FULL REVIEW: Mazda Premacy 2.0GSi

FULL REVIEW: Mazda Premacy 2.0GXi. 2001-2005


Mazda Premacy, I just seen 2 of them today on the road. Man, they still look great today (Especially in Mica Blue colour with Bodykit). Based on Mazda 323 (2001), the Premacy was imported into Malaysia in Limited Numbers in 2003 and was priced at RM132,000 initially. One year later, price dropped to RM118,000. As I do not have a Premacy to test drive, again, I dished out 2 articles on the car.

USED PRICING IN MALAYSIA: Recently, A 2004 model’s up for RM74,000 while a 2003 model’s up for 69,000. On 6/3/08 The Star Metro Classifieds (Today’s paper) however, a 2004 model’s priced at RM71,800.

Article 1, A SUPER TEST from Go Auto Australia (back in 2001) while Article 2 is from The Star Motoring (back in 2005). In addition, I’ll also feature some Owners review (Coming soon).


Here’s Article 1: Enjoy:

Article 1: SUPER TEST. Source: http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/AAE234EEE719E717CA256AAA0026E3DF

Model release dates: February 2001 - June 2005

OVERVIEW:

UNDETERRED by a lack of buyer interest in flexible, tall-roof hatches offered to date by its Korean rivals, Mazda has pushed ahead with its stylish, five-seater Premacy. Essentially a 323 Astina pulled and stretched into a shape that bridges the gap between traditional hatch and people-mover, the Premacy offers clever seating arrangements, excellent ergonomics and extremely useful - and versatile - luggage space. Although rear seat room could be better, the biggest drawback comes from a lack of performance from the 1.8-litre engine.

NOTE: However, in 2004 Mazda addressed the issue by introducing the 2.0i engine with 99kw.

THE CAR:

MAZDA used a theme called "Contrast in Harmony" in the development of its Premacy, creating a formal appearance designed to blend into the urban environment. With a pentagon at the centre grille as the focal point from the front, the overall body forms a strong wedge shape from the front to the sides, then up to the roof. At the rear, large combination lamps are used, while a V-shaped rear window aims to maximise driver visibility. Based on a combination of 626 and 323 components, the Premacy has a body length (4295mm) and width (1705mm) similar to that of a small-medium car, despite a relatively long (2670mm) wheelbase.

The Car - Seat Plan

ALL five seats of the Premacy, two at the front and three at the rear, are independent to provide good comfort and seating flexibility. Each also has a three-point seatbelt and head restraint. The rear seats can double-fold and - at no more than 13kg - be removed easily, while the front passenger seat also tilts forward. A high seating position and enormous windscreen help with driver visibility. The Premacy is designed so that even people of small stature can keep their heels firmly on the ground in a seated position when exiting the vehicle.

The Car - Seats

WITH velour seat trim standard and a soft urethane cushion adopted exclusively on Premacy's five individual seats, the Mazda mini-people-mover sets out to offer a high level of comfort for all occupants. There's no lumbar adjustment to be found, although the driver can alter the height and angle of the seat cushion. Velour trim is also used on the front and rear door panels. An armrest is provided for the driver. The rear seat back can be placed in one of two positions.

Note: IN MALAYSIA, THE PREMACY’s CLOTHED with 2 TONED LEATHER and came with 7 Seats as seen in picture above which makes it a 5+2 seats.

The Car - Luggage

MAZDA claims the luggage area of the Premacy secures enough space to carry three large (750mm Samsonite-type) suitcases upright. The maximum cargo room height measures 989mm, while the maximum cargo room width is 1330mm. Usable width space is another matter, however, with suspension intrusion reducing rear width to 990mm. The distance from tailgate to seatback (when upright) measures 965mm, while cargo volume is 370 litres. A full size spare is provided, though by doing so Mazda has foregone the ability to offer a completely flat floor. There isn't an abundance of cargo storage facilities, but luggage tie-down hooks and a power outlet are provided.

The Car - Dash

THE Premacy instrument panel is shaped in a gentle curve from the centre towards both sides and to the front - the aim being to create a feeling of spaciousness. A light-grey two-tone colour scheme is used. Three gauges are incorporated into the analogue instrument display, with oversized alphanumerics used for good legibility and easier recognition at a glance.

The Car - Controls

ALL controls are conveniently located for the driver and lights are installed in the power window switches, ignition key cylinder and glovebox for good visibility and easy operation during night-time driving. The steering wheel is tilt-adjustable and has audio controls attached for easy operation when driving. There's also a fuel cap release lever provided for the driver. The one constant source of frustration for anyone who's used to driving Mazdas - or other Japanese vehicles - is that the indicator stalk is on the left-hand side. Variable intermittent wipers also fail to get a look in.


The Car - Wheels/tyres

PREMACY rides on 15-inch steel rims with 195/55 Toyo tyres. Full-size plastic wheel covers are provided, as is a full-size spare wheel found underneath the cargo floor. Alloy wheels are available as an option.
IN MALAYSIA, the tyre size’s the same except it’s fitted with 15” Alloy rims.

The Car - Stand out features

THOUGH not the first mini-people-mover onto the market in Australia, at its launch in February 2001 the five-seater Premacy became the first to offer excellent seating versatility along with acres of interior space. The three individual rear seats each fold, tumble and are light enough for easy removal. The front passenger seat also tilts forward. Driver ergonomics are outstanding, and Mazda has found a good blend of safety equipment and creature comforts to justify the additional expense over its Korean rivals in particular.


The Car - Climate control

AIR-CONDITIONING is standard on Premacy. The heating and air-conditioning system is operated manually using a combination of three rotary dials (for air distribution, fan speed and temperature), buttons (for rear demist and air-con on/off) and a horizontal slider (for recirculation). Rear heater ducts are provided, along with a cabin air filter located at the air intake (upstream of the evaporator) which Mazda claims is 10 times more effective at eliminating toxins that its major rivals.


The Car - Sound system

A NEATLY integrated AM/FM radio with single-slot CD player and four speakers is provided on the Premacy. The controls on the head unit are large and easy to operate, while switches are also attached to the steering column for even easier operation. This latter lever can adjust the volume, radio frequency and swap between the AM and FM band. The audio unit matches the design of the instrument panel and has a flush surface, melding smoothly into the interior design.

The Car - Security

REMOTE central locking is standard on Premacy and is linked with the standard engine immobiliser system to alter the ID code each time the transmitter is operated. Any attempt to use a key other than a Mazda-supplied electromagnetic key disables the fuel and ignition systems, making it virtually impossible to start the engine. This prevents the vehicle being stolen with a duplicate key. The Premacy locks also deadlocks when the remote keypad's locking button is pressed twice or the key cylinder on the driver's door is turned twice in the locking direction. Premacy also features a steering shaft declutching device to prevent thieves from breaking the steering lock.


We LIKE: Style, versatility, ergonomics, equipment
WE DON”T LIKE: Engine performance, rear seat room


OUR OPINION

By TERRY MARTIN 5/3/2001

THE small four-wheel drive insurgence might be in full swing - but a counter-revolution is just around the corner.
It will come when the rank and file finally realise that what they've actually been fighting for these past few years is a clever vehicle that suits their suburban, not mountain climbing, needs.

Helped along by queer import rules for four-wheel drives, recreational vehicles as we currently know them have sated the Australian appetite for tall, compact, versatile, spacious and, most importantly, visually appealing transport.
But we now have the Mazda Premacy, a fine example of the new breed of RVs that satisfy all those requirements - and more - without the butch and bush pretentiousness.

While a couple of pre-emptive Korean strikes have failed to make an impact, pennies are about to start dropping and loyalties dividing as the Premacy and forthcoming rivals like the Holden Zafira and Renault Scenic mount their respective campaigns.
Priced from less than $28,000 at launch, the Premacy is essentially a 323 Astina 1.8 pulled and stretched into a shape that bridges the gap between traditional hatch and people-mover.

The result is a (shock, horror) stylish little five-seater harbouring loads of interior space, great ergonomics and clever seating arrangements, thanks in no small part to a long 2670mm wheelbase, a tall 1570mm overall height and a heritage in both driver-friendly and family-friendly interior design.
Cruise control didn't make it into the package, nor did alloy wheels or intermittent wipers. Yet Mazda has typically found a good blend of safety and attention-grabbing features to give the Premacy package widespread appeal.

Air-conditioning, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, remote locking, dual airbags, roof rails, single-slot CD stereo, electric mirrors and windows, rear security blind and power socket, velour seat trim, and headrests and three-point seatbelts for all occupants made the cut.
But what separates the Premacy from traditional hatches and wagons is its terrific use of space and versatility.

Instead of a standard rear bench seat, the Premacy has lightweight, individual pews that neatly fold, tumble and are easily removed to significantly increase upon the (already palatial) luggage space.

The front passenger seatback also tilts forward, enabling items of up to 2.6 metres in length to fit inside, and the high roofline allows tall objects such as bicycles to slot in from the large rear tailgate aperture.

The interior doesn't come without its limitations. With the (1705mm) overall width kept to 323 proportions, rear shoulder room becomes restrictive when all three seats are occupied and burly passengers will find the 435mm (outboard) seat width too narrow and the doors too close for comfort.

The centre rear seat is even tighter at 390mm and blighted by an awkward key-release seatbelt mechanism, while the absence of rear seat fore/aft adjustment means legroom will be a problem for many adults.

Other disappointments include the lack of a genuine walk-though from the front seats, the room taken up by the rear suspension (maximum cargo width drops from 1330mm to 960mm) and the failure to provide a flat floor when the rear seats are removed. Mazda Australia lost the latter feature when it specified a full-size spare wheel (a seven-seat version is available in other markets, however).

None of the above is terribly troubling from the driver's seat, where huge glass areas ensure good driver visibility, major controls are large in size and well presented, seats are comfortable (though lacking support) and storage facilities, including a deep centre console bin and a tray under the front passenger seat, arereadily found.

The stereo in particular is a model for user-friendliness and a stalk attached to the steering column makes for even easier audio operation.
On the flipside, Premacy is the first Mazda in living memory with a left-hand indicator - and that can be annoying.

