Are cars really getting fatter?

"PG; the scalpel wielder" (pgr34) 05/08/2015 at 01:07 • Filed to: None

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17kg (or 37 pounds) is the difference between these two... after 9 years of model cycle difference. Sure the power-to-weight is far off, but consider that the Mazda is longer, wider and taller and seats 5 instead of 2 + 2 kids. The Mazda packs more safety tech and gizmos to boot. The current 3 is even lighter!

The Honda feels slightly more solid, but the Mazda isn’t exactly a tin can. Am I missing something here? (both are around 2700lbs)

ps. A story I just remembered when buying this car. The previous owner had listed is as the previous model base spec, on asking whether it had sat-nav, he replied “no, but it has some screen that says what street your on”... I haggled him 2500 less than the asking price in a matter of seconds. He was an author, that “somehow I ended up with 3 cars, and I have this one spare”. It was like taking candy from a baby almost.

It was about 7000 less than market value at the time. $10k for a 4 year old car. Zoom zoom indeed.

Simplify, then add beer > PG; the scalpel wielder 05/08/2015 at 01:28

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I think we’re reaching a point where they’ll start to lighten up. Changes to ANCAP’s regs over the last 10 years meant many changes. Manufacturers are now starting to catch up with tech to make it lighter.

TheHondaBro > PG; the scalpel wielder 05/08/2015 at 01:35

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hnnng!!!!

AMC/Renauledge > PG; the scalpel wielder 05/08/2015 at 01:35

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That Mazda 3 platform came out in 2003 and was simply updated for the 2009-13 generation. The RSX is about the same vintage.

PG; the scalpel wielder > TheHondaBro 05/08/2015 at 01:56

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Thanks =) Here is a more recent photo, will do a proper photo shoot and possible a video in a month

PG; the scalpel wielder > AMC/Renauledge 05/08/2015 at 01:57

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Did not the chassis was the same as the bk... Thanks

PG; the scalpel wielder > Simplify, then add beer 05/08/2015 at 01:59

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Depends on the manufacturer really. The FisT is similar weight to these 2,and the focus is a lot more as is the gti. No none else seems to be decreasing weight like Mazda. (a bit biased, the last 4 car purchases I have been involved in have been for Mazdas)

SlickMcRick > PG; the scalpel wielder 05/08/2015 at 02:11

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Pants are now ruined. Not sure if I’m happy or saddened by this....

PG; the scalpel wielder > SlickMcRick 05/08/2015 at 02:14

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why saddened?

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > PG; the scalpel wielder 05/08/2015 at 02:15

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Yes, they are.

Comparing two cars built only nine years apart doesn’t really show the difference. Looking back a bit further, you really start seeing it. In 1980, the big three’s small cars were the Ford Pinto, which weighed in around 2200 lbs, The Chevrolet Chevette (2000 lbs), and the Dodge Omni (2200 lbs). Fast forward to today, and we have the Fiesta (2400 lbs), the Spark (2400 lbs), and the, um... Dart... at a whopping 3100 lbs. The other two are a little more similar, however, the Fiesta was available overseas in 1980, weighing in at 1700 lbs, while the 3000 lb 2015 Focus is filling what would have been the Pinto’s slot today. The same goes for Chevrolet’s 2800 lb Cruze, although there were no “superminis” from Chevy back in 1980. The Dart is Dodge’s smallest car today, but the 1980 Colt would have slotted under the Omni at 1900 lbs, however it’s also competitive to the Fiesta, not the Pinto, so that’s why I left it out. Either way though, these cars have gained a fair amount of weight over their grandparents.
All weights were taken from Wikipedia.

That said, despite modern cars being faster, they’re a lot safer, in part due to that extra weight, stiffening sections that need stiffened, adding cushioning, etc. They’re also more comfortable, and have far more gadgetry. While I could do without most of the gizmos, I can appreciate the extra comfort and safety, even if I don’t like the weight penalty it brings.

SlickMcRick > PG; the scalpel wielder 05/08/2015 at 02:25

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Because I didn’t feel like making a mess of myself tonight. Btw I think you have added weight in the RSX because of the leather seats as well

PG; the scalpel wielder > SlickMcRick 05/08/2015 at 03:17

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That true and they are bloody annoying at autocross. But they are much easier to keep clean and more comfy for the distance driving I do than the Recaros. Plus airbags are good.

PG; the scalpel wielder > gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee 05/08/2015 at 03:18

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I think more so I am impressed that the Mazda3 weighs so little, yet offers do much.

Sam > gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee 05/08/2015 at 06:58

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I think we’ll see the weight start to decrease steadily across all makes, similar to the increase in power after the emissions stuff was around for a while.

LongbowMkII > gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee 05/08/2015 at 07:12

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The Mitsubishi Mirage is ~1980lbs.