Best College Cars
August 17th, 2006
The folks at CNNMoney.com have come up with a list of the 7 best “college cars” — the best available rides for current college students or new grads who have to work within a limited budget. To make the list, each vehicle had to have a base price of under $16,000, be fuel-efficient, and offer good utility.
So without further delay, here’s what they came up with. They’re listed them from lowest to highest base price:
- Nissan Versa – $12, 450
- Scion xA – $12, 780
- Dodge Caliber – $13,425
- Ford Focus – $13,450
- Mazda 3 -$13, 710
Mazda and Scion Predictions
August 17th, 2006
The Autoweek crew have been doing their homework and dusting off their crystal ball to provide details on the future rides to come out of Scion and Mazda.
The plans for Scion include a heavily redesigned version of the xA that dumps the current doorstop physique for a shape yet to be released. The xB will remain a toaster, as the box form is something that, according to Autoweek’s contacts, will endure throughout the models lifespan. Expect to see revisions to the tC towards the end of the decade with styling cues coming from the New York Auto Show’s Fuse concept. One additional model will be added, most likely carrying the name xD (they’ve already applied for the trademark), which will be something of a Matrix replacement, not a stretched version of the xB as had been previously thought.
Mazda’s got their own thing going on and we can only hope that the upcoming models/redesigns carry more of their patented zoom-squared DNA.
At the forefront, in our minds at least, is the Kabura concept that debuted in Detroit. If Mazda decides to bring over the MX-5 based coupe, expect to wait until 2009 at the earliest (insert weeping and sniffing noises here). They could’ve pacified us in the meantime by bringing over the Mazda2 subcompact that’s currently available in Europe, but after researching what the U.S. market (supposedly) would want, they deemed the project terminal and have since called off any plans for importation. A design study was performed on the RX-8 and nothing is planned beyond a revamping for the 2010 model year.
The Mazda3 is due for a redesign, which should literally take shape in 2009, with some small revisions being made in the meantime. The Mazda6 will down some Enzyte and grow in all dimensions in order to better compete with the Accord and Camry, with parts being shared with its stable mate the Ford Fusion.
The MPV and Tribute will be put out of their misery by 2007, with the latter coming back as the CX-5 in 2008. A CX-9 is in development to fill the minivan sized whole left by the MPV, which should find its way onto roads late next year.
The Autoweek crew have been doing their homework and dusting off their crystal ball to provide details on the future rides to come out of Scion and Mazda.
The plans for Scion include a heavily redesigned version of the xA that dumps the current doorstop physique for a shape yet to be released. The xB will remain a toaster, as the box form is something that, according to Autoweek’s contacts, will endure throughout the models lifespan. Expect to see revisions to the tC towards the end of the decade with styling cues coming from the New York Auto Show’s Fuse concept. One additional model will be added, most likely carrying the name xD (they’ve already applied for the trademark), which will be something of a Matrix replacement, not a stretched version of the xB as had been previously thought.
Mazda Tests RX-8 Reliability For Third Time At 24-hour Endurance Race
August 16th, 2006
The Mazda RX-8’s reliability has taken a beating as of late, what with the leaked video and various reports of squeeky brakes, flooding and even failing engines in hot climates. The RX-8, however, shouldn’t be written off just yet.
You should know that the four-door sports car has competed in and completed two 24-hour endurance races and has been entered in its third, the Silverstone Britcar 24 Hour Endurance Race, which takes place on September 9th and 10th.
Mazda will be entering three cars in the Silverstone race that have been modified only to meet racing safety requirements and are otherwise stock, including their 1.3-liter RENESIS rotary engine.
Mazda began endurance racing the RX-8 back in 2004 when it set 40 records with two cars that drove more than 3,100 miles in 24 hours at average speeds of 132 and 134 mph.
The Mazda RX-8’s reliability has taken a beating as of late, what with the leaked video and various reports of squeeky brakes, flooding and even failing engines in hot climates. The RX-8, however, shouldn’t be written off just yet.
You should know that the four-door sports car has competed in and completed two 24-hour endurance races and has been entered in its third, the Silverstone Britcar 24 Hour Endurance Race, which takes place on September 9th and 10th.
Mazda will be entering three cars in the Silverstone race that have been modified only to meet racing safety requirements and are otherwise stock, including their 1.3-liter RENESIS rotary engine.
