Mazda 3 Vs. Civic .. (maybe a Toy?)

[StinkyMojo]

[vee_ess]

First off, h*ll no, OC'ing a car isn't tuning a car's computer. The computers control the timing and the fuel/air mixture ratio's primarily. ECU's can add minor increases, but that's just increasing the latter of the two mentioned. Rodding cars involves so much science, such as reduction of rotational inertia and trying to approach ideal conditions for the combustion (chemistry). By comparison, overclocking a computer by 150% an amazing feat, while it's not hard to dress up a car to get 300 or 400 percent increases in performance.

With Jetta's, you throw on a higher perf blower and intake, some rods and pistons, and a header-back system and you'll easily be in the 13's (quarter mile; an aggressive time). With Toyotas and Hondas, the reason why ricers like them is because they are cheap and you can throw in some decent engines. The stock engines are pathetic. And, rodding up real cars is not ricing...

The Jetta's do have occasional problems with timing belts and MAF sensors, but those are relatively cheap and easy things to take care of, and aren't things that will stop you on the side of the road.

Another car I'd suggest are the Imprezas (Subaru). They are quite a bit sportier, but that isn't something you are looking for you mentioned. They are, though, quite reliable and very underrated cars. There mileage is good, however it isn't going to be able to compete with the mileage of a Civic, 3, or Jetta. It is quite good in terms of quality for its class; I'd say on par with the Jetta.

[Jason425]

good info, but all it did was confuse me more lol.. or put me further away form a decision.. saying stock engines sux make me sad of the $ i'll have to spend to be leet.

he wasn't saying all stock engines suck but the ones in vehicles that are typically riced out are a little puttery..... Subaru is quite good i agree

only brand i really reccomend staying away from is Hyundai..... they're recyclable

[StinkyMojo]

... and kia

[Jason425]

Originally Posted by cherrypie

only brand i really reccomend staying away from is Hyundai..... they're recyclable

good for the environment no?

[vee_ess]

LOL. Well, Volvo's are more than 85% recyclable, and they are good vehicles. So if you see a used S40 for cheap, that'd actually kill any of the other cars mentioned.