Having a hell of a time trying to decide on my next vehicle.
I love a LOT about how Mazda designs vehicles, they truly seem to 'get' me. My wife's 2017 3 Sport GT with a manual is an absolute joy to drive and I'm highly contemplating an MX5-RF for my future midlife crisis car.
But (like most manufacturers today), they frustratingly don't make available cars (in North America anyway) with a combination of features I frankly deem necessary. I need a hatch/wagon/CUV body style (sadly bigger than the 3), preferably with closer to 200+ HP and/or torque for light towing (but with good fuel economy for commuting) and a G.D. manual transmission.
Bonus points for AWD.
Now the potential CX5 diesel, when/if it gets here, certainly crosses a lot of those boxes. But I'm just not sure I'm willing to give up my manual transmission on a daily basis. As good as Mazda's auto's are, it just does not match the driving enjoyment of rowing your own.
Honestly, if they'd just bring the 6 wagon here with a manual, I'd buy one in a heart beat. Again, bonus points if it had a diesel and/or AWD. But even the next gen 6, while reportedly to be available with AWD, you will not be able to get with a stick (or with the 2.5T). And I'd be shocked if they make the wagon available at all.
Which brings me to the Golf SportWagen 4Motion. Now available in 2018 with AWD and a 6 speed manual. It has comparable power to the 2.5 gas motor in the CX5 (or 3 and 6), which is to say less power than I'd prefer, AWD and a bloody fine manual. If the CX5 diesel doesn't materialize, the Golf might be my next car. If it does....man have I got hard decisions to make.
But bloody hell is it frustrating how limited we are here on cars. It feels like hunting unicorns. If I lived in Germany I'd have 5-10 solid cars to choose from including a diesel, AWD, manual transmission 6 wagon.
I love a LOT about how Mazda designs vehicles, they truly seem to 'get' me. My wife's 2017 3 Sport GT with a manual is an absolute joy to drive and I'm highly contemplating an MX5-RF for my future midlife crisis car.
But (like most manufacturers today), they frustratingly don't make available cars (in North America anyway) with a combination of features I frankly deem necessary. I need a hatch/wagon/CUV body style (sadly bigger than the 3), preferably with closer to 200+ HP and/or torque for light towing (but with good fuel economy for commuting) and a G.D. manual transmission.
Bonus points for AWD.
Now the potential CX5 diesel, when/if it gets here, certainly crosses a lot of those boxes. But I'm just not sure I'm willing to give up my manual transmission on a daily basis. As good as Mazda's auto's are, it just does not match the driving enjoyment of rowing your own.
Honestly, if they'd just bring the 6 wagon here with a manual, I'd buy one in a heart beat. Again, bonus points if it had a diesel and/or AWD. But even the next gen 6, while reportedly to be available with AWD, you will not be able to get with a stick (or with the 2.5T). And I'd be shocked if they make the wagon available at all.
Which brings me to the Golf SportWagen 4Motion. Now available in 2018 with AWD and a 6 speed manual. It has comparable power to the 2.5 gas motor in the CX5 (or 3 and 6), which is to say less power than I'd prefer, AWD and a bloody fine manual. If the CX5 diesel doesn't materialize, the Golf might be my next car. If it does....man have I got hard decisions to make.
But bloody hell is it frustrating how limited we are here on cars. It feels like hunting unicorns. If I lived in Germany I'd have 5-10 solid cars to choose from including a diesel, AWD, manual transmission 6 wagon.
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