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Carsut – Understand cars and drive better

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Mazda3 2.0 Sedan Review
As long as there are cars, any small-scale Motor Show will be interesting enough if they display a car that suits your needs, and you have put a down payment to book the car of your choice. Here is one Mazda3 2.0 Sedan appearing in a small-scale Motor Show, or better known as small-size Motor Sales in Bangkok that really catches our eye.

Exterior

The Mazda3 2.0 is available in four-door sedan and hatchback body style. The one we are viewing is the 2012 sedan model that looks sportier compared to all its previous generations. It was treated with bold halogen projector headlamps, some really cool LED lamp for better illumination, and a set of 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/45 series tires that perform well on all kind of driving surfaces. What is most important is when you view the car from the front, the car face (front grill) always smiles at you with a pair of dimples (fog lamps).

Interior

If you place your face to the driver’s side window and peep into the interior, you will salivate on the window. The cabin is unbelievably spacious. It does not look that big from the outside. There is also plenty of room in the trunk and if that is not enough, the 60/40 split-folding rear seat is able to create more room. High quality leather seats and a fully functional steering wheel with paddle shift make anyone wants to sit on the driver’s seat and go for a drive. If you switch on the ignition, the blackout meter will immediately turn to blue-illumination. The light can be switched to red or white through the touch of dial. Besides beautiful design, the interior features serve many useful functions such as auto wipers with rain sensor, auto cruise control, nice audio system with six speakers, Tilt and Telecospic adjustable steering, and an auto dimming rear view mirror.

Power and Performance

The 2012 model has a new optional 2.0-liter MZR four-cylinder engine that develops 145 hp at 6,500 rpm and 182 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm. The fuel injection system is controlled electronically by the ECU itself. The front suspension uses an independent MacPherson strut with coil spring and double acting shock absorbers. As for rear suspension, an E-Type mult-link with low profile springs and cylindrical double acting shock absorbers are used. Both the front and rear suspensions have contributed well enough to make the handling more precise and the response faster. It has the feeling of driving a sedan race car. The renowned engineering of the car has earned over 77 automotive awards, this has really proven something.

At the back of the car under the trunk, it is equipped with four rear parking sensors which are camouflaged with the same body color. It helps a lot in any kind of driving situations especially parallel parking or reverse parking.

Fuel Economy

30 mpg city and 40 mpg highway; 12.75 km/l city and 17 km/l highway.

What is good about this car?
- Safety is what we are concerned about. The Mazda3 features dual front airbags, side and curtain airbags, traction control, and 4W-ABS + EBD + BA brake system. Front wheels are equipped with ventilated discs and rear wheels with solid disc brake.
- The Mazda3 is made available in a few variants. If the 2.0-liter engine is too powerful, there is an alternative to go for the 1.6-liter engine. If it is inadequate, there is always an option to go for the 2.5-liter engine which delivers more power.
- Good visibility for drivers.
- Good fuel tank capacity at 55 liter.
Mazda3’s 17-inch alloy wheels – Click on the image to enlarge it.

What is not so good about this car?
- Fuel economy is impressive for highway drive but not city drive.
- The suspension gives a good feeling for most people but it could be too hard for some – this is very much an individual perspective.
- The car is still using the old type wiper.
Price
- Thailand: 1,025,000 baht
- United States: MSRP from $15,200
- United Kingdom: £18,025
- Malaysia: RM119,774 (Metallic)
Mazda3’s competitors and similar cars: Honda Civic, Chevrolet Cruze, Honda City, Kia Forte, Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus, Ford Fiesta, Ford Fusion, Peugeot 308, Nissan Almera, and Mitsubishi Lancer.

In conclusion, the Mazda3 (or some called it Mazda 3) is the choice for consumers who prefer something different from all its competitors or similar cars listed above. Quiet cabin, luxury interior, and comfortable drive are what attract consumers the most. The car catches many eyes in the mini motor show and it will definitely give a bit of attention on the road.
March 18, 2012
Top Ten Best Hybrid Cars For 2012 – Part Two

This is part two, please click here to read Top Ten Best Hybrid Cars For 2012 part one.

6. Toyota Prius C or Toyota Aqua

Fuel economy: 53 city/46 highway mpg
Zero to 60 mph: 10.6 sec
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $N/A
Price tag: MSRP from $19,710

The Toyota Prius C has just been launched a month ago for less than RM100K in Malaysia and it is expected to be launched in the U.S. around spring 2012. The fuel economy is five stars but the price is only one star. The “Smaller Prius” is powered byToyota’sHybrid Synergy Drivesystem, fitted with a 1.5-liter petrol engine and an electric motor giving a total output of 101 hp. Under the rear seats, you can find a 144-volt nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery which is used to power the motor. For safety, a pair of ventilated discs is fitted to the front wheels and the drums were at the back. Thanks to theNormal, ECO and EV mode available for the driver, the Prius C gets an impressive 53 mpg in city drive which is even better than the Prius. (more…)

March 17, 2012
Top Ten Best Hybrid Cars For 2012

It is always uneasy to work out a top ten list but still, here are the top ten best hybrid cars for 2012 compiled by our car review team. We also calculated the estimated 5-year cost of ownership based on maintenance, repairs, fuel, depreciation, financing, and insurance. These hybrid car models are currently available for sale in the country with reasonable price, high fuel economy, and of course good looking. Years ago, a car with more than 40 mpg seems astonishing but it is no longer extraordinary today.