Output isn't a problem on the 323, but the Premacy is forced to shift more than 1300kg in five-speed manual transmission form and performance slips from okay to average to poor as each additional passenger is bundled in.

With a small family on-board, the Premacy frequently calls upon the driver to use the light manual gearshift and keep the engine spinning well above 3000rpm. Fuel economy and interior refinement suffer as a result, but if ignored the engine will struggle under the weight, especially when travelling uphill.

Otherwise, the Premacy drive is a largely enjoyable one. The lightweight steering and useful 10.8-metre turning circle make for easy manoeuvring around the 'burbs, though the steering lacks feedback and precision at higher speeds and will throw up kickback through the wheel if the vehicle encounters ripples mid-corner.
Such conditions will also expose a degree of bodyroll and a lack of grip from the standard 15-inch Toyo tyres, while the open road reveals an inordinate amount of tyre and wind noise. Yet we'd never expect driving dynamics to be the highlight of the Premacy package.

More to the point, this flexible new-age wagon is cute, clever, clearly defined and a product of our times. The first step toward the imminent counter-revolution.

END OF OPINION by Terry Martin.

Mechanical - Engine

THE Premacy is powered by same 1.8-litre DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine found in 323 Astina and Protégé models. It produces 92kW of power at 6000rpm and 163Nm of torque (or pulling power) at 4000rpm. Claimed fuel economy figures for the manual point to 10.0 litres per 100km on the city cycle and 7.2L/100km on the highway - the automatic is slightly higher at 10.5 and 7.2L/100km city/highway. Normal unleaded fuel is used.

NOTE: IN MALAYSIA, the Premacy’s powered by 2.0i DOHC 16v i4 found in Mazda 626 with 99kw and 174Nm of torque.


Mechanical - Suspension

PREMACY uses independent MacPherson struts front and rear. The front is a lightweight, space-efficient configuration featuring vertically aligned bushings on the lower arms to enhance the rigidity of the suspension attachment for improved handling and stability - and reduced road noise. The rear suspension system features Mazda's traditional twin-trapezoidal link strut arrangement consisting of dual lateral links and a trailing link, providing long wheel travel for good roadholding and ride comfort.


Mechanical - Transmission

TWO types of transmissions are available on Premacy - a five-speed manual and an electronically controlled four-speed automatic. The final gear ratio for the manual and automatic is a low 4.105 and 4.147 respect


Mechanical - Brakes

A COMBINATION of power-assisted ventilated discs (front) and drums (rear) are used on the Premacy. The front discs measure 24mm thickness and 258mm in external diameter, while the rear drums measure 42mm x 228.6mm in internal diameter. Anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) is standard. The ABS system uses a wheel-speed sensor at each corner to detect difference in revolution, and three channels to control the front brakes individually and the rear brakes as a pair.


Did you know?
An anti-lock braking system prevents the wheels from locking and thereby maintains directional stability. EBD varies the amount of rear braking force depending on vehicle load to achieve optimal stopping performance

Mechanical - Steering


PREMACY uses an engine speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering system. The gear ratio of the system is set at 15:1, which Mazda claims enables agile manoeuvrability and good handling. The support structure of the steering assembly has been changed to a bushing mounted arrangement to improve mounting support rigidity and better response to steering inputs. A sheetmetal support yoke is used on the steering gear mechanism to reduce friction and obtain more precise gearing. The turning circle is 10.8 metres.

Safety

DUAL airbags (45 litres capacity for the driver and 110 litres for the front passenger) are standard on Premacy, along with anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution. Designed in accordance with the Mazda Advanced Impact-energy Distribution and Absorption System (MAIDAS), Premacy is claimed to attain one of the highest levels of safety in any vehicle segment. The company claims it has performed well in (in-house) frontal, side-on, rear-end and pole crash tests. Pedestrian safety was also a high priority, with a good distance between bonnet and engine (to minimise head injuries when colliding with the car) and impact-absorbing bumpers (to protect the legs).

SPECIFICATIONS:

WARRANTY:
* Three-year/100,000km
* Major service intervals: 10,000km

ENGINE:
* 1.839-litre DOHC 16-valve front-mounted transverse inline four-cylinder (1991cc DOHC 16-valve, inline 4 cylinder)
* Power: 92kW @ 6000rpm (99kw@6000rpm)
* Torque: 163Nm @ 4000rpm (174Nm@4500rpm)
* Compression ratio: 9.1:1 (NA)
* Bore x stroke: 83mm x 84mm (83 x 84mm)

TRANSMISSION:
* Five-speed manual or four-speed automatic

SUSPENSION:
* Front: independent by MacPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar
* Rear: independent by MacPherson struts and trapezoidal links, coil springs, anti-roll bar

STEERING:
* Power-assisted engine revolution-sensing rack-and-pinion
* Turning circle: 10.8 metres
* Turns lock to lock: 3.1

DIMENSIONS:
* Length: 4295mm
* Width: 1705mm
* Height: 1600mm
* Wheelbase: 2670mm
* Front track: 1465mm
* Rear track: 1470mm
* Kerb weight: 1308kg
*Towing Capacity 1200kg

FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Average: 9.4km/litre (2.0i model)

PERFORMANCE:
Top Speed: 190km/h (2.0i Auto)
0-100km/h: 11 seconds (2.0i Auto)

STANDARD EQUIPMENT:
* Air-conditioning
* Remote central locking
* Power mirrors
* Power windows
* Anti-lock brakes
* Dual airbags
* Roof rails
* Four-speaker CD stereo
* Tilt-adjustable steering
* Leather seat trim
* Driver's armrest
* Individual double-folding and removable rear seats
* Rear power socket
* Halogen headlights
* Large Electric Sun/Moonroof



Did you know?

1) The current Mazda logo is a development of the previous "M" and was developed by Rei Yoshimura, a noted corporate identification artist. The "V" in the centre of the new symbol spreads out like an opening fan, representing creativity, a sense of mission, the gentleness and flexibility, the resoluteness and vitality that Mazda likes to think it represents

2) The size and shape of the Premacy's door openings, high hip points of the seats and sedan-like floor height are designed to enable a person of any stature to enter and exit easily with minimum change in posture

3) The Premacy's seats are designed to minimise fatigue on long drives and to equalise the body pressure distribution corresponding to changes in the occupant's posture

4) The fuel gauge has a fuel sensor mechanism automatically adjusted by a microprocessor for an accurate reading at all times

5) Premacy is the first Mazda vehicle in living memory that has a left-hand indicator stalk

6) All of Mazda's car manufacturing facilities throughout the world feature "mixed model" production capability

7) The position of the rear security blind can be adjusted in three stages depending on the reclined angle of the rear seats

8) Mazda Motor Corporation is based in Hiroshima, Japan

9) Mazda cars and trucks are assembled in more than 20 countries around the world

10) Mazda has a global R&D network with operations in Japan (Hiroshima and Yokohama), the United States (Irvine, California and Ann Arbor, Michigan), and Germany (Oberursel)


ARTICLE 2 from The Star Motoring Online:
http://star-motoring.com/news/story.asp?file=/2005/10/2/motorreviews/20051002095649&sec=motorreviews

Sunday October 2, 2005

Premier power

THOUGH I don’t foresee getting one myself, MPVs are seen as functional vehicles, more so in Asia where families are fond of cruising together; granny, teddy and all. Fortunately I was handed a pseudo-MPV – the Mazda Premacy with 130hp under the hood.

Looking more like a sports hatchback than an MPV, the Premacy’s award-winning design suits younger drivers (as well as those coerced into getting a seven-seater by granny).

The vehicle is wrapped all-round with a sporty skirting, making it look lower-set and a little more menacing than other MPVs around. There’s also a pair of spotlights integrated into the body kit, plus a spoiler on the rear roof.

However, it’s not just for the un-MPV look that the Premacy stands out. It packs a 2.0 litre, 16-valve engine that does 0-100km/h under 11 seconds (I know that's not wild but we’re talking about an MPV here).


Mazda Premacy

The bullet-shaped body definitely looks like an efficient wind-cutter, and stability is apparent.

It runs on a four-speed auto gearbox, which is responsive and smooth. A microprocessor is responsible for controlling the gear changes, clutches and fluid pressure according to the engine torque and load conditions.

The vehicle was pushed and stretched on windy roads; its handling is excellent, without a trace of instability or uncertainty, even with a load of five occupants. The suspension employs an independent configuration, and ride comfort is exceptional.
The portable fridge for a road-trip was plugged into the 12V socket located at the second row. This section seats three, with both ends having the option of large armrests. The last row is a tight two-seater. The kids will have to settle for this section – the bonus is they’ll be well boxed-in!

Air-conditioning vents are limited to the front only. Oh yes – the cabin has a nice final touch – a sunroof. It can be tilted or slid back at the touch of buttons.
When fully-loaded with seven passengers, luggage space is limited. However, the seat system is multi-functional. There are many variants depending on need.

The third row seats can be removed altogether; the centre seat (“jump seat”) in the second row can be removed, creating room and an aisle access to the back; or the second row seats can be double-folded forward.

If needed, two mountain bikes can be stowed. In other words, large or bulky items can be loaded with some adjustments. Luggage hooks are located in the four corners of the floor of the luggage space, and a convenient box is positioned below the luggage space for stowing large objects.

Dashboard and instrumentations are nothing striking; pretty standard design and layout. The auto gear shift is located at the steering wheel, which is something that really requires getting used to, especially during hard driving when gear-shifting is needed.

Storage facilities include a glove box in the dashboard, in-panel side pocket, door pockets and a centre console with CD storage space.

Safety aspects include driver and passenger airbags, plus an impact-distribution and absorption system. The four-wheel ABS helps in stopping, combined with an electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) system, which matches braking performance to the weight of passengers and luggage.

Premacy’s Clarion sound system with a psychedelic display packs a decent bass, with speakers in the front and last rows. Seats are leather, while the alarm system comes with an immobiliser.

This stylish set of wheels is imported CBU, and goes for RM135,708 (on-the-road) but there are promotions at various dealers, with prices about RM124,000.


OWNER REVIEWS: (All sourced from www.Carsurvey.org)



DELETED DUE TO COPYRIGHT ISSUES with Carsurvey.  Visit:

http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/mazda/premacy/single-page/

For whooping 13 owner's reviews...

