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2014 Mazda3

The Cure For The Common Corolla
I hate the Toyota Corolla. I'm not talking about the new 2014 model; I can't yet judge a car I haven't driven. I'm referring to the current, old-as-dirt sedan. As an appliance, I get why people buy it, but it represents everything that I, as a car enthusiast, dislike. I don't like looking at it, I don't like sitting in it, and I really don't like driving it. There is absolutely no amount of emotion dialed into any part of the Corolla experience and every other vehicle in the segment is a far better choice. But still, somehow, Toyota sells 'em like hotcakes.
Thankfully, there are a lot of people who agree with me. And for folks like us, companies like Mazda exist. This small Japanese automaker places emotion and driver involvement as its top priorities when creating new products, and mostly - especially in recent years - the end results have been great. The new CX-5 crossover is a doll, to say nothing of the rakish and lovely new Mazda6 that launched earlier this year. And let's not forget the Miata...

2016 Mazda6 and CX-5 see gentle price hike

Mazda has modestly updated the Mazda6 and CX-5 for the 2016 model year, and the company just announced revised pricing for the pair. The vehicles cost a little more now, but buyers also get additional features and an improved look. When it comes to the 2016 Mazda6, the already attractive sedan wears a revised look up front with more chrome and a redesigned cabin with a new instrument layout and seven-inch infotainment system on most models. Mechanically, things carry over with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 184 horsepower and 185 pound-feet and either a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox depending on trim. The base Sport trim with a six-speed manual gearbox costs $305 more than it did in 2015, and starts at $21,495*, plus an $820 destination charge on all models. Upgrading to the automatic gearbox at $22,995 also adds the revised infotainment system and reverse camera. Prices top out at $30,195 for the Grand Touring, which is $300 more than last year. All of the other versions see a $100 year-over-year increase. LED headlights are standard on the Grand Touring, but they can be added to the Touring through the Touring Technology package for $1,675. The 2016 CX-5 sees light exterior upgrades and similar interior improvements as the Mazda6, including the improved infotainment system for some trims. Pricing rings up for $250 more than last year, except the all-wheel drive Sport trim at just an extra $50. The cheapest CX-5 is the front-wheel Sport with a manual gearbox and 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 155 hp and 150 lb-ft, and it costs $21,795. All other models combine a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 184 hp and 185 lb-ft with a six-speed automatic. Prices go all the way up to $29,470 for a CX-5 Grand Touring with all-wheel drive. There's a new i-Activesense package for the Grand Touring for $1,500, as well, that adds safety sensors and radar cruise control, but it can only be combined with the Grand Touring Technology Package for $1,505 with navigation and LED headlights. 2016 Mazda6 Pricing Announced IRVINE, Calif. (February 9, 2015) – Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today announced pricing for its refreshed 2016 Mazda6 midsize sedan lineup. The 2016 Mazda6 is available in three trim levels – Sport, Touring and Grand Touring – and is equipped with the SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter gasoline engine. There are a number of enhancements for 2016 including bold changes to the shape of the instrument panel and floor console giving the interior a fresh new look.

Latest Forza Motorsport 5 car pack leaves us scratching our head (in a good way) [w/video]

As we scrolled down the roster of the latest car pack for Forza Motorsport 5, the Hot Wheels Car Pack, our expression became bemused over the strange mix of vehicles that we now have at our disposal. This is quite unlike any of the other sets of DLC Turn 10 Studios has offered. Sure, there are the typical headliner cars – the Lamborghini Veneno and 2015 Audi S3 – that will appeal to the mainstream racing fan or auto enthusiast. But this latest car pack is so jammed full of nuggets of automotive weirdness that it's hard not to get excited. The Hot Wheels pack has no shortage of racers, with a particular focus on historical offerings. A 1939 Auto Union Type D covers the pre-war era of Formula One, while a 1967 Lotus 49 and a 1952 Ferrari 375 represent post-war racing. For a modern twist, a Mazda USF2000 car slots in below the Indy Lights car from the Nurburgring booster pack. From here, things get vintage and weird. There are a pair of delightfully offbeat coupes, in the form of a 1974 Toyota Celica GT and a 1973 Ford XB Falcon GT (here's hoping we get a vintage Holden Monaro in the future). Those two are joined by a 1956 Ford F-100, which your author already plans on converting into a dragster with vinyl flames down the side (because that's what all vintage pickups should be). The new ride we're most excited about, though, is the 1983 GMC Vandura G-1500. Yes, that's the van from The A-Team, and we're sure it will prove to be an excellent canvas for the artists of FM5 to cover with airbrushed, fire-breathing unicorns and mystical, gray-haired wizards (or just poorly painted letters that read "Free Candy"). This latest car pack is the final monthly car pack for FM5, although Turn 10 is quick to point out that while the monthly updates are over, there will still be new batches of cars made available to gamers. As for the Hot Wheels pack, it's available now on Xbox Live for $9.99. Scroll down for the press release from Turn 10 Studios, as well as a video of the newest additions to Forza Motorsport 5's vehicle roster. Forza Motorsport 5 Hot Wheels Car Pack Now Available Turn 10 Studios is bringing the Hot Wheels® Car Pack to "Forza Motorsport 5," available for download today. The pack features a collection of vehicles built from the ground up for the new generation that car fans can collect and customize while putting their virtual driving skills to the test.