97 mph traps sounds like a slow car or bad driver... maybe they didn't even have the flash yet, who knows. I have to admit that the car when bone stock without the flash was less than impressive, but I knew that a few tweaks would correct those shortcomings and then some. Can't wait to pick up my car with the new clutch today, should be night and day once it's broken in.

 

LOL at that article. If they think the 135i transmission is notchy, they probably cannot physically shift an X transmission.

I cannot believe they called the Evo's seats confining. The seats in my X were the best production car seats I've ever sat in by far. I often miss them when driving spiritedly through turns.

I would rank the Evo or 135i first depending on your usage, then put everything else much later. The STI does not deserve its second place finish at all. The Evo is convincingly superior as a "sporty car" to the Subaru.

I definitely don't miss the fuel economy I got from the X.

Consumer Reports has no clue regarding the pulse of an automotive enthusiast anyway, so no harm done there. Just point at them and laugh like I am.


While I'd take the MS3 over the bottom two, I would not take it over the top two. The MZR can barely handle stock horsepower. When you increase the power, the chance for catastrophic engine failure is much higher than any other car on that list. I've seen it more than once firsthand in MS6s.

 

that is why consumer reports rating a sporty/sports car is an oxymoron

 

in stock form though, i'd take it over those 4, and I did. And not handling the power is something the SRT-4 does very well with not traction control or LSD = one tire fire and torque steer monkey. That list is nuts, where's the 350z or s2k even, they are far more "sporty" than a WRX....

 

I'm not talking about traction; I know FWD cars with torque have lots of issues with it. I also know the MS3 is ten times the handling car the SRT-4 is.

I'm talking about the fact that the MZR is unreliable with extra power. The SRT-4 engine, on the other hand, can handle it with relative ease. I have a lot of experience tuning MZRs.

If stock or close to stock power levels are something you can be satisfied with in a Mazdaspeed 3, its an alright car. If you want more power, forget it.

 

I agree the Bangle turned it into a freak show over there with his post modern take on the automobile.

Give me a e30 m3 any day

 

Huh? 0-60 in 5.8, CR is not very accurate.

 

Consumer Reports has trashed the Evo ever since the 03's came here. The liked the STI better back then. All they care about is noise, ride quality, comfort, and reliability. Looking at that list I cannot comprehend how the X could be ranked lower than any car other than the BMW... If you're going to do a ride quality / noise test, don't call it a performance car test.

 

funny my srt-4 had a quaif LSD and could handle 500hp on a stock shortblock. still the ms3 should have been on the list.

 

I would definitely take a 335i over a 135i even if it is a tad slower and a tad more expensive. I test drove one but therelative reliabilty, modabilty and AWD got me into the EVO. I don't regret it one bit. The 4B11 motor is fantastic and the car is a blast to drive fast.

 

s2k and 350z were both in the "roadsters" category. they have the following categories: sporty cars (the one with the bmw and evo), roadsters (basse vette, boxter, 350z, s2k, elise, z4, slk), then they have the "Ultra Performance/Luxury Sport" class (911, z06, s4, 6series, viper).

 

I think that the MZ3 should be ranked 4th on that list. I think they are crazy for leaving it out and then rating the R32 higher. It shows you their priority is toward ride quality as apposed to handling. The 135i would remain number one in my list. Then Evo X, STI, MZ3, R32... STI has more usable space and "appears" to be built better.

You should not factor in modding.

 

i just wanna know wtf was a sentra SER doing on that list? it looks like a car i would give my grandma

 

Consumer Reports is great for ranking appliances such as refrigerators or vacuum cleaners. Unfortunately that's the way they look at cars -- as appliances. The emotional factor, or, for example, understanding how great handling is more important than rear leg room, escapes them. If your mother asks you to help her select a car, and you know she wants a vehicle that isolates her from the driving experience, that she just wants to be able to get in, turn the key and go (in other words she wants an appliance), then CR is a great place to get car recommendations. If on the other hand she loves sports cars and enjoys driving on curvy roads, then stay far, far away from CR...

One place where CR really excels is their annual reliability ratings. Unlike J.D Powers, they are not financially supported by the auto companies. And their sample base is much larger than the competitors. But even with this large sample base, cars such as our Evos are often left out because there are not enough cars sampled to provide adequate reliability data.