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  • poopshovel

    Jan. 26, 2011 11:13 a.m. poopshovel SuperDork

    Compliment sandwich:

    I've really, really, really enjoyed the last few issues. JG's article on the 'ring was some of the best race-reporting I've ever read.

    On the other hand, (insert copy from another thread) the "Hottest Hatch?" article made zero sense to me, from the standpoint that they were three completely different cars, and I couldn't figure out exactly how the 'best' car was determined. Wouldn't a Honda Fit be a better more appropriate car to put head-to-head against the Mazda2? Do I just need to be beaten over the head with the "CR-Z'S ARE COOL DAMNIT!" hammer more often? Isn't the Mazda2 the best value over the bunch, being WAY cheaper, WAY lighter, handling well enough for 2nd(?) fastest lap, and getting killer gas mileage to boot?

    I understand the cars are all supposed to be classed in H-stock. If it was strictly a "Here's the new hot car for H-stock" article, it would've made sense.

    How did the mini end up being the 'winner?' Strictly based on fastest lap time?

    My $.02.

  • chknhwk

    Jan. 26, 2011 4:22 p.m. chknhwk Reader

    Huh? Which magazine was this in? I didn't see that article anywhere...

  • poopshovel

    Jan. 27, 2011 9:03 a.m. poopshovel SuperDork

    The latest one. The one that says "HOTTEST HATCH?" on the cover...with the CR-Z in the foreground.

  • Tom Heath

    Jan. 27, 2011 9:41 a.m. Tom Heath Webmaster

    This one...

    http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/issues/details/173/

    I'll let the respective authors and editorial staff members speak to the criticisms mentioned, but everybody is either...
    a) At a trade show (Per and Steve)
    b) Getting ready for the Daytona event (Tim, Gary, Debbie, Nancy, Margie)
    c) Finishing the next issue (David, Scott, J.G.)
    d) Flying into Daytona (Andy Reid)
    e) Catching the walk-in traffic, answering telephones, and working on new web content. (Me.)

    I will say that the CR-Z is new, and the Fit is not. I was more interested in hearing how it would compare with the Mazda 2 and MINI than the Fit, which I already know is much slower than a MINI.

    Thank you for the sandwich regardless!

  • poopshovel

    Jan. 27, 2011 10:41 a.m. poopshovel SuperDork

    Tom Heath wrote:

    This one...

    http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/issues/details/173/

    I'll let the respective authors and editorial staff members speak to the criticisms mentioned, but everybody is either...
    a) At a trade show (Per and Steve)
    b) Getting ready for the Daytona event (Tim, Gary, Debbie, Nancy, Margie)
    c) Finishing the next issue (David, Scott, J.G.)
    d) Flying into Daytona (Andy Reid)
    e) Catching the walk-in traffic, answering telephones, and working on new web content. (Me.)

    I will say that the CR-Z is new, and the Fit is not. I was more interested in hearing how it would compare with the Mazda 2 and MINI than the Fit, which I already know is much slower than a MINI.

    Thank you for the sandwich regardless!

    ZOMG, I'll die if I don't get a proper response today! I understand the logic regarding fit v. cr-z, but how is the MINI "new?" It all just seemed a bit apples v. oranges to me (shrug.)

  • Tom Heath

    Jan. 27, 2011 10:46 a.m. Tom Heath Webmaster

    In reply to poopshovel:

    The MINI is the benchmark. It's been the "hottest hatch" in autocross circles for some time, but some folks (this guy being one of them) are ready for something new. The plan was to include some other cars, but some last minute snafus reduced the sample group to 3.

    I like the CR-Z, but it's too much money for a 2-seat car in my book. The Mazda2 really appeals to me, though. I want to try one!

  • poopshovel

    Jan. 27, 2011 11:29 a.m. poopshovel SuperDork

    Tom Heath wrote:

    In reply to poopshovel:

    The MINI is the benchmark. It's been the "hottest hatch" in autocross circles for some time, but some folks (this guy being one of them) are ready for something new. The plan was to include some other cars, but some last minute snafus reduced the sample group to 3.

    I like the CR-Z, but it's too much money for a 2-seat car in my book. The Mazda2 really appeals to me, though. I want to try one!

    That's what I was unclear on. If the article was clearly about which car could be the new hot car for HS, it would've made more sense to me...and actually, I'm sure most folks would wisely bet the farm on the MINI pulling the fastest times.

    Obviously there was mention of how the cars would stack up in the class, but the article didn't read as an auto-x specific one to me. IMHO, I'd say the Mazda2 was the 'overall' winner of the group considering the price, weight, better lap time than the CR-Z etc., and I wish I could buy one used. Having an almost identical power to weight ratio compared to the Mazda2, it would've been interesting (IMHO) to see how the fit stacked up against it. Certainly moreso than a car that's only got 2 doors, 2 seats, and costs a lot more.

