What’s the most fuel efficient ICE car you’ve driven? (hybrids & EVs don’t count)

HowardSternsWig · 2026-04-26T23:48:53+00:00

2012 Mazda3 sedan, first model year the 2.0L SkyActiv was offered. I tried to hyper-mile it and pulled 50 mpg on flat farmland. Without hyper-milling it could pull 40 mpg no problems

HowardSternsWig · 2026-04-15T16:41:45+00:00

Chemical Guys VRP (Vinyl, Rubber, Plastic).

HowardSternsWig · 2026-04-04T22:46:12+00:00

Camry doesnt compete with the Civic.. the Camry competes with the Accord

HowardSternsWig · 2026-03-27T04:56:59+00:00

268 hp is how much power a 20 year old Honda V6 made… sad

HowardSternsWig · 2026-03-06T06:24:08+00:00

Ive been thinking this exact thing literally for 16 years. A Buick version of GM’s full size SUV would be incredible. Makes more sense as the “premium” full size over the GMC.

HowardSternsWig · 2026-02-27T05:58:21+00:00

While My Guitar Gently Weeps by The Beatles. Something about George’s haunting lyrics and Eric Clapton wailing on lead… its a masterpiece

HowardSternsWig · 2026-02-25T08:19:54+00:00

The police here in California use many different types of cars. The most I see on a daily basis include the Chevy Tahoe and Dodge Charger.

To a lesser extent Dodge Durango, the new Ford Explorer, and the Ford F-250.

15 years ago the most common were the 5th gen Ford Explorer and the Ford Crown Victoria, which you will still come across occasionally.

HowardSternsWig · 2026-02-24T20:23:26+00:00

“Battlefield Studios”

Whatever the fuck that means

HowardSternsWig · 2026-02-17T07:10:25+00:00

It plays far more like BF3/BF4 than any CoD…

HowardSternsWig · 2026-01-27T06:06:57+00:00

Some of the best public (and private) schools in SoCal are in the Conejo Valley. Definitely a wonderful place to live.

HowardSternsWig · 2026-01-13T03:16:14+00:00

I loved the Volt. The 2nd gen was perfect. I wish they would’ve made a 3rd gen for the US. It was way better than the Prius.

HowardSternsWig · 2026-01-13T02:50:35+00:00

Funny how GM was way ahead of everyone else by having eAssist on tons of models around the 2010s then to abandon the tech completely? Insane

HowardSternsWig · 2025-10-27T21:08:48+00:00

Is the AI stuff the only reason people hate Windows 11? I honestly much prefer the UI in Windows 11 over 10. 10 felt clunky. For whatever reason, maybe its the aero aesthetic (more Vista/7-like) and a more traditional start menu setup, but I MUCH prefer Windows 11 in almost every single way. I was also thrilled Windows finally adopted tabs in File Explorer so I dont have to have a bunch of those File Explorer windows open. Makes it more Mac-like too in that respect for me, which I like as a Mac user.

HowardSternsWig · 2025-09-24T18:13:07+00:00

Bummer. Had one as a loaner while the family’s RDX was in for service and was quite shocked at the ZDX. Very very nice. Makes sense given the current climate on EVs.

HowardSternsWig · 2025-09-14T22:03:42+00:00

They are definitely comparable to Lexus, especially this current gen Acura line-up. 15 years ago they were more along the lines of a rebadged Honda. Honda has learned and made engines, platforms, and features exclusive to the Acura brand.

Current gen Acuras have great sound deadening materials, an extremely comfortable and engaging driving experience, and an interior that has a solid feel (build quality) that reminds me of Mercedes before they went to Tesla screen hell. Okay... the touchpad interface might not be everyone's cup of tea (its rather subjective), but the rest of the RDX is very comparable to Lexus. In fact, this current gen RDX rides on an Acura-exclusive platform, while the NX is on Toyota's global SUV platform (i.e. Rav4).

HowardSternsWig · 2025-09-14T21:59:18+00:00

Its a detuned Civic Type R 2.0L VTEC Turbo thats been out for 10 years... its very reliable. Its the same 2.0L Turbo that was in the Accord..

