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Aesquire
| | Posted on Saturday, November 19, 2022 - 12:15 pm: | 
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Btw, I'm full Luddite on touch screen controls for cabin heat. I want a freaking knob and actual buttons. I hate to have to search through menus to change to defrost modes especially because I live in sh%&&y weather East. The number of times I pull out of the driveway and the car fogs up is a three season phenomenon.
My Rav4 requires hitting the correct button in a row of identical ones to change modes, ( face/feet/window ) and there's a tiny graphic that shows what you get. And that's still a massive improvement over my Mom's Prius Prime with the big touch screen thing.
I have learned to tune the radio with a menu system, but it takes my eyes off the road far too long for my taste.
And while I'm ranting!!!!
Auto modes in the heater that turn the fan to maximum when you start the car on a cold day just annoy the @#$% outa me. Until it warms up they just are loud cold air distractions that delay actually clearing the Windows and making you comfortable.
Otoh, a heated steering wheel is the best thing since the fan was invented. |
Rick_a
| | Posted on Saturday, January 14, 2023 - 02:13 pm: |
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I'm a few months with the Mazda now. I have to say that it's not as practical as the Fit, but I definitely prefer the driving experience. It's more stable, the steering is more direct, and it stays flatter going around corners.
So far the horn quit...the connector came off somehow. After a 600 mile trip it started shifting poorly. 1st gear and reverse became very hard to get into and I had to double clutch it like a dog box transmission at times until it warmed up. I changed the transmission fluid (which looked clean) and it's back to normal. I'm guessing maybe someone used the wrong fluid type. It feels like it broke down prematurely. Easy fix, thankfully. I also prefer the shifter position...it's a bit ahead just behind the dash. I don't find myself accidentally downshifting with this arrangement as I did occasionally with the Fit. The actual shift feel is clunkier and less refined...but that's no thing. The clutch is a shorter travel, but the feel is more progressive. This is built into a hydraulic circuit. Some hate it. I don't mind it at all.
It used about a quarter quart of oil in 600mi/9hrs of continuous highway use. That's not bad. In town it doesn't use enough to notice.
It definitely has power in a more useable range. Passing is less dramatic. It cruises comfortably at around 1000rpm lower than the Fit. Despite being 17 horsepower down, it isn't noticeable unless over 5000 rpm. The Fit felt flat down low and had a nice top end surge of power. The 2 accelerates in a very linear fashion.
The downsides are a cheap interior, no usb connectivity, no cruise control, and a couple less cupholders. Despite the cheap fabrics, the Mazda seats have better bolstering for me. I was swimming in the Fit seats.
Overall I really like it. I'm planning on lowering springs, front camber bolts, and lighter wheels. Later down the road I'll put some sticker tires on it.
Fuell mileage is the same as the Fit. After lowering and maybe an undertray that should improve. That said, right now I can do all the regular services by just reaching under the car, which is awfully convenient.
The Fit needed the throttle stabbed to rev match or heel-toe shift. It also had some rev hang. The Mazda is very responsive in that respect, so it's been taking me a while to te wire my noodle around that. It needs but a dab, and the revs don't hang at all. The idle is a bit lower, so it crawls in traffic a little better. The Honda has this annoying automatic rev feature to prevent stalling...and I did not find that helpful.
The front suspension stays a bit more planted, so while the Honda tripped the traction control under acceleration over rough pavement frequently...the Mazda does not.
I also don't mind saving a few bucks in insurance. Once I recoup the three grand that USAA did not reimburse me for, I'll be in good shape. |
Hootowl
| | Posted on Saturday, January 14, 2023 - 05:56 pm: |
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Those ‘reliability’ ratings are based on the number of warranty claims. They weight engine failure and an ill-fitted piece of trim the same. They’re sort of BS. |
Rick_a
| | Posted on Sunday, January 15, 2023 - 10:07 am: |
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quote:Those ‘reliability’ ratings are based on the number of warranty claims. They weight engine failure and an ill-fitted piece of trim the same. They’re sort of BS.
There tends to be a high emphasis on consumer reporting. I'm fine with that.
If the car is regularly in for work, warranty or not...that's quite an inconvenience regardless of failure mode. |
Rick_a
| | Posted on Sunday, May 21, 2023 - 10:29 am: |
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The Mazda is mostly done. It took three months to get the wheels in. Turns out that three of the steel wheels were dinged under the hubcaps. I guess the next used car...I should take them off for inspection.
 20230510_100606 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr
The car was having problems with the clutch and brakes. The fluid looked like orange soda and is shared between both systems. It seemed to be contaminated to the point that the brakes were were dragging and the clutch disengaging and slipping when it was hot. So far so good.
When I did the lowering springs, one of the strut mounts were broken for who knows how long. They're usually rubber. In this car they are plastic. Easy fix. I also replaced the dust shields and bottom out bumpers while I was at it. Used car stuff. Fun.
It was also found that the evap system hoses are all rotting out. At some point that will need dealt with as well. |
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