    My $.02

  • tuna55

    Jan. 27, 2011 11:31 a.m. tuna55 Dork

    Tom Heath wrote:

    The Mazda2 really appeals to me, though. I want to try one!

    Me too, but I can't figure out why the Mazda2 is the media darling while the Ford Fiesta gets nothing.

  • Tom Heath

    Jan. 27, 2011 1:22 p.m. Tom Heath Webmaster

    tuna55 wrote:

    Tom Heath wrote:

    The Mazda2 really appeals to me, though. I want to try one!

    Me too, but I can't figure out why the Mazda2 is the media darling while the Ford Fiesta gets nothing.

    The Fiesta is a little heavier and has a slightly more powerful engine, but they share a lot of mechanical parts from what I'm told. A Fiesta was arranged for this test, but it was destroyed(!) in transit so it didn't make the show.

  • chknhwk

    Jan. 29, 2011 6:54 a.m. chknhwk Reader

    Tom Heath wrote:

    This one...

    http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/issues/details/173/

    I'll let the respective authors and editorial staff members speak to the criticisms mentioned, but everybody is either...
    a) At a trade show (Per and Steve)
    b) Getting ready for the Daytona event (Tim, Gary, Debbie, Nancy, Margie)
    c) Finishing the next issue (David, Scott, J.G.)
    d) Flying into Daytona (Andy Reid)
    e) Catching the walk-in traffic, answering telephones, and working on new web content. (Me.)

    I will say that the CR-Z is new, and the Fit is not. I was more interested in hearing how it would compare with the Mazda 2 and MINI than the Fit, which I already know is much slower than a MINI.

    Thank you for the sandwich regardless!

    I have not yet received that one, who do I email?

  • Marjorie Suddard

    Jan. 29, 2011 7:06 a.m. Marjorie Suddard General Manager

    Click the giant "Subscribe" link at the top of the page. That will take you to a page where you can inquire about missing issues, check the status of your sub, renew, etc.

    Margie

  • chknhwk

    Jan. 29, 2011 7:11 a.m. chknhwk Reader

    In reply to Marjorie Suddard:

    Well that's easy!

  • noddaz

    Jan. 29, 2011 2:13 p.m. noddaz New Reader

    I enjoyed this story as well. And it really made my day with the little blurb about the Nissan Versa... Heavy Slow No fun to drive

    BTW, I work at a Nissan dealer.... Scott

  • chknhwk

    Feb. 9, 2011 1:27 p.m. chknhwk Reader

    Well then, I tried filling out the form for the Hottest Hatch because I still haven't received it but I got an error message.

    <>

    What next? Can I get a copy?

  • Marjorie Suddard

    Feb. 10, 2011 12:52 p.m. Marjorie Suddard General Manager

    I edited your post to remove your personal info, and dropped a copy in the mail to you.

    You can always call the 877 number (toll free) on our site if you need subscriber services, as well. (877-677-6878)

    Margie

  • chknhwk

    Feb. 10, 2011 2:52 p.m. chknhwk Reader

    Thank you!!

  • scardeal

    Feb. 14, 2011 12:00 p.m. scardeal HalfDork

    Q regarding the Mini and Mazda 2:

    Can you verify or correct the following statements about the Mini and the Mazda 2?

    Mini - prepped with shocks, wheels, tires and cat-back exhaust but still h-stock legal
    Mazda 2 - prepped with wheels and tires only

    If the above is correct, I think the Mazda 2 would give the Mini a good run for its money if both had equal levels of prep.

  • Per Schroeder

    Feb. 14, 2011 12:12 p.m. Per Schroeder Technical Editor/Advertising Director

    Scardeal:

    That's correct---albeit the MINI had Koni FSDs on it--one of which was blown and we found that out afterwards.

    The truth of the matter is that we wanted to test the Fiesta too, but Ford didn't have any sticks for us to test. Kia and Hyundai didn't respond to our request.

  • chknhwk

    Feb. 15, 2011 7:44 p.m. chknhwk Reader

    Woohoo! It showed up! Three of my most favoritest things: hatchbacks, turbos and brake conversations! This might be one of my all time favorites.
    It's a shame Hyundai didn't step up to the plate, I'm very interested in seeing how they fair against the others. I'm willing to bet their shpeal on 'tuned suspension' is just hype to get people to buy into the Accent. Either way I still love my Accent. Looking forward to reading the whole magazine when I get a chance.

 
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