1. Toyota Prius

Fuel economy: 51 city/48 highway mpg
Zero to 60 mph: 11.0 sec
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $29,097
Price tag: MSRP from $23,015

The 2012 Prius is in its third generation and it excels all the previous Priuses. This year, it is even classier with some makeover. Outlook is just one thing, the superior fuel efficiency and the selling price are what makes the Prius stay on the top list all the time. The 51 mpg in city drive is able to travel double the journey of a car with 25 mpg. The 2012 Prius is powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine combined with a pair of electric motors pumping a total of 134 hp. The Prius pushes away all its competitors easily with its spacious cargo, high safety ratings, and many high-tech goodies. (more…)

March 17, 2012
Top five cheapest and easy-to-drive cars for teenagers

It could be a headache when choosing a right car for teenagers. The selling price, maintenance costs, cost of ownership, insurance costs, as well as safety features are often the major things to consider when buying a car for young people. Here are the top five best cars for teenagers. These cars are cheap, easy to drive, cheap to own, and with high fuel economy.

1. Ford Fiesta S

Fuel economy: 28 city/38 highway mpg; 12 city/16 highway km/l
5-Year fuel cost: $8,568
5-Year insurance cost: $5,623
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $28,524

The latest Fiesta S is a stylish and sensible subcompact car. Any young people will look cool with the car and older people will look young with it. From headlamps to bumpers, from rear lamps to sport rims, the car looks just fantastic. From the inside, the dashboard and gauges look sporty yet useful and it tells everything that the driver needs to know. A USB port is also available to connect the car stereo with iPod, iPhone, or any devices with USB output. Music can be played through the car stereo easily.

2. Toyota Yaris

Fuel economy: 30 city/38 highway mpg; 12.75 city/16 highway km/l
5-Year fuel cost: $8,306
5-Year insurance cost: $5,451
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $29,153

There are reasons for the Toyota Yaris to be one of the most popular subcompact cars. Many parents love to pick this car for their kids who have just got their driving licenses. The Yaris comes with nine airbags including driver’s knee airbag, dual front seat-cushion airbags, and side airbags.

3. Scion iQ

Fuel economy: 36 city/37 highway mpg; 15.3 city/15.7 highway km/l
5-Year fuel cost: $7,553
5-Year insurance cost: $5,461
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $29,594

The Scion iQ is only ten feet from front to back but it is a sparrow with all its internal organs intact – small but complete. The Scion iQ two-door hatchback is fitted with 11 airbags, one of which is fitted at the rear-window.

4. Mazda2 Sport

Fuel economy: 36 city/37 highway mpg; 15.3 city/15.7 highway km/l
5-Year fuel cost: $6,508
5-Year insurance cost: $5,487
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $29,786

Some called it Mazda2, some refer to it as Mazda Mazda2. It doesn’t really matter because both of them refer to the same thing. The Mazda2 is powered by a 1.5L four-cylinder MZR engine that delivers 103 bhp at 6,000rpm and 135 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, giving it an impressive fuel consumption in its segment. One good thing about owning a Mazda2 is that you can always see a smiling face from the front grille which is Mazda’s characteristic.

5. Honda Fit/Honda Jazz

Fuel economy: 27 city/33 highway mpg; 11.5 city/14 highway km/l
5-Year fuel cost: $9,361
5-Year insurance cost: $4,997
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $30,411

The Honda Fit is a five-door hatchback subcompact that really works for teenagers as their first car. Combine the power steering system with the special-designed windscreen that gives a better view for the driver, the car is very easy to navigate even for smaller size people. Smart consumers who prefer hybrids can go for the recently launched Honda Jazz Hybrid.

March 16, 2012
Traffic in Hanoi, Vietnam

Loitering and sight-seeing in the streets of Hanoi

We were in Hanoi for six days. It was the first time we travelled to this city of approximately 2.6 million inhabitants. What amazed us was its crowds and traffic. Walking along its streets is a nightmare. You are caught suddenly in the midst of people and vehicles of all kinds. You will together with women peddling goods in baskets, ranging from fruits to titbits, hung from the two ends of a pole and carried on the shoulder, make up the already unsightly scene.

Hanoi streets are really a mess. There seems to be no proper order for mobility, human or traffic. When you feel it safe to cross a road, there, out of the blue, a motorcycle zoomed out from nowhere in front of you scaring you to death. This has also explains why the annual traffic fatalities in Vietnam is increasing.

Motorcycles are definitely overpopulated. You will only see a few dots of other four-wheelers hemmed in by a sea of motorcycles when traffic lights turn red. Two motorcycles from perpendicular roads at a junction nearly knocked into each other in the middle of the cross surrounded by other vehicles from all directions. How could this happen? Traffic lights were not obeyed, that was how it happened. But beating or jumping traffic lights in such crammed situation is disastrous. (more…)

March 15, 2012