END OF REVIEW: Once again, Thanks for having the patience to finish reading this Full review.

My (Jeff Lim's) Dream Garage

Happy Chinese New year. How's your Chinese New year? I will post how I went thru my Chinese New year on the 15th day of Chinese New Year. ANyway, I'd like to share my realistic dream garage as at 2008. (Note will add some of the missing photos of my dream cars in 3 days time).

1) BMW 528i Touring E39 (A) Used 1997 to 2000. Why E39? Cause it's better looking, better ride and handling than the latest E60, Creamy Straight 6, Also, no un-user friendly IDRIVE, RARE in Malaysia = Exclusive.



2) VW Golf GTI DSG Wald Edition (recond 2005). Why? State of the art FSI Turbo and DSG Gearbox.


3) Porsche 993 Carrera 4s. (used) Why? Last of Air-cooled 911s.


4) Mazda Miata MX5 1.8i (used). Why? Award winning roadster. RWD = Potential Drift car. manual (?)


5) Mercedes 350SL / 380SL V8. used between 1973 to 1988. Why? V8s, Convertible.



6) Toyota Sera 1.5i Gullwing between 1990 to 1994 used. Why? Gullwing doors, evergreen design, Rarity.


7) Honda Prelude BB7 97-02 used. Why? DOHC VTEC tiptronic 4WS.


8) Mazda BT50 truck 4x4, 2.5 TDI (BRAND NEW). 5 speed Auto.


9) Toyota MR2. used 90-96. T-bar roof, Mid-engined


10) Mercedes CLK200 Kompressor (recond 03). Avantgarde. Why? Supercharged.



11) Honda Elysion 3.0i V6 MPV, 2x Sunroof, (Recond 06).


12) ANY V12 car. Want to experience V12. Eg. Jaguar XJ6, BMW 850i(A) 1989 to 1996), BMW 750iL (1987 to 1993), Ferrari 456GT.

13) Mazda RX8. Why? Want to experience Rotary Engine, groundbreaking design.


14) Alfa 156 2.5 V6 Q-matic. Why? One of the BEST sounding V6. One of the best looking SEDAN. Make mine Met Maroon (like in the picture).

NOTE I HAVE Almost ALL categories covered. Here are the reasons behind:

1) Straight 6, Wagon, Executive Car, RARITY
2) FSI Turbo, DSG gearbox, Hot Hatch
3) Supercar, Boxer air-cooled engine, tiptronic
4) Roadster, RWD, Drift car, manual(?)
5) V8 engined, classic, convertible
6) Gullwing, Rare car, Old skool 1.5L 16v 4 cyl car
7) Honda's famous DOHC VTEC 4wS, quite rare
8) Pickup truck, Hi-Lo 4x4, turbodiesel, 5 sp Automatic
9) Mid-engined, Mini-Ferrari design, Quite rare
10) Supercharged, Coupe
11) V6, 8 seater MPV
12) v12 Car.
13) Rotary Engined 2+2 door 4 seater car.
14) Again, sweet sounding V6, 1 of the best looking Sedan.

NOTE 1: WANTED BADLY: No 1 (528i Touring), 6 (Toyota Sera), 7 (Honda Prelude BB7), 14 (Alfa 156 2.5 V6 Q-matic). This is 4 Of my FAVOURITE RARE Cars (in Malaysia) I WANTED to OWN Badly (over the other Dream cars). It's Also the cars which I can own REALISTICALLY in a couple of years time.


NOTE 2: Only 1 of the car Is New. The Mazda BT50 Pickup truck (with 50 month Maintenence Free & 50 month warranty). Rest is Recond (No 2, 10, 11, 13) or Used.

FULL REVIEW: E39 BMW 528i Touring

Model release dates: April 1998 - November 2000. Later no more 528i, replaced by 530i.

OVERVIEW:

BMW's high-roller 528i Touring is a member of an exclusive club, alongside Mercedes, Audi, Volvo and now Saab. The 528i Touring is the station wagon you drive when you really wanted a luxury sedan. It inherits all 5 Series strong points and adds station wagon versatility. Not as big as a Volvo nor able to go places the Swedish four-wheel drive V70R version can, the BMW nevertheless is one of the most driver-oriented wagons.

THE CAR: 528i touring


In 1999 the Touring (station wagon) body style were introduced and joined the sedans in both 6-cylinder and V8 editions. Added options for 1999 were brighter xenon headlights, Park Distance Control that warns of obstacles when the car is getting too close to other cars and walls etc, is standard, and self-leveling rear suspension for wagons. Standard on V8 models and newly optional for 528i versions was BMW's Dynamic Stability Control, designed to aid control in fast turns.

The 2.8-litre, twin camshaft, six-cylinder engine develops 142kW at 5300rpm and 280Nm of torque at 3950rpm. It mates to a five-speed automatic transmission.

For the Touring, The rear suspension's dampers lie almost flat to maximise cargo load space. It also features a self-levelling system. The window in the tailgate can be opened separately. A lamp on the bottom edge of tailgate illuminates the area beneath the open door. The five-door 5 Series has a low 0.30 co-efficient of drag.

INTERIORS:

All five seats come with height-adjustable headrests and three-point seatbelts. Unlike the Mercedes E-class, the Touring can only seat five. The rear headrests do not have to be removed when the seat is folded forward. Dual front and side airbags are fitted as standard. The rear seat features integrated child seats. The Touring can carry 1525 litres of cargo, weighing up to 630kg. Most E39 5 series came with DOUBLE Electric silding SUNROOF.

The wagon is only 30mm longer than the sedan. A luggage compartment cover and safety net are included. Like other 5 Series models, the Touring features double glazing on side windows. Also, Roof rails are standard.


MECHANICALS (Source from:
http://www.autozine.org/Classiccar/html/BMW/5er_E39.html. Copyright© 1997-2005 by Mark Wan)

Engine was one of the strength of BMW. Although the 5-series brought no new engines at launch, its six-cylinders (170hp 2.5-litre for 523i and 193hp 2.8-litre 528i) and V8 (235hp 3.5-litre 535i and 286hp 4.4-litre 540i) were the top engines in the world then. I especially preferred 528i, the core model of the range. Like all BMW inline-sixes, it was silky smooth, eager and flexible. On paper, its power was limited by the need to satisfy German insurance companies. In reality, its superior torque from the longer stroke and Double-Vanos gave 528i remarkable performance - Autocar recorded 0-60 mph and 100 mph in 6.8 and 18.0 seconds respectively. This simply matched some V8 rivals. On the other hand, it managed to reduce fuel consumption from its predecessor. In 2000, the 2.8 engine was replaced by the much improved 3.0-litre engine with 231hp on tap.

RIDE AND HANDLING

E39 could handle and ride so well because of several reasons. Firstly, its chassis was made immensely strong - 80 percent stiffer in torsion than its predecessor ! this was by far the stiffest car then. So stiff that BMW found it unnecessary to raise chassis rigidity anymore in the subsequent E60. The chassis was also much safer under crash. You might think it must be very heavy, don't you? Wrong. The chassis needed just 10 extra kilograms to achieve the vast improvement of rigidity and crash worthiness. To scare you more, the whole car actually weighed LESS than the old generation, thanks to the use of all-alloy engine, aluminum transmission case and aluminum suspensions. Take a 528i for instance, BMW claimed it was 35 kg lighter than the old 525i. The E39 comes with either a 5 speed steptronic gearbox or 6 speed manual.

The suspensions of E39 was a technical milestone. On the one hand, it gave up the old fashion semi-trailing arm rear suspensions and switched to a new Z-axle multi-link setup, which had superior wheel control. On the other hand, the Z-axle and the MacPherson strut front suspensions were made almost entirely of aluminum alloy - a first in mass production car. Basically, except the wheel bearings, all suspensions parts were aluminum, such as mounting sub-frames, control arms, strut tubes and steering knuckles. This saved 44 valuable kilograms of unsprung weight, benefiting ride quality a lot. No wonder British magazines praised its ride comfort over their rough roads while German drivers appreciated its composure over fast bumps. Few other cars were so widely acclaimed.

E39 was also the industry leader in the field of NVH engineering. It was one of the first cars to mount all suspensions on sub-frames and via rubber bushings to isolate NVH from the chassis. To deal with wind noise, BMW worked in its acoustic lab to tune its aerodynamics and eventually added triple sealing to the doors and noise-absorbing foam to the window pillars. No wonder it set new standard in cabin quietness and refinement. However, BMW didn't take all noises away. It deliberately left the engine noise untouched. Normally under civilized use, the inline-6 revved quietly. Once floored down the throttle, the beautiful roar of the 6-pot engine inducted into the cabin and raised the pulse of its driver.

The same driver involvement could be found in handling. As all petrol six-cylinder E39s achieved 50:50 percent front to rear weight distribution, they turned into corners neutrally and eagerly. They set benchmark in dynamics for the executive car class, bringing small-car agility to the class for the first time. The steering was beautifully weighted and very feelsome. Other human interfaces were also tuned to near perfect - slick gearshift, perfectly sited driving position, pedals and instrument, comfy seats… superb ergonomics combined with impeccable build quality and beautiful dashboard design, how could BMW make further improvements from this? the answer is no. Its successor E60 actually failed to match it in a number of key areas.

Traction control is also part of the long equipment list that includes front and side airbags, climate control air- conditioning, remote central locking, park distance control and leather trim.

The Touring is a welcome addition to the 5-Series range, providing a well equipped, practical vehicle. But if it is ultimate space you are looking for, the gargantuan Benz is the better bet.

We like (+ve)
Sedan-like performance, full equipment list

We dislike (-ve)
Restricted load space

Did you know?
The tailgate has power opening and closing instead of a conventional handle. To close it, a slight push against the lock activates an electric motor which pulls the tailgate shut.

- Article partly sourced (non-italics text)from: Automotive NetWorks 08/07/1999

CONCLUSION:

The E39 5-series was definitely a masterpiece of its time. It raised the standard so high that arch-rival Mercedes E-class took 2 generations to surpass it - and just marginally. It also forced the engineers responsible for E60 to go to the extreme, employing some pre-matured technologies such as active steering, aluminum front structure and i-Drive, just wanted to better the E39. Unfortunately, the new car still fails to match the integrity of E39, especially in subjective aspect like steering and design. Perhaps this is the best testimony for the greatness of E39.

