at 11:55

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HOT

Storz > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/31/2014 at 19:49

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Oh to be rich lol