Tag Archives: Everyday Cars

Opinions

The 2016 Ford Focus RS Done Right!

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2016 Ford Focus RS

Don’t you just love when automakers don’t drop the ball at the last minute and disappoint everyone?

All too often car companies release products that just aren’t as good as they should be. They either don’t listen to what customers are asking for, or they think they don’t need to improve upon a good product (cough, Subaru, cough).

Today, Ford has released the details on the new 2016 Ford Focus RS, a rally-style hatchback aimed directly at the Subaru WRX STI. All of the details we were praying for are thankfully present and accounted for, namely all-wheel-drive a manual gearbox.

Continue reading The 2016 Ford Focus RS Done Right! →

Auto Idolatry

Autocar Tries Out The New Mazda MX5 Miata

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Here is our first look at what the new 2015 Mazda MX5 Miata is like from behind the wheel. This is the 1.5L-equipped Miata, which will be a Japanese and European model only. Impressions on the US-spec 2.0L Miata are yet to come, but horsepower for the 2.0L SkyActive four cylinder has been announced at 155bhp. That’s not the 180-200hp that many of us were hoping for, but this is a Miata, so it doesn’t really matter that much.

In the video, he says the new car feels a lot like the original Miata, and I can think of no higher praise for this car than that.

Enjoy!

-Nick

SHOWCASE

What a feeling…Miata!

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Miata Front

I’ve got announcement for you, dear reader.  The mild-mannered, straitlaced side of the Mind Over Motor duo has let his hair down a little bit.  A few months ago, after a few stiff drinks and a hangover to rival Dionysus, I made the executive decision to get an NA Miata.  I bought one so I could get better at driving stick (I wasn’t bad when I bought it but this is the only way to improve consistently when you haven’t driven stick your whole life), as well as to have a second car to drive around when I want a go-kart for the road.

It’s in great shape–far better condition than the last Miata Nick had.  It’s a 1993 model with a new stereo and a new clutch, and it needs a little work. It’s a great car so far.  While the little 1.6L DOHC four isn’t a ball of fire, 2200 pounds make life easy for it off the line and it feels sprightly up to 75MPH.  The brakes are effective and the clutch feels very strong–it’s more than up to the abuse of a driver who’s new to manual transmissions (I hope).  No real leaks, and the only issue is that it’s lacking a limited-slip rear differential.   It also needs tires–the all seasons occupying the little 14-inch wheels need to go.

Flip up headlights, bright red paint, and a chassis and transmission to die for?  It’s going to be an interesting ride.  Stay with us, as a full review is coming this summer when the weather warms up. Continue reading What a feeling…Miata! →

Opinions

Edmunds Tests The Durability Of Ford’s Aluminum F-150

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I’ll admit to being one of the skeptics of the new aluminum-bodied Ford F-150. I could just see them getting banged up real easily on worksites, and being extremely expensive to fix. This video shows some surprising resilience in the F-150’s aluminum body panels, even after being pounded with a sledgehammer. No word on the repair bill as of yet, so we’ll have to wait and see. But thus far, I’m definitely impressed.

UPDATE: They got the bill!

So the aluminum body panels are sturdier than many had thought, but you won’t want to have to fix them. They are quite expensive, more than double the cost of repairing steel body work. Aluminum costs substantially more to work on than steel, and it takes more hours to do the work.

In a nutshell, it’s a good thing that the F-150’s aluminum body panels are pretty robust because many customers may find it a better idea to just live with a few dings and dents than spend the big money on repairs.

-Nick

CARS 101

Ford Fiesta ST Tuning And Modification Guide

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Ford Fiesta ST Modification Guide

The Ford Fiesta ST is one of my favorite cars currently on sale in America. It’s just such a great package for a great price, and it puts most other cheap performance cars on sale in America to shame. If your budget is a strict $25,000 and you want a fun new car, you’d be a bit foolish to buy anything else.

Of course, with any performance-focused car, owners want to know how they can make their car faster with aftermarket parts and tuning. I thought the Ford Fiesta ST had pretty much everything going for it in stock form, but it’s only human nature to want to push things further.

A friend of mine just got himself a Ford Fiesta ST, and that has inspired me to write this overview on modifications and tuning for the car. Now, The Smoking Tire has already done some wonderful videos on upgrading their Fiesta ST. Because I want you, the reader, to have the best information available here, I will include those videos in this post. Also, see the table at the bottom for all the numbers in one place.

Let’s get to it!

Continue reading Ford Fiesta ST Tuning And Modification Guide →

Opinions

2016 Lexus GS-F, Stupidity Or Genius?

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2016 Lexus GS-F Sedan

Lexus has unveiled the long awaited F version of their GS sedan, the aptly named “GS-F.” It aims to take on the heavy hitters of the high performance luxury sedan market. You know, the BMW M5, Mercedes E63, Audi RS7, and Cadillac’s daring new CTS-V. With such hefty competition, we were all sure that Lexus would really come prepared. We waited with baited breath as we saw test mules running through their paces, hoping it would be another a bombshell like the Cadillac.

Now out in production form, we see that Lexus has given the GS-F a big naturally aspirated 5.0L V8 that produces all of 467bhp. And that would have been great… if it were still 2003.