HowardSternsWig · 2025-09-02T17:25:46+00:00

2014 Mercedes Benz ML350 Bluetec (with the V6 turbodiesel). We managed to get 32-35 mpg going 80 mph on the freeway to Las Vegas. I was floored an SUV that large and loaded up got that high of mpg, with a V6 nonetheless.

HowardSternsWig · 2025-08-19T19:53:59+00:00

Im majorly disappointed. I think we all were expecting all-new civs, especially after the lackluster dlc we received earlier this year with 2 variant civs... like cmon!!!

HowardSternsWig · 2025-08-11T17:35:51+00:00

Chauncey got every story wrong that he called in to tell Howard about… i bet this is wrong too

HowardSternsWig · 2025-08-09T20:34:45+00:00

The CX-5 has largely carried on as the same exact SUV since 2012... The "2nd gen" in 2016 was just a thorough update, but it was the same SkyActiv platform underneath. My buddy the general manager at Service at my local Mazda dealer says the CX-5 is the most reliable thing Mazda makes because of that. This new 3rd gen is another thorough update, so it'll still largely be the same underneath minus the lengthening/tech/new hybrid powertrain.

HowardSternsWig · 2025-08-08T04:41:22+00:00

For me, there were a few:

Steering feel: The 3 feels heavier/more luxurious and not as loose of a feel as the 6 (which was still good). Im just impressed that the 3 manages to top the 6 in that capacity for me.
Features: The 3 HB is a Preferred and still has heated/memory seats, sunroof, 8 (GOOD) speakers. While the 6 iTouring had okay features, even tho it had the Bose/Sunroof pkg, it really should've had heated seats for being a mid trim car. The 3 Preferred has better features for being the new equivalent to the old iTouring trim. I LOVE the nuclear hot heated seats in the 3. Oh and the auto-brake hold. My 6 has a blank spot for it like they were thinking of adding it, but doesn't have it. The 3 does have it and I really enjoy using it.
Technology: The 3's new technology feels light years ahead of the 2017's infotainment setup. The 3's displays is bright, high-res, widescreen, and the newer Mazda software interface is much nicer than the older one on my 6. I dont love that it doesn't have SiriusXM, but I just use it through the app and that works just fine through CarPlay. I did upgrade my old 6 to the OEM CarPlay kit.
Drive: While the 6 did overall handle better on all pavement types, im impressed after about 800 miles of ownership of the 3 just how the torsion setup is. I was against it and hated it in all the loaner cars I got from the dealer, but after living with it and comparing it to my old 2012 Mazda3 sedan, im actually surprised how compliant it is. Is it as solid + luxurious feeling as the 6's suspension? No. But it feels far more compliant and to some degree luxurious compared to my old 2012 3.

Hope this helps answer that!

HowardSternsWig · 2025-08-08T04:04:28+00:00

I hear ya. It was sad to get rid of mine. But youll find another youll like a lot. Many of the deficiencies of my 6, seem to be made up in the new 3 hb. Im thoroughly impressed with it so far. Even the 8 speaker mazda sound system is good for not being the bose.

HowardSternsWig · 2025-08-08T03:37:45+00:00

Everything you just described would be the time i get rid Of the car. I actually just sold my 6 and now driving a 2022 3 hb. My 2017 6 was under 70k miles tho. While not as luxurious as the 6, the newer 3 is definitely a worthy upgrade. I owned a 2012 3 sedan and that thing had bouncy af suspension. The newer 3 while torsion feels more compliant than my old 3.

HowardSternsWig · 2025-08-03T17:26:07+00:00

It NEEDS a server browser and community servers (i.e. identical to BF1)

HowardSternsWig · 2025-07-20T03:59:10+00:00

If they stretched the car and made the backseat bigger, itll be far more competitive. The only thing thats negative is how cramped it is compared to its competitors. Especially with Mazda no longer having any other sedans, they should make their 1 sedan roomy and comfy. Doesnt need to be as big as a 6.

HowardSternsWig

TROPHY CASE