Yeah I have an RX-8, it is amazing and basically the perfect car IMO (though the visibility is not as good as I'd like, and of course the rotary engine has its uhh, shortcomings). Mazda would definitely be high on my list for a new vehicle. I had a 2008 Honda Fit as well which was quite excellent. It seems like I'd probably have to stick with like late 2000's if I wanted a new vehicle... >_>
> It seems like I'd probably have to stick with like late 2000's if I wanted a new vehicle
Unfortunately that's not possible for me: Crit'air certificates (which are based on EURO ratings) are being enforced. Our city is going to ban anything above and including level 2 by 2025.
It means I will have to let go of my other car (a '08 Civic Type-R, rated level 2) which is a damn shame and completely absurd to have to scrap it given its overall (at ~100000km it's mint-like) and yearly (2000km/yr, emission contribution is well below the noise floor) mileage.
That's also why we bought a 2020 Mazda 2 (level 1). There's AirPlay but apart from that it's all good. 3 trim levels which basically add HUD, bigger wheels, leather. Everything else is included from the basic one, zero options, completely opposite mindset from the software-gated nonsense. The engine compartment has plenty of room for maintenance and I could swear it was designed to hold a much bigger engine. The screen is touch-able, but disables touch over, like, 2km/h. Ultimately I just use the dial joystick, which is just so good. So, definitely, you don't need to go back 20 years to get a car you are in control of.