Continue reading 2016 Lexus GS-F, Stupidity Or Genius? →

Opinions

The MK7 Volkswagen Golf R, and why the Subaru STI should be scared

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2015 VW Golf R

Volkswagen’s new Mk7 Golf R seems to be something special, something that ups the ante. In fact, it appears to have improved so much so that I think it will serve the Subaru STI it’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner with an extra smack in the face for dessert. And I say that as someone who owns a Subaru STI.

A Stagnant Subaru

But I don’t own a new Subaru STI, no, I own a 2004 STI, and the car that I bought back in 2006 was a very different car than today’s. The STI I bought was one that was legitimately, wheel to wheel, a Porsche 911, BMW M3, and Corvette competitor. The 2004 STI was a world-beater ten years ago. But here is where we come to the problem with the new STI… it has barely changed one bit since 2004.

Continue reading The MK7 Volkswagen Golf R, and why the Subaru STI should be scared →

CARS 101

Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R 2.0T Modification and Tuning Guide

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L-Mk6-Volkswagen-Golf-R-Engine

Volkswagen’s 2.0T has been the backbone of their lineup, at least here in the US, for nearly a decade now. It has nestled itself into a versitile position, powering the higher-end VW models as well as the lower level Audi models.

Volkswagens equipped with the 2.0T include: the GTI, Golf R, Jetta GLI, Passat, Beetle Turbo, CC, Eos, and Tiguan.

Audis equipped with the 2.0T include: the A3, S3, A4, A5, A6, Q3, Q5, and TT.

The 2.0T has wide-ranging capabilities, and, what luck, it just so happens to be quite tuneable. While there are a few varying versions of the 2.0T out there, depending on the model, the general modification path is pretty standard fare.

Continue reading Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R 2.0T Modification and Tuning Guide →

Opinions

Consumer Comparison 2015: Accord vs Altima vs Camry

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2015 Toyota Camry 2015 Nissan Altima 2015 Honda Accord

The Honda Accord, the Nissan Altima, and the Toyota Camry, these may seem like mundane machines, but they wage a battle royale for the hearts and minds of the average buyers that make up a huge percentage of the automotive market. And make no mistake, if you are looking to buy one of these three cars, then you are very much an average, Joe-Blow sort of car buyer. That said, do not despair at your C+ automotive clout, because you represent the very backbone of the auto industry, and you are about to make an extremely important decision.

Honda, Toyota, and Nissan are basically seen as the “sure bet” manufacturers for anyone who just wants a reliable form of transportation. That is why we grouped these sedans together. But how are you supposed to choose between three decent options that might as well be carbon copies of one another? Well, dear reader, that’s where we come in to help!

Continue reading Consumer Comparison 2015: Accord vs Altima vs Camry →

Cars We've Seen

2014 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Wagon spotted in Carmel, CA

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Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Wagon Front

When it comes to wagons, the faster they are, the more interesting they become. I was born into a wagon-owning family. It wasn’t so flashy, just a 1989 Pontiac 6000 in blue–but it was gone in a flash when a few lowlifes stole it in Jersey City. Since then, I’ve been a fan of station wagons, for their practicality and better handling characteristics (usually) than SUVs and crossovers. Mercedes-Benz’s slowest selling car happens to be the one you see here–the E63 AMG Wagon. This wagon packs a twin-turbocharged 5.5L V8, packing over 580 horsepower and all-wheel-drive standard. Last I checked, they don’t sell more than about a thousand per year of these, and with good reason–it’s a small market. That said, here at Mind Over Motor, we are glad they see the need for them. When this black one pulled up, Nick yelled to me from across the Ocean Avenue junction to turn around, and I found myself face to face with it. Enjoy the photos. Continue reading 2014 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Wagon spotted in Carmel, CA →

Cars We've Seen

1973 Volkswagen Beetle #69 Spotted in Carmel, CA

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Volkswagen Beetle Front

When it comes to the VW Beetle, I’m not the biggest fan in the world, but I tolerate them. Of course, one that’s been modified in some amusing way will keep my attention for a good amount longer. This little white Beetle had some turquoise tape stripes (clearly made of tape), cool Minilite-style wheels, and some writing on the back window. It’s nowhere near the caliber of any other car that I saw running around Carmel that evening, but this unique little Beetle (which has a “turbo” and “1000 Horsepower” according to the written notes on the back end) has a draw and a charm all its own. Continue reading 1973 Volkswagen Beetle #69 Spotted in Carmel, CA →

Cars We've Seen

Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser spotted in Carmel, CA

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1972 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser Front

While Nick was busy walking to the rental car after we got done taking photos at Bonhams, I was busy trying to line up a shot of a rather humorous “YOLO” style plate on a Lamborghini Gallardo when one of my all-time favorite early-Seventies pieces of Americana rolled into view. These guys were a cool bunch, and when I asked them the most important question of “What’s under the hood?” they simply said it was running a 455 cubic inch big block V8. Frankly, when it comes to an early Seventies Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser, a 455 is the most acceptable engine in a most classy way to transport your groovy Seventies clan. Combine that with a good looking light blue, wood simulation on the sides, and the great sunlight of Central California in August, and the recipe for fun is nearly complete. Enjoy the photos. Continue reading Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser spotted in Carmel, CA →