IN MALAYSIA:

It's very RARE to find E39 5 series touring. An estimation of 60 units examples of E39 5 series available in Malaysia only. I prepared a review for this model because E39 528i touring is one of my DREAM CAR. Any owner of E39 528i for sale?
I'll definitely buy one if say 1st batch model (1999) priced below RM100,000. DREAM ON! I know...


BRIEF SPECIFICATIONS:

ENGINE:
• In-line, six-cylinder, 2.793-litre, double overhead camshaft, four-valves per cylinder
• Bore/stroke: 84mm/84mm
• Compression ratio: 10.2:1
• Power: 142kW at 5300rpm
• Torque: 280Nm at 3950rpm

TRANSMISSION:
• Five-speed automatic

SUSPENSION:
• Front: Independent, multi-link
• Rear: Independent, multi-link

STEERING:
• Rack and pinion
• Turning circle: 11.3m
• Turns lock to lock: 3.0

DIMENSIONS:
• Length: 4805mm (4775 sedan)
• Width: 1800mm
• Height: 1440mm
• Wheelbase: 2830mm
• Track front: 1512mm
• Track rear: 1522mm
• Kerb weight: 1580kg

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA City/Highway: 21mpg/29mpg

PERFORMANCE:

Top speed: 146mph (233km/h)
0-60mph (0-100km/h): (-NA- Anyone can contribute?)

STANDARD EQUIPMENT:
• Dual and side airbags
• Anti-lock brakes
• Engine immobiliser
• AM/FM stereo radio/cassette
• Power steering, windows and mirrors
• Climate control air-conditioning
• Traction control
• Park distance control
• Remote central locking
• Rear window wash/wipe
• Luggage cover and safety net

POLL: Which is the Best Petrol?

SOURCE: LOWYAT.NET Forum. http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/446008

GUIDE: Importing A Vehicle To Malaysia

Unfortunately this is going to be a hassle. It is perhaps the best idea to just put your car into storage or in the care of a friend while you are in Malaysia. However if you really have to bring your car the following will be helpful.

The imposition of very high import duties make owning a non Malaysian made car somewhat expensive. Import duties run to as high as 300%. Consequently the vast majority of cars in Malaysia are locally produced ones. Cost of maintenance and parts for foreign cars are also factors to be considered. Needless to say if your car is rare or indeed not available in Malaysia these factors become paramount.

Shipping charges, documentation and bureaucracy may also cause you problems, although hiring a shipping agent will alleviate most of the stress involved, charges will of course be imposed.

To import your car, you must apply for an Approval Permit (AP) from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI).

In order to apply for this permit your car must be registered under your name for at least 3 years. The following documentation must then be presented and processed:

1. A letter of application addressed to the Ministry Of International Trade and Industry (MITI) for the importing of a car from your home country to Malaysia for personal use.
2. A JK69 form must be purchased MITI and duly completed.
3. Documentation indicating proof of ownership. Typically this will be a purchase receipt or transfer of ownership/letter from the previous owner if the car was purchased second-hand.
4. The original and photocopied registration.
5. The cars original insurance documents and/or a letter from the insurance company.
6. Your work permit and letter of contract from your employer in Malaysia.
7. A photocopy of your passport.

All these documents must be presented to the officer in charge at the MITI offices, who will also conduct a short interview. Processing of your application typically takes seven working days, if all goes well you will be issued an Approval Permit allowing you to import your car. The permit is valid for only 3 months, if you do not import your car by then, you will have to go through the entire process all over again.

Upon the arrival of your car, you are required to collect it yourself from the port and then you will need to apply for a permit from the Malaysian Road Transport Department or "Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan", this entails more registration paperwork which of course will include your proof of ownership and registration documents, a car inspection and the payment of the import duties.

(Source: Royal Malaysian Custom – Import of Personal Vehicle)

Import Duty For CBU Vehicles (%)




3rd Image Table Contributed by BeastX (LYN)

Purchase price of the vehicle can be taken into account in the calculation of the Customs Value and this is only an estimation of the calculations of Customs Duties. However, Royal Malaysian Customs has docket price of the particular vehicle to determine the calculation of the exact Customs Value. The calculation of Customs Duties also depends on the original registration date (birth date), engine capacity, date of import and model of the vehicle.

Simple Question & Answer

Question:
I work / study at overseas and already purchased a car and intended to bring the car into Malaysia. Can I know the procedure?

Answer:
Malaysia citizen who work or study at overseas can import a vehicle for personal use subject to the approval permit given by Ministry of International Trade and Industry. To get the approval applicant have to purchase and fill the JK69 Form. JK69 is a gazetted Custom Form. The form comes with three carbonised copies. Therefore, it cannot be downloaded from the website. Once endorsed by MITI, the form becomes an Approved Permit (AP). JK69 can be purchased at:

Percetakan Nasional Malaysia Berhad
Jalan Chan Sow Lin
50554 Kuala Lumpur
Tel : 03-92212022
Fax : 03-92220690

Person that is eligible to bring in personal vehicle are as follows:
i. Malaysians studying overseas (at least diploma level) for more than a year and returning home permanently. Accompanying spouse is not eligible.
ii. Malaysians working legally on a permanent post overseas (at least a year) and returning home permanently. Accompanying spouse is not eligible.
iii. Government officials posted overseas for more than a year. Accompanying spouse is eligible for one AP.

(For more information on (i), (ii) and (iii), please go to APPLICATION PROCEDURE AND WORK PROCESS. Refer to DOCUMENT 11: Guidelines to Apply for Import License For Personal Motor Vehicles Of Malaysian Citizens Working Or Studying Overseas)

iv. Expatriates with valid working pass/permit. The importation of the personal vehicle is subject to re-export condition upon termination of work employment in Malaysia.
v. Participants of Malaysia My Second Home Programme (MM2H). (For detail, please go to http://mm2h.motour.gov.my)
vi. Malaysians specialists returning home under the Ministry of Human Resource program. (For detail, please go to Laman Web Rasmi Kementerian Sumber Manusia - Home)


A complete application has to be submitted manually to any of the following offices:

i. Trade Services Division
Ministry of International Trade and Industry
2nd Floor, Block 10 Government Offices Complex
50622 Jalan Duta
Kuala Lumpur
Tel : 603-62034819
Fax: 603-62013012

ii. MITI Cawangan Sabah
Tingkat 3, blok D&E
Bangunan KWSP
49,Jalan Karamunsing
88622 Kota Kinabalu
Sabah
Tel: 088-239061
Fax : 088-235645

iii. MITI Cawangan Sarawak
Tingkat 3, Bangunan Bank Negara
93400 Kuching Sarawak
Tel : 082-257164
Fax : 082-417835

After getting the permit (AP), the vehicle can be imported into Malaysia and must be declared to the Royal Malaysian Customs at the customs station/ office at the place of import using the Customs Form No. 1 which can be obtained or purchased at:

Percetakan Nasional Malaysia Berhad
Jalan Chan Sow Lin
50554 Kuala Lumpur
Tel : 03-92212022
Fax : 03-92220690

The form comes with four carbonised copies. Therefore, it cannot be downloaded from the website.


Ordinary people did not know that every Malaysian citizen is entitled to one AP in a lifetime. Link to news via MalaysiaKini.Com: Rafidah directed to address AP issue in Parliament (www.malaysiakini.com/news/41050).


Original: http://www.malaysia.alloexpat.com/malaysia...to_malaysia.php

Thanks,

SakuraGuy

Lowyat.Net

FULL REVIEW: AUDI A4 B5 1.8i 20v SEDAN

Model release dates: 1995 - 2001 (1996 to 2002 in Malaysia)


SOURCE:

1) GLASS GUIDE AUSTRALIA http://glassguide.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/5B65C532E4AEAA94CA256A2400088B6C

2) Picture source: http://www.audiforums.com/models/a4/

OVERVIEW:


A STRONG competitor for the BMW 3-series since its launch in 1995, the Audi A4 still holds its own today despite upgrades and new models from its main protagonists. It offers a wide range of configurations from front-wheel drive to four-wheel drive and four-door sedan or station wagon. Performance in the base 1.8-litre engine is adequate only while the suspension offers a good combination of comfort and road-holding. Four-wheel drive and turbo versions add to the dynamics, and the price. Disadvantages are the tight back seat and slightly over-assisted power steering.

THE CAR:

(REAR VIEW OF THE CAR)

Smooth, integrated shape results in a competitive aerodynamic Cd figure of 0.29
The A4 is up to 45kg lighter than its 80 series predecessor.Four-link front suspension design is based on the luxury A8 series
Geometry of the front suspension is designed to eliminate front-wheel drive kick-back at the steering wheel. A simple, lightweight torsion beam axle is used at the rear.


Five-valve-per-cylinder technology means greater valve area for improved gas flow and better fuel economy compared to four-valve heads. The long stroke engine design of 1.8-litre, 20-valve, four-cylinder is used to promote torque output across the rpm range

All A4 models come with climate control air-conditioning, central locking and power steering The sedan's boot is actually larger than the A4 Avant with rear seats in place. Dual front airbags are standard on all A4 models

THE A4's base engine is the 92kW, 1.8-litre, 20-valve, four-cylinder with five-speed manual transmission (The subject for this review). With only 173Nm of torque available, at a fairly high 3950rpm, constant revs are required for brisk progress. There is also the optional four-speed automatic featuring 'DSP' that varies gear up-shift points according to driving style.

Arguably the best version of the A4 is the 110kW turbocharged 1.8T. It is available in five-speed automatic form and is fast, economical and refined. The 30-valve, 2.8-litre V6 quattro version is a well- equipped alternative to the rear-driven BMW 328i.

The A4's interior features high standards of build quality and an attractive, ergonomically-designed dashboard. The instrumentation is clear and easy to read although the red back-lighting may not be to everybody's taste. Some of the darker interior hues also make the A4 seem somb reThe A4 is a little tight for space in the back seat, suiting its maker's classification as being a "sports sedan" rather than a family-style conveyance.

