o, due to my wife's and mine economic steady-ness (Finally!) we made the decision it was time to get rid of the money hog 2000 Jimmy. It never ran right, ever, and it sucked gas worse than my full size silverado did. Could never figure out the issues it had, so we passed on the headache at a severely reduced price and decided it was time for a new new car. Something small, sporty, with good MPG's, and a low price tag, to keep our debt small.
Neither of us will go anywhere near Honda's or Toyota's, only out of personal preference. So our options were left to a few cars that we were interested in.
We drove an SX4 (I work for Suzuki). It was okay, very "bubbly" and the CVT felt odd at low speeds. Other than those two things, it was very nice, and while not at the top of our list, it was an option.
We drove a nissan versa. It was at the top of the list, and my wife was ready to settle, but I said no, lets go look at a couple more.
We looked into Kia's and Hyundai's, but decided no Koren cars.
Our last stop came out of the blue (literally) when we passed the Ford/Mazda dealership on our way back to the Nissan dealership. As we passed, I remember the new Ford Fiesta, and thought maybe we could afford a Focus? So, we turned around and walked in.
We sat down with a salesmen and talked about what we wanted. They didn't have very many Fiesta's, and they didn't have any base model focus's either. Then i remember the new Mazda 2, and mentioned it to the salesmen. He looked over the inventory and found 1 in our price range. We walked out to the car (It was black) and looked it over. My wife liked it a lot before we even drove it, so we hoped in and took it for a spin. In her words, it was perfect. Everything was perfect about it. the right amount of room, the right MPG's, the right price, handled well, everything. Then, we got back to the dealership, and she spotted a green one. I think she might have had a slight heart attack because she ran over to it and said, "Can we keep it?"
So, to end the long post, we now have in our possession, a BRIGHT GREEN 2011 Mazda 2. It's a really nice little buggy. I call it Slimey. I will admit, my wife sure looks cute driving this little thing. I don't mind driving either truthfully. It really does fit their advertisement zoom-zoom, concentrated.
Anyway, just wanted to share a fun little story.
Pics:
Slick little car... i like it.
5 speed? Grab some interior shots, never been in one of these. Congrats on the buy!
'99 Sunfire - Bought April 07/Sold April 2010
'05 Sunfire - Bought May 2010/Wrecked Feb 2011
'05 lssport - soon???
i work for Suzuki also.
Sig thanks to bxmobkrazey on gmscf.com
tanner wrote:5 speed? Grab some interior shots, never been in one of these. Congrats on the buy!
No, my wife can't drive a stick (I've been teaching her, and while she can move the car and can "drive" it, she's not comfortable with it, so we had to get an auto. But the throttle response is very good for an auto. Probably the best I've ever driven. I will take some interior shots soon.
The color gets lots of compliments. I've alway been a fan of Mazda's. Its pretty sporty, and handles REALLY well. Quite balanced, of course there is understeer, but it feels good.
And for some reason, the rest of the pics didn't show up. Weird.
Congrats man. Love the color! Would also like interior pictures.
glad to see you are doing well to buy a new car. its always to see that. but this is the smiley i thought of when i seen the car.>>
i not tring to offend. just get a chuckle.
No worries man. We love it, so it really doesn't matter if anyone else does. (not being a dick)
I just wanted to share, since we are thrilled to have the means to have a new car, and it's pretty cool.
And you said something about the SX4... My grandma has a 2010 SX4 with all the upgrades you can ask for and i LOVE it. It is so much fun with its slap shift auto and i think it looks amazing with the flaked blue and the upgraded fog lights and stuff. Not to mention it is a tank in the snow.
Get vanity plates that say Slimer or booger hahah
Looks nice what kind of mpg is it rated at?
Lanman31337 -F = fatties = do not want. A little chunk in the junk is ok though.
I can't say I had the same feelings when I test drove one, but glad you like it.
2010 Honda Fit LX
Wrong Turn wrote:Get vanity plates that say Slimer or booger hahah
Looks nice what kind of mpg is it rated at?
yes slimer would be awesome. i'm also interested in specs.
Engine
Engine type 1.5-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder with VVT
Horsepower 100 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque 98 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Redline 6300
Displacement (cc) 1498
Bore x stroke (mm) 78.0 x 78.4
Compression ratio 10.0:1
Fuel system Electronically controlled multiport fuel injection
Recommended fuel Regular unleaded
Valvetrain Chain-driven dual overhead cams, 4 valves per cylinder with variable intake valve timing (VVT)
Ignition system Direct coil-on-plug electronic ignition with platinum-tipped spark plugs
Engine block Aluminum alloy
Cylinder head Aluminum alloy
Emission control type (Fed/Cal) Tier2-BIN5 / ULEV2
Fuel economy
Manual transmission (city/hwy)† 29/35
Automatic transmission (city/hwy)† 27/33
Chassis
Brakes Front disc/rear drum
- Front 10.2-inch vented disc
- Rear 7.9-inch drum
- ABS 4-wheel, 4-channel with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist
Steering type Power rack-and-pinion with variable assist
Power assist Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS)
Overall steering ratio 15:1
Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock 2.7
Turning circle, curb-to-curb (ft) 32.2
Suspension
- Front MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar
- Rear Torsion beam with coil springs
Wheel size (in) 15 x 6.0
Tire size P185/55R15 V-speed rated all-season radial
Weights & Capacities
Curb weight (lbs)
- Manual transmission 2306
- Automatic transmission 2359
Fuel capacity (gallons) 11.3
We've seen 33 combined driving so far, so I'm expecting the higher rating from the epa on the highway, which was up to 39 mpg's. So I'll be looking for probably around 36 on the highway.
And I know the engine numbers look low, but the transmission really helps get as many of those ponies to ground and keep them there. When cruising, you'r in the power almost all the time, which is low in the RPM's. It doesn't downshift very often when you demand power. It just goes.
Oh and I forgot. She named it Yesterday.
It's new name is Gizmo the Gremlin
Spiffy, I just picked up a 2011 Fiesta, wanna race?
How many steps to heaven, Doc?
...Ah, metaphysics.
It's pretty light for a new car. Most new cars are pretty heavy because of all the standard equipment they are required to have. I'm sure it's pretty peppy.
I like the name "Boogey". lol
Congrats on getting a new car.
Jonathan Pike wrote:Spiffy, I just picked up a 2011 Fiesta, wanna race?
Hahaha sure man, let's line up and see who's the slowest of the slow
kevo1586 . wrote:It's pretty light for a new car. Most new cars are pretty heavy because of all the standard equipment they are required to have. I'm sure it's pretty peppy.
I like the name "Boogey". lol
Congrats on getting a new car.
Thanks.
And to think, it's 2300 lbs WITH side curtain front and front air bags! It doesn't have any of the stuff that makes most new cars into rolling houses. Not stuff we need at all.
The color is perfect for that car........nice lil ride you have there man
Lower it. Then lower it again.
Paying someone to install parts and bragging about it being fast, is like watching someone bang your wife and being proud to raise their kids.
