You are correct. They kept increasing power and not modifying the transmission accordingly. At some point the STi switched to a 6 speed that was properly designed for the 300hp that it was making and solved that issue.

Haha I wish I had more info on that. I looked into the FQ400 some, but they all seem to be either garage queens or heavily modded, so I can't really tell. The story is similar in the JDM market where cars remain low mileage for their entire lifetime. No reports of reliability issues doesn't necessarily mean super…

As a member of the gay community, I am personally repulsed by this car. Of course, as you said, I am also a member of the Jalopnik community. I would, however, love to test this theory by presenting this car to some of my older friends....

Just as an additional point, the 2.0 Ecoboost also uses a K03 and the 2.3 Ecoboost in the Mustang uses a K04. I just figured I'd throw that out there because they're the same turbos that get put on the 1.8T and 2.0T.

I guess I should have provided specific examples. The early 2000s EVO FQs pushed up to 405hp from a 2.0L turbo. Legacies and other JDM Subarus were producing close to 300 hp from 2.0L back in the mid 90s. The F1 turbo era of the 80s were producing 1200+hp from 1.5L, but I'm not sure how much reliability can be gleaned…

Have you ever driven a low compression small displacement turbo engine? As someone with an 8.5:1 CR 2.0L engine designed in the late 70s and using a so-called "large turbo," I completely disagree with almost all of your points. I have no problems accelerating up hills in high gears while staying out of positive boost.…

Your first sentence could not be more true. To add to your point, the Ecoboost engines are specifically configured so that you cannot be in "low to minimum boost." The turbos are so small that boost comes in pretty much immediately, negating any possible increase in fuel economy. Not only is your mixture getting…

It doesn't help that the turbos on these engines are so damn small that you cannot help but be in boost. The economy of a turbo engine comes from being out of boost. The 90s showed us that adding a properly sized turbo to an engine does not decrease fuel economy, and yet Ford's Ecoboost engines get somewhat…

....we have been doing this for decades. Turbocharging is not new. Nor is making 150hp/liter . I'm not sure where your apprehension is coming from...

My old Eclipse convertible had a lever that I think did something like this, but the coupes don't have that. It was replaced by the dial that opens and closes the main vents, I think. Yeah, I never figured that out.

I agree with your statement and I think the problem comes from people refusing to believe that they are not invincible, but I will say that TireRack did a great video on this and according to them the difference is more than 10 ft. Granted, ice vs snow.

I didn't know that it was for starting. It was "sold" to me by the following logic:

I don't know what just happened, but I am somehow just fine with it.

I can't get past the current looks either. I couldn't imagine how difficult it would be to get to work every morning if I had to change my pants every time I step into the garage! I can't afford to do laundry that often!

My boyfriend's old FIAT had it enabled from the factory and no argument from me could make him disable it. His new one came with it disabled, and he told me that he has no plans for turning it back on. The confidence that comes from knowing that the car will roll back greatly outweighs the benefits of it sometimes…

Google Maps will cache entire cities or states (or countries, I guess) of maps if you ask it. It also automatically caches the first time you drive through an area. I know plenty of people that use basic Wifi Android devices (such as tablets or old phones) for navigation with Maps. Cache where you drive, then receive…

Fords do. At least in the Mustang. Can't speak for 2015 though.

I am curious what you disliked about the Prius. Was the Volt just that much better? Did you have problems with the Prius?

A certain dealership near my house has already received the signs, literature, and decorations for Alfa's return. Dealerships themselves are led to believe that the return will happen any time now, but they've been told that since Q1 2013. I don't know what to think.

My first car was a 1997 Eclipse GST Spyder. I had just fixed it up. Rebuilt engine, fresh paint, new upholstry and new top. On my way back to college from Christmas break, a somnambulent teen in a Dodge Caliber pulled onto the highway from the emergency lane, pushing me into the snow-covered shoulder and then into the…