The Avant station wagon came in late 1996 but its meagre carrying capacity makes it more like a five-door hatch.


SOURCE: - Automotive NetWorks 03/02/1999

ADD-ON article:
SOURCE: http://www.canadiandriver.com/roadtest/96-01a4.htm

Second Opinion

Early A4's were attractive yes, but buyers expecting an Audi alternative to a BMW 3-Series will be disappointed. The A4's handling is good, but softer and not as well balanced as the rear-drive 3-Series. As well, the A4's steering is lighter, vaguer and less responsive. But equipped with quattro all-wheel-drive and a good set of tires, the A4 will run rings around a 3-Series in the snow.


The A4's interior is impeccable, but rear seat legroom is cramped. Its exterior styling has held up amazingly well over the years, and a nicely-kept A4 will look like a new car sitting in your driveway. - Greg Wilson - editor (Canadian Driver)

Consumer Reports has included the 1996-2001 Audi A4 1.8T on its list of used vehicles to avoid, principally because of a worse than average record with respect to engine repairs, but engine cooling, electrical and brake problems also caused concern. Not enough data was collected from owners to evaluate 2.8 V6 models.

Despite this lack of support, the Audi A4 has relatively few service issues identified in the service bulletins - the major ones being noted above. Recalls have been issued for the tie rod problem and a warranty extension should cover 1.8T engine problems due to sludge build-up.

But the issue does underscore the need for a thorough vehicle inspection before buying an Audi A4 1.8T, or any used car for that matter. Never take a seller's word on maintenance. Have the vehicle checked by an independent automotive service technician first and be sure there are no problems before you buy.

And speaking of buying - the A4 is a desirable used car buy, particularly for performance-oriented enthusiasts. So prices have held up reasonably well, despite the age of these vehicles.


RECALLS (!!!)

1995, 1996, 1997: Transport Canada Recall Number 1997176. Units affected: 1997. A discharge of static electricity could activate the driver's side air bag. Dealers will install a ground wire.

1996, 1997: Transport Canada Recall Number 2000238. Units affected: 2767. The plastic ignition switch housing may fracture. Ignition switch will be replaced.

1996: Transport Canada Recall Number 1996092. Units affected: 168. Improper grounding of the horn may cause intermittent operation. A ground contact spring will be installed.

1997, 1998, 1999: Transport Canada Recall Number 1999095. Units affected: 9000. A control valve in the vacuum hose connecting the brake booster to the intake manifold may not open or close fully at temperatures below -4 degrees F. A vacuum by-pass system will be installed on affected vehicles.

1998, 1999: Transport Canada Recall Number 1999195. Units affected: 4900. On certain vehicles, the steering assembly tie rod seals do not seal properly. Tie rods will be replaced on affected vehicles.

1998: Transport Canada Recall Number 1998126. Units affected: 1437. An engine backfire during cold start could damage an air screen loosely seated in the air flow metre, which could prevent the throttle plate from returning to its full idle position. A screen retaining ring will be installed and damaged screens replaced.

1999: Transport Canada Recall Number 2002104. Units affected: 2853. On certain vehicles, the steering assembly tie rod seals do not seal properly. Tie rods will be replaced on affected vehicles.


We like (+ve)
Solidity, grip, build quality, equipment

We dislike (-ve)
Bottom-end engine performance, remote driving experience

DID YOU KNOW?

1)All Audi models feature a- fully galvanised body for effective rust protection
2) Audi is the FIRST with Quattro (4 wheel drive) fitted in a 3-box passenger car back in 1980.
3) Audi A4’s a FRONT WHEEL DRIVE with engine mounted like a rear wheel drive (vertically), for 50/50 weight distribution. Also, Audi claimed that this setup minimizes power loss by torque converter (in Auto gearbox).


HOW MUCH?

In Malaysia, there’s only 2 engines.
1) 125hp 1.8i 20v NA.
2) 1.8T 20v turbo 150hp.

The pricing in Malaysia as at December 29 2007 are (1.8T in bracket):

1996: RM28,000 (-NA-)
1997: RM35,000 (48,000) 1998: RM39,000 (55,000)
1999: RM45,000 (60,000) 2000: RM50,000 (65,000)
2001: RM56,000 (72,000) 2002: -NA- (RM80,000)


Note that for 2008, pricing depreciates 10% for Audi A4 8 years old or newer. After 8th year is all based on Condition as well as Supply and demand (ie. Buyer’s market). Why? It’s because difficulty to get Bank Loan hence potential buyers are mostly personal loan or cash buyers. My prices for 1999 and older’s based on Pro-rata (average).

SPECIFICATIONS:


ENGINE:
* 1.781-litre DOHC 20-valve front-mounted transverse in-line four-cylinder
* Power: 92kW at 5800rpm
* Torque: 173Nm at 3950rpm
TRANSMISSION:
* Five-speed manual/four-speed automatic
SUSPENSION:
* Front: independent by four-link system, coil springs, anti-roll bar
* Rear: torsion beam, coil springs, anti-roll bar
STEERING:
* Power-assisted rack and pinion
* Turning circle: 11.1 metres
PERFORMANCE:
• Top speed: 203km/h (127mph)/ (200km/h Auto (125mph))
• 0-100km/h in 9.8 secs. (10.7secs Automatic)
DIMENSIONS:
* Length: 4479mm
* Width: 1733mm
* Height: 1415mm
* Wheelbase: 2617mm
* Kerb weight: 1205kg

FUEL CONSUMPTION
-NA-. Anyone can contribute?

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Presenting: Interview: Cruising with Jay Leno

Happy New Year 2008. I'd just realised that this is my 51st post. To kick off the new year, I present a RARE article, an interview of "The Car Guy", Jay Leno by "Roadfly Magazine (US), issue 8" which dated back in August 2003. How's that...

Here it goes. ENJOY!:

Source: ROADFLY Magazine,
Issue Eight
August 9, 2003



""Ever notice how many Hollywood celebrities claim to be car enthusiasts? Ask them about their collections or cars that catch their eye, and you'll likely hear all about the latest Bentley, Ferrari, Hummer or Lamborghini. To a real car enthusiast, hearing things like that is not only disheartening, it's infuriating - these people aren't enthusiasts, they're label junkies.

Not true of Jay Leno, host of NBC's very popular late night talk show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Jay is a 100% certified, Grade-A car and motorcycle enthusiast - so much so, that yours truly believes he may bleed 10w-30 motor oil. He often shows footage of some of his unique vehicles during the Tonight Show, and his guests often ask him about his cars and bikes while they're being interviewed. His Apache helicopter turbine-powered motorcycle brings back fond Tonight Show memories.

Luckily, Jay is not only a successful comedian, television personality and accomplished car collector - he's also one heckuva nice guy. You hear it from many people - people who've bumped into him at the grocery store, people who've worked with him and people who've seen his comedy club routines. They all say, "Jay is such a great guy," and we can verify that statement as nothing short of completely accurate.

In fact, he's more than a great guy. He's a great guy who loves talking about cars and motorcycles, and he was more than accommodating of our request to sit down and interview him about his life's passion. We feel very fortunate that Jay was able to take time from his unbelievably busy schedule to field our questions and share his experiences with us. We talked about everything from Austin Healey's to Zeffer's, and share excerpts of the interview here. If you dare to consider yourself a car or motorcycle fanatic, you definitely don't want to miss a single word Jay had to say.

R: When did you first become interested in cars and motorcycles, and who do you hold "responsible" for getting you into the hobby?

Jay Leno: Oh, it seems like I've always been in to cars and motorcycles. I grew up in New England, and when I was 12 or 13 I got a go-kart. We had a 300-foot driveway and I'd drive up and down it like every day.

As a kid, I used to work a lot of different jobs, so when I was about 14, I bought a 1934 Ford pick-up truck. My dad and I brought it home and I spent like another 2 years driving up and down the driveway in that. You know, going "reeeer" [makes car noise] and then backing up and then "reeeer" [car noise] driving back and forth, like an idiot - I maybe got into second gear once or twice. I did that like 50 times a day until I got my license. I've always liked things that make noise, roll and explode. [chuckles while recalling the memories]

R: Have you always been mechanically inclined? I know that you do a lot of your own work, and that you're pretty good at working on vehicles of all types.

JL: Well, I think I am...[chuckles] But I don't think I'm a particularly gifted mechanic. I'm certainly not very good as a machinist or anything like that, but I just enjoy working on things.

I get a perverse pleasure out of things breaking down on the road and then being responsible for trying to get them home again - I guess that's why modern cars don't interest me that much, because there's not a whole lot you can do to them when they break down.

For example, when I first came to California, and I'd drive down the street and I'd see someone broken down with the hood open, so I'd pull over and be like, "Hey, what's the matter? Oh, here's your problem - the coil wire came off, or here, let me fix that," or whatever it might be. Maybe eight times out of ten I could get them going again, without too much drama - it was just something you could do. Nowadays, when cars break down and I pull over to help, I just hand them my cell phone and call the tow truck.

Carrying tools in a modern car like a Honda or Toyota - there's not much you can do with them. It's sort of pointless, isn't it? The days of explaining to someone that the mercury switch (like they had in the mid-80's Alfa's that would cut the fuel and ignition if the car got turned on it's side) is "flipped" are gone. You just call the tow truck and watch it get hauled away.

R: I know you hate it when people ask you about your top-10 favorite cars, but I'm going to do it anyway. What are your favorites?

JL: Oh boy [laughs]. Let's see, my current favorite is probably the Duesenberg SJ - that's a solid car and is probably one of the best cars of all time. I like the Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic coupe, the McLaren F1, the 1913 Mercer Raceabout, my Stanley Steamer, the Lamborghini Miura, my 1909 Baker Electric (an electric car from nearly 100 years ago, take that GM!), any big, old eight-liter Bentleys, and of course, the 1960's 427 Ford AC Cobra. That thing still amazes me.

R: Generally speaking, do you prefer your vehicles to be stock, modified, restored or some combination of all of the above?

