JDM Toyota Corolla gets 280HP V6 (+ V6 Toyota Blade)
#46
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#47
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I'm sure Toyota has had a few pretty decent chassis designs sold in the US in the middle to lower budget class vehicle range, but it's the exception.
Granted how 'good' a chassis is, is subjective... and I understand that. Some old people would argue that the BOF waterbed feeling chassis of the Lincoln Towncar is superior because that's the kinda feel they like.
I'm talking from a 'drivers car' perspective, though.
#48
#49
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Worldwide, Mazda is not the *only* Japanese maker known for chassis tuning magic. Toyota, Honda, and Nissan all have their own reputations for making an incredible chassis. And another thing, the FEEL of the car doesn't always mean it's a great handling machine. A Civic might *feel* good when you drive it, but that doesn't mean it's a super handling machine.
Wait, you just said that Mazda was known as the "Japanese BMW" and that they had among Japanese automakers that "chassis tuning magic". So according to you, they do have the rep to sell a super-sporty exotic car. Mazda has never really been known for super reliable engines, so even if Mazda did have the money, I would definitely be interested to see a super high revving engine from them.
Wait, you just said that Mazda was known as the "Japanese BMW" and that they had among Japanese automakers that "chassis tuning magic". So according to you, they do have the rep to sell a super-sporty exotic car. Mazda has never really been known for super reliable engines, so even if Mazda did have the money, I would definitely be interested to see a super high revving engine from them.
BTW I don't consider a civic a great feeling car... I don't think anyone really considers a civic a great feeling car... a mini over a civic, a protege over a civic.. Although you can say a Civic Type R IS a pretty good handling machine.
And to the dude that says an EVO or a S2000 is a great FEELING car I don't think so. They may stick like glue to a track but they don't necessarily feel good doing so. The EVO example is laughable yes it handles awesome, but without all it's electronics it's not much.
#50
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It would be helpful if you could first define what a "great-feeling" car is and how it relates to handling. And what electronics are talking about, in case of the EVO? US specimens (v.VIII) did not have the active center diff., yet they still handle great. The benchmark does not stand still, of course, but EVO VIII will out-handle 95% of the cars on the road easily. I believe that versions IX+ have the active center diff and the viscous front LSD (no electronics there). For electronics, you have to look to Skyline GTR. By the way, you have driven the EVO without its electronics and concluded that it's not much, yes? Please share where you did so and in what way and what you compared it to so that you reached this conclusion.
#51
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Overall, this car looks SOLID in terms of both design and assembly/materials. I'm pumped.
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#52
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It would be helpful if you could first define what a "great-feeling" car is and how it relates to handling. And what electronics are talking about, in case of the EVO? US specimens (v.VIII) did not have the active center diff., yet they still handle great. The benchmark does not stand still, of course, but EVO VIII will out-handle 95% of the cars on the road easily. I believe that versions IX+ have the active center diff and the viscous front LSD (no electronics there). For electronics, you have to look to Skyline GTR. By the way, you have driven the EVO without its electronics and concluded that it's not much, yes? Please share where you did so and in what way and what you compared it to so that you reached this conclusion.
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Thanks! That perforated leather/suede dash interior is BOSS! I really hope that'll be an option here in the US, maybe this is some indication that we'll have an "XLE" version of the Blade or Corolla with a luxury interior and nice features like NAV and HIDs.
![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
Overall, this car looks SOLID in terms of both design and assembly/materials. I'm pumped.![Cool](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/cool.gif)
![Cool](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/cool.gif)
![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
Overall, this car looks SOLID in terms of both design and assembly/materials. I'm pumped.
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ba-b4, let me just say that the feel of a car and the ACTUAL objective handling abilities of a car are two *different* things. It looks like you have different opinions on what cars have a good "feel" and your opinion seems to differ on what exactly a "super high revving engine" is. The rotary engine I *do not* consider super high revving. To me, a super high revving engine is one that revs to over 9000RPM. The Renesis engine is close, but not quite there. Then of course there is the horrible reliability of the engine. You think a Protege has a better "feel" than a Civic? Fair enough, since we're talking about something subjective such as a car's "feel". But in terms of objective handling abilities, the Protege is not that great, and neither is a Civic. I hope you get my point, which is even if a car may FEEL good or FEEL like it handles well, it's actual handling abilities can be, and often are different than what you FEEL.
Just because an S2000 or Evo doesn't "feel" good to you, makes no difference in their factual, objective handling abilities. It also does not change the fact that an S2K or Evo will mop the floor with practically any Mazda on the racetrack, RX-8 included.
#54
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^I don't disagree TRDFantasy. When I said Mazda has the handleing "magic" of bmw I'm not talking about objective handling limits. The "magic" I'm talking about is how you feel when you're taking a car around the twisties. Comparing my own IS350 I'm sure objectively the handling is good but feeling wise it's not going to feel as connected as say a bmw or mazda. I'm not a super technical expert on terminology nor am I a seasoned anything track veteran so I'm not sure what exact terms to use. I just know what I like and Mazda's have more of that something that BMW's have than the other japanese car's that I've sat or driven in. That's all I'm saying.
#56
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nope I have not driven an EVO without electronics just have owned a modded WRX and driven friend's STI's before. General concensus is at least on the suby boards are that STI's are better balanced but evo's do stick better due to the electronics. I HAVE driven miata's howevever and also have driven an RX8 now those are great "feeling" cars. At least I give me a better feel of what the car's limits are while cornering.
You haven't given a definition of a "great-feeling" car, but I am starting to see where you are going. I think you mean: "a car that communicates to you what it is doing and translates your inputs into dynamic changes without much insulation (numbness) or drama". EVO has a good feel, but it is not a light-weight (compared to a miata) and it is not as balanced as a RWD RX8 and its weight (stock) sits higher off the ground. So, of course, EVO or STI cannot match those 2 cars in terms of weight-related feel. Otherwise, I would think that they are pretty close.
#57
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Back on topic - I think the blade v6 will sell well....it is basically a lower sitting, smaller, (and hopefully) lighter Rav4. For those that are put off by SUVs, but want the utility of a wagon without the looks, this would be a perfect fit.
Last edited by ST430; 08-03-07 at 05:01 PM.
#59
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In the US.