JL: [pauses] Well, it depends on what type of car you're talking about. For example, like right now I have an extremely heavily modified C5 Corvette Z06 - but, would I prefer it if you gave me an all-stock, 1962 Corvette, numbers matching, fuel injected car? Absolutely - then the stock car is much more appealing to me. In 25 years, will I prefer a stock Z06? Probably. It just depends on what it is and what time period you're living in.

R: What vehicles catch your eye today? Is there any thing that you have your eye on, or anything that you'd really like to own?

JL: The one that I'm really attracted to is the new GT from Ford, you know, the new version of the old GT40. I think they've done an excellent job of recreating the car, and since there's some family history there, it's not like it's a replica car. I think it's a really exciting car.

I'm also really excited about the new SLR Mercedes-Benz. Coincidentally, I've got the first one that's going to be coming into the country, so I'm really looking forward to that - it's pretty cool. Zero to 60 is, what, 4 seconds? But it's not only about the horsepower, even though it has over 600 horsepower. I had an EV1 [General Motors Electric Car] for a few weeks, and I actually enjoyed driving it.

But the electric car is dead. It's a dead idea - I mean, I have a 1909 Baker Electric, and it goes 110 miles on a charge. The EV1 goes 125 miles on a charge, so we've gained a whopping 15 miles in 90 years of technology? Come on. You have to think of electricity as a living thing - you put it in a box, and it's going to escape, or it'll die trying to escape. You either use it at the point of generation, or you have to go elsewhere.

Eventually, I think a complete fuel-cell vehicle with an electric motor at each wheel will be the final solution, but I think that's still quite a bit in the future.

R: If an automaker or bike manufacturer were to re-incarnate a vehicle from days gone by, what would you like to see them bring back?

JL: Well, I think the Duesenberg SJ would be an interesting vehicle - that was a car that was ahead of it's time. I mean, I have a few Duesenbergs, and even today, it's not a car that you have to apologize for driving.

You know, like you're driving down the road going, "Oh, pardon me, sorry, just go around - it's really old, sorry! Sorry! Yeah, just go around!"

A lot of times with old cars, the things are just screaming trying to go forty, fifty miles an hour, but with the Duesy, I pass people at like 75, 80 miles per hour on the freeway, and they're like "jeesh!" It's a well-designed car - I mean, it had twin cams, overhead valves, hemi-heads, 4-vales per cylinder, and it was designed and built in 1927. It's amazing, so that would certainly be an interesting one.

Or, how about the TR3? I mean, Mazda's Miata has come as close as anyone can to recreating the famous old MG's, but there's obviously an interest in these types of cars. The unfortunate thing about the Miata is that many people refer to it as a girl's car, which is an image-killing moniker to have stuck to your car, especially if you're a guy driving that car.

Collin Chapman used to say, "You build a car, then add lightness," and that's a really great thing to say and do. Mazda did it with the Miata, as did MG and Triumph with the TR3. But we Americans seem to associate light cars with femininity, which is absolutely silly.

The Lotus Elan is about as light a car as you're going to get, they take out Mustangs and Corvettes on the circuits, but most people under the age of 35 don't understand the notion of a lightweight car, so they make fun of it.

You know, I have a car that's called "The Rocket" and it weighs 775-lbs and has 147 horsepower flowing through 12 speeds (6 high, 6 low). Power to weight, there's nothing that can hang with me when I get on it - nothing and I mean nothing - stays with me. I get 35, 40 miles to the gallon, I stomp on the brakes, lock-up the wheels and my brake pads last forever, because I'm only haulin' around 775lbs. It's a wonderful example of how important conserving weight is and the advantages to doing so.

R: Which of your cars or bikes is your rarest vehicle?

JL: Rarest? Hmm, well, I don't know - I have a lot of odd cars and motorcycles, but I honestly don't know which is the most rare. I just try to avoid the "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous syndrome." I mean, for me, the challenge of driving something is more fun and more important than what you're driving.

I have a Morgan 3-wheeler - it's hysterical! I've told the story before, but I'm on Mulholland Drive, and I got the thing cranked up, it's pop-pop-pop-popping at me, and I come sliding around this corner, doing everything I can do to make the corner, and just as I do that there's a cop sitting there with his radar gun.

I see him and go "oh crap," and he sort of looks at me and this steam engined thing and I go, "Hey, officer, how's it going?" And he goes, "Hey Jay, got the steamer out?" I said, "Yeah, hey - how fast was I going back there?" He goes, "Oh, you're ok - you were just hitting 35 miles an hour." I go, "35?! I thought I was going like 70!" He says, "Nope, you're ok - speed limit here is 45."

I seriously thought I was going to go to jail, but I was having a blast - the backend is hanging out as I'm coming around the corner, and it's chuggin' away, and I'm seriously thinking I'm going like nearly 100, and I'm barely doing 35?! Talk about a fun vehicle to drive.

[At this point we're all laughing, because Jay is telling the story with such intensity that it seems as though we were riding right along side him. He tells stories perfectly - you really get the feeling like you were there with him.]

R: With such a great collection of cars, how do you decide which vehicle you're going to drive to work each day?

JL: Well, I feel sort of foolish because I'm sure there are worse problems to have than deciding which car you're going to drive to work. But, you know how I do it? Sometimes I'll come home, and I'll pull out a car book. I'll be reading through it, and I'll start reading about something like the 1968 Shelby Mustang GT350, so I'll go out the garage, fire it up and drive it to work for the next few days. You know, I'm sure you guys do the same thing, right? [We all laugh again]

R: Any plans to write your own book, sort of like a "car guy" book that's written by a true "car guy?"

JL: No, not really - you know, idiot celebrities sticking their heads in where they don't belong isn't anything anyone wants to do or hear about. I'm an enthusiast, and I enjoy it, but I'm no expert. I have no desire to write a "well, here's what you do..." sort of book.

R: Ready for a hypothetical question?

JL: Let me have it.

R: 3,000-mile road trip. Pick the vehicle and your co-pilot - it can be anyone, from any time or era.

JL: I would probably take the McLaren F1, because that's the greatest car there is! It's unbelievable - the top speed is 241 miles per hour and it's extremely comfortable. The thing that people don't know about the F1, is that unlike an Enzo or some other exotic, the McLaren F1 is totally drivable. It's a road car - it was designed to be a road car from the get-go.

I mean, it's smaller than a Corvette, yet I can hold three people in it and still have room for luggage. It weighs less than a Miata, and it has 627 horsepower. You sit in the center and because you sit in the center, there's enough legroom for drivers or passengers that are seven feet and taller.

It's actually one of the only cars that I drive where I find myself moving the seat a little bit forward before I take off. It's so comfortable, and I find it to be the perfect vehicle because people who know what it is see it and tend to go nuts, and people who don't know about it just don't know about it and leave you alone.

It isn't like the Enzo with a big long nose, where as soon as you're seen it in, you're labeled as the middle-aged guy with "that problem" in his life. The car just looks right, and it drives perfectly - everything about it is just right. There's no wing, there's no spoilers, it just does what it's supposed to do. It has normal road clearance, so when you go over a speed bump or come to a driveway, you're not tearing off half of the spoilers.
You know, I remember someone lent me a new Lamborghini Diablo back in the mid-90s, and I'm leaving my driveway really slowly and I go "scccccrrrrrrrrthhhh" [makes a scraping noise] and I rip off the front spoiler. I'm going, "You know, I'm not supposed to be doing this to people's cars, I don't beat them up, I don't wreck them," but it was so embarrassing because the thing is so low and the nose is so long that as soon as you hit a pebble, you're ripping the thing up. That's not for me.
The only criticism that I have about the McLaren, and it's not really a fair criticism, but you have to be so darn careful with your speed. I mean, going 100 mph in that thing is like going 30 [mph] in any other car, and if I'm not careful, I'll look down and be like, "Oh crap, I'm going 175! I'm not an irresponsible idiot!" It's the exact opposite of the Morgan, where 35 [mph] feels like 100 [mph].

I mean, it sounds dumb, but the thing gathers speed like nothing - you put your foot in it for a second to pass someone and you're doing 140 miles an hour. It's ridiculous, but it is an absolute joy to drive, you're just going, "What the hell am I doing?"

My co-pilot...hmm, that's a great question. It would have to be someone that was interesting to talk to - I don't know. I think I'd want to take along a true automotive engineer, someone whom I'd like to ask a lot of questions of, like W.O. Bentley or Mark Birkett [our apologies if this is not the correct spelling], people who know things that I don't know are very interesting to me. I find designers, engineers, and mechanics to be very interesting.

Phil Hill would be another great guy to take along - he's an old friend of mine and would be an absolute blast to go on a road trip with.

R: Jay, thank you so much for sharing some time with us and for sharing so many great stories with our readers. We certainly appreciate it.

JL: My pleasure - this was a fun interview, and I wish all of you guys the best.

When Jay isn't busy with his television show or with his stand-up comedy tours, he can be found at home, tending to one of his cars or motorcycles. It's no wonder as to why he's on top of his professional game - he's great at what he does, and he takes time to "help the little guy." When was the last time any other celebrity stopped to help a stranded motorist?

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno can be seen Monday through Friday on NBC just after your local 10 o'clock news. If you're one of the few people who aren't tuned in to his show every night, we'd urge you to start watching - Jay is a great talk show host, a true car enthusiast and an all around great person.""

THAT'S ALL FOLKS! To avoid getting SUED for plagarism, AGAIN, The Source's from: ROADFLY Magazine(US) Issue Eight August 9, 2003. By Steve Litscher, Editor-in-Chief NOT BY JEFF LIM (me)!

Unresolved problem with Proton - Why? Read on...

SOURCE: The Star Online Blog (Blog.thestar.com.my) August post. Posted by: sisleysusie, 1-Aug-2007.

Here's the article...

"I bought a brand new Proton Satria Neo 1.6 Auto HL in September 2006. Problems started after eight months of normal usage.

The first problem occurred in April-May this year and in a time span of four weeks I've been to the Proton service centre in Plentong 10 times to rectify one problem.

The second round of problems happened recently, in July/August.

Nature of the problem: Engine warning light will suddenly light while driving causing the car to jerk. This would be followed by a sudden gear change and drop in speed. The car can still be driven, however the RPM of the engine would increase to above 4,000 because the gear wouldn’t change, but would be locked in third gear (auto transmission).

Recently, the car behaved abnormally when the problem recurred. In fact, the car almost broke down all of a sudden when I was driving at 90kmh in the fast lane.

Every time the problem occurs, I have to drive for 40 minutes to the service centre, and spend a few hours waiting for my car to be fixed.

1st visit 21/04/07: They suspected a loose sensor and attempted to fix it but the problem was back three days later.

2nd visit 24/04/07: I was told that it’s a wiring or sensor problem. They fixed the sensor instead because that's the easiest to do, but the problem returned less than a week after my second visit.

3rd visit 30/04/07: They said the pedal sensor was faulty and the engine warning light was lit because the pedal sensor gave the wrong signal. They had no spare parts so I had to wait for the parts to arrive within 1-2 weeks. They also assured me that the initial problem had been fixed.

4th visit 04/05/07: The problem recurred. This time round, I demanded to see the service manager. I got the pedal sensor changed on the same day.

5th visit 05/05/07: The problem was still recurring. I reached the service centre at 6pm, but it was closed although the signboard reflects that the centre opens everyday until 8pm. A technician who was on standby assisted me, and once again assured me that the problem had been fixed.

6th visit 07/05/07: I went to the centre again to get the car further checked. The staff assured me that the problem would not recur.

7th visit 12/05/07: The problem returned soon enough. I called the manager and he said he would attend to us. Got the ECU and TCU changed which they had suspected earlier but did not take any action.

8th visit 14/05/07: After taking the car back, I realised that instead of solving the old problem, I was given even more problems related to the engine. I complained to the service manager, and I was told to leave my car at the service centre while they gave me a temporary replacement car.

9th Visit 15/05/07: I was called to the service centre to test drive the car. To my surprise, they removed my sport rims without my permission although the rims had nothing to do with the initial problem.

10th Visit 17/05/07: I collected my car and was assured many times that the problem had been solved.

11th Visit 27/07/07: The problem returned. This time the engine almost broke down, and the sudden drop in speed caused a trailer to almost hit me from the back. At the service centre I was told a wire was loose and they fixed it.

12th visit 28/07/07: Less than 12 hours after my 11th visit, the problem returned. I was driving at 90kmh in the fast lane along Jalan Skudai when the car suddenly jerked and the speed dropped suddenly. I almost had an accident because I was driving in the fast lane.

My car is still at the service centre now. Basically, it has been used as an experiment car to solve a problem which even Proton cannot solve. The car is barely one year old, but it has been repaired and cannibalised like a 10-year-old car.

I feel cheated of my RM54K. I'm a freelance programmer and also a student. As such, money is difficult to come by, and it wasn't easy to get my loan approved. But Proton has been playing around with my hard-earned money by selling me a faulty product.

I have filed a complaint via e-aduan at the Ministry of Domestic Trade & Consumer Affairs website. I only hope the ministry will be able to assist me in this matter."


Visitors Comments:

• We did some research some time ago in a foreign country for a motor magazine, comparing the quality of different vehicles. We only asked one core question - how busy is the service department and other sub-rider questions.

Proton's service department is very busy. This does not solve your current problem but may help your decision-making process when you consider your next vehicle.


By datuk_angin, 2-Aug-2007

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

• Proton is the most expensive car in Malaysia when you take into account the servicing and money spent.
By HiraiKen, 2-Aug-2007

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

• The very reason why I always advise others: Just say NO to Proton cars, no matter how great they look or how cheap they are.

In this case, the car looks great but being a Proton car, the price is not cheap either.
By joeina, 3-Aug-2007

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

• My company "in following government policies and advice" bought some Protons in 2001, this is a simplified description of our problems with them:

a) One Wira had non-stop air-cond problems from Day 1 until today. Our log book showed 22 trips to Proton authorised workshops and the problem has yet to be solved.

b) Of 6 cars with auto cruise, 5 had the system failing on the drivers including one serious situation where the auto cruise refused to disengage.

c) It cost more to service a Perdana than to service a Honda (using authorised agents)- Standard Service.

These are just some of the "headaches" we face in using Proton as our company vehicle.

Our log also helps us in making future decisions when it comes to choosing a model to be our company car and this time Proton won't be on the list.
By mediaterrorist, 3-Aug-2007

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

• I am very fortunate that the Proton cars that I bought - Saga, Wira and Iswara - have not given me any problems at all. But I have friends who had countless problems with theirs.

For the time being, I would not consider buying Proton cars because their parts and assembly practices are simply not up to par. I am particularly concerned about parts that are "Proton-designed", such as the Cam Pro engine, which has a poor reputation but Proton insists to continue to use. I was happy, as with other Proton owners, with the "older" engines that were or based on Mitsubishi engines.

Proton has no reason, other than foolish pride, to design and build its own engines. Not all other car manufacturers produce their own engines. Korean car-makers are smart to use engines that are developed jointly with prominent engine-makers. Ssangyong doesn't even develop its own but uses Mercedes Benz engines.

I think that Proton, with its pride and desire to move ahead, has clearly misstepped here. Instead of careful growth, it tried to join the big league too quickly. The blame lies squarely on the Government's practices to protect Proton. Proton has not evolved because there has been no need to. So, instead of having "strong legs" to compete, it is now a lame duck.

The vision of a global car-maker has all but vanished. The Government should realise and acknowledge this fact. Proton is quickly and surely losing market share even on homeground. How does Proton even dare to dream of competing regionally and globally?

It is fortunate that Malaysia still has another car-maker, Perodua, that is doing very well. Perhaps this is because Perodua is essentially a Toyota company, being 51% owned by Daihatsu, which in turn is owned by Toyota.

By sleekk, 3-Aug-2007

STILL WANT A "PROTON"? Think again...

Propose: Road tax based on insurance instead of...

I hereby proposed that our roadtax be determined by Insured value (or resale value) instead of Cubic Capacity (CC). Why?

Because it's Unfair for say (Example 1) a 15 years 0ld 3200cc car (1991 Honda Legend) owned by a Pensioner worth RM10,000 but have to fork out RM3,000 road tax PA. The pensioner don't want to sell his car due to sentimental value. It's his LAST COMPANY Car which he bought over when he retire...


Again, it's unfair as (Example 2) A New 350,000 E-class owner only pay RM3xx roadtax PA. Why is it so? Because the car's a 1.8.

Can you sense the irony in this 2 examples?

To ensure fairness, the Government should implement this proposal As soon as possible (ASAP) so that some Rich folks won't get away with the Loophole. It's SHOCKING, a 1796cc Mercedes E200K worth RM350,000 owner only have to pay RM3xx roadtax.

Avoid Lemon car/s...

How to find quality in your next car
Friday August 11, 6:00 am ET
Terry Jackson

While it's still possible to get a "lemon'' -- a new car that has a
plethora of problems -- the truth is that new vehicles today are more
reliable and better built than ever. The days are long gone when a dealer
sent you out the door with your new car and the advice, "Make a list of
things you find wrong and bring it back in a few weeks and we'll fix them.''

J.D. Power and Associates' most recent Initial Quality Study of new car
owners showed that 2006 models had the fewest problems of any year on
record -- a 59 percent drop since 1992.

A more extensive study by Consumer Reports mirrored the J.D. Power
findings. Since 1980, the number of glitches in new cars has been cut by
about 80 percent. Nearly every manufacturer has significantly improved
their products year to year.

But as with any competition, there are vehicles that rank at the top of the
quality lists and ones that rank at the bottom. So how can you tell if the
vehicle you're considering is a high-quality vehicle?

The best way is to see for yourself. Here are 10 of the key things to look
for at the dealership:
10 keys to look for

1. Look at the seams.
2. Match colors.
3. What lies beneath?
4. Under the hood.
5. Eye the glass.
6. Door "thunk".
7. Interior design.
8. Exposed wiring.
9. Little things mean a lot.
10. Serious test drive.

First, check out the body of the car, looking beyond the styling and paying
attention to the details.

1. Look at the seams. Check the gaps between body panels. Are the gaps
uniform throughout? A well-engineered and constructed car will show the
same body gaps around the doors, the trunk and the hood. Pay particular
attention to this on vehicles that have been significantly redesigned or
are all new to the market. Although the old adage about not buying a
redesigned model in the first year generally no longer applies, varying
body gaps may indicate the assembly process needs some adjusting.

2. Match colors. Pay attention to the places on the body where different
materials are used, such as where a nose made of a composite plastic
material meets the steel of the rest of the body. The paint should not
noticeably change hue from one surface to another.

3. What lies beneath? Look under the car to see what protrusions,
particularly at the front, could get hung up on parking berms and rip free.
Most cars have some sort of air dam underneath the vehicle at the front to
aid in cutting aerodynamic drag. But such air dams should be mounted far
enough back so parking berms won't rip them off or should be mounted in
such a way as to bend rather than break when encountering an object.

4. Under the hood. Even if you're no mechanic, closely inspect the engine
bay. Most cars have a cover that surrounds most of the top of the engine.
Make sure it's mounted securely -- you shouldn't be able to shake it. The
same test should apply to any battery covering. Look at the wiring. It
should be either covered or tightly bound together to prevent anything from
coming loose.

5. Eye the glass. Look at the window glass and see how the side windows fit
against the rubber gaskets when closed. Anything less than a perfect fit
will result in wind noise that will only get worse as the car ages.

6. Door "thunk". Open and close the doors, looking for how many so-called
"stops" are built into the hinges. A vehicle's door should have two
settings so that it will stay open in a half-way position and fully opened.
Shut the door and listen for any sort of hollow boom, which could indicate
there's less sound-deadening material in the door, which will mean greater
road noise.

7. Interior design. Check out the finish on the interior panels. While
plastic is the industry norm when it comes to door panels and dashboards,
there's a wide variety of grains and finishes applied to the plastic. The
dash and panels should have a rich-looking color and have a textured feel
to the casual touch. As with the body, the gaps between interior panels
should be close and uniform. Look especially where the air bags are hidden.

8. Exposed wiring. If the car you're interested in has power-adjustable
front seats, feel under them to see how the wiring and motor coverings are
secured. Loose wires or coverings could lead to problems in the future.

9. Little things mean a lot. Pay attention to things like seat latches.
They should work with minimal effort and all handles should feel secure,
not prone to bending or twisting. Check the stitching and seams of the
seats for any loose threads or less-than-straight sewing. Open the trunk
and see how the floor covering is secured and whether it's made of a
material that will stand up to carrying heavy or dirty cargo.

10. Serious test drive. Lastly, when you've all but settled on the vehicle
you want, take an extended test drive, not just a spin around the block.
Drive at freeway speeds and pay attention to wind and road noise. Pay
attention to how the automatic transmission shifts. It should change gears
smoothly and quickly. On a manual transmission, feel where the clutch
starts to engage and how long or short the pedal travel is. It should
engage gradually and not have any abrupt lurches. Find a safe area to test
the brakes. You're not so much looking for what the car will do in a panic
stop, but rather how the brakes feel when you apply the pedal. Depending on
how far the pedal travels, the feel of the brakes should inspire confidence
that the vehicle will stop in a relatively short distance.

All of this may sound like a no-brainer step to buying a car, but according
to a recent study, more than 40 percent of new car buyers closed the deal
without even taking a short test drive.

Smart buyers will pay attention to every aspect of a car in order to get a
vehicle that will deliver value.

"You'd better off on a Bus" - Clarkson on Mazda 2

Mazda2
The Sunday Times Online (UK):

November 25, 2007


Stay out of the real world, my little beauty

Jeremy Clarkson

I do not like to be late. Actually, that’s not strictly accurate. I don’t know whether I’d like to be late because it’s never happened. And it’s never happened because I usually drive very powerful cars, which means I can always make up the time.

Last week, though, there was a disaster. I’d planned to leave at 11.45am for an appointment in Birmingham. But you know how things are. I couldn’t find my phone charger. I’d lost my house keys. One of the dogs was missing. And did I turn my computer off? I’ll just go and check and Oh Christ, now it’s 11.55.

This would mean averaging 60mph and that’s no bother in a Koenigsegg or a Caparo. But then I opened the front door to find that sitting there, all blue and useless, was a Mazda2. And for that little dollop of extra misery, it wasn’t even the 1.5 version. It was the 1.3, and 1.3 litres, in liquid terms, is barely enough to quench the thirst of a dehydrated man. At a pinch, 1.3 litres might, just, be able to power an egg whisk but for making up time on a trip to Birmingham it’s hopeless.

However, in the course of that journey, I had an epiphany. I was exposed to something cruel and unusual. Something I’ve not experienced for 20 years or more. I believe it’s called the real world.

I’ve often wondered why there are so many people out there who hate cars, who find them noisy, dangerous, antisocial and unbecoming of a civilised state. Some of these people, for sure, have frizzy hair and eat only leaves, but others are, apparently, quite normal.

I can understand they might not find driving fun but I cannot understand why they won’t accept that the car, at the very least, is a useful tool. Or rather, I could not understand until I tried that Mazda.

If you are looking for a small five-door hatchback, there are many reasons why you might be drawn to this car. Unlike anything else I can recall, it is actually smaller than its predecessor. And better still, it is lighter as well. It weighs less than a ton, in fact, which means you will get better fuel economy and more speed. I took a good long look around the cab – God knows there was time – to see if I could work out how this weight had been shed but other than the dash, which looks like it was made by John Noakes, it seems to be just as well equipped and just as robust as any other small car. And just as spacious as well.

What’s more, being a Mazda, its is likely to be reliable. And when you add this to the low group 4 insurance bracket, the £9,999 price tag and the rather cheeky looks, it’s easy to see why those who just want a tool might be tempted by such a thing. As small hatchbacks go, it’s excellent.

But here’s the problem. You see, while this may be the best of breed, it just isn’t good enough for the real world. Coming out of Chipping Norton, on the road to Shipston-on-Stour, there’s a long, slightly uphill straight on which you can overtake the dithering old fool who just spent 20 minutes in the town being confused by the double mini roundabout. And who is now in a such a state of shock, he’s doing 3mph.

Not in a 1.3 litre hatchback you can’t. You drop a cog on the five-speed box, weld your foot to the floor and pull onto the other side of the road . . . where 10 minutes later you can still be found, sweating slightly, as you wonder whether you will get past before the long straight is over, or whether it would be prudent to brake and admit defeat.

Defeat seemed like a good idea. So I eased off, slipped back into the old man’s slipstream and realised, with a heavy heart and sagging shoulders, that in a car such as this, overtaking is not on the menu. And as a result, you are forced to drive everywhere at the same speed as the slowest driver on the road. Often, this stretches the concept of “movement”.

Eventually, and happily, the man in front died – I think he’d grown weary of spending so much time in his own company – and I could open the taps on the little Mazda.

It was horrible. Because it is built to a price, for people who don’t like driving and simply want a tool, everything on it feels cheap and nasty. The electric power steering is too sudden. The suspension is too rubbery. The brakes are too sharp. So even at moderate(ish) speeds, it felt disconnected, unstable and twitchy.

Think of it as a motorway service station sandwich. It was not created to be the best sandwich in the world. The chef had nothing to prove. He simply wanted to offer some of the important food groups for the smallest possible price. There is no truffle oil. There is no homemade cheese. There is absolutely nothing to surprise and delight the enthusiastic motorist who wants something a little bit more than ham made from tyres, butter made from petroleum byproducts, and 129 carbon dioxides to the kilometre. Eventually, after what felt like several months, I reached the motorway and accelerated down the slip road. I had gravity on my side, and 85bhp. This would have been great in 1957 but it sure as hell isn’t enough in 2007 because by the time I reached the main carriageway, I was only doing 50 and that’s too slow to join the inside lane without causing the onrushing lorry to have to brake.

So there I was, sandwiched between a truck full of Polish pies and Eddie Stobart, doing 56 . . . and there was simply no possibility of getting into the middle lane at all. I didn’t have enough oomph to move out because, on the modern motorway, there is always something coming and with only 1.3 litres I couldn’t match its speed before making the manoeuvre.

Small wonder people who buy cars such as this can’t see that driving is useful or fun. It isn’t. It’s either dull or terrifying.

And it gets worse because in Birmingham my car was valet parked in the hotel’s 4m-acre car park by a chap who was a) mildly surprised to see me step from such a thing and b) not on duty when I went to collect it four days later for the journey home again.

This meant I had to find it myself and that’s pretty damn hard when you can’t remember anything about it. Most of the hotel staff came to help, with one asking what it looked like. “It’s car shaped,” I explained, “and possibly blue.”

Or red. I do believe the Mazda2 is a good small car but in the cut and thrust of modern driving, and especially on a motorway network full of BMW M3s and Romanian lorry drivers on speed, it is terrible. You would be better off on the bus or the train. Or walking on your hands and knees, while naked.

The fact is that, these days, you need power to survive and I really do think the government should stop fannying about with speed cameras and home zones and congestion charging. The cities are fine. It’s the rest of the road network that needs to be addressed.

What I propose, then, is a ban, on any derestricted road, for any car that does not have at least 150bhp under the bonnet. This way, you won’t hate me for trying to get past in my Lamborghini and I won’t hate you for being in my way. By keeping us apart, it will make Britain a kinder, more understanding place. And in addition, it will remove the single biggest danger on the roads today: big differences in speed.

We’ll all be going quickly out there and that means we’ll all have time to find our dogs and still arrive on time. The Mazda2, then, is excellent. But if I were running the Department for Transport, I’m afraid I’d have it banned.



Vital statistics

Model Mazda2 1.3 TS2 five-door
Engine 1348cc, four cylinders
Power 85bhp @ 6000rpm
Torque 90 lb ft @ 3500rpm
Transmission Five-speed manual
Fuel 52.3mpg (combined cycle)
CO2 129g/km
Acceleration 0-62mph: 12.9sec
Top speed 107mph
Price £9,999
Verdict Excellent, economical hatch, but it’s still completely rubbish

NOTE: This is another GIBBERISH review by Jeremy Clarkson. Typical Clarksonish review. If you didn't notice, He proposed "a ban, on any derestricted road, for any car that does not have at least 150bhp under the bonnet. This way, you won’t hate me for trying to get past in my Lamborghini and I won’t hate you for being in my way. By keeping us apart, it will make Britain a kinder, more understanding place". Here's some of his SELECTED "FANS" comments:

COMMENT 1: "Some years ago I had an Alfa Sprint with 85bhp - I could overtake in that. My current Audi A4 diesel 'only' has 140 bhp while my previous Volvo S40 had 115 bhp - I have/had no trouble in overtaking. Get yourself a diesel Jeremy and feel the turbo come in - you sure can overtake with a lot less than 150 bhp (at least that wouldn't exclude an Alfa GT diesel or a Volvo with the magnificent D5 engine)". by Ian Burgess, Bristol

COMMENT 2 (a negatively GOOD one):
"Poor Jeremy. Spends his life in Ferraris, Porches, Mercedes, Lamborghinis etc, etc. (See Top Gear). When for the first time in years he gets into the sort of car that the real world drives he can't take it. Surprised he didn't comment on the lack of paddle shifts! Maybe it's not the fastest of cars, nor the best on the motorway, but that's not it's made for!" by Mark, Cardiff, UK


COMMENT 3 (Positive one): ""Sensational provocation"....Jeremy's speciality and refreshing for it. A healthy dose of snobbery has not hurt the argument either, or for that matter his loathing of poltical correctness. I enjoyed it all because it was typically Clarkson and he is VERY good at it". by Malcolm Wright, Paignton,


COMMENT 4: (Neutral one) "Jeremy, I've been reading you for ages and as much as I usually like your views, today you've lost it completely!

The three commandments of the good driver:

1. Know how to stop the vehicle
2. Know what you're driving
3. Act accordingly

You already knew it was a 1.3 litre engine and obviously that's not meant for speeding but for fuel economy . It's a bit like trying to introduce you as a sensible and open minded chap...

Next time try and be a bit fairer to the subject of analysis using it for what it was meant for and drive in a rush with your Lambo or one of the many XC90 you seem to own!" by Alfredo Nieto, Madrid, Spain